May 12, 2015: How to Plan an International Trip for 6,000 People, Why Congress Loves Taylor Swift, the Unusual Launch Strategy for New Toronto Museum

1. HOW TO PLAN AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP FOR 6,000 PEOPLE: In what has to be one of the largest incentive trips ever, a Chinese company treated more than 6,000 employees to a vacation in France and Monaco to celebrate its 20th anniversary last week. The New York Times: “Blue-clad, flag-waving sales representatives filled streets, museums and beaches in Paris and the Côte d’Azur for four days, booking 84 airplanes, 140 hotels and scores of trains and adding millions of dollars to France’s tourism revenue. … For a while, even the Louvre was given over to them, according to French news reports.” http://nyti.ms/1F4rRDx

2. WHY CONGRESS LOVES TAYLOR SWIFT: At least four members of Congress are planning fund-raising events at singer Taylor Swift’s July concert at Nationals Stadium in July, charging donors significantly more than the $60 face value for the cheapest seats. Washington Post: “For $2,500 a pop you can enjoy the show with Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) or Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.). But! If you’re not partisan, and you’re looking for a bargain, you could always go sit in the Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) suite. He’s offering a discounted rate of $1,500 per ticket.” http://wapo.st/1HadCQV

3. THE UNUSUAL LAUNCH STRATEGY FOR NEW TORONTO MUSEUM: Without the money to build a physical museum, the new Myseum of Toronto has devised an unusual launch strategy. Toronto Life: “Its organizers are billing it as a sort of mobile museum that will exist online and, starting in June, at pop-up events around the city. In late June, for example, the organizers say the Myseum will roam the city, collecting stories and artifacts from Torontonians.” http://bit.ly/1Rz2d07

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Megan Hilty will be the featured performer at the Boston Hot Pink Party on May 14 at Seaport World Trade Center.

CHICAGO:  Barcocina will open in Lakeview on May 21. The Mexican-inspired eatery will offer a catering menu with items such as green-mango quinoa salad and cheeseburger tacos; the beverage program will offer cocktails in the categories of spicy, sweet, and smoky.

LAS VEGAS:  Beginning May 11, Madame Tussauds will launch a group package offered at $45 per person, which includes admission, sparkling wine or beer and a shot, a feather boa or mustache sunglasses, and a guidebook.

The seventh annual Wine Fest will take place at Golden Nugget Las Vegas Friday to Sunday.

LOS ANGELES:  A date has been set for the 2016 Grammys: The show is slated to return to Staples on February 15, preceded by the weeklong Grammy Week series of events.

Classic Party Rentals has inked a six-year exclusive deal with the P.G.A. of America to provide all flooring and tenting as well as furnishings for the organization’s championships through 2020. The company announced plans to invest more than $3 million in inventory for the partnership.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Clear, the program that offers prescreened travelers a faster process through airport security, opens May 20 at Miami International Airport.

NEW YORK:  The Greek restaurant MP Taverna Brooklyn from chef Michael Psilakis opened Monday in Williamsburg. The 3,500-square-foot space seats 120 guests.

The Resolution Project’s second annual Young Leader’s Award Dinner is tonight at the Harvard Club of New York City.

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

ORLANDO:  Earl’s Kitchen & Bar will open at the Mall at Millenia in the former Blue Martini space in early 2016. The Canada-based, family-owned business is described as an upscale, casual restaurant serving made-from-scratch ethnic cuisine.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Loews Regency San Francisco has appointed Austin Phillips as director of sales and marketing and Amol Agarwal as executive chef and director of food and beverage.

TORONTO:  “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong,” a major promotion for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will take place in Toronto on June 8.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Washington Redskins player Pierre Garçon will host the third annual All-White Clothing Charity Event benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington June 4 at the Millennium Building. Last year the event raised about $100,000.

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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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