September 4, 2013: Big Summer for Event Programming, Met Ball Finds a Theme, Stoli Sponsorship Draws Criticism

1. SUMMER'S EVENT PROGRAMMING A SUCCESS: Event programming on cable television—from the MTV Video Music Awards to tightrope walker Nik Wallenda crossing the Grand Canyon and the BET Awards—was particularly successful this summer for sponsors. Adweek: "Since event shows tend to deliver almost exclusively live viewership, you can schedule a major push around a very specific product release date without much trouble." http://bit.ly/18rA42H

2. MET BALL FINDS A THEME: The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will focus on American courtier Charles James for its spring exhibition, which provides the launching point for the A-list benefit. Woman's Wear Daily: "There could be many dramatic ballgowns making their way up the Met’s steps, but also expect to see some color." http://bit.ly/14XVqWN

3. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP DRAWS CRITICISM: The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association's decision to take a $10,000 sponsorship donation for its August convention from the company that manufactures Stolichnaya vodka is upsetting some of its members, since Stoli is the subject of a boycott related to Russia's antigay legislation. Poynter: One critic, a former board member, said he was "very disappointed that NLGJA fails to take into account the political situation of LGBT people in the regions where a corporate donor is based or represents.” http://bit.ly/18rBs5i

4. EVENTBRITE MAKES FIRST ACQUISITIONS: A $60 million pool of capital helped ticketing company Eventbrite make its first acquisitions: London-based event data company Lanyrd and Latin American ticketing service Eventioz. TechCrunch: "Lanyrd will allow Eventbrite to incorporate more structured data into its listings (for example, [C.E.O. Kevin] Hartz suggested that by integrating with Lanyrd, Eventbrite might eventually be able to automatically provide event organizers with speaker data), while Eventioz will give Eventbrite a foothold for Latin American expansion." http://tcrn.ch/15ycRzA

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation will host its Boston Bright Pink Luncheon & Symposium on October 24 at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Organizers are working closely with Winston Flowers on the event's decor, which will be in shades of pink and silver. Winston donates all flower arrangements for the event.

Legal Sea Foods' fifth annual Oyster Festival, slated for September 18-October 15, will offer special menus and events.

CHICAGO:  The Auxiliary Board of the Art Institute of Chicago will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a black-tie masked ball on October 12. Inspired by the upcoming exhibition "Magritte: the Mystery of the Ordinary," the evening will have a Surrealist theme. DJ Madrid will spin at the after-party.

The Green Ribbon Gala will be held at American Junkie on October 19. Offering cocktails, snacks, and an eco-friendly fashion show, the event showcases sustainable businesses. 

Six Flags Great America, which hosts corporate events for as many as 20,000 guests, will have a new roller coaster in 2014. Dauntingly named "Goliath," the structure has a 165-foot lift hill and is being billed as the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world.

LAS VEGAS:  After a two-year, $11.7-million renovation, Sunset Park is again set to host to the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival October 11-13.

This Friday, First Friday Las Vegas will extend festival hours and continue to push out into the neighborhood.

LOS ANGELES:  Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are the first presenters announced for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards. The telecast will air live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors has voted to give its Governors Award this year to voice actress June Foray. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place September 15 at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.

After five years with Slate PR, Stephanie Samson begins a new role as the new special projects editor for InStyle magazine.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  A Palm Beach outpost of the South Beach steak house Meat Market is slated to open in November at 191 Bradley Place. The design will feature inlaid mahogany tables, leather banquettes, a marble bar, and warm crimson lighting.

NEW YORK:  Adweek will announce its Hot List winners at a gala December 2 at Capitale.

The 11th annual New York Burlesque Festival will include several events: the Teaser Party September 26 at Le Poisson Rouge; the Premiere Party September 27 at Brooklyn Bowl; and the Golden Pastie Awards September 29 at the Highline Ballroom.

The eighth annual Laugh for Sight NYC All-Star Comedy Benefit, October 28 at Gotham Comedy Club, announced headliners Jerry Seinfeld and Robert Klein.

The Space at Westbury, formerly the abandoned Westbury Theater in Long Island, is now an event space. It has a ribbon-cutting event September 17.

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

ORLANDO:  Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock the Universe 2013 is Friday and Saturday, featuring a lineup of 18 Christian rock bands.

SAN DIEGO:  Pechanga Resort & Casino, the third largest resort-casino in the United States, and the seventh largest in the world, has announced a huge upcoming, multimillion-dollar remodel plan to its Temecula complex.

TORONTO:  Jessica Jensen Inc. has partnered with Visa Canada and TIFF to launch the Visa TIFF Festival Tote Bag promotion. The customized bag is available at select LCBO shops from September 5-8 and is free to anyone who makes a purchase using a Visa card.

The "Power of One" event will take place on Monday at Bloke & 4th. The event will feature installations powered by Windows, a showcase of Xbox 360's gaming and entertainment options, and a preview of Xbox One. Food Dudes will prepare snacks, and there will be an open bar and DJs.

WASHINGTON:  This year's Lincoln Legacy Project from Ford’s Theatre Society will tie into the society's production of the play The Laramie Project. Among the events planned during September and October include a series of free Monday night panel discussions beginning September 30 with Cokie Roberts in conversation with Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and 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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