1. WEDDING PLANNERS AWAIT GAY MARRIAGE DECISION: Besides potential brides and grooms, vendors, and venues, wedding planners also have a stake in the legality of gay marriage, which the Supreme Court is expected to rule on in the coming weeks. Analysts say same-sex weddings could grow to a $2.5 billion industry nationwide. Louisville Courier-Journal: “In Louisville, the group Fair Event Vendors Alliance, or FEVA, was formed in 2014 to help connect the LGBT community with Louisville area wedding and event professionals. Already, many wedding industry businesses have several same-sex weddings a year, though they are ceremonial. FEVA Director Heather Yenawine said while same-sex ceremonies tend to be smaller, more than half now have 100 guests or more, 'which is a big change. It's indicative of the larger growing support' for same-sex marriage.” http://cjky.it/1KbXKNB
2. OSCARS CHANGE FOR BEST SONG WILL RESTRICT LIVE PERFORMANCES: Contenders vying for the Academy Award for best original song have campaigned by staging live events in which stars such as Bono, Chris Martin, and Idina Menzel performed, but new rules will restrict those gatherings to events where the entire film is screened as well. Hollywood Reporter: “Going forward, some film companies will probably navigate this new wording by occasionally offering a screening of a film with a best original song Oscar contender at a venue that also has the space and acoustics to accommodate a musical performance before or after the film unspools, such as the Pacific Design Center or the Annenberg Center. Those are more expensive venues than most, but the cost may be worth it to companies anxious to get exposure for the talent associated with their contending song(s). Companies may also seek to circumvent this new wording by making their musical talent available to perform at independently-organized events.” http://bit.ly/1GJRHxb
3. NEW VENUE APP AIMS TO HELP USERS AT LIVE EVENTS: LiveNation is among a new round of investors in a new app that aims to help people navigate venues for live events—and encourage them to spend more money on food, beverage, and merchandise. VenueNext debuted at Levi’s Stadium in Northern California and expects to expand to 30 venues by the end of the year. TechCrunch: “VenueNext builds tools designed to help guests and venue operators easily manage live events. Each venue that licenses the VenueNext technology has its own guest-facing app, as well as a backend platform for the venue itself to use. On the guest side, the company’s app focuses on improving five core experiences: access to the stadium (ticketing); eating and drinking; finding your way (parking and directions); loyalty programs; and exclusive, live, in-app content for fans at the event.” http://tcrn.ch/1LBvN0u
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: Former President Jimmy Carter and comedian Aziz Ansari have book-related events this summer. Carter wraps up the tour for his upcoming book A Full Life: Reflections at 90 on August 1 at BookPeople, while Ansari will promote Modern Romance at the Paramount on July 14. Austin360: http://atxne.ws/1JjmEwd
BOSTON: Hotel Chatter rounds up five hotels coming soon to the area, including the Envoy Hotel and the Godfrey Hotel. http://bit.ly/1QPZ8uK
CHICAGO: Taste of Chicago will return to Grant Park July 8-12. A preview event Wednesday at Daley Plaza offered snacks from eight Taste of Chicago participants.
LAS VEGAS: Invicta, an all-female mixed martial arts organization, will stage its first fight show at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan on July 9 during U.F.C.'s International Fight Week. This is the first time an M.M.A. event will be held at the venue, which holds about 2,000 spectators. Las Vegas Review-Journal: http://bit.ly/1NgczP7
LOS ANGELES: After more than 20 years as the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, the destination marketing organization has changed its name to Visit Anaheim.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Florida Supercon starts today and runs through Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event drew more than 43,000 people in 2014.
PHILADELPHIA: Aramark will provide food, beverage, and retail merchandise service to the 325,000 expected attendees of the Philadelphia-Camden Tall Ships Festival, which runs through Sunday.
NEW YORK: Russell Simmons's Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Art for Life Benefit on July 18 at Fairview Farms in Bridgehampton. Hosted by Soledad O'Brien, this year's event will honor Dave Chapelle, Michaela and Simon de Pury, Ava DuVernay, and featured artist Wangechi Mutu.
The Rubin Museum will host its summer block party on July 19 on West 17th Street. Inspired by the museum's exhibition "Becoming Another: The Power of Masks," the event includes art-making activities and performances by Ajna Dance and Brooklyn Raga Massive.
The Billboard Touring Conference & Awards will be held November 19-20 at the Roosevelt Hotel. Billboard: http://bit.ly/1J67pna
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Tapa Toro opens Monday at I-Drive 360. It's a new concept from the owners of Taverna Opa at Pointe Orlando. The restaurant will have seating for 285 people, including 12 seats around a "paella pit."
SAN FRANCISCO: Details of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival were announced earlier this week. The festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and runs from July 23-August 9. SFGate: http://bit.ly/1GqQM2D
TORONTO: Toronto hotels are expressing disappointment in bookings surrounding the Pan Am Games. CBC News: http://bit.ly/1JiYPVb
The Consulate General of France in Toronto will host a Bastille Day celebration on July 12 in David Pecaut Square. Presented by Maille mustard, the event will feature a pop-up Maille Bistro.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The 10th annual Events DC Nation's Triathlon will take place September 13. The event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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