September 23, 2014: Inside Amazon’s Ultra-Secret Writers' Convention, Google Rethinks Traditional Science Fair, Is This Obama's Favorite Event Venue?

1. A PEEK INSIDE AMAZON’S ULTRA-SECRET WRITERS' CONVENTION: A high-profile fight between Amazon and the publisher Hachette has resulted in details about the online retailer’s secretive Campfire literary retreat, now in its fifth year and hosted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The New York Times: “The Amazon mogul does not make attendees sign nondisclosure forms. His team just cautions them that the weekend is off the record. … Campfire this year is being held under the conditions of utmost secrecy, as usual. Mr. Bezos has rented the entire Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa, which is set on 450 acres a little north of Santa Fe. If you call the front desk seeking a particular guest, the operator will not ring the room or even take a message. There are guards at the front gate to prevent the curious from getting too far.” http://nyti.ms/1tWQg9t

2. GOOGLE RETHINKS TRADITIONAL SCIENCE FAIR: To encourage innovation from budding scientists (and potential Google engineers), the tech giant hosted its fourth annual science fair. The contest began online but culminated in an in-person event. Mashable: “Google hosted all 18 finalists Monday at its campus in Mountain View, Ca., where they showed off their projects to the panel of judges and hundreds of local students. The grand prize winner receives a $50,000 scholarship from Google, a grant for their school, and an expedition to the Galapagos Islands. The winning project, came from three girls from Ireland who wanted to find out whether a naturally-occurring strain of bacteria could make certain crops more productive and increase food yields.” http://on.mash.to/1x6iReK

3. IS THIS PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FAVORITE EVENT VENUE?: When President Obama is looking for an event venue—whether to entertain donors or to meet informally with Republican senators—he goes to Washington’s Jefferson Hotel. Washington Post: “The Jefferson is just a few blocks north of the White House, making it an easy jaunt for the presidential motorcade. … Another factor that might explain the commander-in-chief’s gold-level status is the hotel’s left-leaning pedigree. The hotel’s owner, Constance Milstein, has donated thousands to Democratic candidates and causes, and is well-liked in Dem social circles. Not for nothing, the food isn’t too shabby either.” http://wapo.st/1ueq8bq

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Topsfield Fair, one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the United States, is October 3-13. Performers include Kellie Pickler.

CHICAGO:  The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is November 22. The event will include musical performances, family-friendly holiday activities, a parade, and fireworks.

LAS VEGAS:  This weekend, Motley Brews’ Downtown Brew Festival drew 3,600 to the Clark County Amphitheater. The event included more than 60 breweries and live entertainment.

LOS ANGELES:  On Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, CNN’s Don Lemon hosted the Adcolor awards, which honor people who champion diversity in the advertising, marketing, PR, media, and entertainment industries.

The restaurant and gourmet shop Joan’s on Third opened its Studio City location on Monday.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Ritz-Carlton will assume management of One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa on October 2. The luxury resort will become the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami. The property has 2,400 square feet of indoor event space and an additional 3,400 square feet of outdoor terraces.

The restaurant American Social appointed Christopher Palmer as its new corporate executive chef. He will oversee the menus at the location on Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale and the soon-to-open location in Brickell.

NEW YORK:  The N.F.L. has named Dawn Hudson its new chief marketing officer.

Event production company David Stark Design and Production is moving its offices and storage space to the Industry City area in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Crain’s New York Business: http://bit.ly/1x6bLXL

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

TORONTO:  The International District Energy Association will host its “Evolving Energy” conference at Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel October 28-30.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Chef Spike Mendelsohn failed to attend Festicle, the first event from his new event company, Spike'd Events. Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1riN0UP

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

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

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