November 10, 2017: TripAdvisor to Mark Venues Where Violent Incidents Were Reported, Louis C.K. Film Premiere Canceled Ahead of 'New York Times' Story, Celebrity Hotelier André Balazs Accused of Sexual Harassment

1. TRIPADVISOR TO MARK VENUES WHERE VIOLENT INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED: TripAdvisor will now mark pages for venues where violent incidents including rape and assault have been reported. TechCrunch: “The travel review and booking site was criticized earlier this month for removing a 2010 review of Iberosar Paraiso Maya in which the writer, Kristie Love, described being raped by a security guard at the Mexican resort. TripAdvisor issued a public apology and restored the review, saying it had been deleted under an older policy that allowed only “family-friendly language” on the site, but the controversy raised questions about how TripAdvisor moderates negative posts about businesses it makes money from, particularly if there are safety issues involved. Underscoring the issue is the increasing focus on the prevalence of sexual assault, especially after more than 50 women came forward with allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein, and the culture of silence that enables offenders to repeatedly abuse women. In a statement, a TripAdvisor spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company will make the decision to display badges on pages ‘any time we believe there is a current health, safety or discrimination issue relevant to travellers as reported on by either our traveller community or by news media. As always, we encourage consumers to do additional research outside of TripAdvisor. We remain as committed as ever to providing travellers everywhere with useful and accurate information and absolutely agree that TripAdvisor should be a platform for other travellers to be made aware of incidents like this.’” http://tcrn.ch/2zqBvFO

2. LOUIS C.K. FILM PREMIERE CANCELED AHEAD OF 'NEW YORK TIMES' STORY: The New York premiere of Louis C.K.’s new film I Love You, Daddy was canceled Thursday ahead of a New York Times story in which multiple women accused the comedian of sexual misconduct. Entertainment Weekly: “The Times released a bombshell report Thursday afternoon in which multiple women accuse C.K. of sexual misconduct, including allegations that he masturbated in front of them. Shortly thereafter, the film’s distribution company The Orchard released a statement condemning C.K.’s alleged behavior. ‘In light of the allegations concerning Louis C.K. referenced in today’s New York Times, we are canceling tonight’s premiere of I Love You, Daddy,’ the statement reads. ‘There is never a place for the behavior detailed in these allegations. As a result, we are giving careful consideration to the timing and release of the film and continuing to review the situation.’ The premiere was due to take place Thursday night, with I Love You, Daddy scheduled to hit theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 17, before expanding Dec. 1. The comedian’s planned appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert has also been canceled, with William H. Macy taking his place on the late-night show.” http://bit.ly/2AuPKaB

3. CELEBRITY HOTELIER ANDRé BALAZS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT: André Balazs, a hotelier who runs the boutique chain the Standard, the Mercer in SoHo, and Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, has been accused of groping several women. The New York Times: "Since transforming his industry with the Standard brand he created nearly two decades ago, Mr. Balazs, 60, has expertly navigated channels of celebrity, fashion and business in New York, Los Angeles and beyond. The son of Hungarian immigrants, he dated the actress Uma Thurman for years and also dated the television host Chelsea Handler. He turned the sleepy Chateau Marmont into a hangout for members of the hip Hollywood set, like Johnny Depp and the singer Florence Welch. He has bragged of employing Ivanka Trump as an intern one year when she was a student. In recent weeks, though, as stories about alleged sexual misconduct by powerful men in business, the news media and in Hollywood have surfaced (most notably Harvey Weinstein), several women have come forward accusing Mr. Balazs of groping them. The Times left repeated and detailed messages regarding these accusations with Mr. Balazs, his executive assistant and his personal publicist, Pierre Rougier. The messages were not returned. Attempts to reach Mr. Balazs through the general managers at his hotels were also unsuccessful. Mr. Balazs stepped down as chairman of the Standard chain’s board in March to focus, he said then, on his luxury properties. A former employee, Sarah, who worked briefly at the front desk of the Chateau Marmont in the early 1990s, is one of the women speaking up; she asked that her last name be withheld, fearing retribution from Mr. Balazs. Her account was confirmed by a friend she told a few years ago, and she provided emails she said were exchanged between her and Mr. Balazs in October addressing the incident." http://nyti.ms/2zM8a9M


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Freeman has acquired Helios Interactive, a design studio that creates experiences that integrate technologies such as touch and gesture sensing, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

* LOCAL NEWS *

FRANKFURT, GERMANY:  A new female-focused event will launch at IMEX in Frankfurt in May. She Means Business, a half-day conference celebrating and discussing the role of women in the meeting industry, will take place on May 14. 

LAS VEGAS:  North Italia, an Italian restaurant helmed by Sam Fox, will open its first Nevada location December 13 in Summerlin. The restaurant will seat as many as 254 guests, including 95 on a patio. 

LONDON:  American Express will host a Centurion Lounge Pop-Up at the Hospital Club November 24-26 and December 1-3. The lounge, which is complimentary for Platinum and Centurion card members, will offer free food and drinks, a full bar with custom holiday cocktails, gift wrap service, a photo booth, and talks from local digital influencers. 

LOS ANGELES:  The Zimmer Children's Museum will host its 17th annual Discovery Award Dinner at the Skirball Cultural Center on November 15. The event will be hosted by actor Max Greenfield. 

The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration will take place on November 16 and feature performances by Robin Thicke and DJ Balthazar Getty, and hosting by Vanessa Lachey. In partnership with the City of Beverly Hills, Baccarat, and Gearys Beverly Hills, the evening will end with a fireworks display over Rodeo Drive. 

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Museum of Ice Cream, an experiential ice cream-theme pop-up museum, will open in the Faena District on December 13. Tickets go on sale to the public on November 17. The museum has previously traveled to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. 

NEW YORK:  The John Hardy NYC Flagship Store will host a bracelet customization program from November 19-December 1, for the brand’s new customizable reversible classic chain bracelet launch. Customers will be able to choose from 18 different stones to personalize both sides of the bracelet. The program will also feature crafting demonstrations. 

Pod Brooklyn, a micro-hotel concept that was built in and shipped from Poland, has opened in Williamsburg. The hotel offers 229 100-square-foot rooms, and will offer private meeting and event spaces available for corporate events, private dinners, and more. Later this year and through spring 2018, the hotel will launch a food and beverage program. 

Goop will bring the second edition of its In Goop Health wellness summit to New York on January 27. Speakers will include Drew Barrymore, Chelsea Handler, Meg Ryan, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Laura Linney. 

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Glass Knife opens today in Winter Park. The fast-casual cafe will serve baked goods, savory foods, coffee, wine, and beer. 

PHILADELPHIA:  Royal Boucherie, an American brasserie with a French-inspired menu, has opened in the Old City district. The new restaurant is helmed by chef Nicholas Elmi, along with partners Stephen Simons, David Frank, and Suzanne O’Brien. 

TORONTO:  Fashion Group International’s 60th anniversary celebration will take place November 14 at Yorkville Village. The event will include a exhibition of archived fashion installations by the Seneca College Fashion Resource Centre. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The third annual Veteran Awards will be hosted by CNN anchor Jake Tapper on January 20 at the Mayflower Hotel. 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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