September 21, 2015: Emmys Deliver Smooth Show, How the Pope’s Visit Is Challenging Event Producers, This Year’s Top Halloween Costumes

1. EMMYS DELIVER SMOOTH SHOW: Sunday night’s Emmy awards, broadcast on Fox, proved to be an inclusive and easygoing affair. Comedian Andy Samberg proved an affable host, presiding over unexpected moments, from giving out working log-in information to an HBO Go account to a spoiler-filled montage from programs that ended in the past year. It also made history when Viola Davis became the first African-American to win the best actress trophy. USA Today: “The show he ran, for the most part, was as smooth as its host. There were no great innovations, but that’s not such a terrible thing: Most of the past attempts to innovate the Emmys have been disastrous. Instead, this year's awards settled for comfortable competence (well, with the possible exception of that spinning hulk of a set), moving along at a steady, if not exactly speedy, pace without embarrassing us or itself for most of the evening.” http://usat.ly/1j2w1Fm

2. HOW THE POPE’S VISIT IS CHALLENGING EVENT PRODUCERS: In Philadelphia—whose selection as the host for the World Meeting of Families is the catalyst for Pope Francis’s visit to the United States this week—concert producer Scott Mirkin of ESM Productions has been sweating the details of planning the pope’s visit. The pontiff is a very different sort of rock star, but overseeing the logistics of security, garbage, and seating arrangements for everyone from V.I.P.s to the public calls upon the skills of an experienced event planner. The New York Times: “ESM Productions has a critical role in the arrangements, coordinating more than 100 vendors. This is the biggest extravaganza Mr. Mirkin has ever orchestrated (a free Roots show for a half-million or so people was his previous record), and the specifics of Mr. Mirkin’s work provides a window into the frenetic problem-solving that ensues when the holiest man in the Roman Catholic Church comes to town.” http://nyti.ms/1iImOSQ

3. THIS YEAR’S TOP HALLOWEEN COSTUMES: At Halloween parties and trick-or-treating, expect to see a lot of classic costumes like witches and princesses as well as movie-inspired getups like Batman, the characters from Disney’s Frozen, and various Star Wars characters, according to the National Retail Federation. The organization noted that consumers spent $7.4 billion on Halloween last year. Advertising Age: "It's easier than ever for consumers to find creative Halloween costumes given the popularity of Pinterest and Instagram and the immediate access to societal news," said Prosper Insights Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow in a press release from the National Retail Federation. http://bit.ly/1Fpe5ia

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Head of the Charles Regatta will be held October 17-18.

CHICAGO:  Chicago will host a new New Year’s celebration this year that may bring 100,000 tourists to the city. Chicago Tribune: http://trib.in/1iT5n1H

The James Beard Foundation will host “Taste America Chicago” at the Geraghty on October 23. The evening will offer a four-course menu designed by local and national chefs.

LAS VEGAS:  Singer Wayne Newton‘s Las Vegas estate opened Friday as a museum, with tours starting at $35 and V.I.P. packages available with Newton as the tour guide. Associated Press: http://pge.sx/1Km3S34

LONDON:  CaterWings, a curated online marketplace for corporate catering services, is preparing to launch in London and Berlin. TechCrunch: http://tcrn.ch/1LCS7Fn

LOS ANGELES:  The Television Academy hosted its annual Performers Nominee Reception at Pacific Design Center’s Spectra by Wolfgang Puck on Saturday. Women’s Wear Daily: http://bit.ly/1KqnyoL

Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Kiersten Olson of AlliedPRA South Florida has been promoted to national sales manager.

NEW YORK:  Princess Mary of Denmark will visit the Danish market at the North Nordic Food Festival on its ”Denmark Day" on Sunday. She plans to meet with chefs and participate in a baking class for families with Danish food entrepreneur Claus Meyer.

Headstrong Project's third annual Words of War Event, which benefits veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, will take place at 1 World Trade Center on October 19. The evening will include a performance, short readings, and a discussion with NBC’s Late Night host Seth Meyers.

Fort Gansevoort BBQ has opened in the meatpacking district, with ingredients sourced from local meatpackers, and will offer catering for private events.

Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Chris Pranis is the new director of sales at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Haute Property, a new marketing firm dedicated to promoting event spaces, has launched locally.

TORONTO:  Fitzroy Boutique will hots a Nuit Blanche preview party, presented by Adidas, on October 1.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Costume designer Daniel Lawson will talk about dressing the characters on The Good Wife and other topics at a fashion presentation hosted by Lafayette 148 New York at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Saturday. The event will also feature Politico’s Kate Bennett.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

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.

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