August 5, 2015: How New Orleans Restaurants Have Fared Post-Katrina, What the A.S.A.E. Meeting Means for Detroit, Jimmy Kimmel to Bring Show Back to Brooklyn

1. HOW NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS HAVE FARED POST-KATRINA: When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans 10 years ago, one of the initial casualties was the city’s famed restaurant scene. Fortunately for food lovers, it has returned, but in a different form. The New York Times: “A decade later, few would disagree that the New Orleans dining scene has not only come back, but the city is a much better place to eat than it was even before the storm. Global influences and a broader Southern canon have found homes on menus that used to be locked in the Creole mandate. The number of restaurants as of 2013 was up by at least 11 percent from 2005, according to the Census Bureau. … But with the revival comes a new debate. Have the developers and true-believer transplants brought with them a brand of gentrification that is diluting the scruffy neighborhoods and odd traditions that make New Orleans a terrific place to eat?” http://nyti.ms/1KOESGz

2. WHAT THE A.S.A.E. MEETING MEANS FOR DETROIT: More than 6,000 meeting planners are expected to attend the American Society of Association Executives national conference this weekend, and first-time event host Detroit has big plans to welcome them with a slate of events designed to show off the city. Detroit Free Press: “Obviously, the DMCVB's pitch to bring ASAE to Detroit now was timed to coincide with completion of the $279-million expansion and makeover of Cobo Center -- and got an extra boost with the city's exit from Chapter 9 bankruptcy last fall. … ASAE President John Graham IV estimates that his convention attendees will spend between $15 million and $20 million while in Detroit this month. But even more impressive, he said, is that during the next five years, 20% of them are expected to book a meeting in Detroit that will occur in the next 10 years -- for an an economic impact of about $500 million.” http://on.freep.com/1KQd6JD

3. JIMMY KIMMEL TO BRING SHOW BACK TO BROOKLYN: Jimmy Kimmel will tape a week of shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a stunt he last did in 2012. They will air the week of October 29, a time when competitors Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert will be on hiatus. Hollywood Reporter: “Kimmel’s invasion of the home territory of both Fallon and Colbert will come a little over a month after Colbert plants his flag as the latest network-late-night star. Colbert’s entrance is expected to attract enormous attention, which likely will overshadow Kimmel for a time. But the ABC star seems eager to elbow his way onto stage center to counter the initial Colbert hoopla. Having New York to himself for a week should give Kimmel an opportunity to regain some momentum against the top-rated Fallon and the highly anticipated Colbert.” http://bit.ly/1IKHfrE


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

AFR Furniture Rental is now using technology from VFX Direct to allow potential customers to download 3-D models of its rental inventory. Customers can then insert the models into third-party layout programs when creating their event design.

Event Guidance, a company that provides consumer behavior analytics, has launched two products that place WI-FI nodes at events to anonymously monitor attendee smartphones and gather data on the number of people that pass by, approach, and move through an event. Users can take the data and make adjustments to trade show booths and exhibits.

* LOCAL NEWS *

CHICAGO:  Blue on Highland, a Needham restaurant, has reopened after a renovation. The venue, which hosts private dining, now has a new look and new menu items including tuna tartare.

Birchbox, the beauty subscription service, will bring its Birchbox Road Trip to Chicago August 14-16. The activation will feature two pop-up shops at Pioneer Court, and guests can get free products and—on Saturday—meet the cast of Empire.

Blue Plate Catering has broken ground on new headquarters in the West Loop. Scheduled to open next April, the new venue will be 70,000 square feet and will house a retail area, a tasting room, a dining area, and an herb garden.

LAS VEGAS:  Hakkasan Las Vegas has announced its October lineup, including DJs Calvin Harris and Tiësto.

LOS ANGELES:  Jabbawockeez will come to Universal Studios Hollywood in a new show during “Halloween Horror Nights,” slated to begin September 18.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  FUN Miami Vol.2, and event in which successful entrepreneurs share their business failures, will take place August 20 at Keyworking.

NEW YORK:  Toys “R” Us Times Square will host special activities and a midnight opening for the launch of new Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys on September 4 at 12:01 a.m.

The 10th annual Brooklyn Book Festival will take place September 20, with 300 authors participating in panels, readings, and other performances on 14 stages. A Children’s Day will take place September 19.

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

TORONTO:  The Gladstone Hotel is hosting a unique group activity: coloring for adults. The Star: http://on.thestar.com/1ImEYPP

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Ellen Proxmire, credited as being one of the first paid event planners in Washington, has died. Washington Post: http://wapo.st/1KQ9Bmu

The ice cream brand Good Humor will kick off a three-week mobile marketing tour called “Welcome to Joyhood.” A fleet of Good Humor vehicles are distributing free treats across the city, with its kickoff event yesterday at Moynihan Plaza. DCist: http://bit.ly/1MIbORq

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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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