1. GAY BARS BOYCOTT RUSSIAN VODKAS: To protest new laws in Russia that target gay people, gay bars across the United States are boycotting Russian vodkas like Stolichnaya and urging a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The idea came from columnist Dan Savage in a blog post last week, and bars nationwide have dumped out liquor bottles in solidarity while Stoli has sought to control the damage. The Daily Beast: "Stoli’s Web site has been redesigned with splashes of rainbow, with a large banner reading 'Stolichnaya Premium Vodka stands strong and proud with the global L.G.B.T. community against the attitude and actions of the Russian government.'" http://thebea.st/1eaIm0A
2. AFTER 11 YEARS, X GAMES BREAKS UP WITH L.A.: ESPN is moving the X Games to Austin, Texas, after 11 years in Los Angeles. The move consolidates the games into one venue, Circuit of the Americas, a racing and motor sports complex, and ESPN is considering adding headliner concerts. Los Angeles Times: "This year's X Games, which open Thursday and run through Sunday, are expected to attract large crowds to Staples Center, L.A. Live and the Irwindale Event Center. But of late, the relationship between L.A. and the X Games has grown stale." http://lat.ms/1aV42yh
3. EPIC BATTLE PITS NEIGHBORS AGAINST CATERING HALL: New York catering operation Rose Group Park Avenue is fighting its Upper East Side neighbors who claim the business doesn't fit in the residential area and successfully stripped its liquor license. New York Times: "Now the battle has reached the governor’s office, with both sides asking Andrew M. Cuomo to save them, even as one berates the other for untoward political connections. … After three failed attempts, the Rose Group got a bill passed in June granting it special dispensation from state law so the caterer could get [a] liquor license. The opposition is irate. They are now calling on Mr. Cuomo to veto the bill." http://nyti.ms/15v9Yf3
4. MOTION PICTURE ACADEMY TAPS NEW LEADER: Veteran marketing executive Cheryl Boone Isaacs was elected the new president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Entertainment Weekly: "Among her first responsibilities as president will be the selection of a host for the March 2 Oscar telecast. … Boone Isaacs is a pioneering figure in her own right, becoming the first black president of the Academy and the third woman to serve in the position, following Bette Davis (who served for a partial term in 1941) and screenwriter Fay Kanin (who served from 1979 to 1983, and died this year at age 95)." http://bit.ly/13Z4F83
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Corporate Event Marketing Association announced its new Board of Directors for 2013-2014. The members are: president: Liz Lathan, director of global event marketing, Dell; vice president/president elect: Chris Meyer, vice president of sales, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; secretary: Ashely Muntan, senior event marketing manager, Symantec Corporation; board members at large: Michele Schneider, vice president of strategic events, Salesforce.com; and Dena Kaufman, C.O.O., Opus Events Agency.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: BG Events and catering has just launched a kosher catering division. All foods will be produced in the kitchen of kosher caterer Edna Benison.
CHICAGO: Hillary Clinton will headline the Chicago House Speaker Series Luncheon on September 18 at the Chicago Hilton.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Review-Journal: "The Summer Market runs through Friday at the World Market Center. More than 3,500 new home decor and gift buyers have registered, representing all 50 states. The market attracted buyers from 73 countries, and about 50,000 people are expected to attend." http://bit.ly/1aTAhO4
L.A. Times: "First Friday Las Vegas, the city’s monthly art walk through the streets of downtown, will encourage guests to chill out from 5-11 p.m. Friday. That’s when the 10-year-old arts extravaganza presents 'antARTica.' The penguins will be made of papier-mache and the glaciers will be carved from recycled Styrofoam." http://lat.ms/17bKkdt
LONDON: Kings of Leon, directed by Fred Armisen, will perform August 9 in “American Express Unstaged," the concert series produced in partnership with VEVO and YouTube. The event will be live-streamed from Shepherd's Bush.
LOS ANGELES: The Madison Square Garden Company announced it would invest $100 million to renovate the Forum in Inglewood, with a reopening planned for January 15 with a performance by the Eagles. The "History of the Eagles" tour continues January 17-18 at the venue. Chase will be the Forum's major sponsor, with signage and a featured lounge with its own food and beverage program.
AOO Events has names Jason Vorse lead floral designer. The company also has expanded its event floral division to include home deliveries.
The Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau promoted Colleen Cornett to director of meeting solutions.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Freehand Miami is hosting Bookleggers' first anniversary party Sunday. To celebrate Miami's community mobile library, there will be a string quartet from the New World Symphony, a Broken Shaker specialty punch, and a screening of The Ninth Gate.
NEW YORK: George Cozonis is the new managing director of the Plaza hotel. Previously, he was general manager of W South Beach in Miami Beach.
The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis will host its 28th annual Great Sports Legends Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria September 30. NBC's Brian Williams will serve as master of ceremonies.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Orange County is deciding whether to use $45 million in tourist development taxes to fund several venue projects including a proposed Orlando soccer stadium, the second phase of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, and a renovation of the Citrus Bowl. But opponents—including powerful hotelier Harris Rosen—argue the money should go toward the convention center. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/13kmsqu
TORONTO: The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards will host Canada's first national arts and fashion industry award gala on February 1, 2014, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. There will be 10 award categories including "stylist of the year" and "menswear designer of the year," and the evening will also include dinner and an after-party.
WASHINGTON: Fluffy Thoughts Cakes opened a kiosk at the Verizon Center Monday, offering baked goods such as jumbo cupcakes, six-pack mini cupcakes, and sugar cookies decorated with Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards logos, as well as cookies inspired by concerts at the arena.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and 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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