1. HOW TO BOOK A STAY AT DOWNTON ABBEY: Highclere Castle in Britain—better known as the setting for the television show Downton Abbey—is accepting guests after a restoration of its London Lodge buildings. Los Angeles Times: “The living area, done in sea-foam greens, roses and warm neutrals, has a sofa that invites you to sink into it as you sit in front of a fire (Chesney's wood burner) and have some tea. ‘Rather charming prints of owls and birds and what’s in nature’—the countess' description—adorn the walls, which is fitting given its country setting outside of Newbury, about 60 miles west of London. You’ll find a TV and Wi-Fi here too.” http://lat.ms/1uKyemX
2. IHG WILL BUY BOUTIQUE CHAIN KIMPTON HOTELS: InterContinental Hotels Group announced plans to buy the boutique hotel chain Kimpton Hotels for $430 million in a deal expected to close early next year. USA Today: “Hotel giants, in an effort to appeal to a younger generation of travelers, have been aggressively trying to acquire or create their own boutique brands. Marriott partnered with Ian Schrager, the man often credited with creating the boutique hotel concept, to create EDITION hotels, the most recent of which opened in Miami. Hilton recently introduced a new lifestyle brand called Canopy that focuses on technology, design and the local culture. Acquiring Kimpton, known for smaller properties with free wine hours each night and whimsically designed bathrobes and minibars, pits IHG against those brands and other independently owned chains such as SIXTY Hotels and 21c Museum.” http://usat.ly/1306X9J
3. HOW ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE MINDS IN FOOD APPROACHES EVENTS: Jennifer Rubell—the food artist, hotelier, and niece of Studio 54 legend Steve Rubell—brings her creativity and wit to events like the recent Performa gala, in which guests shattered the decor at the end of the evening. She shares her philosophy in a new profile. New York: “Any gala, fund-raiser, dinner is an inherently decadent action, and I feel like making that explicit: The destruction and exuberance of waste is a part of being honest with what’s going on,” she said. “We as humans, certainly we as Americans, love violence and death and destruction. If we don’t love it, why are we constantly making it? Whether it’s consuming virtual violence or creating conditions of violence around the world or celebrating violence, violence brings with it a lot of pleasure for us, and it’s true in a very personal sense for us, too. So the guests were sitting at this pedestal all night, where this intense feast unfolds. And then they realize that it’s been there to destroy the whole time.” http://vult.re/1GqtYS4
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
The New York Times will co-produce Tina Brown’s Women in the World conference starting next year. Press release: “The Times Company will create and launch a new digital platform for Women in the World, tied to NYTimes.com. The Times will also invest in Women in the World and take on the role of selling sponsorships and advertising for the Women in the World events and digital. Tina Brown, its founder and CEO, will continue to oversee the programming of the event series, which is executive-produced by Kyle Gibson.” http://bit.ly/1ISGxaT
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The first “Hub Week” is being organized for fall 2015. Organized by Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Boston Globe, and Massachusetts General Hospital, the week will feature conferences, lectures, competitions, and cultural exhibitions.
CHICAGO: The First Bites Bash, a kickoff to Restaurant Week, will be held at Union Station on January 29. The event will feature sweet and savory tastings from some 50 local restaurants.
LAS VEGAS: Nearly 100 couples married and renewed their vows on the High Roller at the Linq Promenade on the auspicious date of 12/13/14.
After two years and performing 105 shows for 337,500 guests from all over the world, Shania Twain took the stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the last time Saturday with her headlining residency show, "Shania: Still The One."
LOS ANGELES: Kevin Costner, Ron Howard, and Jessica Chastain will be honored at the 20th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards on January 15.
For the fourth consecutive year, Fiji Water will serve as the official water for the 21st annual Screen Actors Guild awards.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: First Night 2015, the largest New Year's Eve celebration in Palm Beach County, includes performances and activities at 21 indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Delray Beach. The family-oriented event includes a 9 p.m. fireworks show.
NEW YORK: In a profile of Gawker Media head Nick Denton, the Daily Beast reveals the company plans to build a "two-story entertainment and event venue" at its new headquarters on Fifth Avenue at 17th Street. http://thebea.st/1yS9r80
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House will open on International Drive in Fall of 2015. Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide: http://bit.ly/1IV4cHD
PHOENIX: Comedian and actor Joel McHale will host the Friars Club ESPN Sports Roast of broadcaster and Hall of Fame N.F.L. quarterback Terry Bradshaw January 29 at a luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
TORONTO: The 25th annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice celebration will take place on Sunday. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the festivities will include a lantern-lit procession, theatrical performances, and giant puppets.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The association management company IMN Solutions has appointed Steve Doyle as director of global initiatives.
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, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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