August 19, 2013: PETA to Protest Bull Run, the Importance of Grammar, Which DJs Rake In the Most Cash?

1. VIRGINIA BULL RUN CLASHES WITH PETA: A Virginia version of Spain's famed running with the bulls event is scheduled to take place this weekend, and PETA is planning a protest. Animal rights activists contend that the Great Bull Run—which is also expected to bring music, food, and games to Virginia Motorsports Park—violates the Animal Welfare Act and needs special licensing in order to have participants attempt to outrace the bulls. The organizers claim they have the necessary permits as well as an on-site veterinarian. The Washington Post: http://wapo.st/17WFEIV

2. IS GRAMMAR IMPORTANT IN BRAND MARKETING?: In terms of brand perception and credibility, correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation might be more relevant than you think. A study conducted by online proofreading platform Grammarly connected error-free copy to marketing success. The analysis may seem simplistic, but "subconsciously, at least, investors and competitors (customers as well) may judge sloppy writing as a sign of carelessness in a company’s ability to execute and operate over all. ... Says Brad Hoover, C.E.O. of Grammarly, who conducted this comparison study: 'Accurate writing is an important way brands can influence public perception. Accurate writing demonstrates professionalism and credibility—and customers are more likely to buy a product or a service from a company they trust.'” Forbes: http://onforb.es/148bKUr

3. FORBES RANKS TOP-EARNING DJS: In the rapidly rising electronic dance music genre, DJs Calvin Harris, Tiësto, David Guetta, and Swedish House Mafia rake in millions a year, topping the earnings of Beyoncé, Jay Z, and Katy Perry. According to Forbes's list of the world's highest-paid DJs, Harris made $46 million, a sum that includes cash from songwriting and producing for stars like Rihanna. http://onforb.es/13k3fXN

4. CANADIAN START-UP CONFERENCE GROWING: Gatherings for tech entrepreneurs are booming—even outside Silicon Valley. Vancouver, the host city of next year's TED conference, is the home of GROW, a fast-growing conference that saw more than 1,200 attendees this year. TechCrunch: "GROW has become one of the premier networking conferences, as it’s a great way to take the pulse of the Canadian start-up scene. As with many things Canada, it’s easy to underestimate the role of the tech industry there. ... [its] focus on practicality is something we don’t see that often outside of vendor conferences and it’s a nice break from the more VC-centric events around Silicon Valley." http://tcrn.ch/14UxaHh

5. LIV MIAMI PARTNERS WITH TOMORROWWORLD: The organizers of TomorrowWorld, the first international version of electronic music festival TomorrowLand, announced LIV Miami as its "comfort V.I.P." partner. The nightlife brand will have three venues at the fest's Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, location, including a space with poolside cabanas. The New York Post: http://bit.ly/15UIjB8

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The higher cost of increased security for the city's India Day celebration forced organizers to cancel the August 17 event. Boston Globe: "The event appears to be the highest-profile Esplanade gathering to be canceled as a result of the additional, costly security required by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Massachusetts State Police following the Boston Marathon bombings." http://b.globe.com/18w5XYl

CHICAGO:  The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard is August 22-September 2. The fest will include fashion shows, a culinary event, and a special appearance from Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks.

Element Collective has leased the 6,200-square-foot space in River North that formerly housed Zealous. The group plans to open a new restaurant there in early winter 2013.

LAS VEGAS:  In collaboration with David Furnish, Michael Greco, and Steven Kennedy of Marvel Management and Marketing will open Fizz Las Vegas, a 2,750-square-foot champagne lounge and bar inside Caesars Palace. The $3.2 million project will include an interior marked by gold and muted tones with metal accents, plus photography from Furnish and Elton John's personal collection.

LOS ANGELES:  Yesterday the Petersen Automotive Museum announced it will mark its 20th anniversary next year with an extensive renovation that will transform the exterior and the interior of the Museum Row building. According to a release, the Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates-led redesign will see stainless steel ribbons wrap three sides and the top of the building, which will be lit from within at night.

Could Los Angeles succeed in hosting its own Fashion Week? According to Apparel News, Los Angeles Fashion Council has partnered with Caruso Affiliated to produce runway shows October 9-10 at the Grove, while Style Fashion Week announced it is teaming up with AEG to produce shows October 13-17 at L.A. Live. http://bit.ly/14H7FSF

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Discovery and Science served bugs and worms to eat as an activity during its summer camp. Watch a video of the taste test: http://bit.ly/19leFKe

NEW YORK:  According to Page Six, a Hamptons event this Saturday will take on a 1950s theme, with decor and food inspired by the decade and Grease. The fete, which will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, will be designed by Colin Cowie, with a football-field-like cocktail area, a sock-hop-style main room, and a drive-in cinema for dessert. Chef David Burke is supplying the nosh, while Hall & Oates will provide the entertainment. http://bit.ly/1cPtoBP

Forest City Ratner's Nassau Events Center has been selected to redevelop the 77-acre site of the Nassau Coliseum. The $229 million proposal includes a 13,000-seat arena, an outdoor amphitheater, restaurants, an ice-skating rink, a bowling alley, and theaters. The Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/15LsZ9U

Tonight the Sparrow Project will host a fund-raiser and discussion for imprisoned activists Barrett Brown and Jeremy Hammond at ThoughtWorks NYC.

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

ORLANDO:  The Crooked Spoon food truck is transitioning into a permanent restaurant in Clermont that will open August 26. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/16hUs6I

Laure Hitzig joined Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort as director of catering. Most recently, Hitzig served as director of catering at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

TORONTO:  The opening night of the Toronto Port Authority's Sail-In Cinema—a free, three-day festival of movies shown on a floating barge in Lake Ontario—drew a record of more than 1,100 people.

WASHINGTON:  The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show is October 25-27 at the National Building Museum, with the Advance Chance Party that Friday evening with shopping, wine and hors d'oeuvres, music, and modeling.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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