1. MORE CONCERTS INVESTING IN TERRORISM INSURANCE AFTER VEGAS SHOOTING: Recent terrorist attacks at music events such as the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas is driving more artists to invest in terrorism insurance at concerts. Billboard: “Political violence and terrorism (PVT) insurance policies have been available for decades, but they have been a tough sell unless artists are touring in volatile regions like South America or Eastern Europe. But after the killing of 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas that took place while Jason Aldean was onstage; the bombing outside Ariana Grande's show in Manchester, England, in May; and the 2015 attack on the Bataclan nightclub in Paris, reps are now advising talent to buy the coverage no matter where they tour. ‘Not everybody believes it's necessary,’ says Bill Tannenbaum, a business manager who specializes in representing touring artists. ‘I'm pretty vocal about taking it with my clients, and luckily we had it with Ariana Grande.’ The singer canceled multiple stops on her tour after the attack before returning to Manchester for a benefit concert. … Even the threat of an attack can trigger a claim. ‘The way [policies had] been written previously is, the threat had to be related to the venue,’ says John Tomlinson, who leads the entertainment group of Lockton Cos., the world's largest privately held insurance brokerage. ‘We have expanded that language to include threats made to bandmembers,’ he says. Policies might also cover a show that is impacted by an attack within a certain time or distance, say within a week of the event or within 50 miles of the venue.” http://bit.ly/2yzEKrK
2. HURRICANES AND FIRES FORCE COUPLES TO FIND ALTERNATE WEDDING VENUES: The aftermath of disasters like the California wildfires and numerous hurricanes has forced many couples to quickly find alternate wedding venues. The New York Times: “As Hurricane Harvey swirled closer to the Texas coast at the end of August, Mr. Siegfried, a 40-year-old program director for Hearst, and his fiancé, a 43-year-old personal trainer and group fitness instructor for the Y.M.C.A., grew uneasy. From their Sugar Land hotel room the day before the wedding, they watched as airlines canceled flights and weather predictions grew dire.‘We didn’t have time to get upset — we just went into attack mode,’ Mr. Siegfried said. He worked on securing space for the wedding at a Brazilian restaurant they had considered for the rehearsal dinner, which had a large enough space to accommodate guests already in town. Mr. Stockbridge bought up the roses, gladiolas and any other pink or purple flower he could find at the grocery store, mobbed with people buying canned food and water. A friend hunted down a two-tiered wedding cake. And by five o’clock, with Mr. Stockbridge’s sister officiating, they were exchanging vows, toasting their marriage and dancing the flash mob before 49 guests, as the first gusts of wind and rain arrived. Extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which devastated several islands in the Caribbean, has forced numerous brides and grooms to rethink their weddings that were scheduled into the winter months. Some resorts on the islands of Anguilla, St. Barth’s, St. Maarten and St. Thomas will remain closed through December, maybe later, to complete repairs. ‘Even the couples who think of everything can’t prepare for this level of stress,’ said Joann Gregoli, a New York-based destination weddings planner who started a Facebook page called Hurricane Irma Crashed My Wedding to help brides and grooms replan their big day at no charge.” http://nyti.ms/2yAxk9s
3. POLE-DANCING MAY BECOME AN OLYMPIC SPORT: Pole-dancing may become an Olympic event in the future, after it was provisionally by the Global Association of International Sports Federation earlier this month. Washington Post: "Observer status is the first step international federations must achieve before becoming full GAISF members, which serves as a great boost for any sport hoping to one day land in the Olympics. And that is exactly pole-dancing’s goal, according to International Pole Sports Federation President Katie Coates, who lauded the day the decision was made on Oct. 2 as 'historical.' ... The road to the Olympics isn’t short, however. Along with a recognized governing body, prospective sports must also gain separate recognition from the International Olympic Committee. Provisional IOC recognition lasts three years, during which committee members decide whether to give it full recognition. If successful, the sport’s governing body still needs to then petition to become an official Olympic sport, which can take several more years. For Coates, however, those obstacles do not sound insurmountable, considering the uphill battle she said she faced while campaigning to gain provisional recognition from the GAISF. Today, pole-dancing competitions are as family-friendly as any sporting event—and just as well regulated. The IPSF outlines its rules, judging and other criteria in its 137-page document, that lays out guidelines for several categories of competition, ranging from youth to mixed doubles to para-competition. Pole dancers are even required to take doping tests to ensure the sport is clean." http://wapo.st/2yVCJct
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: The eighth annual Country Living Fair will take place October 27-29 at Stone Mountain Park.
BOSTON: Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar will host a Día De Los Muertos celebration on October 27.
CHICAGO: Jackson Chance Foundation, a nonprofit that gives parents of hospitalized children free parking passes through its N.I.C.U Transportation Program, will host its fifth annual Playing It Forward Ping Pong Ball benefit on November 9 at Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold will celebrate his annual 101 Best Restaurants list on October 23 at the MacArthur.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Celebrity Cruises will be the presenting sponsor of Miami Beach Gay Pride 2018, which will take place April 2-8.
NEW YORK: The Horny Ram will host its first-ever Halloween cocktail contest on October 25. Along with the competition, the invite-only event for media will offer light bites, Halloween-theme cocktails, and a live cocktail demonstration from Cody Goldstein of Muddling Memories.
Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in public schools, raised $1.3 million at its annual benefit, which took place October 18 at the PlayStation Theater.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach has named Kevin Hines as general manager of the new oceanfront property that is scheduled to open by the end of 2017. The hotel will have 200 rooms and 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
TORONTO: The Toronto Public Library Foundation’s fifth annual Hush Hush fund-raiser, an event hosted by the foundation’s under-45 members program New Collections, will take place Saturday at the Bloor/Gladstone branch. The event theme is inspired by Canadian landscapes.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Rayna Katz, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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