September 29, 2015: Why Events Are the Key to Reaching Millennials, How Manhattan’s Top Hotels Cater to U.N. Delegates, Kanye West to Perform at Democratic Fund-Raiser

1. WHY EVENTS ARE THE KEY TO REACHING MILLENNIALS: As the millennial generation relies less and less on traditional media, brands are devising new marketing strategies to win their loyalty. Creating emoji and custom apps are part of the new mix, but events also are an essential tool. The New York Times: “Brands are also trying to woo millennials by putting on elaborate events. Vitaminwater, part of the Coca-Cola Company, says it has found success with #uncapped, a music event that is going into its fifth year. Ryan Robertson, a senior brand manager at the company, said the goal of these events was to 'create memories' rather than try to sell a product. (According to the Cassandra Report, 73 percent of millennials say it is important that a brand is not just trying to sell them something.) Ad agencies seem willing to try anything — including helping brands put on festivals and pull off outrageous stunts — to help their clients reach this sought-after group.” http://nyti.ms/1MT8iUQ

2. HOW MANHATTAN’S TOP HOTELS CATER TO U.N. DELEGATES: A different sort of diplomatic dance occurred inside of New York’s top hotels last week as heads of state arrived for the United Nations General Assembly. The New Yorker: “A hospitality arms race was under way: the Waldorf typically provides Turkish coffee for the Turks, qiblas for Muslim delegations, and extra slippers for Asian delegations—a pair for the bedroom and another for the bath. The Palace customizes scents for each room, while the Benjamin decorates with flowers from each country’s flora. Bureaucratic needs are accommodated; some delegations insist that rooms be distributed according to hierarchy—aides-de-camp below ambassadors—while the Russian delegation has been known to pay its bill with suitcases full of cash. All the demands might make a concierge long for the Pope, who requested only that his New York bedroom be stocked with water and bananas.” nyr.kr/1OBLxFi

3. KANYE WEST TO PERFORM AT DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISER: Kanye West is said to be performing at a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser in San Francisco on October 10 that President Obama is also supposed to attend. NBC Bay Area: “The fundraiser is billed as an afternoon concert will be hosted at the Warfield—a 2,300 seat venue—with tickets selling for $250 to $10,000 each. West is expected to perform songs from his latest album, ‘Swish.’ It should come as no surprise that West is trying to inject himself at events with some of the top politicians of the United States. At the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in August, West announced that he will be running for president in 2020.” http://bit.ly/1LhoQG1


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance USA has launched Allianz Conference Protector, a product that will refund a conference attendee’s registration fee if he or she is unable to attend an event due to a reason covered by the policy. The company is working with Embark L.L.C. to find distribution opportunities for the product.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Outlook Kitchen & Bar is now open in the Envoy Hotel. The restaurant serves American fare and has small semiprivate and private dining rooms as well as a chef’s table.

CHICAGO:  Gilda’s Club Chicago will host “Night of a Thousand Noogies” on October 17. Featuring entertainment from Second City, the event takes place at Park West.

LAS VEGAS:  More than 4,000 volunteers participated in the Las Vegas Sands Global Hygiene Build with Clean the World on Saturday. The 24-hour volunteer effort involved assembling 200,000 hygiene kits that will be distributed to populations in need, including the homeless in the United States.

Papillon Group has announced the promotion of third-generation Halvorson family members Geoff Edlund and Jake Tomlin to new roles within the company: Edlund is now president of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, and Tomlin is president of Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines.

LOS ANGELES:  The Photo15 benefit is slated for October 1 at Milk Studios, with proceeds benefitting an AIDS monument set to be constructed in West Hollywood Park.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Palm Beach will host its first Dîner en Blanc on November 10. The pop-up dinner, in which guests dress in white and learn the venue only hours before the event begins, takes place in cities across the globe. The local hosts are Nora David’s, president of event production firm Nocoji Productions; Jimmy Moise, the firm’s vice president; and its secretary/treasurer, Corhinn Brunot.

NEW YORK:  Earth Day Initiative will host a pop-up at Flatiron Plaza for a national People's Climate Movement Day of Action on October 14. The pop-up will allow passersby to voice their opinion on climate change in 60 seconds or less and will include photo booths and information desks.

Back to the Future actor Christopher Lloyd will join fellow cast member James Tolkan, composer Alan Silvestri, writer/producer Bob Gale, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for two 30th anniversary HD screenings of the film October 15-16 at Radio City Music Hall. Led by conductor David Newman, the orchestra will perform Silvestri’s entire score in sync with the film, including 20 minutes of new music written specifically for the performance.

The 70th annual Tony awards will take place June 5 and will air live on CBS, but the show still hasn’t announced its venue. The show may head to its old home at the Beacon Theater next year instead of Radio City Music Hall because of a show featuring the Rockettes that has booked the space.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Orlando Magic will offer the VenueNext technology platform to fans starting with the 2015-16 regular season. The system includes a new version of the team's mobile app that will offer services such as mobile tickets and access for parking and events; wayfinding; enhanced loyalty services; and the ability to order food, drinks, and merchandise for express pickup or select in-seat delivery.

PHILADELPHIA:  The Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia's Philadelphia National Candy, Gift & Gourmet Show will take place January 9-11 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, alongside Urban Expositions' Philadelphia Gift Show, taking place January 8-11. While each show will operate independently, the expos will honor the other event's badges.

TORONTO:  Art Gallery of Ontario will launch “AGO Friday Nights” in November. The weekly event series will feature thematic food, drinks, music, and interactive art-making activities.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The American Kidney Fund will host its seventh annual gala, the Hope Affair, on Wednesday at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Drawing Inspiration.”

The Walk to End HIV kickoff party will take place Friday at Cobalt. The event will feature visits from superheroes as well as on-site registration for the walk, which takes place October 24 and has a fund-raising goal of $850,000.

Event producer Hargrove has promoted Ron Nicynski to senior director of experiential marketing events strategy and development. 

William A. Dallas was named convention sales manager for the American Traffic Safety Services Association in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dallas will be responsible for the sales and management of the association’s annual Convention & Traffic Expo, which focuses on roadway safety products and services.

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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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