July 31, 2014: Concert Stampede Leaves 33 Dead, the New Etiquette for Social Media at Weddings, Macy’s Event Marketing Plan for Back-to-School Shoppers

1. CONCERT STAMPEDE LEAVES 33 DEAD: A beachside concert in Guinea turned into a stampede as hundreds of people left the venue through a single exit. Officials said 33 people died, and the government has called for an investigation. Associated Press: “More than 700 people had gathered on the beach in Conakry, the capital city, for a concert celebrating the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which featured the Guinean rap groups Instinct Killers and Banlieuzart. Witnesses said the stampede happened after the show ended as the large crowd tried to exit through a small gate. Some people fell to the ground and were trampled.” http://apne.ws/1ACj9ub

2. THE NEW ETIQUETTE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AT WEDDINGS: In addition to choosing a venue, caterer, and flowers, brides and grooms these days have to determine a social media policy for their weddings. Some embrace it, promoting their own hashtags, while others ban smartphones altogether from their ceremonies and receptions. The New York Times: “A tradition barely unchanged since your grandmother’s grandmother was married has now been put through the social media washing machine. And wedding planners, photographers, brides and officiators are trying to figure out what it all means. Rosemary Hattenbach, an event and wedding planner in San Francisco, said: ‘There are two different camps with these digital weddings. Some people inherently detest that kind of experience and want to keep it old school, pure and intimate. Then there are others that embrace it all and look at social media as an opportunity to get more photos of the wedding.’” http://nyti.ms/1ko4Q7V

3. MACY’S EVENT MARKETING PLAN FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPERS: As part of its back-to-school campaign, Macy’s is offering college students transportation to its stores for special shopping events and hosting a lip-dub contest for students of all ages. Ad Age: “The department store's campus outreach effort includes 15 schools, such as Florida State University, Boston University, Ohio State University and Texas A&M University. About 200 students from each school will be transported from campus to their nearest Macy's. At the store, students will take part in a 'shopping party' with musical performances, makeovers, food and gifts before returning to their campuses. The push, dubbed the ‘Macy's Campus Tour,’ is designed to break the barriers that students may face in getting to a Macy's without cars or access to efficient public transportation.” http://bit.ly/WOKqdH

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Looking for a quirky catering theme? In honor of the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, Rooftop at Revere will offer an “Eat Like a Shark Week” menu beginning August 10. Items include mahi-mahi tacos, seared tuna tostados, and a “sand shark” cocktail.

CHICAGO:  Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event is August 13 at Navy Pier. The event will offer fare from more than 85 local chefs, and reality television star Bill Rancic will serve as M.C.

LAS VEGAS:  Las Vegas Review Journal: “Now that convention attendance has started to rebound, regulators who oversee the city’s taxi industry have become more receptive to allowing additional taxis on the streets during large trade shows.” http://bit.ly/1rSNjqv

LOS ANGELES:  Montage Hotels & Resorts has appointed Rick Riess as managing director of Montage Laguna Beach. He begins August 18 and will oversee all operations of the flagship resort.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The New Times’s Iron Fork: Miami Spice Kickoff is tonight at the Hyatt Regency Miami.

NEW YORK:  The Bullyproof Charity BBQ, a benefit to fight childhood bullying, is August 13 at the Empire Hotel's rooftop bar, Level R. The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Social Exposure are hosting the event.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

SAN FRANCISCO:  Eventbrite co-founders Julia and Kevin Hartz will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2014, which takes place September 8-10 at Pier 48. http://bit.ly/1rHQmhQ

TORONTO:  Singer-songwriter Jully Black will will appear at the “Meet Me in Africa” kickoff event at Speakeasy 21 on August 20.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The 21st edition of Taste of Georgetown is September 13 with 35 neighborhood restaurants participating, as well as an expansive Craft Beer and Wine Pavilion and live entertainment. The event will have a new home this year: K Street, along the scenic Georgetown Waterfront.

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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.

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