1. WHITE HOUSE SAYS YES TO TOURIST SELFIES: First Lady Michelle Obama announced that visitors touring the White House will now be allowed to take photos—including selfies. She made the announcement via an Instagram post, and the first group of visitors took advantage of the new policy with shots in front of a bust of George Washington as well as with the Obama family dogs. ABC News: “This is the first time in over 40 years that people have been allowed to take photos during White House tours and the White House is encouraging visitors to share their photos using the hashtag #whitehousetour. Under the new rules, visitors are allowed to snap photos on their phones and small cameras, though selfie sticks and video cameras continue to be on the ‘Prohibited Items’ list. The first tour group this morning consisted of bloggers, individuals and organizations with large numbers of followers on social media, a White House official said, so as to make sure that the first photos reached a wide audience.” http://abcn.ws/1Nxc9n2
2. COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVALS PROVE SUCCESSFUL FOR LIVE NATION: With the strong debut of new country music festivals on consecutive weekends in New York and Chicago, which each drew 40,000 fans, Live Nation is proving the genre is a moneymaker. Billboard: “The statement-making events are good news for a genre that is now the hottest segment of the most competitive space in the music industry. Live Nation Country president Brian O’Connell praised his staff and offered thanks to the country music community for their support in bringing mainstream country to these urban markets. … O’Connell and Live Nation have launched six country music fests in four years, well ahead of his self-stated mission to launch 10 in 10 years.” http://bit.ly/1GODFs4
3. JAGUAR ACTIVATION QUANTIFIES FAN EXCITEMENT AT WIMBLEDON: Biometric data will reveal just how excited fans are at various moments during the Wimbledon tennis tournament, part of an activation from Jaguar. Adweek: “Jaguar is distributing biometric cuffs to a select number of Wimbledon spectators. Sensors in the cuffs measure heart rate, motion and audio levels, spitting out data every tenth of a second to a Jaguar ‘loop room,’ where proprietary software produces what Jaguar marketing director Laura Schwab calls a ‘real emotional picture’ of the crowd's response. … But what's any of this got to do with Jaguar? Apart from the prestige factor of putting its name on the legendary grass courts of Wimbledon itself, Jaguar is trying to make a thematic connection between the excitement of watching world-class tennis and the excitement of driving, say, a $85,000 XK.” http://bit.ly/1JzripZ
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
BCD M&I and BCD Travel Groups have formed BCD Meetings & Events. Scott Graf heads the new organization, which has more than 700 employees and operations in more than 40 countries.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: The Georgia Aquarium's Red, White, and Brew takes place on the 4th of July, offering unlimited beer samplings and views of sea creatures swimming. The Centennial Olympic Park's fireworks show can be viewed from the venue's parking deck.
Catering, floral, and event planning company Legendary Events expects to open Flourish on Piedmont Road this fall. The venue will hold events of as many as 800 guests. Atlanta Business Chronicle: http://bit.ly/1R5suFB
AUSTIN: The first Texas Fried Chicken Throwdown, held in Royers Round Top Cafe on June 14, raised more than $3,000 for Meals on Wheels. The Austin Chronicle: http://bit.ly/1HxKG6e
BOSTON: The Seaport Hotel will host a Canines & Cocktails event to benefit the Animal Rescue League on July 14. The event will offer homemade dog treats and a cash bar.
LAS VEGAS: Former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld will speak to the Economic Club of Las Vegas on July 17 at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino.
LOS ANGELES: The destination management company AlliedPRA has named Margrete Chadwick the director of sales and marketing for its Los Angeles, Orange County, and Palm Springs locations.
Cassius, a Southeast Asian brasserie helmed by chef Bryant Ng, is now open in Santa Monica.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Galleria’s ninth annual Men of Style Shopping Night is slated for December 3. The evening will include a runway show with 12 models that each represent a different charity.
PHILADELPHIA: MeetBall, a location-sharing navigation app for sporting events, has raised $1.5 million. Philadelphia Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1GOD3mc
NEW YORK: The Festival of Independence at the seaport will feature live music on Fulton Street, Peck Slip, and Fulton Stall Market on Saturday.
International fashion trade show producer UBM Advanstar will stage FWD, its show for the juniors market, for the first time on the East Coast August 2-4 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Tastings has announced its new catering event venue, the Nantucket Lightship, a vessel located on Pier 25 that can be booked for dates after July 15.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: Kim Kardashian discussed the objectification of women in media and the business of millennial culture, among less serious topics, during a talk at the Commonwealth Club on Tuesday. CBS News: http://cbsn.ws/1dyI1ey
The American Craft Council Show will be held at Fort Mason Center July 31-August 2. The event will showcase handcrafted goods, including jewelry, apparel, furniture, and home decor.
TORONTO: The 20th anniversary Canadian Art Foundation Gala will take place on September 17 at the Carlu. The event includes cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: NoMa's fourth annual July 4 Bash will take place at the NoMa Junction at Storey Park. Harris Teeter will provide free food for the first 200 guests, and bluegrass band Jake and the Burtones will perform.
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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