Best of 2011: the Biggest Local News Stories in Nine Markets

The landmark Tropicana Las Vegas underwent a $180 million overhaul, with upgrades like a redesigned facade; all-new rooms and suites; new amenities, restaurants and bars; and entertainment and nightlife options.  —Alesandra Dubin

The long-awaited Frank Gehry-designed New World Center (home of the New World Symphony) celebrated its debut in January with a gala that included a concert, a cocktail reception, and dinner. Karla Conceptual Event Experiences incorporated blue decor into both the custom tenting and 30,000-square-foot performance hall to emphasize the symphony’s branding color. —Jana Schiowitz

The first of many luxury hotels scheduled to arrive in Toronto, the $300 million Ritz-Carlton opened its doors in February. The hotel and residence offers more than 20,000 square feet of event and meeting facilities, including the largest ballroom in Toronto—a title the Ritz may not hold for long: Trump International Hotel and Residence will become the second-largest skyscraper in the city when it opens in early 2012;  Hong Kong luxury brand the Shangri-La will open in summer 2012 with floor-to-ceiling windows in every event space; and the Four Seasons Hotel will move 400 yards down the street to its new 55- and 26-story glass towers in Yorkville. —Carla Warrilow

In late June, the New York State Senate legalized same-sex marriage, a decision that not only added momentum to the gay rights movement, but also introduced a new market for the local vendors. There have already been plenty of affairs since the law took effect, including a pop-up chapel in Central Park. Although the economic impact of the law has yet to be measured, many estimate a windfall of more than $100 million in the first year, and caterers, designers, and other vendors expect the addition of gay weddings to boost all aspects of the industry. “I know there will be a tremendous surge in business, including people who had previous union ceremonies. It’s going to be a busy six months. We’ve already booked several parties and weddings,” said planner and designer David Monn after the bill passed. —Anna Sekula

Love it or hate it—or find it totally inexplicable—the Kardashians claimed the top spot as coveted event guests of the year. The Hollywood launch of the Kardashian Kollection drew a swarm of paparazzi in August for Sears, as did just about any event with a Kardashian on the guest list. And Kim and Kris Humphries’s Santa Barbara wedding, estimated to cost $20 million, sealed the deal, bringing attention to vendors like planner Sharon Sacks, caterer Wolfgang Puck, designer Rrivre Works, and baker Hansen’s Cakes. The subsequent divorce filing, just 72 days later, raised questions about the PR value of celebrity weddings and the impact of the Kardashian-Humphries split.—Alesandra Dubin

More than three dozen event industry vendors worked together to create a three-day celebration in June for the groundbreaking of the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Disney, Universal, Kirby Rentals, T. Skorman Productions, and PRG were some of the companies that collaborated on the public celebration and an invitation-only party for community leaders. The groundbreaking marked the end of multiple delays for the $383 million project. The center’s first two performance halls, including a 2,700-seat auditorium for touring Broadway shows, are expected to be completed in 2014.  —Mitra Sorrells

In May, Rahm Emanuel took over the position Richard M. Daley occupied for more than 20 years. Though it’s still early in his tenure, the new mayor’s personal tastes and interests are already adding prestige to some events—and deflecting interest in others. As a dance enthusiast and former dancer himself, Emanuel was the honorary chair of the opening-night gala for the Chicago Dancing Festival in August. The festival saw expanded programming and bigger crowds and the mayor’s support “greatly” enhanced the event’s reputation, said co-producer Jay Franke. The Mayor’s Halloween Ball, a tradition that started under Daley, didn’t fare so well—this year it was canceled. Behind the scenes, Emanuel tapped Michelle T. Boone as the commissioner of the newly created Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. On her to-do list: taking over the beleaguered Taste of Chicago festival, most recently run by the Chicago Park District, which has seen dwindling attendance. —Jenny Berg

The local fashion and retail industry beefed up some of its more high-profile happenings. In September, Newbury Street was roped off for the first time in 15 years for Fashion’s Night Out, which included a disco-themed cocktail party at Tiffany & Company and an alfresco concert. Later that month, Boston Fashion Week got a more cohesive makeover, with a centralized, 3,000-square-foot tent from PBD Events in a courtyard near the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. —Jenny Berg

As Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc on the East Coast in August, the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, which was expected to garner some 400,000 spectators, had to be postponed. Five days of planned celebrations surrounding the dedication had to be cut down to just two and a half, due to the inclement weather. Before Irene threatened the weekend, an earthquake earlier in the week shook up plans, forcing the Honoring Global Leaders for Peace gala to be moved from the National Building Museum to the convention center just 24 hours before its planned start. The rescheduled, much-smaller-in-scale dedication took place on October 16, the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March.  —Courtney Thompson