1. HAS FASHION WEEK LOST ITS RELEVANCE?: New York Fashion Week may have reached its peak. The rapidly increasing number of shows and the spread throughout the city appears to have taken its toll on the attendees, organizers, and participating designers, while the immediacy of social media and other new technology means the original purpose of the biannual event is vanishing. The New York Times: “'Fashion Week needs to be rethought,' said, of all people, Fern Mallis, who turned the shows into a wildly successful marketing and media event in the first place. … 'What I created worked in a time and a place, but now I think it is over the tipping point,' she said. 'I don’t know anyone who likes going to those tents any longer.'” http://nyti.ms/14YUBgc
2. SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RETHINKS GALA: The San Francisco Symphony's opening night gala saw dramatic changes, moving away from its previous format to a minimalist setting. San Francisco Chronicle: "It started in the Patrons Dinner tent, where dinner chair Eliza Cash chose a spare approach to decor—clear plastic tables and chairs, small red floral arrangements and a white tent upon whose ceiling was awash in pale blue light. Gala chair Gorretti Lui said she wanted to make it like New York Fashion Week, 'where the guests are the highlights of the event. We didn't want it to feel like you were inside a tent. I wanted it to feel like you were inside a modern art museum.'" http://bit.ly/17cg7h7
3. ANOTHER GROUP FIGHTS CUOMO OVER BOAT SHOW DATE CHANGE: One more industry association has joined the fight against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to reschedule the New York Boat Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, displacing several other trade shows. In a letter to Cuomo, the board of directors for the New York chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events expressed its opposition to the move: "We are deeply concerned that a change such as this one, impacting other shows without open deliberation, can negatively affect the ability of New York to maintain the confidence of show organizers who are considering the Javits Center as a potential destination. … We urge you to reconsider the change in the dates of the Progressive New York Boat Show, so that our industry can continue to operate in an atmosphere of trust and renewed confidence in the policies of the Javits Center."
4. LIVINGSOCIAL VENUE NOW AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL: The previously popular daily deals site and a growing player in the event sector, LivingSocial seems to be running out of steam. Its once-private venue for partner events is, according to Valleywag, available for outside gatherings: http://bit.ly/15Ca9t2
AWARDED
ISES announced the winners of the 2013 Esprit Awards, which were recognized at a ceremony August 24 during the ISES Live conference at the Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Categories included Best Industry Innovation, Best Event Solution, and Best Technical Production. The full list of winners: http://bit.ly/10jctzR
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTIC CITY: Attendance at the opening event for the Borgata Poker Open broke records, drawing 4,482 entrants and generating $2,241,000 in prize money. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's tournament continues through September 20.
BOSTON: The Beehive is hosting Diamonds and Pearls, a classic burlesque performance September 19 in partnership with Moët & Chandon and Domaine Chandon.
CHICAGO: The Bonnie Brae LemonAid will host its "Kids Helping Kids" fund-raiser on Wednesday at 731 Bonnie Brae in River Forest. Proceeds will benefit Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, and the event will see kids doling out cheeseburgers, lemonade, and baked goods in exchange for donations.
Marklund has announced the theme for its 2014 Top Hat Ball. Scheduled for February 1 at Chicago Marriott Downtown, the event is dubbed "African Adventure."
The Auditorium Theatre's junior board will host its third annual Devil's Ball at the theater on September 27. The presenting sponsor is Rivers Casino.
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park has a new health and fitness program that includes weekly runs with the general manager, free workout gear, and boot camp classes.
From Revel Decor's Facebook page: "Revel Decor is proud to welcome P.J. Acosta, Senior Account Executive, to the Revel Family. With 20+ years of experience in event design and production, P.J. is a life-long Chicagoan, having gotten his start in neighborhood floral shops and building to overseeing operations at Studio AG."
LAS VEGAS: Tickets are on sale for the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: “Local Flavor From Coast To Coast,” a national traveling food festival that visits Las Vegas September 27-28.
The meetings complex that includes Sands Expo and the Congress Center at the Venetian and the Palazzo Las Vegas was named the first venue in the world to achieve the advanced "level two" industry certification for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows, and conferences. Press release: http://bit.ly/17zBsxU
Slated to open in late December, Rose.Rabbit.Lie. will be the latest addition to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas's nightspot lineup.
Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas has become the first and only buffet in Las Vegas to offer reservations on the OpenTable system.
LOS ANGELES: Bafta Los Angeles will honor actor Benedict Cumberbatch at the 2013 Bafta Los Angeles Britannia Awards on November 9 at the Beverly Hilton.
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network announced it will honor producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the studio Lionsgate, actor Jim Parsons and his partner Todd Spiewak, and the 2013 student advocate of the year at the ninth annual GLSEN Respect Awards—Los Angeles October 18 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Its corporate sponsors are Target, the Walt Disney Company, and Wells Fargo.
Pacific Palisades Patch: "Six months ago, St Matthew’s in Pacific Palisades requested a conditional land use permit to make six modifications on its school’s campus. … Following discussions with the community and local officials and some strong opposition, particularly from Marquez Knolls residents, St. Matthews has now agreed to withdraw its request for the additional special events and for the additional late night event." http://bit.ly/19lYTy4
Valentino in Santa Monica's founder and owner Piero Selvaggio, along with longtime executive chef Nico Chessa, are revamping the restaurant's menu with Southern Italian dishes inspired by Sardinia and Sicily.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Food for the Poor’s 19th annual Building Hope Gala will honor Jay DiPietro, president, chief operating officer, and general manager of Boca West Country Club, as the 2014 Ambassador for the Poor. The gala is February 1 at the Polo Club of Boca Raton.
NEW YORK: Tonight the China Beauty Charity Fund’s inaugural gala will take place at the Pierre, honoring fashion designer Vivienne Tam. The event will also feature a presentation from Guo Pei and a performance by the Metropolitan Opera's Hao Jiang Tian and his I Sing ensemble.
Go Project's Young Leadership Council’s fall cocktail party is November 21 at Slate. The evening will include a silent auction, raffle, dinner, cocktails, and games.
The city approved a long-term lease with the St. Ann's Warehouse performing arts group to develop a theater at popular Brooklyn waterfront venue the Tobacco Warehouse. The Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/14tM2Xc
For morning meetings, popular Bed Stuy doughnut company, Dough, now delivers its menu of uniquely flavored doughnuts and coffee to Manhattan and Brooklyn through Seamless.com and GrubHub.com
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Yesterday the Westin Orlando Universal Boulevard broke ground on a new meeting and event center that will expand its offerings by 5,576 square feet of space. The hotel expects to open the new addition in February 2014.
The nation's largest electric car rental initiative has launched in Orlando. The program, called "Drive Electric Orlando," will be provided by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which will offer Nissan Leaf vehicles for rent at Orlando International Airport. Renters will be able to recharge at one of the more than 300 electric charging stations around the city, and a number of hotel partners will offer free valet and charging service to participants. Additional partners involved include Sabre Holdings, Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, and Kennedy Space Center.
TORONTO: Samsung Canada will host a launch party for its new home entertainment products on September 26. Toronto-based artist Jon Todd will paint live on site, and his work will appear on a suspended Samsung TV. There will also be a performance from Canadian singer Justin Nozuka, cocktails, and snacks.
The Pan-American Food Fest press conference will take place at Mildred's Temple Kitchen on Tuesday. Programming for the first-time event will be announced.
The Toronto Fashion Incubator will host international delegates at the International Fashion Incubator Conference October 21-23.
WASHINGTON: Trade Center Management Associates has chosen mobile technology company XCO Digital to build applications for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The apps for both Apple and Android platforms will provide features such as maps identifying exhibits, tenants, restaurants, shops, restrooms, and parking; self-guided tours detailing the history, artwork, and highlights of the building; a calendar of events; transportation information including Capital Bikeshare locations, airport departure times, and taxi cab information; and interactive games incorporating the building's significance and mission.
Scott Circle Communications managed public relations for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, handling credential requests from thousands of members of the media and informing press from around the world about the four-hour-long program. The firm was contracted by BCT Consulting for the project.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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