1. LAS VEGAS WELCOMES GAY MARRIAGE: After an appeals court overturned Nevada’s ban on gay marriage, Las Vegas, the self-described “marriage capital of the world,” prepared to get in on the big business of same-sex weddings. The Daily Beast: “With its decades-long history of offering quickie hitches and divorces, marriage has long been a big business in Nevada. With more than $500 million generated annually, maybe they should call it ‘matri-money.’ On Third Street downtown, the folks at Vegas Weddings planned for a rush this week by putting four ministers on stand-by status for the company’s three local chapels that already perform 200 ceremonies a week.” http://thebea.st/1p5HiBi
2. IMPROVING THE FAN EXPERIENCE AT LIVE SPORTS EVENTS: For some sports fans, the comforts of home beat attending games in person. So marketing pros like those at Mississippi State University are developing incentives to pack stadiums and arenas. The university is working with a fan experience technology company on a program that students and alumni can access through their smartphones. Forbes: “Mississippi State developed a mobile engagement application that delivers unique interactive experiences to game attendees. ‘With Experience, we launched our Maroon Memories program. This program gives fans who use their smart phones to access the Experience site the opportunity to purchase in-venue seat upgrades or game day experiences, which we call memories,’ [assistant athletic director for marketing Leah] Beasley, said. The ‘memories’ experiences range from standing on the field with players during the National Anthem and selecting what songs will be played over the loudspeaker during a game to pictures on the field with the team’s mascot and private stadium tours.” http://onforb.es/1ECZRXx
3. HTC LATEST TECH COMPANY TO STRUGGLE WITH PRODUCT LAUNCH: To debut its latest smartphone, HTC staged a fashion show with models in outre clothing carrying the product. The concept didn’t sit well with some tech press in the crowd. TechCrunch: “The occasion for this ham-handed event was the launch of the HTC Desire Eye, a phone that features front and back 13MP cameras—you know, for the selfies. Instead of celebrating a fairly amazing achievement, they turned it into a fashion event. And when mobile companies try to put on fashion events, everyone loses.” http://tcrn.ch/ZWtTpC
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Overkill 2014, an event to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, is October 30 at the New England Center for Arts and Technology. The evening will include a 12-course dinner.
CHICAGO: Chicago Bears linebacker Jon Bostic will host an event to celebrate the launch of David Yurman Men’s Forged Carbon collection at an in-store event on October 20. A part of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Good Sports.
Intelligent Lighting Creations will host the Lighting Technology Trade Show at its Arlington Heights facility January 21-22.
LOS ANGELES: The 29th annual Commitment to a Cure Awards Gala is November 18 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Honorees include honor Deen Castronovo, drummer and vocalist of the legendary rock band Journey; Samuel S. Lee, chairman and C.E.O. of Prospect Medical Holdings Inc.; and rheumatologist Dr. E. Robert Harris. Entertainer Wayne Brady will serve as M.C.
Jennifer Garner and Rachel Zoe will host Elyse Walker’s 10-year anniversary Pink Party on Saturday at Hanger 8 in Santa Monica. The event includes a runway show.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Neat Stuff's fourth annual casino night is Friday at Coral Gables Country Club. The evening will include a red carpet welcome, Las Vegas-style showgirls, and casino games.
The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach has reopened following a $9 million renovation. The hotel hosted an event Thursday to celebrate the new look.
NEW YORK: Wall Street Rocks—a concert with Warren Haynes from Allman Brothers, John Popper from Blues Traveler, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Will Lee and Anton Fig from the Late Show With David Letterman—is November 10 at Highline Ballroom.
French Heritage Society will honor Hermès International and Timothy Corrigan at a Fall Gala Dinner Dance November 10 at the Pierre Hotel. Alex Donner Orchestra will play for guests.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TAMPA: Dena Roady is the new general manager of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa.
TORONTO: The Walrus Foundation Gala will take place at the Fermenting Cellar on January 21. The event will have a “gold” theme, and Daniel et Daniel will provide catering.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Actor George Takei is among the speakers at this year's FedTalks, scheduled for November 6 at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. More than 1,200 leaders from the tech and government IT communities are expected to attend.
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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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