1. CORPORATE BRANDS RETHINK SPONSORSHIP OF G.O.P. CONVENTION: Apple, Google, and Walmart are among the companies evaluating their participation in this summer’s Republication National Convention, while other brands such as Coca-Cola have already scaled back their contributions compared to 2012. The prospect of violence at the event should divisive front-runner Donald Trump capture the nomination, or if rivals try to wrest it from him make for a difficult calculus for would-be corporate sponsors. The New York Times: “But the question of what to do about the Republican convention is more complex for businesses than simply deciding whether to contribute to the host committee: They are also grappling with whether they should send their executives, whether they can just quietly give to ancillary events benefiting other Republicans, and even whether they ought to have their names removed from the off-site concerts that are often convention favorites. … In addition to the strong feelings Mr. Trump generates, there are fears that fewer elected officials, to whom sponsors like to gain access at conventions, might attend if Mr. Trump is the nominee.” http://nyti.ms/25ydoNt
2. SEATING CHART CHANGES COMING TO WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: It can be notoriously difficult to score tickets to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner—even for actual White House correspondents. The association that manages the event is making changes to the seating chart for the 2,600-person dinner, which takes place April 30. Washington Post: “Jockeying by news organizations to score as many tables as possible had gotten out of hand in recent years, with organizations like Bloomberg, FOX News, and Politico scooping up a dozen or more each. But this year, the association enforced a maximum of seven tables per media outlet (including, in full disclosure, for the Washington Post), in an effort to quell the infighting. … There’s long been grousing among actual White House correspondents that the tickets are gobbled up by their organization’s bigwigs: network anchors, top editors, and management. In recent years, dinner-watchers have noticed a definite corporate creep, with more tickets going to top advertisers.” http://wapo.st/25xytYC
3. L.A. COUNTY FAIR EXECUTIVE RESIGNS AFTER INVESTIGATION: Questions about the management of the Los Angeles County Fair Association and the compensation of executives have prompted the long-time chief executive, James Henwood Jr., to resign. Los Angeles Times: “Henwood's departure follows a Los Angeles Times investigation that found that he and other executives received lucrative pay and benefit packages despite several years of red ink at the association. The organization stages the annual fair and operates a number of year-round enterprises at the taxpayer-owned fairgrounds in Pomona.” http://lat.ms/1ZLD0T6
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Faneuil Hall Marketplace Merchants Association will feature Sara Myerson, planning director at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, at its next “Talks in the Rotunda” installation on Wednesday.
CHICAGO: The auxiliary board of Lincoln Park Zoo will host “Zoo-ologie: Urban Zoo-Fari” on May 14. The benefit will offer samples from more than 20 local restaurants; DryHop Brewers will also unveil its Lincoln Park Zoo collaboration beer.
LOS ANGELES: A new event, Fashion Down Under LA, will introduce Australian fashion designers to the United States market. The April 16 event will take place with the support of the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles, and sponsors including Virgin Australia, the Artistry, Bobbi Brown, and White Rabbit Entertainment.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa has opened a new dining concept, Breeze Ocean Kitchen, from executive chef Josh Thomsen. The 120-seat seafront restaurant and lounge offers live entertainment, beach-inspired menus, and a “smart” roof that adjusts to shield guests from inclement weather or let in the sunshine.
The cultural organization Toca Culture will present Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Havana, Cuba, on May 15 as part of the Cuba Disco Festival.
NEW YORK: Magrino announced it is now representing two of Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, as the global public relations agency of record.
Pop-Up Magazine, a "live magazine" featuring new reported stories with visuals and live soundtracks, will take place Tuesday at the BAM Opera House.
The New York Luckyrice Feast, an Asian food festival, will take place June 2 at a new location in Industry City in Brooklyn.
After 37 years in Manhattan, IFP Film Week will move to Brooklyn. The event, set for September 17-22, will have an increased focus on Web-based content and virtual reality content as well as more offerings for the public.
The Museum of Chinese in America will host the fifth annual Celebration of Community Heroes dinner on April 25 at Golden Unicorn Restaurant.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Pincho Factory, a Miami-based concept specializing in unique burgers and kebabs, will open its first franchise location Friday in the Dr. Phillips Marketplace.
SAN DIEGO: The 13th San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival will take place November 13-20. The event will include more than 60 luxury wine and food events held in locations throughout the city.
SAN FRANCISCO: Clothing brand Kit and Ace will launch a pop-up series called “Carry On” at Hotel Zetta this Friday. The pop-up, which allows hotel guests and locals to shop selected items from the brand, will stay at Hotel Zetta through April 3.
TORONTO: Toronto Food & Drink Market will be held at Enercare Centre April 8-10. Featured events include the Food Truck Alley showcase.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center has begun construction on its new Riverview Ballroom, a freestanding 23,000-square-foot ballroom scheduled to open in July 2017.
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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, 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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