1. MINI COOPER TURNS INTO STRETCH LIMO FOR EVENTS: A limousine operator in England turned a Mini Cooper S into a 27-foot-long stretch limousine. New York Post: "A specialist split the compact car in half and added 16 feet to the middle along with an extra set of wheels. But length isn’t where the altered Mini’s similarities to other limos ends. The interior was given a nightclub-like overhaul, adding leather seats and a champagne fridge." http://bit.ly/1e8SEQP
2. CAN IRON MAN SAVE HONG KONG DISNEYLAND?: The struggling Hong Kong Disneyland plans to open the Iron Man Experience, a ride and pavilion, in late 2016. It is Disney's first ride based on a Marvel superhero and somewhat of a gamble. New York Times: "At its core, the expansion is about shoring up a resort that Disney is counting on to act as an engine in Southeast China for its broader portfolio of merchandise and movies. Hong Kong Disneyland, criticized for its small size and locked in heated competition with nearby Ocean Park, has lost hundreds of millions of dollars since opening in 2005 because of smaller-than-expected attendance." http://nyti.ms/17icseI
3. VEGAS HIGH ROLLER FAILS TO PAY FOR BON JOVI SONG REQUEST: The Hollywood Reporter tells the weird tale of a Las Vegas high roller, his love of Bon Jovi, and a Deadmau5 concert. Before the concert, the man offered the electronic musician Deadmau5 $200,000 to play a Bon Jovi song during his set at XS nightclub, and he did, even bringing the man on stage. Afterward, the man failed to pay up, and William Morris Endeavor talent agency and XS ended up splitting the tab. The deal fell apart, though, and now is being sorted out in a lawsuit. http://bit.ly/1gqgdGW
* LOCAL NEWS *
CHICAGO: Mercadito Hospitality will open its most casual concept to date, Mercadito Counter, this fall. The Mexican deli at 738 North Clark Street will offer tacos, nachos, enchiladas, and quesadillas, along with Mexican-inspired hot dogs and burgers.
LAS VEGAS: IMEX America, October 14-17 at the Sands Expo, will offer free online access to the show through its IMEXLive feature, sponsored by BOB.tv. Viewers will experience a selection of live show content and a live Web cam of the show floor. During its first use at IMEX in Frankfurt in May, IMEXLive was viewed by 1,215 unique visitors who were active on the page for an average of just under seven minutes.
Bloomberg: "Las Vegas convention bookings will rebound to peak 2007 levels in the first quarter of next year, as audience attendance increases, MGM Resorts International chief executive officer Jim Murren forecast." http://bloom.bg/1fg7Fn9
LOS ANGELES: The Paley Center for Media announced that it will honor FX Networks with the Paley Prize for Innovation & Excellence at its annual Los Angeles Benefit Gala on October 16 at the Fox Lot.
The Puma store in Santa Monica will host a “tweet and greet” with actress Sarah Hyland as part of the Project Pink program. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Hyland and snap a photo, and Puma will make a $1 donation to a breast cancer charity for each tweet with the hashtag #projectpink.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America will host its annual “An Evening of Hope” gala November 16 at the Hollywood Beach Marriott.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami Dade will host its annual “Wild About Kids” gala November 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami.
NEW YORK: Champion figure skater Elvis Stojko and the Rockettes will help open the Rink at Rockefeller Center's 2013-2014 winter season on October 14.
The American Theatre Wing’s 68th annual Tony awards will air live on CBS June 8 from Radio City Music Hall.
The 15th annual New York Taste, New York magazine’s culinary event, is November 11 and will feature offerings from more than 40 restaurants and bakeries. For the first time, the event will take place at the historical Waterfront building located at 269 11th Avenue. The 2012 event scheduled for the venue was canceled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
The 2013 Phoenix House Fashion Award Dinner is November 6 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The evening will honor designer Tory Burch; John Demsey, group president of the Estée Lauder Companies; and Frank Doroff, vice chairman of Bloomingdale's.
The Council for Economic Education will hold its annual Visionary Awards ceremony on October 22 at the Pierre Hotel. CNBC correspondent Sharon Epperson will host.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: Tourism Toronto is the first convention and visitors' association outside of the United States to achieve the American Society for Testing and Materials Certification, which is awarded to destinations that meet high standards in environmentally sustainable meetings, trade shows, and conferences. Tourism Toronto received Level One certification.
WASHINGTON: Events DC announced a redevelopment plan for Mt. Vernon Square that would include relocating the International Spy Museum to the Carnegie Library, adding 58,000 square feet of new space to the library, creating a new visitors' center, and other improvements that would add event space and public amenities. The interior of the library would be renovated to enhance special event uses for both Events DC and the museum. If approved, the ground-breaking would take place in 2015 with the opening in January 2017.
Washington Post Live will host an event today at Hill Country featuring journalists Mike Wise, Jason Reid, and Jonathan Forsythe. The writers will discuss Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's appeal and recovery from an injury, the marketing of a superstar, and more.
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, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily
Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]
More in Las Vegas
Most Popular
