August 25, 2014: V.M.A.s Stick to Business as Usual, U.S. Open Debuts Wearable Technology for Ball Boys, Earthquake Hits Napa During Peak Season

1. V.M.A.S STICK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL: Despite some references to current events—Common referenced the civil rights protests in Ferguson, Missouri, and Miley Cyrus invited a formerly homeless youth to accept her award for video of the year—the MTV Video Music Awards had few surprises and closed with a extended-length performance from Beyonce. Billboard: “Lewdness, a hallmark of so many VMA telecasts, took a backseat on this night—even Nicki Minaj's stripper moves seemed tame within the night's opening sequence.” http://bit.ly/1pxgWfl

2. U.S. OPEN DEBUTS WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR BALL BOYS: At the U.S. Open this week in New York, Ralph Lauren will debut wearable technology in its uniforms for the ball boys. The New York Times: “What spectators will see this week is a slick, form-fitting black athletic shirt, the Ralph Lauren polo pony emblazoned on the front. What they won’t see is the conductive silver-coated thread that is woven discreetly into the fiber, one that, according to the company, makes that shirt the first item of tech apparel to be introduced by a mainstream fashion label. No, the shirt won’t answer your smartphone, fire your ignition or get you a date. What it will do, among its varied functions, is monitor your heart rate, breathing and stress levels, collecting data that is displayed on a dashboard, phone app or computer screen.” http://nyti.ms/1l8aVFw

3. EARTHQUAKE HITS NAPA DURING PEAK SEASON: A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck California’s Napa Valley Sunday, but most wineries and restaurants recovered to welcome tourists and groups visiting during peak season. USA Today: “Wineries reported a high number of calls as tourists looked for open tastings post-quake. Meadowood Napa Valley Resort and its sister property Southbridge, both in St. Helena, are open for business, spokeswoman Jennifer Chiesa says. … Still, after at least one picture of wine bottles piled on the floor at a Napa Valley winery was posted to Twitter early Sunday, investors in companies with wine assets could see some short-term volatility early this week as insurers assess possible earthquake damage to property or facilities.” http://usat.ly/1t5k5Fx


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

The San Diego Convention Center has antitrust immunity and can choose its own exclusive vendors for cleaning services, according to a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—a decision that could have wider impact on vendor contracts. In response, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events released a statement that reads, part: “The decision to allow San Diego to virtually eliminate fair and equal access to organizers’ existing contracts with vendors is a restraint of trade forcing organizers to use the vendors selected by the convention center which automatically creates control and quality issues for the organizers and their exhibitors. As the representatives of the majority of show organizers in the US, it is our responsibility to advise our members of practices that inhibit their ability to provide their customers with the best possible services and insure their success at the events we organize. San Diego, with this new judgment, will inhibit the way our members do business in San Diego and most likely will cause organizers to look for more user-friendly venues.”
 

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Boston Marriott Cambridge has completed a renovation of its lobby. Inspired by the surrounding Kendall Square neighborhood, the design has a “Hip to be Square” theme with square and molecular shapes in the tiles, paneling, and millwork.

CHICAGO:  Perry Farrell will headline the 23rd annual Green Tie Ball on September 13. Benefiting the Chicago Gateway Green, this year’s event will have a Great Gatsby-inspired theme.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Miami Herald: "The owners of Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante in Miami Beach are planning to open two new regional Italian restaurants in Miami this fall. In the works from Sardinia duo Tony Gallo and Pietro Vardeu are Moye, at 80 SW 8th St., and Campania, at 4029 North Miami Ave. in the Design District." http://tcrn.ch/1q37WgA

NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT:  The Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival is September 11-13 and will include a schooner race, a chowder fest, and a parade of lighted boats on the Thames River.

NEW YORK:  Hyatt Herald Square New York—a new 122-room hotel from Chesapeake Lodging Trust—is planning to open in October. The hotel will have event space for 50 people. Its rooftop lounge, Up on 20, will have views of the Empire State Building.

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

ORLANDO:  Jim Fleck is the new director of sales and marketing at the Holiday Inn Orlando.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Entrée DC, the second annual food industry forum from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, is today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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

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