May 31, 2016: Why Tech Companies Are Heading to Cannes Beaches, Inside Sydney's 23-Day Light Festival, Rio Cancels Construction Contract for Delayed Olympic Venue

1. WHY TECH COMPANIES ARE HEADING TO CANNES BEACHES: When the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity comes to the resort town from June 18-25, the French Riviera beaches will be home to numerous tech company activations. Companies including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube will set up weeklong beach activations to attract marketers. Adweek: “It's the first "Facebook Beach" and "YouTube Beach" at Cannes, though Google—YouTube's older sibling in the Alphabet Inc. family—has taken over a beach in recent years. Marketers generally embrace Facebook, so its play should be buzzy on the Croisette. The social media giant held a ‘Hacker Square’ at Cannes last year—its first year on the beach—yet it appears clear that it's beach aims are higher in 2016. … The Cannes beaches were once reserved primarily for ad agencies and holding companies during the Lions. As more information about the festival emerges, it will be intriguing to see which old-school companies join the Silicon Valley powerhouses on the scene. Attendees can expect the branded beaches to offer activities such as yoga and beach volleyball; beverages ranging from rosé to smoothies; and marketing panels and speeches.” http://bit.ly/1sH0tcT

2. INSIDE SYDNEY’S 23-DAY LIGHT FESTIVAL: Through June 18, venues and landmarks throughout Sydney, Australia, will be lit up with a combination of light, art, and lasers for this year’s Vivid festival. Not only do the dazzling installations provide Instagram-worthy photo ops—certain projects draw attention to issues, including Chinese lanterns at the Taronga Zoo that highlight endangered animals. Mashable: “Doing something completely new is what drives the creative team at Sydney startup Ample Projects, who are behind the zoo's oversized lanterns of endangered animals and the maze of light that are part of an exhibition called ‘don't let their lights go out,’ which hopes to draw attention to 10 endangered creatures around the world. … The LED-based silk and steel lanterns feature animals include the marine turtle, platypus, greater bilby, corroboree frog, regent honeyeater, sun bear, Asian elephant, Sumatran rhino, Sumatran tiger and pangolin. They are joined by a host of other animals—including one the size of a real-life captured crocodile—to make it feel like you are walking through a fantasy zoo. ‘We could elevate the whole idea by bringing in some new lantern technology,’ Jones said. ‘These are Chinese lanterns but they are about as different from a Chinese lantern as a T-Model Ford from an F-111. They are incredibly technologically advanced, they have so many layers of tech and innovation built into them, they are incredibly beautiful.’” http://on.mash.to/1TUJD4z

3. RIO CANCELS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR DELAYED OLYMPIC VENUE: Rio de Janeiro’s government has canceled a contract with Tecnosolo, the firm constructing the velodrome for the upcoming Olympics, after it filed for bankruptcy protection. The city has announced that the cancellation won’t impact the completion of the venue, which will host indoor cycling events. Reuters: “The velodrome is the most delayed of Rio's permanent Olympic venues. An indoor cycling test event set for the end of April was canceled in March because it was not ready. The construction of the venue, which the city government says is 88 percent finished, has now been handed over to Engetécnica, another Brazilian company that has been working on the project as a subcontractor since February. In March, Olympic organizers said the delays had partly been due to logistical issues in laying the track, which is made of Siberian wood.” http://reut.rs/24hCRYb

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Estragon Tapas Bar will debut its new private event space, Bar Gogo, on June 12. Eater: http://bit.ly/1Z8Wy30

CHICAGO:  Swedish metal festival Scorched Tundra will come to Chicago for the first time this year September 2-3. Chicagoist: http://bit.ly/1sXEVcC

LOS ANGELES:  This year’s BET Experience will take place June 23-26 at L.A. Live. Performers will include Lil’ Wayne and Usher. 

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The third edition of the Sabvor Fine Food & Wine Exhibition, which highlights more than 100 Spanish food and beverage products, will take place June 22-23 at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center. 

NEW YORK:  The 34th annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade will be held on June 18.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  International beauty trade show Premiere Orlando will take place Saturday through Monday at the Orange County Convention Center.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The 64th annual Sausalito Art Festival will take place September 3-5. New festival events include the black tie Supper Club Gala and opening night preview party on September 2. 

TORONTO:  Event and catering company Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants has partnered with Big Rock Brewery to launch brewpub Liberty Commons in Liberty Village in the fall. The two-level venue will feature a customizable private dining area for events and a patio lounge.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Pop culture and gaming convention Awesome Con will take place Friday through Sunday at the Washington Convention Center. 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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