May 11, 2016: Counseling Association Cancels Conference Because of L.G.B.T. Law, Budweiser to Rebrand For Presidential Election, Complex Partners With Pharrell and ReedPop For First Live Event

1. COUNSELING ASSOCIATION CANCELS TENNESSEE CONFERENCE BECAUSE OF L.G.B.T. LAW: The American Counseling Association has canceled its conference in Nashville, Tennessee, next year because of a new state law that allows therapists to refuse patients based on their religious values and personal beliefs. According to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., this is the second event in the city that has been canceled because of the law, which many say legalizes discrimination. Associated Press: “The conference would have brought between 3,500 to 4,000 people to Nashville, he said. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. estimates that it would have generated $2.5 million in direct visitor spending and $444,609 in tax revenue for the city and the state of Tennessee. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and tourist officials in the Music City have vocally opposed the legislation and warned of a possible backlash. … The ACA had already booked its expo in the Music City toward the end of March but decided to cancel after careful consideration and hearing from its members, C.E.O. Richard Yep said. He said he appreciated the city's efforts to fight the law and raised the possibility that the organization would someday come to Nashville once the measure is repealed.” http://apne.ws/1qdsdUO

2. BUDWEISER TO REBRAND FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Beginning this summer and continuing through the presidential election in November, cans and bottles of Budweiser will feature a different name: America. Every summer since 2011, Budweiser has released patriotic summer-edition cans, but this is the first time the beer brand will change its actual name for a major event. Fast Company: "Changing the title wasn’t as simple as typing out a new label. Budweiser is a hand-drawn script that had to be recreated to spell our country’s name. The 'A' in America was particularly challenging, because as the focal point of the word, it had to channel the same distinctive, swirly aesthetic of the Budweiser 'B.' The alterations don’t stop with the beer’s name. Almost every bit of type on the Budweiser label has been scrubbed away by Easter Egg patriotism, with new text citing the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, and America the Beautiful—all rendered in newly developed hand lettering, inspired by Budweiser’s archives." http://bit.ly/1Xj3wDX

3. COMPLEX PARTNERS WITH PHARRELL AND REEDPOP FOR FIRST LIVE EVENT: Pop culture publishing company Complex will venture into live events this November with the inaugural ComplexCon, a two-day art, music, style, and sports festival in Long Beach, California, which will be chaired by rapper and music producer Pharrell Williams. Complex has also tapped ReedPop to help produce the event. The Hollywood Reporter: "Complex, which began as magazine focused for the skater community before growing into a digital publisher centered around millennial males, was acquired last month by Verizon and Hearst, who now jointly own the company. The fest will represent a physical manifestation of the topics that Complex covers and feature concerts, shopping, panels, art and food, among other experiences. New York's Comic-Con producer ReedPop will work with Complex to put on the event, and contemporary artist Takashi Murakami has joined the host committee alongside Williams." http://bit.ly/1Xj7XP4

Correction: The original version of this story listed the incorrect location for ComplexCon. 

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The inaugural Move for Minds, presented by Equinox Sports Club and Maria Shriver, will take place May 21 at Equinox Sports Club on Avery Street. The event—which will be emceed by former Massachusetts First Lady Ann Romney and raise funds for the Women's Alzheimer's Challenge—will have attendees participate in two fitness challenges and feature a marketplace with speakers discussing food, fitness, science, and more.

CHICAGO:  Roti Modern Mediterranean will open a new location at MetraMarket this summer. The restaurant will feature an outdoor patio, new menu items, and a selection of beer and wine.

LAS VEGAS:  Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas will celebrate Memorial Day with the launch of its new sausage-eating contest taking place May 27-30.

With more than $65,000 in prize money, the 11th annual World Series of Beer Pong will return to Las Vegas on July 6-10.

LOS ANGELES:  The Black BeautyShop Health Foundation's Beauty-n-Motion 5k Walk Run 4 Life will take place June 12 at Exposition Park. Aimed toward women of color, the event will feature makeover stations, shopping pavilions, and health screenings.

AEG has sold an equity interest in its live event production unit, Bounce, to Concord Bicycle Music. Bounce C.E.O. Tim Swift made the announcement and will remain as C.E.O. of the joint venture.

Brooklyn-based trivia event production company TrivWorks will expand to the West Coast, with a new Southern California office that will open in July.

Westbound, a global travel-inspired bar and eatery, opened May 5 in the Arts District. The space seats 80 and has a garden patio.

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

NEW YORK:  Newark will celebrate its 350th birthday with the Founders Weekend Festival, which takes place Friday to Sunday. Events include the New Museum Legacy Gala, concerts in Military Park, and performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern will host Dinner for a Better New York on May 18 at Riverpark. The event, which benefits nonprofit Services for the UnderServed, will feature tasting stations and a four-course dinner.

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation's Champions for Children Gala will take place October 14 at Cipriani Wall Street.

The Long Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau has announced a partnership with New York-based marketing and advertising agency the EGC Group, following the launch of its new visitor guide, redesigned website, and advertising campaign. 

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The former Fulton's Crab House at Disney Springs will reopen this fall as Paddlefish. The restaurant will have a new menu and decor, a rooftop lounge, and an outdoor bar.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Event management company DoubleDutch has launched a new Live Engagement platform, which will allow event organizers and marketers to digitize live event experiences through a network of applications, integrations, and performance metrics.

TORONTO:  Toronto Outdoor Picture Show will start its 2016 season on June 18 in Queensway Park with "Vampires in the Outfield," a presentation of the German silent horror classic Nosferatu with an original musical score performed live by Toronto band Del Bel.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Suma Restaurant & Bar will open May 17 in Bethesda Row. The restaurant, serving modern American fare, will have indoor and outdoor seating.

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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.

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