1. THOUSANDS GATHER FOR WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL: Some 35,000 people visited the South Lawn for the 138th White House Easter Egg Roll, one of the capital’s most enduring holiday traditions. The event has gone through several transformations over the years as the entertainment and overall spectacle grew. The Atlantic: “These days, the event is a star-studded affair that goes beyond egg-rolling. This year, attendees jammed out to musical performances by teenage singers and Sesame Street characters. Bear Grylls and Shonda Rhimes read books to kids. Celebrity chef José Andrés gave a cooking demonstration. Shaquille O’Neal played basketball with humans one-third his size. There was yoga and Soul Cycle. A pair of Stormtroopers wandered the grounds, waving to spectators.” http://theatln.tc/1LWBFqh
2. GEORGIA GOVERNOR VETOES "RELIGIOUS LIBERTY" BILL: Under pressure from corporate America, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal vetoed a so-called “religious liberty” bill that critics saw as legalizing discrimination against gays and lesbians. It would have allowed businesses to deny services—such as baking a cake for a same-sex wedding—by citing their religious convictions. Atlanta Journal Constitution: “The governor, though, had ample cover from the measure’s critics. Executives from dozens of big-name companies, including Disney, Apple, Time Warner, Intel and Salesforce, called on the governor to veto the bill. The NFL warned it could risk Atlanta’s bid for the Super Bowl and the NCAA hinted it could influence the state’s ability to host championship games. And Deal’s office said two economic development prospects have already abandoned Georgia because of the legislation.” http://on-ajc.com/1MvNqE3
3. VENUE COSTS ADD UP FOR SANDERS CAMPAIGN: Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has rallied supporters at events held in venues as large as Seattle’s Safeco Field, but booking huge spaces comes with a cost, according to Federal Election Commission filings. They provide a glimpse into the costs of mounting a nationwide campaign, showing spending on venue fees, audiovisual equipment, and catering. Politico: "I would say it's more like what you would be spending in a general election because of the size of your crowds," Bob Shrum, a former senior adviser to John Kerry's presidential campaign, said of Sanders's event spending. "But he's getting crowds of that size in the primary. So you've gotta have those venues, and you gotta do the lighting and the stagecraft so that people in a place where there are eight or 10 or 12,000 people can actually see the stage and the candidate." http://politi.co/1MqoY6T
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
P.C.M.A. and P.M.P.I. will participate in the first Global Meetings Industry Day, joining the advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business with an event on April 14 at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington. The gathering—designed to show the impact of business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows, and exhibitions—will include a program, rally, and reception.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Novare Events will manage the event venue 433 Bishop. The loftlike, 5,000-square-foot space is newly renovated and can hold groups of as many as 200 guests.
BOSTON: The Boston Brain Tumor Ride will take place May 15. Organizers expect some 700 guests.
CHICAGO: The second annual Olive Oil Conference will be held at the Westin O’Hare July 18-20. The event from the North American Olive Oil Association features presentations, cooking demos, and discussions.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN: Hundreds of buyers of converting equipment for packaging of food, beverages, and consumer goods are slated to attend the ninth annual Converters Expo April 13-14 at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas’ newest pool club, Sky Beach Club, is slated to open at Tropicana Las Vegas on April 8.
LOS ANGELES: The 23rd annual Race to Erase MS Gala is slated for April 15 at the Beverly Hilton, with performances by Kiss, Jordan Smith, and others.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: French Morning, a digital French magazine in the United States, will host the first Baguette Battle Miami, a “best baguette” competition for South Florida’s top bakers slated for April 14 at the National Hotel. The magazine hosted a similar event in New York in January.
NEW YORK: The Clinton Global Initiative has named former Time Warner executive Dan Osheyack as chief marketing officer. Advertising Age: http://bit.ly/22Vysex
Sotheby’s will host “At Home,” its third annual Designer Showhouse & Auction in New York April 9-16. Twelve interior designers and design firms will each create one room within a home constructed within the fifth-floor exhibition space of Sotheby’s Manhattan headquarters. Fine and decorative arts used to furnish the showhouse will be offered in a Dedicated Auction on April 17.
The Wholesome Wave Benefit, a debut event, will honor chef Jacques PĂ©pin April 20 at the Yale Club. The benefit will include a five-course dinner prepared by celebrity chefs including Wholesome Wave founder Michel Nischan, Tyler Florence, Seamus Mullen, Carmen Quagliata, and Jacques Torres.
Natural Blend Juice Bar and Bakery, which offers vegan and gluten-free goods in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, will host a grand-opening event April 7.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: California College of the Arts now has a Stanlee Gatti Endowed Scholarship, named for the San Francisco-based event designer. San Francisco Chronicle: bit.ly/1PAwG9f
TORONTO: Pillow Fight Toronto is scheduled for April 2 at Nathan Phillips Square. Organizers expect more than 2,000 guests at the free event; each guest is asked to bring a pillow.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Global DMC Partners has launched a new website, globaldmcpartners.com.
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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