1. ACADEMY ANNOUNCES NEW RULES TO PUSH DIVERSITY AT OSCARS: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science vowed to double the number of women and minority members by 2020 among other changes adopted to address the lack of diversity among Oscar nominees. The New York Times: “‘The academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up,’ the academy’s president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, said in a statement. Ms. Isaacs referred to an often-repeated complaint that the academy, in its lack of diversity, reflects the demographics of a film industry that for years has been primarily white and male. … In the short term, the new rules and processes may tamp down some of the criticism that resulted when no film focusing primarily on minority characters was among this year’s eight best picture nominees, and all 20 acting nominees were white.” http://nyti.ms/1VeDgHm
2. CORPORATE PARTY WITH STRIPTEASE DRAWS CRITICISM: The advertising agency M&C Saatchi celebrated its 21st anniversary in Australia with a party in Sydney that featured two striptease acts. The questionable choice in entertainment has drawn criticism, although the company defended itself by saying the evening featured “a diverse repertoire of acts.” Daily Mail: “Video of both striptease performances where shared on YouTube where guests of the party can be heard cheering and whistling during the show. The advertising party was also criticised for harking back to the chauvinistic era of advertising of the 1960s, depicted in the TV drama Mad Men.” http://dailym.ai/1WD4bOn
3. OLYMPICS CONSIDER GUIDELINES ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES: Guidelines expected to be adopted by the International Olympic Committee would redefine eligibility for transgender athletes and are seen as offering more opportunity for them in international competition. Outskirts: “The guidelines leave no restriction for a trans man, like triathlete Chris Mosier, to compete against men. Mosier's participation in the World Duathlon Championships, for which he has qualified, has been in doubt. … In addition to opening the door wide for trans men, the new policy removes the need for women to undergo gender-reassignment surgery to compete.” Instead, there would be a one-year waiting period after the start of hormone replacement therapy, down from two years. http://bit.ly/1RZ49kY
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Destination Marketing Association International has named Don Welsh, C.E.O. of Choose Chicago, as its new president and C.E.O.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTIC CITY: Resorts Casino Hotel has appointed Maribeth Grandpre as manager of business development. Grandpre will introduce the resort's new all-digital conference center.
AUSTIN: The Zilker Kite Festival is slated for March 6 at Zilker Park.
BOSTON: STK, a high-end steak house, will open in Boston’s seaport district by late 2017.
CHICAGO: Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N. Loop/Michigan Avenue has two new appointments. Ross Guthrie is the new general manager, and Kelly Sujka is the new director of sales.
LAS VEGAS: The Mrs. Nevada-America Pageant will take place February 28 at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino.
LOS ANGELES: The 31st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place February 3-13. The festival will feature 52 world premieres and 52 United States premieres, as well as panels and tributes to actors including Johnny Depp and Spotlight's Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, and Michael Keaton.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Ocean Drive magazine will celebrate its 23rd anniversary at an event Thursday with its current cover star, Pretty Little Liars actress Ashley Benson, at new restaurant Komodo.
NEW YORK: The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park will host a Winter Carnival February 5-6. The event will feature a silent disco, a ping-pong tournament, an outdoor brewhouse, a pop-up ice dancing show, and live music.
The 23rd annual International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York will take place March 6-8 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Along with more than 550 vendors and 40 education sessions, the event will feature the 27th annual United States Pastry Competition with judges Florian Bellanger from Cupcake Wars and former White House pastry chef Ronald Mesnier.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Downtown Orlando saw a 6 percent tourism increase in 2015. Orlando Sentinel: "Between the Orlando Magic and concerts at Amway Center, performances at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and Orlando City soccer games at Orlando Citrus Bowl, the city's venues increase the likelihood visitors will go there." http://bit.ly/1Po1W1V
PHILADELPHIA: The 54th annual Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show will take place April 15-17 at the Navy Yard. The event will feature 58 exhibitors offering fine art, decorative art, and furnishings.
SAN FRANCISCO: JumpLine Group, a boutique agency that produces events and activations, has named Laura Schooling as managing director.
TORONTO: ReBash, a wedding market, will take place on May 15 at 99 Sudbury.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Columbia Room is slated to reopen in Shaw on February 9. The 2,400-square-foot renovated cocktail bar will be divided into three spaces: an à la carte spirits room that seats 20, a 14-person tasting room, and an outdoor "punch garden" that will open this spring. Washingtonian: http://bit.ly/1Vbwi5I
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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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, 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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