1. CLINTON-TRUMP DEBATE EXPECTED TO DRAW SUPER BOWL-SIZE RATINGS: The first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which takes place tonight, is expected to draw as many as 100 million viewers according to political strategists and network executives. The New York Times: “That would surpass the 80 million who watched Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan in 1980, the record for a presidential debate, and rank among television benchmarks like the finales of ‘MASH’ and ‘Cheers.’ Not all viewers will watch from their living rooms. At the Dreamland Theater in tiny Nantucket, Mass., so many are expected for a debate-watching party that the town assigned a police officer to stand watch in case of rowdiness. … Mass experiences—built around news events like the moon landing, and pop culture moments for older generations like the ‘Who shot J. R.?’ episode of ‘Dallas’—are rare in an age of fragmented media and the drift toward partisan outlets, where viewers can effectively choose their own news. But tight polls and curiosity about the unconventional Mr. Trump are luring viewers. In a New York Times/CBS News poll this month, 83 percent of registered voters said they were very or somewhat likely to watch on Monday. Advertisers, including Audi cars and Tecate beer, are taking advantage, introducing debate-themed commercials in the kind of tie-in marketing usually reserved for events like the Super Bowl. Although the debate will air without commercials, cable and broadcast channels have sold millions of dollars’ worth of ads for programming before and afterward. Television networks and online streaming sites, including Facebook and Twitter, will carry the same feed on Monday, showing a spare debate stage at Hofstra University, on Long Island, a format that predates the blaring graphics and space-age sets that now dominate television news.” http://nyti.ms/2dlGNor
2. ABC HOPES JIMMY KIMMEL WILL HOST OSCARS: Jimmy Kimmel’s success hosting the Emmys has the comedian and talk show host in consideration for hosting the Oscars next year. Disney/ABC Television Group Ben Sherwood gave Kimmel his endorsement at a Paley Center panel in Beverly Hills last week. Variety: “In his hourlong conversation with ABC News correspondent Nick Watt, Sherwood said ABC execs felt Kimmel, host of the Alphabet’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” late-night franchise, did a great job on Sunday’s Emmy Awards telecast and that he has demonstrated that he has the chops to host the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 26. However, Sherwood emphasized that the decision on the Oscarcast host and producing team rests with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Last month, renewed its telecast deal with AMPAS for the Oscars through 2028, extending a partnership that has endured for more than 40 years. Sherwood said the new deal gives ABC more creative input in the production of the telecast. The network sought more involvement in an effort ‘to make sure that the show was as relevant and fresh and modern as possible,’ Sherwood said. Pressed by Watt, Sherwood acknowledged that ratings for major awards shows have been in decline; despite strong reviews for Kimmel, Sunday’s Emmy Awards, which aired on ABC, hit a new low in viewership. For the Oscars, Sherwood suggested that AMPAS voters need to embrace more mainstream fare than they have in the past.” http://bit.ly/2d4X42d
3. MORE LIVE MUSIC EVENTS ARE TAPPING INTO VIRTUAL REALITY: Virtual reality is making waves in numerous industries and lately, live music has been using the technology to bring events to those who can’t physically attend. IGN: “Music festival Coachella recognized the growing appeal of VR this year by launching a new app and shipping Google Cardboard headsets to its attendees alongside their tickets. Debuting ahead of this year’s event, the Coachella VR app was designed to let Cardboard VR, Gear VR, Oculus, and Vive owners browse through 360 degree photos from previous festivals and watch interviews from this year’s lineup of artists. 3D virtual tours of the festival grounds let fans familiarize themselves with the layout before they even left the house. Eventually, the app may even let users live stream acts from their living rooms. Similarly, VR was an integral theme of the 2016 SXSW Interactive, Film and Music Festival earlier this year. The technology was thoroughly explored in panels and presentations, with some field experts proclaiming the medium as the future of both music videos and live performances. Attendees learned that although record sales continue to fall, VR is likely to help the music industry earn revenue. VR concerts might not be as far away as we think.” http://bit.ly/2dgSm4x
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Marriott International has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. On Friday, Marriott began matching member status across Marriott Rewards, including the Ritz-Carlton Rewards, with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program—enabling members to transfer points between the programs for travel and exclusive experiences when they link their accounts. Marriott's board of directors has now increased from 11 to 14 members. The three new members are First Industrial Realty Trust president, chairman, and C.E.O. Bruce Duncan; Lerer Hippeau Ventures partner Eric Hippeau; and Potbelly Corporation chairman and C.E.O. Aylwin Lewis.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTIC CITY: Harrah's Resort Atlantic City has announced plans for a $30 million guest room and suite renovation to be completed by summer 2017.
AUSTIN: The fourth annual AustOberfest will take place October 22 at Scholz Garten, coinciding with the tavern's 150th anniversary.
BOSTON: HUBweek kicked off on Sunday and runs through October 1. The annual festival celebrates technology, science, and art innovations with events at various Boston venues. The festival is presented by The Boston Globe, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
CHICAGO: The Chicago Architecture Foundation's Open House Chicago will take place October 15-16. The festival, which is free and open to the public, gives behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 buildings.
LAS VEGAS: As part of the Las Vegas Sands Global Hygiene Build to support Clean the World—which kicked off in July and runs through December—the Venetian and the Palazzo will host a local hygiene-kit build on October 1. Kits will benefit organizations including HELP of Southern Nevada and its homeless services department; the Shade Tree, which benefits homeless and abused women and children; and St. Jude's Ranch, which benefits abused and at-risk children, young adults, and families.
LOS ANGELES: The inaugural Circle V music festival will take place October 23 at Fonda Theatre. Headlined by Moby and produced by Goldenvoice, the festival celebrates animal rights and will benefit the international animal protection nonprofit Mercy For Animals.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Florida Grand Opera will host its 75th Anniversary Gala on November 12 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The gala will benefit F.G.O.'s future productions, education, and outreach initiatives.
The Gates Hotel South Beach—A DoubleTree by Hilton has opened in the space formerly occupied by Aloft South Beach. The completely reconstructed property, which is owned by Rockpoint Group and Highgate and managed by Highgate, has 235 rooms. There is also a restaurant called the Continental, which serves an "eclectic menu of global dishes," according to a hotel press release.
NEW ORLEANS: Fairfield Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown/French Quarter Area has opened in the Central Business District. The 103-suite hotel, which is owned by New Castle Hotels and Resorts, underwent a $10 million transformation utilizing historic tax credits for the preservation of the building’s facade and interior structures.
NEW YORK: The Pratt Institute's Feminism in Politics! exhibition will have its opening reception on Tuesday at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery. The exhibition will be on display through November 23.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation will open its new screening room and educational space, the Robin Williams Center, on October 5 on West 54th Street between 8th Avenue and Broadway. The 4,000-square-foot venue, which will have 154 seats. will offer free educational programming to more than 40,000 actors, recording artists, and broadcasters in the New York metro area.
The American Folk Art Museum's fall benefit gala will take place October 26 at Gotham Hall. The event will honor Lucy and Mike Danziger, the Ford Foundation, and the late artist Thornton Dial.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: This year's Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will be the largest to date, with 50 food and wine stations, 10 seminars, and a new immersive area designed to replicate San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood. The event is October 28 and 29 at the Epcot Resort Area resort.
PHILADELPHIA: The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will take place November 10-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North has appointed Marc Bromley as general manager.
SAN FRANCISCO: The San Francisco Chronicle's 59th annual International Auto Show is slated for November 19-27 at the Moscone Center.
TORONTO: The seventh annual Smoke's Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship will take place October 1 at Yonge-Dundas Square
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Event production firms CWA and Roundboxx have partnered to launch Peak XV, a full-service global event communications team. Chris Wayne of CWA and Mark Poncher of Roundboxx will lead the new project, which aims to create experiences that present solutions to global challenges.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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