January 16, 2019: Shutdown Not Expected to Affect Super Bowl LIII Security, José Andrés to Open Emergency Kitchen For Government Employees, SAG-Aftra Accuses Oscars Board of Intimidating Award Presenters

1. SHUTDOWN NOT EXPECTED TO AFFECT SUPER BOWL LIII SECURITY: There have been concerns the government shutdown might affect security at Super Bowl LIII, taking place February 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. But according to the F.B.I., which met with city and state officials on Tuesday, the shutdown won't tamper with security plans for the event. TMZ: "We're told the Atlanta PD is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for safety at the event, but—like at prior Super Bowls—it will team up with FBI agents and the Department of Homeland Security to make it happen. F.B.I. Specialist Kevin Rowson tells us the agency's role is twofold—it coordinates the collection and dissemination of all operational intelligence ... but it also steps up to take over in the case of an act of terrorism or if any crime rises to a federal level. In the past, the FBI's role in security has included conducting the background checks for ALL of the event day staff who will be credentialed, including security guards, food vendors, media, and volunteers. That can mean as many as 30,000 individuals." https://bit.ly/2RwPELP

2. JOSÉ ANDRÉS TO OPEN EMERGENCY KITCHEN FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: Chef and restaurateur José Andrés is opening an emergency relief kitchen for furloughed federal workers in Washington. Washington Post: “Practically, the free #ChefsforFeds kitchen will feed federal workers and their families during the partial government shutdown, now in its fourth week. In this sense, the operation in downtown Washington will not be too far removed from the food relief that World Central Kitchen—the organization that Andrés launched after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti—has offered in Puerto Rico, Houston, Florida, North Carolina, Tijuana, Guatemala, and other locales where people have suffered after natural or man-made disasters. … In a Twitter video announcing the D.C. initiative, Andrés said he hoped the kitchen would motivate the government to act.” https://wapo.st/2MbcEd5

3. SAG-AFTRA ACCUSES OSCARS BOARD OF INTIMIDATING AWARD PRESENTERS: SAG-Aftra has accused the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of intimidating actors so they only present at the Oscars during award season. The union said the Academy puts “extraordinary and unwarranted pressure” to keep actors it wants to present at the ceremony from presenting at the upcoming SAG Awards. The Hollywood Reporter: “The union, which will host its SAG Awards on January 27 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, continued: ‘This self-serving intimidation of SAG-AFTRA members is meant to limit their opportunities to be seen and honor the work of their fellow artists throughout the season. Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations. The apparent attempt by the Academy to keep our members from presenting on their own awards show is utterly outrageous and unacceptable.’ … A similar skirmish, The Hollywood Reporter reported, is ongoing between the producers of the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy. People close to the production of Globes are furious that the Academy interfered with their recruitment of presenters at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s January 6 ceremony.” https://bit.ly/2Ma9qqp

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will speak at SXSW, taking place March 8-17. 

BOSTON:  Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Boston Hot Pink Party will take place April 23 at the InterContinental Boston. 

CHICAGO:  The 15th annual Good Food Expo, presented by FamilyFarmed, will take place March 22-23 at UIC Forum. 

PSAV and the Freeman Company have entered a purchase agreement for PSAV to acquire Encore Event Technologies, which provides event technology, staging, and production services. 

DENVER:  RLH Corporation, formerly Red Lion Hotel Corporation, has appointed Julie Shiflett executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer.  

LOS ANGELES:  Fifteen-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys will host the 61st annual Grammy Awards, taking place at the Staples Center on February 10.

Union Rescue Mission’s 10th annual Hearts for Hope Gala will take place February 16 at the Beverly Hilton. The event, dubbed “Hope from the Heart,” will be hosted by Angela Bassett and Joel McHale. 

AOO Events has appointed Bill Ingino senior director of business development. 

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Grand Gala, Baptist Health South Florida’s fund-raising event, will take place March 16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. 

NEW ORLEANS:  The 50th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will be headlined by the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Katy Perry, Pitbull, and more. The event will take place April 25-28 and May 2-5. 

NEW YORK:  Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi will headline The New York Times Travel Show on January 27. Lakshmi will participate in a conversation with The New York Times deputy food editor Emily Weinstein. The event runs January 25-27 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The inaugural Kissimmee Family Golf Classic will take place June 20-23 at Reunion Resort. 

SACRAMENTO:  Leyard and Planar has appointed Chris Prosio general manager of rental and staging. 

TORONTO:  Business Events Canada, a division of Destination Canada, will hold its second Innovate Canada event May 21-24. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 20th annual Opening Night Gala will take place February 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Hosts Global, a company offering destination management solutions, has appointed Gina D’Angelo as vice president of operations. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles 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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