July 9, 2013: Media Buyers Say Upfronts Don't Sway Decisions, Headphones Provide New Concert Experience, Cvent Plans I.P.O.

1. MEDIA BUYERS SAY UPFRONTS DON'T SWAY DECISIONS: A new survey shows that elaborate presentations and parties during TV networks' upfront presentations do little to influence guests. More than half (61 percent) say they do not affect ad buying decisions. The findings likely won't cause any change in the industry, though. Ad Age: "Anyone absent from the lineup will be noticed," said Bob Flood, a vice president at Advertiser Perceptions. "They serve as a networking opportunity, are buzz-worthy and help develop more trustworthy relationships with the organization." http://bit.ly/12iHJjO

2. NEW CONCERT TECHNOLOGY CHANGES FAN EXPERIENCE: New York Times: "Umphrey’s McGee, a well-known ensemble on the jam-band circuit, is engaged in an experiment that may change the way we listen to live music—or at least the way a percentage of the audience does. … Umphrey’s fans can rent a wireless receiver and headphones that let them hear what the musicians hear, unaffected by the venue’s acoustics." http://nyti.ms/13yyajy

3. CVENT PLANS I.P.O.: Cvent, an event management software company, filed for an I.P.O. Monday and in the process revealed financial data about its profitability. Washington Business Journal: "Cvent attributes the largest part of its total revenue—$58.7 million last year—to subscriptions to its cloud-based software platform for event and meeting planners. The rest came from its marketing business." http://bit.ly/12iIFF0

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has named Mike DeFrino its chief operating officer for the brand's 60 hotels and 68 restaurants nationwide.

AUSTIN:  Transmission Events, the event company and producers of Fun Fun Fun Fest, has hired Bobby Garza as general manager, a newly created position.

BOSTON:  The third annual North of Boston Wine Week is September 8-15.

The Boston Rock Gym is hosting an event July 20 at Hammond Pond where guests can learn outdoor skills, go rock climbing, and eat a gourmet picnic lunch.

CHICAGO:  The Morton Arboretum's Honey Bee Weekend is September 7-8. A Honeybee Expo will offer bee-themed products such as honey mead, candles, lotions, and beekeeper kits.

The Chicago Humanities Festival's Benefit Gala is October 2 at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Honorees include Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

The launch party for Kitchensurfing Chicago is tonight at Centered Chef.

SmithBucklin has announced that Carol McGury will lead its convention, trade show, and event management services and will continue to oversee the education and learning services unit.

Stephanie Lieber, vice president of individual giving at the Chicago Children's Museum, will host the "Women's Empower Hour" at Metropolitan Capital July 31.

LAS VEGAS:  Las Vegas Sun: "The America-Chivas game was supposed to be a springboard to bigger and better soccer events in Las Vegas, but turned out to be an absolute disaster thanks to idiotic actions from a few groups of fans." http://bit.ly/13FUpCQ

Las Vegas Weekly: "Longtime nightlife staple Ghostbar is getting a facelift. The top-of-the-Palms venue, which opened with the property in November 2001, closes July 7 to undergo a complete redesign. The makeover is part of the Palms’ $50 million, property-wide renovation, which began in July 2012." http://bit.ly/1bkxej9

LOS ANGELES:  Premier Exhibitions has leased the historic Movieland Wax Museum site from the City of Buena Park. The building will be converted to 40,000 square feet of exhibition space to display "Bodies...The Exhibition" and "Titanic: The Experience," which opens August 1.

The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research's 39th annual Block Party is Saturday at Paramount.

Apparel News: "Venue, a new streetwear trade show, debuted June 28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with 40 exhibitors who were enthusiastic about meeting retailers and connecting with other vendors." http://bit.ly/12dfnUH

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Mister Wolfe, a pop-up lounge at the Townhouse hotel, has opened. The South Beach venue, whose name was inspired by a line in Pulp Fiction, serves cocktails and an organic small-bites menu. Eater: http://bit.ly/12GLMBP

NEW YORK:  Fête Paradiso, a vintage French festival, will hold its American debut on Governors Island this summer. The festival will include late-19th- and early 20th-century rides such as carousels and flying swings and will be open to the public every weekend from July 13-September 29.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

PHILADELPHIA:  The Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown has started a multimillion-dollar renovation that will update meeting spaces, public areas, and more.

TAMPA:  The International Indian Film Academy will hold its 2014 award program in Tampa next June. This will be the first time the awards, known as the "Bollywood Oscars," will be held in the United States.

TORONTO:  The Amsterdam Brewery opened July 1 next to the Harbourfront Centre. The 14,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery will serve beers from Amsterdam and pub food and will seat more than 800 guests. TorontoLife: http://bit.ly/183v45b

WASHINGTON:  Associated Press: "In five years since moving to its new home overlooking the U.S. Capitol, the Newseum has become a major attraction with 4 million people visiting its exhibits about journalism and the First Amendment. Yet it's been struggling mightily to cover its costs." http://bit.ly/156DvKn

Jen Sterling, owner of the design and marketing firm Red Thinking, was appointed to a one-year post as president of the city's chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

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

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Haley Holton, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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

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