January 22, 2015: Comic-Con Could Leave San Diego, the Super Bowl's Surprising Price Tag, Why Event Planning Is a Hot Field

1. COMIC-CON COULD LEAVE SAN DIEGO: As San Diego’s plan to expand its convention center stalls, it may lose one of its biggest shows: Comic-Con International. With attendance of more than 130,000 people squeezing into 615,700 square feet of exhibition space, the event is looking at possible new homes. Los Angeles Times: “Convention organizers say they want to stay in Southern California, which would make Los Angeles and Anaheim the top candidates for luring Comic-Con away. Anaheim may be the most attractive suitor because it can offer the largest exhibit hall space in the region—815,000 square feet—plus proximity to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park. In addition, the Anaheim Convention Center already hosts a smaller gathering organized by Comic-Con International known as Wondercon.” http://lat.ms/1BF19Sh

2. THE SUPER BOWL'S SURPRISING PRICE TAG: Bidding to host the Super Bowl is a competitive process, but the mayor of this year’s host city of Glendale, Arizona, believes the game will cost the city more than $3 million rather than be an economic bonanza. Mayor Jerry Weiers said that’s what happened the last time the city hosted the game in 2008. ESPN: “The NFL thrives on the perception that football is a powerful economic stimulus; anyone who questions that poses an existential threat. Unsurprisingly, Weiers' bluntness has not endeared him to the league. … The city expects to spend slightly less this time around, but it also anticipates lower sales, largely because the NFL has relocated its three-ring circus to Phoenix. The big parties have moved downtown; most of the fans and celebrities will stay there too.” http://es.pn/1BzHtzh

3. WHY EVENT PLANNING IS A HOT FIELD: Event planning is among the job fields with the most growth in the number of positions and in salary, according to the New York Department of Labor. AM New York: “There's no doubt that New Yorkers like to party. And with our appetite for social activities only growing, the state Dept. of Labor says that planners for our city's many meetings, conventions and events will be in high demand in 2015. Event planners make an annual median wage of $59,690 in NYC, and that doesn't even include the fun of putting on a great shindig with some notable luminaries.” http://bit.ly/1CiPmYQ

4. TURNER COMBINES NETWORK UPFRONTS INTO ONE BIG SHOW: Turner Broadcasting will present one big upfront presentation instead of individual events for each of its networks. Advertising Age: “The event, taking place on May 13 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, will feature flagship channels TNT and TBS, as well as Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, TruTV, CNN, HLN and Turner Sports. The idea is that Turner has a better way for advertisers to find their target audiences than merely choosing networks or shows with certain broad demographics.” http://bit.ly/1yrWoZT


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Hilton Worldwide announced a new sustainability initiative, Meet With Purpose, to reduce waste and integrate health and wellness into meetings and events. Press release: http://bit.ly/1GwS1lU

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The iHeartRadio Country Festival will take place May 2 at the Frank Erwin Center. Performers will include Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts, and Brad Paisley.

BOSTON:  The Godfrey Hotel will open in Downtown Crossing this fall. Plans for the hotel will include 242 rooms, a lobby bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a restaurant and coffee house.

CHICAGO:  Dolce Italian restaurant will open at the Godfrey Hotel late this spring. The eatery serves classic Italian fare including pastas, pizzas, and a signature veal Milanese dish.

LAS VEGAS:  More than 55 poets are expected to participate in the 31st National Cowboy Poetry Gathering January 26-31 in Elko, Nevada. The event is produce by the Western Folklife Center.

LOS ANGELES:  For the fourth year in a row, LL Cool J will host the Grammys, which take place February 8.

Vanity Fair has moved the site of its Oscars party. Vanity Fair: “This year, the magazine’s annual awards-night celebration will be held in Beverly Hills, at a custom-designed space that connects the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with City Hall. On Oscar evening, which falls on February 22, guests will enter through the Annenberg Center at 9390 North Santa Monica Boulevard.” http://vnty.fr/1JkgTJH

Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has created new cocktails in preparation for the Oscars. Drinks include the "Caviar Sniper” with Petrossian caviar cube garnish, and “For Your Consideration,” with gin, pear syrup, and Moët & Chandon brut champagne.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Fine Art Auctions Miami will hold its third annual Urban and Street Art Exhibit and Auction February 12-16  at Spaceby3 in Wynwood.

NEW YORK:  The 69th annual Tony awards will air live on CBS June 7. The organization announced its other events for the 2014-2015 event season, including a press reception April 29 at the Paramount Hotel and nominees luncheon May 15 at the Diamond Horseshoe.

The Casting Society of America's 30th Artios Awards are tonight at 42West. Actor Michael Urie is hosting the event.

The Young Professionals Committee of Susan G. Komen Greater New York City will host its seventh annual Paint the Park Pink fund-raiser February 5 at the Bryant Park Grill.

Dream New York announced a $20 million property-wide renovation to the 220-room hotel, which will include adding a new nightlife concept from TAO Strategic Group. The hotel also will change its name to Dream Midtown.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA:  The Mayo Civic Center is undergoing a $79 million expansion that will nearly double the size of the center’s meeting and event facilities to more than 200,000 square feet.

TORONTO:  A new food festival, Heatfest, is February 16 in the Distillery District. Focused on comfort food, the festival will serve soups, stews, curries, and other warming foods. There will also be activities such as Hula-Hooping.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Children’s Inn at NIH will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala dubbed "A WINNter Affair" February 21 at the Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center hosted by the inn's Young Ambassador’s Council.

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, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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