1. N.F.L. SEEKS $16.6 MILLION FOR SUPER BOWL GAFFE: The N.F.L. is demanding a supersize payout in arbitration against the singer M.I.A., who extended her middle finger as part of the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show, when she appeared with Madonna. Originally the league sought $1.5 million for breaching her performance contract, but now it’s asking for an additional $15.1 million in restitution. The singer says the league and NBC are at fault for not instituting a five-second delay that could have caught the gesture before it aired. She also says the Super Bowl has a history of lewd performances, going back to Michael Jackson in 1993. The Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/Op5DWX
2. GROUP HOSTS NAZI-THEME DINNER PARTY: A group of WWII reenactors have caused waves over its annual Christmas party, which includes members dressed as Nazis and swastika decor. Organizers of the event, held at Minneapolis restaurant Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit for the past six years, say they screen participants to prevent true neo-Nazis from participating. City Pages: “If you wear a German uniform or a Nazi uniform, it's not like you're saying, 'I think Hitler was super cool' or 'I hate Jews' or 'I hate gays' or 'I hate democrats,'" according to a member of the WWII Historical Re-enactment Society Inc. "You're not there because you believe in what Hitler stood for—you're there to educate people about history, and a lot of that is so people don't forget.” http://bit.ly/1kCBTkw
3. HOW CONFERENCE ATTENDEES REACTED TO CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE: The 4.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Southern California could have been disruptive for meetings and events. Instead, organizers of the 4A's Transformation Conference took it in stride. Adweek: “Those staying at the conference hotel, the Beverly Wilshire, largely shrugged off the 6:26 a.m. rustling, though it generated plenty of jokes at breakfast (Was it as good for you as it was for me?) and the opening of the general session. 4A's president Nancy Hill, who took the stage of the Wilshire's ballroom to strains of ‘I Feel the Earth Move’ and ‘Shake Rattle and Roll,’ quipped, ‘It's a great way to make sure we have the room filled because everybody is awake.’” http://bit.ly/1cUAaqF
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Attendware, a provider of event management software solutions, has changed its name to Attend.com.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Ryan Jimenez is now handling PR at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston.
CHICAGO: Marwen will host its annual Paintbrush Ball on May 17. The theme is "Follow Your Art," and Leo Burnett will sponsor the design.
LAS VEGAS: The fourth annual Las Vegas Jazz Invitational is March 28-29 at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts.
OneRepublic will headline the 16th annual Tiger Jam at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino May 16-17. The two-day charity event hosted by Tiger Woods combines golf, poker, food, and other V.I.P. experiences.
Cvent announced its inaugural Association Meetings Summit is June 18-20 at the Venetian and Palazzo. Press release: http://on.wsj.com/1nxPpe1
LOS ANGELES: Citi and the Grove presented the Simply Stylist fashion and beauty conference at the Grove on March 15.
Kinetic Lighting is slated to host its sixth annual open house on March 20 with food from the Habit truck, an open bar, a raffle, and a live performance from the industry's own rock band, Staggering Jack.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The annual Reid & Fiorentino Call of the Game Dinner at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was March 15 in Miami. Actress Gabrielle Union hosted the event, which included several Miami sports luminaries. The Celebrity Golf Classic was two days before at Turnberry Isle Miami.
NEW YORK: Fred Dixon is the new C.E.O. of NYC & Company, which markets the city for tourism and conventions. Dixon has been with the company since 2005 and recently served as interim president and C.E.O.
Macaron Day is March 20, and participating bakeries will offer free samples throughout the day with a portion of sales going toward City Harvest.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard runs through Sunday at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Special events include "Wine & Dine on 9," sponsored by Robert Mondavi Winery, and "Birdies, BBQ & U" with beverages from Anheuser-Busch.
SAN FRANCISCO: According to Condé Nast Traveler, Campton Place at the Taj Campton Hotel is "making tasting menus hip again." Chef Sri Gopinathan uses French techniques to prepare a menu of Californian-Indian fusion cuisine: http://cntrvlr.com/1cQCYVH
TORONTO: A launch party for the Orla Kiely and Clarks collection is March 27 at Gravitypope.
WASHINGTON: Actresses America Ferrera and Rosario Dawson are expected on the red carpet at the Cesar Chavez premiere tonight at the Newseum. Washington Post: http://wapo.st/1iyOEwx
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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