1. THE BIG BUSINESS OF INDIAN WEDDINGS: Marriott is among the hotel brands aggressively competing for Indian weddings, offering custom menus and culturally sensitive staff to help couples plan the events. Washington Post: “Large Indian weddings—events that can cost six, sometimes seven, figures—are increasingly coveted by the area’s largest and more luxurious hotels as a way to make up for lost government and corporate business. Meeting rooms that were once filled with conferences and training sessions now sit empty, and Indian weddings, which tend to include several ceremonies over multiple days, have become crucial sources of revenue. The average cost of an Indian wedding in the United States is expected to hit $250,000 this year, roughly 10 times the national average.” http://wapo.st/1DReqXF
2. DETROIT’S BIG CONVENTION BID: The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau—home to this year’s American Society of Association Executives conference and a number of other big meetings—will debut a new marketing campaign to keep events coming to the city. Crain’s Detroit Business: “The Detroit area hasn't seen this much convention business in 20 years or more, said Michael O'Callaghan, the bureau's executive vice president and COO. ‘There's a sense these Midwestern destinations are historically very friendly ... that gives us an edge over some of the destinations on the coast like New York, Boston or Los Angeles,’ he said, and the campaign's goal is to reinforce that.” http://bit.ly/17gLOtQ
3. DO WE NEED FASHION SHOWS?: With the substantial costs of fully produced fashion shows, many designers are shifting to more intimate presentations for clients and editors at hotel suites, bypassing the crowded tents of New York Fashion Week. New York’s The Cut: “While presentations have become the launchpad for many young designers, they're increasingly being adopted by bigger names, and one can only hope the trend continues. They allow designers to exert more visual control, whether with creative stagecraft, interesting tableaux, or video installations. And for those who specialize in delicate detailing, it makes more sense to have attendees (and their iPhone lenses) able to get up close and personal with the clothes.” http://thecut.io/1D3h9hz
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The Bruins Foundation will host “Fashion Power Play,” a fashion-centric fund-raiser, at Copley Place on March 3. The evening will offer a runway fashion show starring Boston Bruins players and their wives as models; there will also be cocktails and a silent auction.
CHICAGO: The lineup for the 10th annual Pitchfork Music Festival, scheduled for July 17-19, has been announced. Acts include Wilco, Sleater Kinney, and Chance the Rapper.
LAS VEGAS: Rhumbar at the Mirage Hotel & Casino has renovated its patio and indoor lounge spaces with a green and teal color palette to complement the tropical theme. The 2,600-square-foot space also has new heaters, misters, and four patio covers to maintain a comfortable environment for guests.
LOS ANGELES: Nick Jonas will host the Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards on March 28.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Carnival Cruise Lines is sponsoring the 18th annual Miami Heat Family Festival on Sunday at Parcel B by the Bay behind the AmericanAirlines Arena. The ticketed event will include live music and DJ sets and food from more than 40 South Florida restaurants.
NEW YORK: The Epilogue, the after-party for the Brooklyn Public Library gala, is March 4 at the event space Weylin B. Seymour's. DJ Questlove will perform.
Veuve Clicquot has installed a pop-up champagne bar at Saks Fifth Avenue that will remain open until May. Along with bubbly and snacks, the "Say it with Clicquot" bar will offer activities such as Clicquot quizzes and playing cards.
The Arabian French bistro Au Za’atar has announced new group dining packages. The East Village restaurant, which seats 38, is offering packages intended for groups of eight or more with options for family-style dining or a prix fixe option with diners choosing their dishes.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN DIEGO: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa plans to open BlueFire Bar in the spring. The bar will serve regional and seasonal small bites and handcrafted cocktails. It will join another new food and beverage outlet at the property, Fuego, a patio restaurant serving California coastal cuisine.
TORONTO: The Green Living Show will take place March 27-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event's 400 exhibitors will showcase organic food and beauty products, eco-friendly fashion, electrical vehicles, and more.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tara De Nicolas has been named vice president of business development at Nvite, a Washington-based start-up focused on event registration and ticketing. She is the founder of the Washington Humane Society's Fashion for Paws, and most recently worked at Brivo Labs and the Georgetown Consulting Group. She starts February 23.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, 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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