Pop-Ups Offer Return on Smaller Investment: The rise in cheap real estate and discount rentals made 2009 a boom year for pop-up stores (a trend we reported in May), when just a few years ago, they were considered a major marketing investment. The combination of stunt marketing and extra retail space has benefited big brands and real estate professionals in the past few months. Names such as Hermes, Gap, Seven, Daffy's, eBay, and the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism are just some of those who sponsored pop-ups this summer alone. [AdAge]
Charity at ISES EventWorld Raises $25,000: At San Francisco's recent ISES EventWorld conference, held at the San Francisco Design Center in August, industry nonprofit Search Foundation managed to raise $25,000 from the estimated 200 attendees. Benefiting event professionals confronted with catastrophes and other problems, the 12-year-old organization has been present for the past two incarnations of EventWorld. With more than 60 sponsors, the wine and food pairing fund-raiser was hosted by the Napa-Sonoma and Northern California Chapters of ISES. [Search]
Speculation Looms Over Steve Jobs Return to Apple Events: Now that he's back from a lengthy medical leave, it's still not certain whether Apple C.E.O. Steve Jobs will be on-hand at next Wednesday's special event and presentation planned by the company. It's been almost a year since he last spoke publicly, to announce a new line of notebooks to investors, and though most suspect he will be a no-show, Apple has yet to confirm the keynote speakers. [WSJ]
