1. DO EMPLOYEES EVEN LIKE HOLIDAY PARTIES?: Fewer companies are planning holiday parties this year, according to a new survey from the Society for Human Resource Management. But instead of cutting back because of budgetary reasons, some companies have concluded that employees just aren’t that into the holiday events. Bloomberg Business: “It would be bad enough if the holiday party were just a tolerable duty. But it can be aggressively annoying and occasionally disastrous. … The combination of co-workers and alcohol often encourages unfortunate antics and can result in wounded feelings, tattered reputations, and even HR action in the new year. With wages stagnant, one 2010 survey found, many employees said they would rather receive money or gifts than stand around in awkward circles drinking — although only 23 percent of the companies surveyed by the SHRM said they would offer non-performance-based yearend gifts.” http://bloom.bg/1Q8rrSI
2. WORLD CUP SPONSORS PUT NEW PRESSURE ON FIFA TO REFORM: Top sponsors are calling for reforms at FIFA in a new open letter published Tuesday, including asking for independent oversight of the organization that operates the World Cup soccer tournament. Advertising Age: “The sponsors also called for greater transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, integrity, leadership and gender equality at FIFA, which is trying to recover from a global scandal that has seen senior executives arrested in the U.S. and effectively ended the rein of longtime president Sepp Blatter, who is facing a criminal investigation. … The organization's finances have ballooned as soccer has become the world's number one sport. The quadrennial World Cup brings in more than $5 billion, about 30 percent of which comes from marketing sales, including deals with Coke, McDonald's and Adidas. Contributions from TV companies that broadcast the 32- team event account for 43 percent of FIFA's revenue and provide the platform for sponsors to blitz viewers around the globe.” http://bit.ly/1l6z1SF
3. ‘STAR WARS’-THEME MOVIE THEATER OPENS: The Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain opened a Star Wars-theme movie theater in Omaha, complete with a 10-foot Death Star hanging in the lobby, the emperor’s throne, and concession stands that look like space stations. The installation, while timed to the release of the new Star Wars film, will be permanent. Entertainment Weekly: “The idea behind the lobby is that we wanted to construct and install a lobby theme that would make us unique in our Omaha market as well as the midwest,” according to a statement from theater management. “We also wanted a theme that was built around an iconic film and to completely own that theme to immerse our guests in the experience. That is when Star Wars came into the picture and it just so happened that we timed it out just right with the announcement of the huge plans for a new Star Wars legacy starting this December.” http://bit.ly/1lVF2S7
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Event producer Freeman has launched Freeman Digital Ventures to drive investments and partnerships with tech-based start-ups. The fund's first investment is with DoubleDutch, a mobile event technology provider.
Mobile event platform Eventbase has launched Expo Connect, which offers new exhibitor tools meant to boost user engagement and help exhibitors connect with attendees.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Andrews Entertainment District in Buckhead will close all of its venues after a New Year's Eve party. What Now Atlanta: http://bit.ly/1TsvEAJ
Hyatt Regency Atlanta has announced three new hires to its team: Thomas McKeown as executive chef, Sherry Hicks-Buckles as director of food and beverage, and Christopher Watson as director of sales and marketing.
AUSTIN: Austin-based event production company C3 Presents—which organizes the Austin City Limits Festival and Lollapalooza—is lobbying for permission to hold events in national parks. Austin Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1jxmtSu
BOSTON: Island Creek Oysters will host a pop-up retail location on Newbury Street through the new year. The shop will sell cooking and shucking gear, artisanal food products, and Island Creek accessories.
CHICAGO: Kick is now open in North Center. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant serves spicy international fare; its decor is inspired by volcanoes. Kick hosts private or semiprivate events for as many as 130 guests.
DALLAS: Crystal Charity Ball, which raises money for various children’s charities, will take place Saturday at the Hilton Anatole. Event planners are seeking to raise more than $6 million.
LAS VEGAS: The Nascar Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week fan experience will take over the Linq Promenade today-Friday.
The Encore Player's Club will debut at the Wynn Las Vegas on December 19. The 5,013-square-foot venue, located on Encore's casino floor, will offer interactive games and mobile sports betting.
LOS ANGELES: The third annual Los Angeles International Tea Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Japanese American National Museum. The event will feature more than 30 exhibitors and include seminars on tea's health benefits.
Newly opened Beverly Hills restaurant Viviane will offer holiday celebrations including A Christmas Story-inspired Chinese feast, a New Year’s Eve dinner, and a New Year’s Day hangover brunch.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Reed Travel Exhibitions announced the 2017 edition of I.B.T.M. America will take place at the Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa.
NEW YORK: “Luminaries,” a new holiday light installation by David Rockwell, debuted at Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden at an event Tuesday evening. The exhibit consists of 650 suspended LED light boxes with preprogrammed shows, as well as the capability for the public to select the colors of light. New York magazine has a video: http://nym.ag/1YEZzbP
Luke Bryan, Demi Lovato, Wiz Khalifa, and Charlie Puth will perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest, which will be broadcast live from Times Square on ABC.
Target Wonderland—a holiday pop-up store and activity center from the big-box retailer—will open from December 9-22 at 70 10th Avenue. One tech-forward feature: Guests will be able to add items to a digital shopping list and buy them at the end of the experience.
The seventh annual Latke Festival will take place on Monday at Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. Participating restaurants include the Vanderbilt, Baz Bagel, and Jacob's Pickles.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has announced the completion of the rebranded and restored Claremont Club & Spa, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The 276-room hotel has 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a ballroom that holds as many as 450.
La Tavola Linen rental company has appointed Jeff Black as its C.E.O. The fine linen provider also completed a recapitalization with Frontenac Company to support future growth.
TORONTO: Union Station Holiday Market is now open on Front Street. Running through December 20, the activation lets commuters pick up gifts such as ginger cookies. CBC News: http://bit.ly/1l5lVoE
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Actress Reese Witherspoon will host this year’s lighting of the National Christmas Tree, scheduled to take place Thursday on the Ellipse near the White House. Associated Press: http://pge.sx/21sZQkk
The Rosslyn BID will host its third annual Holiday Market on December 10-11 in Gateway Park. Activities include winter-theme crafts and games, a live jazz performance, a bonfire, and a free pop-up boot camp.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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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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