1. COMPLEX PLANS FOR MANDELA FUNERAL: More than 95,000 mourners including 100 heads of state are expected to attend the funeral of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Organizers of the event, held in FNB Stadium, will model their logistical plan on the country’s blueprint for hosting the World Cup soccer tournament in 2010. The event will be broadcast at more than 100 overflow venues throughout the country. CBC News: “U.S. President Barack Obama will speak at the memorial service. And if you ever need any evidence of Mandela’s ability to bring people together, Cuban leader Raul Castro will be on the same stage (though presumably not at the same time as Obama).” http://bit.ly/1iQX2K3
2. HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF CORPORATE HOLIDAY PARTIES: The role of the corporate holiday party is discussed in the “Room for Debate” forum in the New York Times. Here is human resources expert Ron Thomas’s take: “At Martha Stewart, where I served as vice president of human resources, the parties were off the charts. People even took half-days to go home and put on their finest and take disco naps. The engagement level during that time was also off the charts. There was no need to beg people to come. Everyone showed up and celebrated during the good times as well as the bad. Parties can provide great snapshots of employee engagement levels. If your troops enjoy being with each other and enjoy their work then they will be in attendance.” http://nyti.ms/1ckRONX
3. YAHOO VENTURES INTO EVENTS WORLD WITH ACQUISITION: Yahoo has purchased EvntLive, a virtual venue and concert hall to host live, streaming concerts and provide on-demand music. TechCrunch: “Though the team started out by focusing on music, the idea was always for EvntLive to become a platform for a wide variety of events.” http://tcrn.ch/1bsZUmv
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions president Johanne Bélanger will become the next president of InfoComm International’s Board of Directors, effective January 1. The association represents the commercial audiovisual industry worldwide.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: In partnership with 6One7 Productions and Urban Legend Events, Space 57 will host a Studio 54-theme New Year's Eve bash. The event will include vintage visuals on a 30-foot projection screen, vintage props, and beats from DJ Dolo.
CHICAGO: The 43rd annual Glass Art Society Conference will take place in Chicago March 18-24.
LOS ANGELES: The Hollywood Radio & Television Society will host a discussion and debate on the issues involved in driving viewership and engagement, launching and developing new brands, competition, and the crossover opportunities between sports and the traditional television business at its “Sports on TV: the Drive For Live” lunch today at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The House of Harry Winston will host a cocktail reception Thursday at its Bal Harbour Shops salon to celebrate its sponsorship of Voices for Children’s 2014 Be A Voice, Empower Brilliant Futures Gala.
NEW YORK: Insomniac announced that Electric Daisy Carnival, New York will return May 24-25. This is the festival’s third year in the New York area and the second time the event will be held at MetLife Stadium.
Hendrick’s Gin is hosting “Voyages Into the Unusual,” the brand’s second annual consumer experience allowing guests the opportunity to interact with the world as it is seen by the brand, today and tomorrow at Skylight One Hanson.
Martha Stewart's Wedding Party 2014, a vendor showcase produced by Claudia Hanlin of the Wedding Library, is January 26 at Gotham Hall.
Kai Fischer has been appointed general manager at the 445-room Hilton Westchester, the largest hotel in Westchester County. He begins December 16.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Kessler Collection's Castle Hotel on International Drive underwent a $6 million renovation and joined the Autograph Collection, Marriott's brand of independent luxury hotels and resorts. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/1gSnoHi
TORONTO: The Savour Stratford Perth County Festival has announced its 2014 dates: July 18-20. The event is billed as one of Ontario's largest food festivals and has traditionally been held in September. With its new date, organizers hope to make it more accessible to families and tourists.
WASHINGTON: Katie Busch was named chef de cuisine for Bistro Vivant in McLean, Virginia. Her previous work includes stints as sous chef at Aureole by Charlie Palmer and David Burke Townhouse, the lead line cook at the Modern, and executive chef at Hospada, all in New York.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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