1. FEMALE COMIC-CON ATTENDEES FIGHT BACK AGAINST HARASSMENT: As the International Comic-Con gets underway in San Diego, some attendees are speaking out about what they see as a convention culture that permits offensive behavior toward women. Los Angeles Times: “The behavior is so common that there is even a term for it: Creeping at a con. But as San Diego’s annual convention opens Thursday, a backlash is brewing. One prominent science fiction author is holding his event away from the official Convention Center site to protest what he calls lax anti-harassment policies. And a group calling itself Geeks for CONsent submitted a petition with 2,500 signatures calling on organizers to post signs in the convention halls detailing its anti-harassment policies. It also wants convention volunteers to get training on how to respond to harassment reports.” http://lat.ms/1qCgDBO
2. EMMY PRODUCERS ASK STARS TO CARPOOL: With the Emmys moving to a Monday night from its traditional Sunday date, logistical challenges such as dealing with rush-hour traffic are prompting producers to change their arrivals set-up. Hollywood Reporter: “One way the TV Academy is trying to downsize the inevitable gridlock is by cutting back on how many cars can drop off guests. Networks and studios have seen their limousine allotment reduced by as much as 50 percent—though some anticipate that could change. The carpet itself has been reconfigured, with the step-and-repeat now running the full length of Chick Hearn Court instead of twisting around the L.A. Live courtyard.” http://bit.ly/1pMMPNQ
3. HOW TO BEAT BACK AMBUSH MARKETING: Ambush marketers—people who crash official events or lurk just beyond their borders—present a problem for meeting and trade show planners who get no revenue from these groups and compete with exhibitors and sponsors for attention. Velvet Chainsaw Consulting offers some tips on how to beat the scammers, from creating a better environment to retain attendees to offering limited access passes to give ambushers legitimate opportunities to meet with attendees. http://bit.ly/1pjoeif
* FROM THE EDITORS *
Congratulations to BizBash West Coast editor Alesandra Dubin on the birth of her twins. Jordan Oscar Rosen and Maya Zoe Rosen were born Tuesday in Los Angeles to Dubin and husband David Rosen.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The North End feasts, street-fair-style gatherings that celebrate Italian culture, are July 31-August 3. The Feast of Saint Agrippina will include carnival-style games, Italian food, and live music.
CHICAGO: Le Meridien Chicago—Oakbrook Center will host its grand opening on July 31. Formerly a Renaissance Hotel, the property has undergone a $25 million renovation and new features including a Spanish restaurant, El Tapeo.
DALLAS: The 28th Annual GrapeFest—A Wine Experience is September 11-14 along Main Street in Grapevine. Among the events are the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, GrapeStomp, golf and tennis classics, ItalianCarFest, and five stages of live entertainment.
LAS VEGAS: The Palazzo Las Vegas will host the second annual Miss Asian Las Vegas pageant at the Palazzo Theatre on September 28.
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Times: “The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, which only recently completed its inaugural season, confirmed Thursday that Executive Director Lou Moore has left the fledgling arts organization. Moore, who spent more than a decade raising money to construct the new center and then led its 2013 opening and first season, left the organization on Tuesday.” http://lat.ms/1rCCMOs
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: To Live and Dine, a benefit for the Chapman Partnership, is July 30 at the Moore Building.
NEW ORLEANS: The U.S. Travel Association announced it will move its 2016 IPW travel industry trade show in New Orleans from Miami, where ongoing renovations to the convention center prompted planners to relocate the show. The Times Picayune: http://bit.ly/1no9fqw
NEW YORK: Fashion Rocks, a live show celebrating fashion and music, comes to Brooklyn's Barclays Center September 9. Announced performers are: Afrojack, Duran Duran, Jennifer Lopez, KISS, Miranda Lambert, Nico & Vinz, Pitbull, Rita Ora, the Band Perry, and Usher. Ryan Seacrest will host the program, which will air on CBS. Richard Beckman of Three Lions Entertainment, Don Mischer, and Seacrest are executive producers.
Hamptons magazine will celebrate cover star Nate Berkus with an event August 1 at the Capri Hotel in Southampton. The Lincoln Motor Company is sponsoring the event.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ST. LOUIS: The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission has hired Holly Lammert as its executive meeting sales manager.
TORONTO: Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios Cabinet of Curiosities opens in Toronto August 28, and will run at Port Lands until October 26. Group tickets are now available.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Washington Ballet's Noche de Pasión: The Tango Soirée is scheduled for November 8 at the Organization of American States.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com
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.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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July 25, 2014: Female Comic-Con Attendees Fight Back Against Harassment, Emmy Producers Ask Stars to Carpool, How to Beat Back Ambush Marketing
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