June 28, 2016: Facebook Debuts Human-Curated Featured Events Section, Wireless Networks to Boost Service for Upcoming Political Conventions, How NBC's Marketing of the Olympics Has Changed for Rio

1. FACEBOOK DEBUTS HUMAN-CURATED FEATURED EVENTS SECTION: Already a widely used resource for event promotion, Facebook has launched a new, human-curated featured events list in 10 U.S. cities. The lists, which will feature a variety of events ranging from food and music festivals to sporting events, will appear atop the social network's event section. TechCrunch: "Facebook was already algorithmically surfacing events coming up soon in News Feed as well as the Events sections like Popular With Friends and Suggested For You. These analyzed what friends had RSVP’d for, your interests, and the past events you attended. But often, the events were too soon to be able to assemble a squad to go with. Featured Events will give you a little more lead time to plan. Highly engaged Events users will also receive a push notification which Facebook Events product manager Aditya Koolwal says will give them 'enough to time to see what the Featured Events are, reach out to friends, and see if they want to go.' Facebook is being cautious about exactly how curators select what gets featured after allegations that it was suppressing conservative subjects in its Trending Topics feature. Facebook is also going to avoid blowing up the spot of small or private events that might not be able to handle a massive influx of guests. Over 123 million public and private Events were created last year, but many of them are friends-only affairs or couldn’t fit an extra thousand people." http://tcrn.ch/28YYO9M

2. WIRELESS NETWORKS TO BOOST SERVICE FOR UPCOMING POLITICAL CONVENTIONS: Verizon and AT&T have both announced they will increase their wireless network capacities at the Democratic and Republican national convention venues in July. The Hill: "Verizon said it had increased capacity twofold in and around the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, site of the Republican National Convention in late July. It has increased its network capacity six times over in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, home of the 76ers basketball team and venue for the Democratic nominating convention. A mobile cellular array will provide additional capacity in downtown Philadelphia, the carrier said. Verizon’s announcement follows AT&T’s own upgrades. The company is the “official communications and technology provider” for both conventions. AT&T said it would triple the capacity of its network in downtown Cleveland and double its network capacity in Philadelphia. Both companies are also increasing capacity in some of the hotels that will house the roughly 50,000 attendees expected at both conventions. The companies are using small devices that boost wireless signals in both cities." http://bit.ly/28YPLGM

3. HOW NBC'S MARKETING OF THE OLYMPICS HAS CHANGED FOR RIO: Marketing the Olympic Games is always a monumental task for NBC, which began airing 60-second TV spots for Rio last July. John Miller, the event’s chief marketer, spoke more on how the network has stepped up its promotional element for the event, even with issues that include the Zika virus. Adweek: “There are two significant changes this Olympics from a marketing perspective. One is the digital/social component, which has grown exponentially compared to the last Summer Games, which was London. Another change is on the entertainment side. The number of musicians who have come to us with the idea of collaborating in some way around Olympic marketing is impressive. Initially, it was the winner of The Voice, Jordan Smith. Now, Alicia Keys, will.i.am, Fifth Harmony, The Band Perry have all hopped onboard, and there are a couple of other acts who we are still talking to. Sometimes you have to chase these entertainers, but in this particular instance, many came to us. I also think a lot of the interest has to do with the way they launch and the changing status of media consumption these days. These musicians know that if we put their music on the air, it's going to get a significant amount of exposure. … The company has been very proactive when it comes to Zika. Anyone who has to go down to Rio has to take a rather elaborate online tutorial, not only regarding Zika, but being in Brazil and staying safe in general. Honestly, anyone who feels that they don't want to go because they're thinking of having a family, or are pregnant, can opt out. Only a few have, with [Today anchor] Savannah Guthrie being the most notable case. But what we also look at on an ongoing basis is the overall awareness of the Olympics, as well as the intent to view. So far, the awareness is higher at this stage than it was for either previous Summer Olympics in London and Beijing. I give a significant amount of credit for that to marketing. On the other hand, I do think that conversations about various things that are happening in Brazil, whether it's Zika or water or political issues, have added to the awareness. The question of intent to view is a vital one. The awareness is strong, but will the issues in Brazil hurt people's desire to actually watch the games? I have found that the answer to that is no. We are finding that the intent to view is currently on par with London and Beijing.” http://bit.ly/292o5TG

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  La Motta's Italian Specialties has debuted a 30-seat patio that will serve food from its brunch and dinner menus.

CHICAGO:  4 Star Restaurant Group's 10th Chicago restaurant, Tuco & Blondie, will open in Lakeview in September. Serving Mexican fare with an American spin, the 6,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 250.

Industry Xchange, an education and networking event for meeting and event planners, will take place July 6 at Navy Pier. 

LAS VEGAS:  Mandalay Bay's soon-to-open American gastropub Libertine Social will preview its menu this Friday with a custom food truck at Las Vegas' First Friday.

Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino will now serve local craft beer from Joseph James Brewery on the casino floor and at Furnace Bar.

LOS ANGELES:  The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, will present Doug Aitken: Electric Earth, the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s work. The exhibition will open in September. 

Politicon, which took place at the Pasadena Convention Center June 25-26, attracted more than 8,000 attendees and featured more than 100 speakers including Larry Wilmore and Roseanne Barr. 

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Westin Colonnade, Coral Gables, has partnered with Give Kids the World, a nonprofit benefiting children with life-threatening illnesses, to host an Ice Cream for Breakfast fund-raiser event on July 13. The event is an extension of the Scoops for Hope campaign.

NEW YORK:  The Great Northern Food Hall has opened at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall. The 5,000-square-foot space features five Nordic-inspired food pavilions and a bar. 

The inaugural Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival will take place August 15-21 as part of Harlem Week 2016. Gothamist: http://bit.ly/2909g5K

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City will host its Casino Jazz Night event July 13 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, has appointed John Janucik as executive chef. He will oversee culinary operations at the hotel's seven food and beverage outlets, as well as banquet catering and in-room dining.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa has appointed Amanda Hawkins-Vogel as general manager and Angela Cava as director of sales.

TORONTO:  Fan Expo Canada will take place September 1-4 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The 22nd annual event will include appearances by Sigourney Weaver, William Shatner, George Takei, Charlie Cox, and John Cusack.

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

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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