September 15, 2015: Senator Wants to Ban Drones From Major Events, Stars Will Perform Before Papal Mass at Madison Square Garden, WME-IMG Buys Miss Universe Organization

1. SENATOR WANTS TO BAN DRONES FROM MAJOR EVENTS: New models of commercial drones would be required to have technology to keep them away from airports and major events in a plan from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Associated Press: “Schumer said his amendment was an ‘elegant solution’ to a rise in drone incidents at sporting events and parades across the country. He believed the proposal will pass this month with bipartisan support among legislators. Schumer pointed to an incident earlier this month where a drone buzzed above a match at the U.S. Open before it crashed into empty seats in the stadium. A high school science teacher who had been flying the drone in a park surrounding the tennis center was arrested on a reckless endangerment charge.” http://apne.ws/1UQ95dL

2. STARS WILL PERFORM BEFORE PAPAL MASS AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: A star-studded lineup will perform for crowds at Madison Square Garden before Pope Francis celebrates Mass there on September 25. The New York Post: “The Archdiocese of New York announced Monday that performers including singers Harry Connick Jr. and Gloria Estefan and actress Jennifer Hudson will perform as part of a program called ‘A Journey in Faith.’ Also on board are Norm Lewis from Broadway’s ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ actress Kelli O’Hara, Martin Sheen, singer James “D-Train” Williams and Norm Lewis.” http://bit.ly/1KaFl0S

3. WME-IMG BUYS MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION: The talent agency has purchased the Miss Universe Organization from Donald Trump, the latest chapter in which the beauty pageant has changed hands following Trump’s presidential bid and inflammatory comments he made about illegal immigrants that alienated broadcast networks. The New York Times: “One of the first tasks for WME-IMG will be to find a new TV partner for Miss USA. After NBC backed out of the broadcast, it was picked up by the cable channel Reelz, and had a significantly smaller viewership: 925,000 viewers compared with the 5.6 million people that watched it on NBC last year. The chief executive of Reelz, Stan E. Hubbard, said last month that the Miss USA broadcast was a one-time event for the cable channel and that the beauty pageant belonged ‘on a broadcast network.’” http://nyti.ms/1OsNFhD

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The Paramount Theatre's historic vertical "blade" sign has been installed above its marquee for the venue's upcoming 100th anniversary. Austin Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1QB4pm2

BOSTON:  Southern cuisine is trending at Boston-area restaurants. CBS: http://cbsloc.al/1OQfhva

CHICAGO:  Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball is scheduled for November 13 at Morgan Manufacturing. The event will include a V.I.P. dinner followed by the "Chef’s Tasting Party," which offers snacks from some 40 tasting stations.

LAS VEGAS:  Hooters has opened its largest location ever at the Palms Casino Resort. The 15,200-square-foot space has a two-story dining area that can seat more than 500, with around 50 televisions throughout the restaurant. KVVU Las Vegas: http://bit.ly/1KP8fcq

The new comedy series Comedy Rocks is slated to begin October 17 at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort.

LOS ANGELES:  LA24 has released a video promoting Los Angeles's 2024 Olympics bid. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/1Ld1LCN

The Broad Museum will celebrate its opening with a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday at the new institution downtown.

The sixth annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Stand raised more than $1 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, breaking last year’s record for the event by $300,000.

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

NEW YORK:  To kick off its partnership with Life Time Fitness, Fairfield Inn & Suites will host a "Power by the People" morning dance party tomorrow morning at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station. The event will include dance instructors and local dance troupes, who will invite passersby to participate on a light-up dance floor.

UrbanSpace Vanderbilt, the Midtown food hall, will officially open Thursday. The 12,000-square-foot food hall will have 21 vendors including Roberta's and Mimi's Hummus. New York: grb.st/1K333y1

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Maison & Jardin, a private event venue in Altamonte Springs, will reopen in October. The facility has indoor and outdoor spaces totaling nearly 8,000 square feet. Food Glorious Food Catering is the exclusive caterer.

PHILADELPHIA:  Septa has unveiled an interactive map for those traveling on Regional Rail lines September 26-27 during Pope Francis's visit. Philadelphia: http://bit.ly/1Kbhpwr

SAN FRANCISCO:  More than 15,000 people from 90-plus countries are slated to attend Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual giant tech conference, which runs today through Friday at multiple venues downtown. Business Insider: http://read.bi/1F9mWEF

TORONTO:  Mayor John Tory has announced that the colorful "Toronto" sign in Nathan Phillips Square, which was installed for the Pan Am Games, will remain at the site at least until the end of 2016. CTV News: http://bit.ly/1ORrUGd

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Queen Silvia of Sweden is among the hosts of Mentor Foundation USA’s international gala September 22 at the Mayflower Hotel.

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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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