June 23, 2016: VidCon to Expand Internationally, Recent Shootings Put Focus on Red Carpet Security, Why Restaurants Are Throwing More Eating Competitions

1. VIDCON TO EXPAND INTERNATIONALLY: VidCon, the digital video conference that kicks off its seventh year today at the Anaheim Convention Center, will expand internationally next year with conferences in Amsterdam and Melbourne, Australia. The global expansion indicates the increasing global popularity of online video stars from platforms such as Vine and YouTube. Los Angeles Times: “Hank Green, who founded VidCon with his brother and 'Fault in Our Stars' author John Green in 2010, cited the high penetration of international views of videos on YouTube, the title sponsor of the U.S. conference. About 80% of all YouTube views come from outside the United States. Once a peripheral conference for online celebrities and their fans, VidCon has grown into an increasingly important forum for Hollywood studios and other companies to market to hard-to-reach young consumers, much in the way Comic-Con or SXSW have become part of the major promotional machine. … Hank Green said serious talks and planning for expanding VidCon began about a year ago, just after the 2015 symposium. Initial consideration was given to expanding the online video forum within the United States, with New York as a possibility. But organizers instead opted to plant their flag overseas, catering to growing online communities in and around Europe and Australia. About 10% of attendees from last year’s conference were from outside the United States. The international events become a more budget-friendly alternative for non-U.S. attendees who can’t afford to go to Anaheim. The Amsterdam conference, which is meant to serve people from across Europe, will take place at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre on April 8 and 9. The Melbourne conference, which is expected to draw fans from the region, including surrounding countries with large YouTube communities such as the Philippines, is slated to take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sept. 9 and 10.” http://lat.ms/28SGvpi

2. RECENT SHOOTINGS PUT FOCUS ON RED CARPET SECURITY: The shooting of singer Christina Grimmie and the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando earlier this month have brought to light the issue of security lapses at Hollywood's red carpet events—and whether more should be done to keep uninvited guests out of high-profile parties and premieres. The Hollywood Reporter: "Security at high-profile events is an even bigger concern. During the past year, before the two Orlando attacks, THR staff made more than 55 visits to red-carpet events throughout Los Angeles, including premieres promoting films from every major studio. (TV premieres also were examined, as were celebrity-rich charity and fashion events, including those hosted by THR.) Despite the presence of hefty security—dozens of guards with earpieces, hundreds of feet of barricades, the occasional metal detector—it typically was strikingly easy to stroll very close to the carpets. … Premiere events take place throughout Los Angeles, New York, London and elsewhere. In L.A., a handful of venues are used most frequently: the ArcLight Hollywood, the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood and the Dolby Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatre and El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Some theaters were notably less secure than others. Undercover interlopers were able to get within 5 feet of the red carpet at the ArcLight Hollywood on occasion, sometimes even stepping directly onto the carpet without being questioned by security. (The ArcLight did not respond to a request for comment.) At some more chaotic events, there were occasions when uninvited attendees could wander into restricted zones, including press and staff areas. At Universal's Minions premiere at the Shrine Auditorium, an attendee was able to walk into the photographers' area (without credentials or a camera) and had direct access to the red carpet. At Fox Searchlight's Me and Earl and the Dying Girl premiere at L.A.'s Harmony Gold theater, a woman without a credential was able to walk into the red-carpet area reserved for staff and stand next to talent as they walked to the carpet. 'Every single red carpet I've been to with a client has been disorganized,' says Nicole Miller, a publicist for TV and film talent including Sons of Anarchy's Theo Rossi and actresses Ashley Scott and Claudia Black. 'For whatever reason they're afraid to say no; they're afraid to say, 'Back up.''" http://bit.ly/28PBa4z

3. WHY RESTAURANTS ARE THROWING MORE EATING COMPETITIONS: Nathan's Famous hot dog restaurant chain holds one of the most high-profile eating competitions every Fourth of July at Coney Island, and many more restaurants across the country are following suit. Experts and planners gave tips on how to smoothly and carefully stage the ever-popular event. Forbes: "It’s easy to see the appeal behind hosting an eating competition. They’re fun to watch, presumably a hoot to compete in, and they apparently draw quite a crowd. Usually a restaurant is involved–sometimes multiple restaurants–and so the company supplying the food will generally be mentioned again and again in the media and marketing materials. But while there are smart reasons to hold an eating contest, like associating yourself with a fun event and garnering some publicity, if you’re in the restaurant business, hopefully you’re already aware that hosting an eating competition isn’t a matter of putting out a lot of food, setting a date and holding your competition. It’s a little more involved than that. You’ll want to make sure you’re insured for this sort of thing. This is important for obvious reasons, like 'to make sure you aren’t liable if someone cracks a tooth or worse,' says Orly Telisman, who has her own public relations firm in Chicago. She does publicity for Ribfest, a popular annual event in Chicago in which bands play and, well, a lot of ribs are eaten." http://bit.ly/28NrFg2

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Boston Park Plaza has completed a $100 million renovation, which includes 5,700-square-foot steakhouse concept Strip by Strega, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, and a revamp of the hotel's 1,060 guestrooms.

Brand experience agency Cramer has appointed Timothy Owens as head of activations.

CHICAGO:  Nobu Hospitality has broken ground on the Nobu Hotel, which will open in the West Loop in late 2017. The hotel will have 103 rooms and suites, a 10,000-square-foot Nobu restaurant, and a 3,000-square-foot space for meetings and events.

HOUSTON:  SpaceCom—the Space Commerce Conference and Exhibition will take place November 15-17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

LOS ANGELES:  Stop Cancer is presenting its 28th anniversary gala on Friday at Vibiana. The event will honor Dr. Richard Merkin with the Dr. Armand Hammer Philanthropy Award. Joan and Bill Feldman will receive the Stop Cancer Award of Distinction. E! host Jason Kennedy will emcee the ceremony.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The fifth annual Miami Performance International Festival takes place Thursday to Sunday in five different venues around Miami-Dade County. The festival will include videos of performances, live performances, experimental sound art audience participation, publications, artist talks, and visual art exhibitions from artists around the world.

Coral Gables event management company Fetes & Events celebrated its grand re-opening of the renovated Club of Knights venue on June 16.

NEW YORK:  The International Live Events Association's 15th annual Big Apple Awards took place Monday at Spring Studios. The ceremony theme was Havana Nights and awards were given out in categories including Best Technical Production and Best Culinary Innovation. The winners can be found on the I.L.E.A. website: http://bit.ly/28MZM8m

The Art Hamptons fair takes place tonight through Sunday in Bridgehampton.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Universal Orlando has announced that Loews Sapphire Falls resort will open July 14, and its new water theme park, Volcano Bay, will sell tickets for entry beginning June 1, 2017. The 28-acre Volcano Bay park will have 18 attractions including winding rivers, private two-story cabanas, and family raft rides.

TORONTO:  Diner en Blanc will return to Toronto for its fifth year on August 18. blogTO: http://bit.ly/28Vsg0J

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Whitman-Walker Health is hosting a morning gathering Wednesday for cancer patients, providers, and survivors. Attendees will watch Vice President Joe Biden's remarks on the White House's Cancer Moonshot Summit initiative to increase research efforts on more than 100 types of cancer. Following Biden's remarks, guests will receive a complimentary breakfast and hold a brief discussion on cancer and L.G.B.T.Q. needs in the cancer community.

The U.S. Travel Association's next Integrated Projects Week (to be held June 3-7, 2017) marks the first time that the annual convention will be held in Washington. The locations of several key IPW events have been announced. On June 4, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will host an opening ceremony, while the press brunch will take place at the Newseum. The closing ceremony will be held at Nationals Park on June 7. IPW attracts about 6,000 delegates from approximately 70 countries, according to the organization.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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