1. N.F.L. STADIUMS PLAN WI-FI AND CELLULAR UPGRADES: All N.F.L. stadiums must meet minimum requirements for their wireless Internet and cellular networks, a move designed to encourage football fans to spend more time on social media marketing the sport. SportsBusiness Journal: “Shoddy to nonexistent Wi-Fi along with sporadic phone coverage plagues NFL stadiums and other sporting venues. These challenges become even greater as fans’ capabilities with technology continue to increase. The task for the leagues is to offer to fans in-stadium the same technological connectivity they enjoy at home.” http://bit.ly/1abXRH1
2. WATCH THIS FUNNY OR DIE APPLE PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT PARODY: With their specific look, feel, and drama, Apple product announcements are ripe for satire. Ad Age believes this one from Funny or Die—timed with yesterday’s announcement of a new iPad—takes the cake: http://bit.ly/Hgfj1O
3. COMPANY PLANS BALLOON RIDES INTO SPACE: A new commercial space venture offers a different take on space tourism: travelers would venture out in a balloon rather than a rocket and sip cocktails as they take in views of Earth. New York Times: “The principal shortcoming: you would not actually get to space, nor would you get to call yourself an astronaut afterward. The balloon would rise about 18.5 miles, not quite a third of the way to the 62-mile altitude that is considered the beginning of outer space. But it is high enough to view the planet’s curvature and for the sky to darken from blue to black. The trip would be more like that of Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian daredevil who last year leapt from a balloon at an altitude of more than 24 miles, but with more comfort and a less exhilarating return to the ground.” http://nyti.ms/1df1Gy7
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Events by André Wells, one of BizBash's top event designers, has expanded beyond its Washington, D.C., headquarters and opened a West Coast office in Los Angeles. The firm already had roots in the area from an array of private events and large projects such as the BET Awards, and its marked its first official event this weekend with House of Flowers, an event celebrating Black Hollywood hosted by TV producer Tracey Edmonds and film and TV producer Debra Martin Chase. "I've already mastered being in two places at once, so we figured we'd make it official," Wells said. "We already have such a great network of professionals that we work with in the area that the expansion is virtually painless." The firm celebrated its 10-year anniversary in June.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Spero's 2013 gala will take place at Cyclorama on November 16. The event's theme is "Into the Wild," and there will be safari-inspired decor.
CHICAGO: The Blissful Wishes Ball, benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding, will take place at the Sculpture Garden at Bridgeport Art Center on November 4.
The Dawson will open in West Town on October 25. The venue, which serves American fare, has a private dining room with denim wall coverings and custom chandeliers.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas NV Blog: "30,000 people are expected to pack a 15 block area of downtown Las Vegas NV this weekend for the Life is Beautiful Festival. While some business owners are thrilled with the incoming traffic, others aren’t all in that jazzed." http://bit.ly/17Hcz4E
The Las Vegas Foodie Fest drew an estimated 35,000 attendees to the Silverton Casino Hotel, with more than 30 food trucks on site for the occasion.
LOS ANGELES: On Saturday, Warner Brothers Special Events—led by Hillary Harris—produced the 23rd annual Environmental Media Awards gala event, with more than 1,000 guests on the Burbank lot.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles announced that actor and comedian Rob Brydon will host the Bafta Los Angeles Britannia Awards presented by BBC America on November 9 at the Beverly Hilton.
Voting launched Tuesday for the People's Choice Awards event, which is slated for January 8 at the Nokia Theatre.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Veuve Clicquot's 30th annual Yelloween Bash is October 31 at Loews Miami Beach. The event, at the hotel's Soak rooftop cabana deck, will feature DJ K-Razor, and costumes are encouraged.
NEW YORK: See photos of Madison Square Garden's new LED video display system, known as GardenVision, part of the iconic arena's $1 billion renovation. Brooklyn Vegan: http://bit.ly/1bc17As
Unicef’s Next Generation will host the fourth annual Unicef Masquerade Ball, a Halloween costume gala October 30 at Angel Orensanz Foundation. Shiraz Events is producing the event and providing specialty hors d’oeuvres. The theme is “A Haunted Venetian Evening.”
Contemporary dance group Keigwin & Company will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gala October 29 at Dream Downtown following its opening-night performance at the Joyce Theater.
Gordon Ramsay at the London, a restaurant at the London NYC, announced the appointment of Michael Wurster as chef de cuisine.
Hospital for Special Surgery will host its Autumn Benefit, a gala dinner to support its medical education program, November 1 at Guastavino’s.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Monster Jam, a monster truck show, returns to Orlando January 25 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.
PHOENIX: Lisa Lewis has joined Associated Luxury Hotels International as national sales manager for the U.S. West region and is based in Phoenix.
TORONTO: Eat. Dance. Play's "Read Africa Ball" is November 7 at the Fermenting Cellar. The event will include African drumming and a silent auction with African art pieces.
WASHINGTON: A reenactment of the first Beatles concert in the United States will take place February 11, marking the 50th anniversary of the show at the Uline Arena, later known as the Washington Coliseum. The new show will feature tribute band Beatlemania Now and take place at the same site.
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.
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