1. TECH CONFERENCE TELLS BOOTH BABES TO COVER UP: RSA Conference, a five-day security conference, announced a dress code for so-called booth babes at its trade show next month in San Francisco. CNET: “The RSA Conference's new exhibitor rules say that all expo staff should dress in a way that's ‘considered appropriate in a professional environment’ and that clothing of an ‘overly revealing or suggestive nature’ won't be permitted. That means no tank tops, halter-tops or tube tops. It also means no miniskirts, minidresses, shorts or Lycra bodysuits. RSA says these guidelines apply to all staff—both male and female. If exhibitors defy the ban they may be asked to change clothes or leave.” http://cnet.co/19ykjgM
2. FACEBOOK UPDATES EVENTS DASHBOARD TO PROMOTE CONCERTS: Facebook created a new section in its events dashboard to allow users to receive notifications whenever bands, or any other group with a page, hosts events near them—without clogging up their primary news feed. TechCrunch: “The move could help bands sell more concert tickets, which is critical in an era where recorded music is hard to monetize and touring is an increasingly important revenue stream for musicians. Local businesses running events or promotions, sports teams, and more could also benefit from the new way to tell people about IRL get-togethers.” http://tcrn.ch/1xWWfzM
3. OFFICIAL PLEADS GUILTY OVER CHARGES TIED TO G.S.A. CONFERENCE: One of the planners of the federal conference in Las Vegas criticized as lavish and excessive has pleaded guilty and may spend up to a year in prison for submitting a false expense report. Politico: “The flap over an $800,000 conference Neely staged in Las Vegas ultimately led to the resignation of GSA Administrator Martha Johnson and prompted the Obama administration to impose stricter rules on conference spending across the federal government. While many lawmakers chastised Neely at a 2010 House hearing where he took the Fifth Amendment, others have complained that the crackdown on conferences curtailed training opportunities for government workers and hurt resort venues like Las Vegas.” http://politi.co/1DsZ4cr
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
The Convention Industry Council joined the critics of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and urged the state to “adopt corrective language that clarifies that the law does not allow discrimination of any kind.” The letter continued: “An unintended consequence of this law has been the reaction of many businesses who are considering not holding future meetings and events in Indiana. Not only would this be harmful to economic well-being of the state, but it would injure the very people who are employed by the hospitality industry and who may be subject to discrimination due to this legislation. Meeting destinations in Indiana have a reputation for delivering world-class hospitality and service to all visitors and meeting attendees. This legislation does much to harm the view of Indiana as an inclusive and welcoming community.”
Nascar also made public statements against the law, and Amazon employees will no longer attend the upcoming Indy Big Data conference. City and local governments have enacted travel bans for official business to Indiana including the states of New York and Connecticut and cities such as Denver, Seattle, and Oakland, California.
The P.C.M.A. Education Foundation has hired Meredith Rollins as its new executive director.
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: The Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival is scheduled for April 22-25 at venues throughout the city. Headliners performing at the Paramount Theatre include Patton Oswalt, John Mulaney, Wanda Sykes, Marc Maron, and Pete Holmes.
BOSTON: Serafina Boston is now open in the financial district. The Italian restaurant has several private event spaces, and serves items such as thin-crust pizzas and Italian meats and cheeses.
CHICAGO: Make-A-Wish Illinois will host its annual Wish Ball at Navy Pier on May 16. Jay Leno is the headliner.
LAS VEGAS: The 75,000-square-foot nightclub Omnia will host an opening weekend celebration with W magazine April 24-25.
LOS ANGELES: Women in Film, Los Angeles will host its annual Crystal & Lucy Awards fund-raising dinner June 16 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City. The event honors women in the entertainment industry.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is April 18-19 at the University of Southern California. The event is celebrating its 20th year.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Café at Books & Books at the Arsht Center will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting Thursday. Chef Allen Susser, who oversees café operations and menu, will cater the event.
NEW YORK: Riviera Caterers catered a launch event for the car company McLaren on Monday that featured an English-inspired menu served on custom trays made from performance materials similar to the car.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Creating Opportunities for Development in Africa 2015 Corporate Summit is April 18 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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