1. BRAZIL LIFTS VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR OLYMPICS: Tourists making plans to visit Brazil for the Summer Olympics will not have to secure a visa thanks to a temporary waiver the government is offering to citizens of the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Condé Nast Traveler: “Why the sudden generosity? Call it common sense—and a nifty tourism strategy. Brazil's economy is in a deep recession, and an increase in travelers would both ease logistics in and out of the country surrounding the Olympics and provide a much-needed financial boost.” http://bit.ly/1UtP7kv
2. DAVOS AGENDA WILL MAKE TIME FOR MEDITATION: At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the program will include “Mindfulness Meditation” sessions for the first time. It’s listed on the exclusive gathering’s official program, along with classy entertainment such as cellist Yo Yo Ma, who is scheduled to perform during a cocktail hour. New York Post: “The Davos conference for masters of the universe appears to be taking a decidedly new age-y tack this year — highlighting the gender pay gap and LGBT rights. … The official program includes sessions on climate change and the ‘Future of Forests.’ Other sessions include ‘A Day in the Life of a Refugee,’ and ‘Preparing for the Future of Gender Parity.’” http://nyp.st/1O4GzyM
3. NUTELLA GETS ITS OWN FESTIVAL: As the trend of hyper-focused food festivals continues, the latest product to get its own event is the chocolate-hazelnut spread Nutella. Mashable: “Nutella-palooza will be the first Australian festival completely dedicated to the almighty spread, taking place in Adelaide's Bonython Park on Apr. 9, 2016. There you can finally indulge in all your Nutella fantasies, with cooking demonstrations, bakery stalls, chocolate stalls, food trucks, art installations, and more.” http://on.mash.to/1PMS1kV
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Connections Housing, a sourcing, housing, and event management company, has appointed Brad Weaber as its chief operating officer. Additionally, Robert Colvin has been named executive vice president and Jena Greer has been named senior vice president of operations.
AUSTIN: More than 7,500 scholars will attend the Modern Language Convention, which takes place Thursday-Sunday. The 840 sessions will take place at the JW Marriott and Austin Convention Center. Austin American-Statesman: http://atxne.ws/1R9h2bf
BOSTON: The New England International Auto Show will take place January 15-18 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
CHICAGO: The 15th annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival will take place at Stage 773 January 7-17. The festival features 186 shows and 165 comedy troupes.
Willis Tower, the Chicago skyscraper, will host a wedding for four couples on Valentine’s Day. The couples will be selected via a social media contest that began on Monday.
LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas Philharmonic will host its annual fund-raising gala, with a Singing in the Rain theme, on February 19 at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
LOS ANGELES: Helen Mirren, Jim Carrey, Kate Hudson, Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, and Julianne Moore have been announced as presenters for Sunday's Golden Globes, which will air live on NBC from the Beverly Hilton.
On January 19, Svedka will host its first Broken Resolutions Bash at Hyde Sunset.
The 33rd annual PaleyFest Los Angeles will take place March 11-20 at Dolby Theatre.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The 17th annual Delray Beach Garlic Fest is set for January 29-31 in the Old School Square and Old School Square Park. In addition to garlic-laden cuisine, there will be cooking competitions and musical entertainment.
Yachts Miami Beach, formerly known as the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, is scheduled for February 11-15. The show covers more than 1.2 million square feet of space spanning more than a mile-long strip of the Indian Creek Waterway along Collins Avenue.
NEW YORK: A friend of Mayor Bill de Blasio is lobbying for AEG Live's proposed Coachella-like music festival in Queens. New York Post: http://nyp.st/1PaUWPG
Invnt, Time Inc.'s global brand communications agency, has appointed Doug Richter as managing director of global partnerships.
Manila Social Club, a Filipino restaurant in Brooklyn, is now offering a $100 doughnut that has ube mousse, champagne frosting, and 24-karat gold leaves. Refinery29: http://r29.co/1RpHNXB
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Winter Park's Lakeside Crossings development will welcome seven additional new tenants, including CycleBar, a 2,270-square-foot indoor cycling concept, and Browneria, a 1,132-square-foot Brazilian bakery and coffee shop. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1MRqIQ4
PHILADELPHIA: The Philadelphia Auto Show will take place January 30-February 7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
SAN FRANCISCO: Volta, a brasserie serving French and Scandinavian fare, is now open is SoMa. The venue offers private dining, along with menu items such as herring with five preparations.
TORONTO: Night Nation Run, a traveling festival that combines a 5K run with EDM music and DJ stages, will come to Woodbine Racetrack on July 23.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The forthcoming venue Dupont Underground is looking for ideas for what to do with nearly one million plastic balls. The venue took possession of the balls that were used in “The Beach” installation at the National Building Museum this summer. Now, a contest called “Re-Ball" is calling for ideas on how to exhibit the balls in the 14,000-square-foot venue, which is slated to open April 30. Washingtonian: http://bit.ly/1Uu2aCd
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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