1. BEIJING TO HOST 2022 OLYMPICS: After several other candidates dropped out of contention, the International Olympic Committee selected Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Still, the choice is historic because Beijing will be the first city to host both the winter and summer games. The New York Times: “Four European cities, including winter havens like Oslo and Stockholm, pulled out of the race after initially expressing interest; all cited various political or financial concerns, as well as soft public support. Those departures left behind only two viable candidates, both of which came with question marks. The global political concerns with China’s government are well known, and Minky Worden, the global initiatives director at Human Rights Watch, said the current situation in China might best be described as ‘the worst crackdown in the post-1989 period across the board.’ There was also concern over Beijing’s environmental situation, as air pollution has continued to be a problem and some experts have questioned how the proposed snow-making operation would affect the region ecologically.” http://nyti.ms/1UbJIzg
2. SHOULD MUSIC FESTIVALS CHANGE APPROACH TO DRUG USE?: Music festival producers are being challenged to come up with more innovative ways to deal with drug use. Global News: “According to GRIP, a Montreal non-profit focused on reducing harm from drug use, festivals should put more energy into preventing festival-goers from getting into trouble – rather than simply searching for drugs at the entrance. … [The group says festivals] have a responsibility to do more to ensure that their crowds stay safe – even offering a drug testing service to let patrons know if their illicit drugs are safe. … It’s an idea that’s starting to take hold in Canada with Toronto’s Veld Music Festival instituting on-site testing this year after two people died at the festival’s 2014 edition.” http://bit.ly/1KC8qXK
3. NEW LAS VEGAS ARENA SEEKING TAYLOR SWIFT AND KATY PERRY FOR OPENING NIGHT: Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are the top choices to headline the opening night of the $375 million MGM-AEG Arena set to open next spring, and observers are turning the negotiation into another chapter in the rivalry between the two pop singers. New York Daily News: “ The grand opening would happen soon after Swift ends her ‘1989’ tour and at about the time Perry is expected to release an album. We’re told there was even some hope that Swift and Perry could co-headline the event, but insiders don’t expect them to put aside their rivalry for an arena launch.” http://nydn.us/1SPAO7Y
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
More industry professionals are optimistic about business conditions over the next year, according to the Summer 2015 Meetings Outlook from Meeting Professionals International. A majority predicted an increase in live attendance and virtual attendance, and planners are targeting their marketing by creating communications that are tailored to specific generations, the respondents said. The full report will be released on August 11. Meetings and Conventions: http://bit.ly/1IcAriF
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: TomorrowWorld music festival, which will take place on September 25-27 in Chattahoochee Hills, has partnered with Top Chef finalist Kevin Gillepsie to provide concertgoers with dining experiences including themed sit-down dinners and to-go picnic baskets.
BOSTON: The Kitchen, a 3,200-square-foot space at the new Boston Public Market, will host events including cooking demos, lectures, and exercise classes.
CHICAGO: The American Cancer Society’s "Skyline Soiree" will be held at City Winery on September 18. The event, hosted by the society’s Associate Board of Ambassadors, will offer a psychic, a live band, and wine-theme activities.
LAS VEGAS: Kanye West, Sam Smith, the Who, and Janet Jackson will play the iHeartRadio Music Festival, which will take place on September 18-19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Variety: http://bit.ly/1IuoVTx
New standards to regulate street performers in the Fremont Street Experience have been proposed by Las Vegas city councilmen who worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada to develop them.
LOS ANGELES: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has announced its latest group activity: helipad yoga. The offering takes place on the hotel’s rooftop helicopter pad, which had previously been off-limits to guests since opening in 1987.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The vegan bakery Bunnie Cakes will host a grand-opening event Saturday at Aventura Mall. The family-friendly event will include face painting, balloons, and cupcakes.
NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT: The United States Coast Guard will celebrate its 225th anniversary at City Pier on Tuesday. The event will feature a a 13 gun salute from the Navy and a birthday cake that will serve about 250 people.
NEW YORK: The Empire State Building will be illuminated with images of endangered animals on Saturday night for "Projecting Change: The Empire State Building," an art event helmed by Travis Threlkel and Louie Psihoyos. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/1I5hrF8
Vaucluse, an Upper East Side brasserie from Altamarea Group, is slated to open in September. The restaurant, from chef Michael White and Marea executive chef Jared Gadbaw, will seat 186 diners.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN DIEGO: The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has awarded Smart City Networks a new 10-year contract to provide telecommunications and technology services at the venue and will include several upgrades to accommodate more wireless devices on the network.
SAN FRANCISCO: The King George Hotel has completed a $4 million renovation.
TORONTO: Krinos Taste of the Danforth festival, a celebration of Greek culture, will take place on August 7-9. The festival will offer live entertainment, a Sports Zone, and a Kids’ Fun Zone.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Gourmet Symphony and Capital City Symphony present the Taste Your Music Benefit Concert at the Hamilton Live on September 3. The program features a four-course dinner and paired beverage menu, and guests are encouraged to explore the venue, meet the musicians, and engage with the orchestra and one another through conversation and social media.
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, 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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