May 6, 2016: Facebook to Sponsor Both National Conventions, New 'Classic Rock' Coachella Slated for Success, Social Media Platforms Expected to Host Own NewFronts

1. FACEBOOK TO SPONSOR BOTH NATIONAL CONVENTIONS: Facebook has announced it will sponsor both the Democratic and Republican conventions this summer. The social networking and news platform will provide financial and other support, as well as onsite lounges at the conventions. Mashable: “Facebook said in a statement that its involvement in the events does not mean the company is vouching for any particular candidate or party. Rather, it considers the sponsorship to be a chance to encourage its users to participate in the election. This isn't the first time that Facebook or its tech brethren have helped fund major political events. Facebook and Google each sponsored multiple candidate debates on both sides of the aisle earlier this year and last fall. For Facebook, the sponsorship deals fall in line with its goal of becoming a destination for discussions about real-time news—a type of conversation where rival Twitter has always had a leg up.” http://on.mash.to/1ZlZkBV

2. NEW 'CLASSIC ROCK' COACHELLA SLATED FOR SUCCESS: The inaugural Desert Trip, a three-day classic rock festival that was announced earlier this week to take place at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California—the site of Coachella—may rake in as much as $100 million. Produced by Goldenvoice and AEG, the festival will feature headliners including the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. Billboard: "Talent-wise, Desert Trip is a historic achievement. Set for Oct. 7-9 at Coachella’s site, the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, Calif., the event brings together several of the biggest box-office attractions of all time, and the presence of all six on the same bill is unprecedented. … Indeed, Desert Trip is not a traditional festival. Each day’s show is scheduled to start at sunset and feature a stadium-level set from each act. Seating and other crowd-assembly and logistical equipment will be trucked in at great expense (a source estimates production costs to be around $13 million). Also in play are such line items as staffing, catering, rental and permit fees with the site and the city, insurance, and other unsexy but necessary budget-busters. Conservatively, Desert Trip could cost upwards of $50 million for the promoters. The Palm Springs area has ample opportunities for pricey 'enhanced experience' upgrades such as 'glamping,' dining, golf and resorts -- and it's had 17 years of Coachella to customize them for concert audiences." http://bit.ly/1Wb4dQ2

3. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS EXPECTED TO HOST OWN NEWFRONTS: YouTube’s Brandcast continues to be the buzziest event at the Digital Content NewFronts, but experts say that social platforms including Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter could soon give the Google brand some competition with NewFront presentations of their own. Adweek: “‘The ambition for Facebook and Twitter—with what it's doing with the NFL and destination content that actually pulls people in—they'll have to eventually look at the NewFronts, or someplace like it, as a place to show off their content chops,’ commented Noah Mallin, head of social at MEC Global. … To be fair, like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter frequently come up during NewFronts speeches as media players pitch their social reach to ad buyers. And it's possible they may get on stage with media players in the coming days. Therefore, in a way, the platforms are already at the NewFronts. But what about an official showcase for these platforms? Facebook reps said the idea wasn't currently in the company's plans, Twitter declined comment and Snapchat didn't immediately respond to inquiries on the subject. And the Interactive Advertising Bureau, which runs the NewFronts, didn't offer an answer about the potential for them down the road. Though marketers believe the platforms' official participation is almost inevitable.” http://bit.ly/1WcivR7

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons, and LCD Soundsystem are slated to headline the 15th Austin City Limits Music Festival, which will take place September 30-October 2 and October 7-9 at Zilker Park.

BOSTON:  Suffolk Downs will host three live horse-racing events July 9-10, August 6-7, and September 3-4. Boston Globe: http://bit.ly/1Tq27oY

LAS VEGAS:  The Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center will open Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino in late 2016. The 27,000-square-foot venue is the city's first casino featuring an Asian cultural and gaming experience.

The Linq Hotel & Casino will offer the Strip’s first bunk bed rooms, aimed at millennials and modern travelers.

LOS ANGELES:  The Helping Hand of Los Angeles' 87th annual Mother's Day Luncheon and Fashion Show takes place today at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Radio personality Ellen K will emcee the event, which honors actress Molly Sims and philanthropist Stacy Valner, and benefits the Cedars-Sinai Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Cassia restaurant, helmed by co-owner and chef Bryant Ng, will launch weekday lunch beginning May 9.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Out Con, the first L.G.B.T.-focused comic convention in South Florida, will take place May 14 at the Miami Airport Convention Center. Miami New Times: http://bit.ly/1WLH6L1

Maison & Objet Americas, a design show that’s an offshoot of the Paris edition, runs May 10-13 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

NEW YORK:  ACE Mentor Program of America's 21st annual scholarship luncheon will take place Monday at the Mandarin Oriental.

HealthCorps' 10th annual gala will take place Tuesday at Pier Sixty. The event will be hosted by the organization's co-founders, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz, and honorees include TV personality and celebrity chef Rachael Ray.

The New York City Children's Theater inaugural Charity Golf Outing will take place June 16 at Pelham Golf Course.

The National Design Awards gala will take place October 20 at the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden at Cooper Hewitt.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

TORONTO:  The 11th annual Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) Gala takes place Saturday at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. The event will have a "Travel the Spice Route" theme.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Members of Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, are slated to compete in a charitable cook-off at the 34th annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala on May 17 at the National Building Museum. A panel of local chefs will judge the results.

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

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

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