November 6, 2017: CMA Awards Organizers Tell Reporters to Not Discuss Politics or Guns, MTV Europe Music Awards Can Be Viewed in Augmented Reality, First American Woman in 40 Years Wins New York City Marathon

1. CMA AWARDS ORGANIZERS TELL REPORTERS TO NOT DISCUSS POLITICS OR GUNS: Reporters have been advised to not bring up politics, guns, or the terror attack in Las Vegas at the Country Music Association's annual awards ceremony on Wednesday. The New York Times: "The organizers of the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards, one of the industry’s biggest events, hoped to keep the focus on the music during its show on Nov. 8, and not on the 58 people who were killed and the 527 who were injured when Stephen Paddock opened fire at a country music festival in Las Vegas barely more than a month ago. To do that, the organizers of the awards show threatened to revoke the credentials of journalists on the red carpet and backstage who direct coverage to 'the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like.' 'It’s vital, more so this year than in years past due to the sensitivities at hand, that the CMA Awards be a celebration of country music and the artists that make this genre so great,' the guidelines said, as reported by Nashville Scene. 'It’s an evening to honor the outstanding achievements in country music of the previous year and we want everyone to feel comfortable talking to press about this exciting time.' The effort to decouple music from politics angered journalists, who, as a general rule, do not appreciate being told what to focus on by the people they’re covering. But Brad Paisley, the country music star who is hosting the awards next week with Carrie Underwood, agreed with the criticism, calling the rules 'ridiculous and unfair.'" http://nyti.ms/2zkGfKV

2. MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS CAN BE VIEWED IN AUGMENTED REALITY: This year's MTV Europe Music Awards, which take place November 12 in London, will allow viewers to watch live performances in augmented reality on the show's app. Deadline: "The MTV EMA mobile app will allow viewers to interact with objects and animations designed to accompany select performances. As a musician like Camila Cabello takes the stage to sing “Havana” that might prompt a virtual Cuban flag to unfurl within the app. '3-D rendered objects can fill the environment around you,' said Karmelina Parouka, MTV International’s vice president of digital content and engagement. As the user moves the device, the objects appear to fill the room, moving independently of one another. Fans can take photos and videos of themselves and their friends interacting with these effects and share them on social media. The goal is to give members of the Snapchat generation, who are accustomed to inhabiting a world that blends real and virtual images, a novel way to interact with the show’s live performances. 'We’re trying to immerse them into the show itself, and tie it back to the artists they’re passionate about,' said Parouka. A range of augmented reality filters will be available for fans to continue using after the Nov. 12 event. To build anticipation for a global show that will be seen in 170-plus markets MTV drafted seven social media influencers to speak with local audiences in their native languages, going 'live' (on Facebook) from the red carpet or backstage, and appearing in produced segments." http://bit.ly/2yzg5Hg

3. FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN IN 40 YEARS WINS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON: Shalane Flanagan became the first American woman in 40 years to win the women's race of the New York City Marathon on Sunday. CNN: "With an unofficial time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 53 seconds, the 36-year-old Flanagan beat three-time defending champion Mary Keitany of Kenya by a minute and one second. Times won't be official until later this month. Flanagan crossed the finish line in tears before proudly holding the Stars and Stripes aloft. She smiled for the crowd as she wrapped herself in the American flag. She called the moment 'indescribable,' according to CNN affiliate WABC, and wept again on the podium as her name was announced. 'It's a moment I'm trying to soak up and savor,' she said, according to the station. 'This is the moment I've dreamed of since I was a little girl.' It was the first time an American took the women's title since 1977 when Japanese-American Miki Gorman won her second consecutive NYC Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 43 minutes and 10 seconds. Gorman was 42 at the time. (The last American man to win the race was Meb Keflezighi, in 2009.) The race was held amid heightened security after a terror attack that killed eight people on a popular bike path in Manhattan last week." http://cnn.it/2AkWmYV

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  During the month of November, JetBlue is inviting 22 people on three volunteer trips to help communities in need. JetBlue kiosks located in surprise locations in New York and Los Angeles will offer chances to win spots on the trips. The first 2,000 people to check in will also receive a $10 donation to the charity of their choice. 

LOS ANGELES:  RuPaul's DragCon will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 11-13. 

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

NEW YORK:  The Humane Society of the United States’s annual To the Rescue! New York Gala will take place November 10 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event will honor Sidewalk Angels Foundation—which was founded by singer Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol Thoma—and luxury beauty brand Moroccanoil for their efforts to help animals. 

The NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism will host its 23rd annual Stephen W. Brener Distinguished Lecturer Series in Hospitality Management on November 14. Taking place at the NYU Kimmel Center for University Life, the event will present a discussion, “Disruption in Hospitality: How to Thrive in Today’s Rapidly Changing Global Economy,” with featured guest Frits Van Paasschen, author and former C.E.O. of Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Coors Brewing Company. 

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

SAN FRANCISCO:  Paul Barbaro has been named area director of sales for Greystone Hotels in San Francisco. 

TORONTO:  Visit Florida has launched a Canada Takeover winter marketing campaign. The two-month campaign will feature wall murals and digital columns in Union Station, as well as digital billboards in Yonge-Dundas Square and underground transit networks in Toronto and Montreal. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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