1. NEW YORK CITY MARATHON TO TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED AFTER TERRORIST ATTACK: The New York City Marathon will go on as planned on Sunday in the wake of a terrorist attack that killed eight on Tuesday. Media events slated for Wednesday were postponed. New York Daily News: “New York Road Runners has announced that some media events would be postponed ahead of the 47th annual five-borough race, but the estimated 50,000 runners can continue to look forward to the main event. ‘With respect to the victims, their families, and our city agency partners, we will be postponing our ceremonial Blue Line Painting and Faces of the Marathon media events originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 1,’ the organization said in a statement. ‘At this point, all other race week activities will continue as planned.’ The site of the attack, which killed eight people and injured 14 more after suspect Sayfullo Saipov plowed a rented truck through a crowd of bicyclists and pedestrians along West St., is roughly four miles from the nearest point on the marathon’s route at Columbus Circle. The race begins on Staten Island and runs north through Brooklyn and Queens, entering Manhattan via the Queensboro Bridge and East 59th Street. It continues uptown to the Bronx before wrapping back around into Manhattan, where it concludes in Central Park along West 67th St. Still, officials said heightened security measures will again be implemented after additional safety procedures were put in place for the 2001 event following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in 2013 following the Boston Marathon bombings.” http://nydn.us/2yl84pi
2. PUERTO RICO HOPES TO SEE TOURISTS BACK BY DECEMBER: While many people in Puerto Rico are still without power because of Hurricane Maria, tourism industry officials are hoping to see tourists back on the island by Christmas. USA Today: "José Izquierdo, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, said the primary focus is on rebuilding right now, but he hopes the island will be open for tourists by December 20. The high season for Caribbean tourism usually lasts from December until May. Izquierdo pointed out that airports and cruise ports are operational, and more than 100 hotels are open and operating. He said some hotels are already accepting new reservations and others are almost fully occupied thanks to the influx of thousands of federal first responders and volunteers from humanitarian aid organizations that have come to help rebuild the island. Hurricane Maria is projected to cost $15 billion in lost economic productivity on top of $22 billion in physical damages, according to Chuck Watson, director of research and development at disaster research group Enki Research. Many are concerned the storm will dent the once-growing tourism industry in Puerto Rico. Cristina Salvesen, a dive instructor and manager at Black Beard Sports in Vieques, said she's had guests cancel reservations as far off as February. She said she spent four hours just canceling and refunding customers when she finally got Internet access after the devastating storm. ... Tourism contributed in total more than $8.1 billion to Puerto Rico’s economy, or 8% of the island’s GDP, in 2016 according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. More than 68,500 jobs are connected to the tourism industry." https://usat.ly/2gUZl1M
3. U.K. BONFIRE CELEBRATION TO BURN HARVEY WEINSTEIN EFFIGY: A 36-foot-tall effigy of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will be burned at a bonfire event in England this weekend. Page Six: “The Edenbridge Bonfire Society called the pervy former Hollywood producer ‘the obvious option’ in deciding what celebrity effigy will be burned Saturday night at the annual festival in the small town. Weinstein, who has been accused of rape, sexual harassment and sexual assault by more than 80 women, was chosen ‘as a result of recent allegations regarding the Hollywood producer’s sexual conduct,’ the organization announced Wednesday. The Edenbridge Bonfire Society has ‘been poking fun at infamous celebrities for over 20 years’ and targets a different celebrity effigy to burn every year alongside the traditional effigy of Guy Fawkes, it said. Last year, an effigy of President Trump was set ablaze. … The bonfire celebration raises thousands of dollars for local charities.” http://pge.sx/2z4kf9j
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Wyndham Hotel Group has announced an agreement with American Hotel Income Properties to take over 44 existing hotels across the U.S. The hotels, which are currently operating under the Oak Tree Inn brand, will convert into the Baymont Inn & Suites brand, the Travelodge brand, or the Super 8 brand.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Experience design agency Go! Experience Design has rebranded as the XD Agency.
LAS VEGAS: The inaugural Emerge Impact and Music Conference, which will address social issues through new music at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas on November 18, has announced details of the event, which will benefit the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund. Headliners will include singer-songwriter Mondo Cozmo, indie-pop artist Quinn XCII, and garage-rock band White Reaper. United Blood Services, a nonprofit community blood center providing blood for local area hospitals in the U.S., will be onsite to enroll donors and set up appointments.
LOS ANGELES: Presenters for the 21st Hollywood Film Awards, which takes place Sunday at the Beverly Hilton, will include Viola Davis, Amy Adams, Annette Bening, Harrison Ford, and Jessica Chastain.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Circ Hotel is slated to open in downtown Hollywood in early 2018. Managed by Trust Hospitality, the 111-room boutique hotel will feature Olivia—an Italian restaurant from Piero Filpi—and 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
NEW ORLEANS: The seventh annual Boudin, Bourbon, and Beer festival will take place Friday at Champions Square. Hosted by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the event will offer creative dishes with boudin sausage from more than 60 local and regional chefs.
NEW YORK: NYC & Company has released a statement in the wake of Tuesday's terror attack. The statement by Fred Dixon, president and C.E.O., says, in part: "We are a strong, united, and resilient community. New York City remains a safe and welcoming destination for leisure visitors and meetings delegates, and we encourage travelers to continue with their plans here and elsewhere.”
The 91st annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place November 23. Performers will include Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Smokey Robinson, Goo Goo Dolls, and Andra Day & Common, as well as the casts of Broadway shows including Anastasia and Dear Evan Hansen.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: Canadian Chordoma Network’s Chords for Chordoma fund-raiser will take place November 9 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. The event, which raises funds for finding a cure for the rare cancer called Chordoma, will feature performances by jazz musicians from North and South America.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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