1. JAMES BEARD AWARDS TO STAY IN CHICAGO THROUGH 2017: The James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony and gala reception will return to Chicago in 2016 and 2017. The 2015 awards, presented by Lexus, will take place in Chicago for the first time on May 4 at the Lyric Opera. “We received a groundswell of enthusiastic support from chefs, restaurateurs, and sponsors all across the country when we announced that the silver anniversary of the Awards would take place in Chicago,” Susan Ungaro, the foundation’s president, said in a statement. “The entire city of Chicago has proven to be a generous and creative partner in planning this year’s Awards. Returning for two more years is not only exciting, but offers continuity for even more opportunities for our Foundation’s most important event of the year.” Press release: http://bit.ly/1IlItHa
2. HOW BRANDS CAN MAKE THE MOST OF MUSIC FESTIVALS: AC Entertainment, which manages more than 1,000 events a year including major festivals like Bonnaroo, tries to help sponsors come up with meaningful promotions to market to attendees, said Jeff Cuellar, the company’s vice president of strategic partnerships. Charlotte Observer: “In each of the areas where its festivals are held, AC looks to make the event more authentic by weaving in the character and history of the cities. At Forecastle in Louisville, for example, AC launched the Bourbon Lodge, a speakeasy atmosphere with 13 brands represented, to cash in on the new-found popularity in the spirit. ‘We’re going after the experience – that’s what makes them successful,’ he said. ‘Most people can put a band on a stage. But food and alcohol and arts and music makes it an experience. Lots of professionals come to un-bury themselves, get their noses of out the phone and experience life.’” http://bit.ly/1aD2gWQ
3. CLINTON’S CAMPAIGN AFFECTS FOUNDATION’S GLOBAL EVENTS: To mitigate conflicts of interest with Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, the Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton Foundation is altering its fund-raising and event calendar and clarifying rules about foreign government officials attending its meetings. Wall Street Journal: "As a direct result of the restrictions, officials will stop holding events around the world, beyond an event planned for Morocco in early May, which was considered too close to cancel. That event, the Clinton Global Initiative Middle East & Africa conference in Marrakesh, has been funded in part by a $1 million gift from a Moroccan-government owned phosphate-export company, OCP. A Clinton Global Initiative-Mediterranean meeting focused on the economy and scheduled for June in Athens is being canceled." http://on.wsj.com/1aXhu9F
4. WHITE HOUSE PROMOTES FROM WITHIN FOR NEW SOCIAL SECRETARY: The White House has promoted Deesha Dyer to the role of social secretary. The Philadelphia native has held the role of deputy social secretary to Jeremy Bernard, who is resigning the post. Washington Post: “First lady Michelle Obama echoed the praise and, according to the statement, has been particularly impressed by Dyer’s ‘passion, creativity, public-mindedness and relentless competence.’ The first lady also pointed to Dyer’s commitment to ‘going the extra mile to open the White House to people who never dreamed they would walk through these doors.’” http://wapo.st/1GQa8m7
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and Copley Place will host the third annual Derby Dash on April 23. The event will include a rum tasting, snacks, and a hat contest.
CHICAGO: Bar Siena will open this summer in the West Loop. From DineAmic Group, the venue will occupy a two-story, 8,000-square-foot space and will serve Italian fare including small plates and gelato.
LOS ANGELES: The fourth annual Reel Stories, Reel Lives event benefitting the Motion Picture & Television Fund will take place on April 25 at Milk Studios Hollywood.
Associated Luxury Hotels International has hired Amber Voelker as the regional director of sales for its West Region.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The United Way's 20th annual VeritageMiami interactive dinner is tonight at the InterContinental Miami. The five headlining chefs for the five-course meal are all women: Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, Eileen Andrade of Finka Table & Tap, Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile, and Dena Marino of MC Kitchen.
NEW YORK: Architect David Rockwell and restaurateur Danny Meyer will discuss how a space can tell a story as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Tribeca Talks speaker series. The ticketed event takes place Monday at Spring Studios.
Hudson Garden Grill from Stephen Starr Events opened this week at the New York Botanical Garden. The restaurant serves New American cuisine with ingredients from Hudson Valley farms and other regional producers. The space seats 200—120 on a patio and 80 indoors—and is available for private events.
New York Family magazine will host its annual New York Baby Show on May 16-17 at Pier 92. Canon will be the consumer show’s new presenting sponsor.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: Fashion Art Toronto Arts & Fashion Week will take place April 21-25. The event offers runway shows, fashion performances, art installations, and more.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Kimpton has taken over management of both The Carlyle—Dupont Circle (formerly the Carlyle Suites Hotel) and the Savoy Suites. Both will be converted to Kimpton-branded properties.
Smithsonian American Art Museum will host an opening party Thursday for its exhibition "Watch This! Revelations in Media Art.” DJ Spooky, creator of the DJ Mixer app, will be performing at the event.
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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.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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