October 12, 2015: CNN and Facebook Partner for Democratic Presidential Debate, Retailers Catch On to Popularity of Photo Booths, New Company Will Help Bring Live Events to Smaller Markets

1. CNN AND FACEBOOK PARTNER FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: A partnership between CNN and Facebook will shape the action during Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate, with viewers able to submit questions through the social network and statistics measuring their reactions to the debate’s biggest moments incorporated both in real time and in analysis afterward. Mashable: "The reality is, when people watch an event like a debate, it’s become an inherently social event," said Andrew Morse, CNN’s executive vice president of editorial. http://on.mash.to/1MrBLUO

2. RETAILERS CATCH ON TO POPULARITY OF PHOTO BOOTHS: From retailers such as trendy eyeglass provider Warby Parker to venues like Soho House New York, businesses are installing photo booths and custom backdrops to encourage consumers to have fun in their stores—and share the images online. The New York Times: “The photo booth, that fixture of one-off events like weddings and parties, is now taking up permanent residence at fashion and lifestyle brands, as companies like Urban Decay and Topshop realize that some of the best advertising they can get are well-lighted branded photos of customers having a good time. … The kiosks, which are often free for customers, allow companies to collect information like email addresses or Twitter handles, and to let customers opt in to receive updates.” http://nyti.ms/1MrA5dU

3. NEW COMPANY WILL HELP BRING LIVE EVENTS TO SMALLER MARKETS: Spectra Presents, a new a live event touring and promotion service from Spectra by Comcast Spectator, will target secondary and tertiary markets nationwide. Billboard: “Spectra Presents will strive to bring events to markets that are often under the radar of national concert tours and shows, many of which suffer from a dearth of live entertainment, even though history shows those markets can sell tickets. Additionally, many artists are seeking venues to play outside of the traditional 40 majors that make up tours. … Spectra Presents’ approach will embrace a wide array of touring opportunities, [senior vice president Brock] Jones says. ‘We'll promote full tours, one-offs, weekend blocks, plus surround confirmed dates by assisting acts to connect the dots,’ he says. He adds that, while Spectra Presents will deal directly with agents in procuring talent, the buildings should be ready to come to the table." http://bit.ly/1WS416b

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will embark on an eight-city United States tour in November. Stops include New York's Carnegie Hall on November 5, San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall on November 8, Chicago's Symphony Center on November 15, and Dallas' Meyerson Symphony Center on November 17.

AUSTIN:  Anheuser-Busch has announced it will be a leading sponsor of South by Southwest 2016, slated for March 11-20. Press release: http://prn.to/1jiBYhw

BOSTON:  Illuminus, a free nighttime art festival consisting of multisensory art installations, took place on Saturday at Fenway Park. Women's Wear Daily: http://bit.ly/1OpQYYc

CHICAGO:  Now in its fifth year, Chicago’s “Perfect 10” running event will take place at Navy Pier on November 14. The Perfect 10 offers sprinters two routes for a run: one goes along the lakeshore, and another goes to 31st Street and back.

LAS VEGAS:  The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's 20th annual Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball will take place October 31.

LOS ANGELES:  Yalla will launch its fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant in Los Angeles with a V.I.P. party at the new Burbank location on October 19.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The 14th annual Miami Short Film Festival is slated for November 2-7. The selected films, all under 20 minutes, will screen at Cinepolis CocoWalk and Miami Beach Cinemantheque.

NEW YORK:  New York's sixth annual Grub Street Food Festival will take place October 18 at the corner of Essex and Hester Streets, while its 17th annual New York Taste will take place November 10 at the Waterfront. Both events are sponsored by Citi.

The 10th annual Latin American Cultural Week will take place November 13-22, with a variety of music, dance, theater, film, and visual art presentations taking place at various venues including the New York Public Library, Merkin Concert Hall, and Brooklyn Conservatory Hall.

K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers will take place November 4 at the American Museum of Natural History. The organization is sponsoring a hashtag campaign leading up to the gala, asking supporters to tweet answers to the questions: “Have you provided support to someone or invested in another person at some point in your life? Was there a time when someone invested in or supported you?”

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Winter Park restaurant Cask & Larder will open a location in Orlando International Airport next summer. It will be the airport's first restaurant specializing in seasonally driven dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show will take place October 22-25 at Fort Mason Center.

TORONTO:  The Canadian Arts & Business Awards will will take place at the Royal Conservatory of Music on October 27. The evening, which draws business and arts leaders, includes a black-tie dinner and an award ceremony.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Restaurateur Robert Widemaier has pulled out of talks to open a restaurant at the Wharf, a 3.2-million-square-foot mixed-use development slated to begin opening in Southwest D.C. in 2017. Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1R2MDaN

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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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