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April 17, 2013: Why Security Is Difficult at Marathons, Bombings' Effect on Travel and Tourism, Restaurants Turn to Ticketing Instead of Reservations


1. WHY SECURITY IS DIFFICULT AT MARATHONS: Safety experts are grappling with the challenge of providing security at major road races following the bombings Monday in Boston, with tests coming Sunday at marathons in London and Hamburg, Germany. New York Times: "It is all but impossible to control every corner of a racecourse, especially for marathons in cities like Boston, London, and New York that wind through and over narrow city streets and bridges, offering places to hide for bombs and snipers." http://nyti.ms/ZzsCfT

2. BOSTON BOMBINGS' EFFECT ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM: The hospitality industry is taking steps to try to comfort guests and prevent the hit to business it took following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Washington Post: "Staff at the Willard Intercontinental hotel in downtown Washington drafted a letter Tuesday to guests alerting them to the fireworks scheduled that night as part of the District’s Emancipation Day celebration. The notice was meant to prevent visitors from being alarmed by the booming noise. … Still, because this week’s attack took place in a public space, and not on airplane or other form of transport, it may not deal a blow to the travel industry in the same way that the September 11, 2001, attacks did." http://wapo.st/12kzcfg

3. RESTAURANTS TURN TO TICKETING INSTEAD OF RESERVATIONS: Instead of reservations, the soon-to-open Los Angeles restaurant Trois Mec will offer guests tickets for dining slots in an attempt to avoid no-shows. It's a trend that top eateries such as Alinea and Next in Chicago have adopted as well. Los Angeles Times: "All over town, restaurants, which operate on notoriously thin profit margins, are in a battle with no-show diners, who increasingly are expected to bear more responsibility for their end of the bargain." http://lat.ms/116DRAl

4. UNDER-CONSTRUCTION CRUISE SHIP CREATES VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE: To promote a Las Vegas-style ship that has yet to be built, Royal Caribbean marketed the "Quantum of the Seas" by creating a virtual tour experience based on the vessel's digital blueprints. Adweek "The result: A somewhat surreal eight-minute-long advertisement featuring a range of live celebrities traipsing around a virtual version of a ship that doesn't yet exist, while they tout its various features, including a skydiving simulator." http://bit.ly/Zo9XYl

5. EVENTS START-UP WINS INVESTMENT FUNDING: Eventstagram, a live feed of Instagram photos taken by a crowd at an event, is one of 17 start-up companies selected to receive funding and support from Wayra, owned by British telecom company Telefonica. Eventstagram will receive more than $50,000, office space for nine months, and mentoring services. More than 3,400 companies applied for the program.


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Paul Van Deventer has been appointed Meeting Professionals International president and C.E.O. by the M.P.I. board of directors.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Today, several area restaurants will donate a percentage of their sales to the victims of Monday's marathon bombing via the Greg Hill Foundation. Participating eateries include Bella Luna Restaurant & Milky Way Lounge, China Blossom, and Park. Other restaurants wishing to join the efforts may email the foundation at [email protected]

CHICAGO: Sandwich Me In, a sustainable eatery in Lakeview, will host an Earth Day event Sunday with educational discussions with farmers, chefs, and other green-living experts, plus activities for kids. 

LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Convention Center will host AARP's first of two national events and expos in 2013. Slated for May 30-June 1, Life at 50+ focuses on the 50-plus audience with entertainment, celebrities, and exhibits. WSJ: http://on.wsj.com/1713vZD

Booth space has sold out for National Association of Tobacco Outlets' 12th anniversary and trade show, April 22-24. CSPnet.com: http://bit.ly/Z0GynF

LOS ANGELES: Heal the Bay announced Tuesday its annual Bring Back the Beach gala on May 16 will honor its former president Mark Gold, Jeremy Irons, and Murad Inc. C.E.O. Howard Murad.

Sharon and Jack Osbourne will be honored at the 20th annual Race to Erase MS event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel May 3.

Huntington Beach Marketing and Visitors Bureau president and C.E.O. Steve Bone has announced that he will retire from the organization in September.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The South Beach Comedy Festival begins today at various venues across the city. Performers include Tracy Morgan, Seth Meyers, and Sarah Silverman.

NEW YORK: The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will host the sixth annual Spring Ball April 22 at the Temple of Dendur in the Sackler Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ball is sponsored by Harry Winston Inc. and will feature a performance by Diana Krall.

The owners of Harlem Tavern will open an uptown location on Broadway Avenue. The new restaurant, Heights Tavern, will be the same concept as the original and is slated for a July opening. http://nydn.us/Yvak4q

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

ORLANDO: The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by HGTV, began yesterday and runs through May 19. The event features new topiary additions, illuminated displays in the evening, "global garden treats" at the marketplaces, live music, and tips and demos from HGTV personalities such as David Bromstad, Casey Noble, and Chris Lambton. http://bit.ly/10dYOfO

TORONTO: To celebrate its new free Wi-Fi, Yogurty's will host a tweet-up tonight with Carlos Campo, a food scientist and frozen-yogurt flavor creator. The event takes place at Yogurty's at Liberty Village and will offer free frozen treats and a preview of the new flavor: raspberry-chocolate cupcake. 

Earth Mudder Weekend is this weekend at Evergreen Brick Works. The event will feature family-oriented outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, biking workshops, and more. http://bit.ly/117LiqN

WASHINGTON: Africare’s 2013 Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner Gala is Saturday at the Washington Hilton.

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 Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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

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