1. MICROSOFT 365 CAN NOW HOST LIVE EVENTS: Microsoft 365, the company’s line of subscription services part of Microsoft Office, can now host live events. The new feature offers attendee facial recognition and autonomous speech-to-text conversation, enabling participants to search video transcripts. VentureBeat: “Once an event is over, employees can skim video not just using timestamps or specific words, but by scanning through the faces of participants. Employees watching an event can chime in with questions and comments during a meeting through the dedicated events page. Since live events can be scheduled and shared ahead of time, questions and comments can be posted before and after events as well. First introduced last year, Microsoft 365 brings together a range of popular productivity services from Microsoft, including Office 365, Windows 10, and enhanced security for enterprise customers. A broad range of enterprise companies have announced plans to enter the meeting transcription space in recent months, including Cisco and the startup Voicera, which closed a funding round in May in part with support from Microsoft Ventures. Zoom introduced transcripts for video conferences last September. … Many other features are harnessed as well to make live events with 365 distinct from your average group video chat, such as blurring the background, splitting a screen between a presenter and Power Point presentation, and turning on automatic Do Not Disturb mode during events to avoid distractions and notifications in the background. An event organizer can cue up events ahead of time to give them structure by coordinating the order of presenters with any accompanying content, such as photos, videos, and Power Point presentations. Live events work with Microsoft Teams, Yammer, Stream, and Office 365, and is scheduled to become available in the coming weeks.” https://bit.ly/2L7qfnF
2. NETFLIX TOPS HBO FOR MOST EMMY NOMINATIONS: For the first time, Netflix topped HBO with the most Emmy nominations, which were announced Thursday. HBO had received more Emmy nominations than any network for the past 17 years. Variety: "Netflix’s narrow edge over HBO in total noms (112 vs. 108) is rich with symbolism at a moment when the entertainment industry’s old guard is scrambling to reorient a big part of its business operations to reflect the Netflix effect—i.e. making a boatload of original programming available via commercial-free streaming in a 24/7 on-demand format. It’s an incredible feat, pulled off in what feels like a blink of an eye for many industry veterans. HBO’s ascent over perennial Emmy darling NBC in the early 2000s signified the center of gravity in the TV industry shifting from broadcast to the pay-TV universe. Today, Netflix’s Emmy nominations haul reflects the white-hot momentum at the company that is writing eye-popping nine-figure checks to lock up top creative talent in exclusive deals. Netflix has taken a few pages from HBO’s kudos playbook by diversifying its Emmy contenders base. This time around, Netflix was up for the limited series categories with 'Godless' and 'Seven Seconds,' for numerous documentaries, and even the nebulous informational series or special category for David Letterman’s return to TV (at a salary of $2 million an episode) with the interview series 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.' ... HBO notably claimed the top two most-nommed programs, 'Game of Thrones' (with 22 bids) and 'Westworld' (21, in a tie with NBC’s 'Saturday Night Live')." https://bit.ly/2KTP8nx
3. PANORAMA MUSIC FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH POSTMATES TO REDUCE LINES: Panorama Music Festival, which will have its third edition July 27-29 in New York, has partnered with food delivery app Postmates to reduce lines for vendors. Guests will be able to order from vendors at the festival and skip the line to pick up their food. Fast Company: "And if you’ve ever missed Kendrick Lamar popping up at SZA’s set (or Jay Z at Beyoncé or Dr. Dre at Eminem) because you were waiting in line for one of David Chang’s famous fried chicken sandwiches, you know that this is a game changer. If you’re headed to New York’s Randalls Island for the festival, which runs July 27-29, and you want to impress your friends with your line-skipping prowess, simply log into the Postmates app and, via a special geo-perimeter on Randalls Island, order and pay for your food at participating vendors. The app will send you a pickup time, and then you can casually walk over to the pickup window to get your food. No lines, no missing your favorite artists and their guest performers. ... Since Goldenvoice is also the company behind Coachella, if all goes well at Panorama, Postmates Pickup could be coming to a music festival near you, meaning you’ll never miss another surprise guest appearance—unless you’re in line for the bathroom, of course." https://bit.ly/2N3mbSU
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Group transportation booking company BusBank has acquired Buster, a New York-based startup for book group transportation online. Business Wire: https://bit.ly/2LgBSW8
Etouches, a company that provides event management software solutions, has rebranded as Aventri.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center completed the meeting space phase of its nine-month, multimillion-dollar renovation, which revamped 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
CHICAGO: Chicago House, a social services provider of housing and support for people living with H.I.V. and AIDS, will have its eighth Speaker Series September 14 at Hilton Chicago's Grand Ballroom. The event will be headlined by Wanda Sykes and Adam Rippon.
LOS ANGELES: This year’s CEMA Summit will take place July 22-24 at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Naples Grande Beach Resort has named Yenier Marrero director of spa and fitness.
NEW ORLEANS: Windsor Court Hotel is slated to complete a $15 million renovation in October. The renovation will modernize the hotel’s 316 guest rooms, public spaces, and 3,700-square-foot top-floor ballroom.
NEW YORK: Athleisure brand Terez has partnered with nonprofit Girls on the Run to host a charitable fitness series July 23-August 16. The series will offer $10 classes from instructors from 305 Fintess, Body By Simone, Sweat Yoga, and more on the brand’s roof in Chelsea. Classes will take place four days a week, with proceeds going to Girls on the Run.
The 37th annual Battery Dance Festival will take place August 11-18.
The Coffee Shop in Union Square will close October 11 after 28 years. New York Post: https://nyp.st/2zyQ6QZ
Diffa: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS has named Dawn Roberson its new executive director.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Horror convention Spooky Empire will take place October 26-28 at Caribe Royale Orlando. This year, the event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cassandra Peterson’s performance in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark.
SALT LAKE CITY: The second annual LoveLoud Festival will take place July 28 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The festival, which was founded by Imagine Dragons musician Dan Reynolds, supports L.G.B.T.Q. youth.
SAN DIEGO: STK San Diego has opened at Andaz San Diego hotel. The steak house spans 8,300 square feet.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Ian Zelaya, and Kristine Liao in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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