September 11, 2015: Papal Visit Prompts New Set of Pope Emoji, Conference Unites Pentagon With Silicon Valley, Early Emmys Go to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift

1. PAPAL VISIT PROMPTS NEW SET OF POPE EMOJI: One of the more whimsical preparations for Pope Francis’s visit to the United States this month is the creation of a set of pope-theme emoji. The downloadable icons show the pontiff in a variety of settings that soon may be populating social media feeds. Adweek: “Want an emoji of Pope Francis standing next to the Statue of Liberty? You got it. Posing next to the Lincoln Memorial? Done. Enjoying an nice sub sandwich? Also, weirdly, done. Commissioned by global Catholic network Aleteia.org for the "#GoodIsWinning" campaign, the keyboard was designed to engage young people on social media as soon as the pope touches down in Washington, D.C.” http://bit.ly/1Kb5StX

2. CONFERENCE UNITES PENTAGON WITH SILICON VALLEY: A government conference with the casual name of “Wait, What? A Future Technology Forum” has a very serious purpose: rebuilding the Pentagon’s ties with Silicon Valley. Under stress following revelations of electronic spying from documents leaked by Edward Snowden, the two sides are meeting in St. Louis. The New York Times: “The event is the brainchild of Arati Prabhakar, a physicist who studied at the California Institute of Technology and a longtime Silicon Valley venture capitalist who has headed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or Darpa, since 2012. Ashton Carter, the defense secretary, will open the event, which is expected to draw 1,200 innovators, including military contractors, university and corporate engineers, and scientists and entrepreneurs from start-ups. The conference is part of a broader effort by the Pentagon to tap into the ingenuity of Silicon Valley.” http://nyti.ms/1KeYC4K

3. EARLY EMMYS GO TO KATY PERRY, TAYLOR SWIFT: The colorful costumes during Katy Perry’s Super Bowl halftime show and Taylor Swift’s interactive promotion “AMEX Unstaged: Taylor Swift Experience” were among early Emmy winners announced Thursday. They will be awarded during the Creative Arts Emmy Award Show on Saturday. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/1LnDXYs


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Several meeting industry leaders have launched the Meetings Industry Fund to provide financial assistance for meeting industry workers in times of crisis. The foundation's initial goal is to raise $100,000 in the next 100 days.

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  Atlanta-based show management company Urban Expositions has acquired Hamptons Expo Group. The New York-based fine-art fair organizer founded and produces ArtAspen, ArtHamptons, Houston Fine Art Fair, and Palm Springs Fine Art Fair.

AUSTIN:  The Jones Center of Contemporary Art will get a new canopy over its open-air deck as part of a $3 million renovation. The Austin Chronicle: http://bit.ly/1FA5gNs

BOSTON:  Online mattress start-up Casper is bringing its "Nap Tour" to 51 India Street today through Sunday. The nap-mobile will have four sealable pods with mattresses, pillows, and phones offering bedtime stories for nappers.

CHICAGO:  Northlight Theatre will host “The Northlight Spectacular: a Vaudeville Extravaganza” October 6. The event will offer cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a live auction, and entertainment. 

LAS VEGAS:  Britney Spears will extend her headlining residency show, “Britney: Piece of Me” at the Axis in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, through December 2017, with tickets for performances from January-April 2016 going on sale September 14.

LOS ANGELES:  The Los Angeles Philharmonic will open its 2015/16 season with its "Opening Night Gala: the Brilliance of Beethoven,” a black-tie event at the Walt Disney Concert Hall September 29.

The Environmental Media Association announced honorees for the upcoming Environmental Media Awards, presented by Toyota and Lexus. Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Davis, and James and Zem Joaquin will be honored at the October 24 event at Warner Brother Studios in Burbank.

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

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY:  Levy Restaurants has been named the exclusive dining and hospitality partner by the Kentucky State Fair Board to provide concessions and catering at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Design Miami will take place December 2-6 with an invitation-only preview day December 1. The show will take place in a tent at Meridian Avenue and 19th Street in Miami Beach.

NEW YORK:  The American Folk Art Museum Gala will take place October 15 at Gotham Hall. The event will honor American folk art collector Jerry Lauren, the Leir Charitable Foundations, and art philanthropist Laura Parsons.

The inaugural African Health Now “Gift of Life” Cocktail Benefit on will take place October 20 at Chelsea Piers’ Sunset Terrace. The benefit will honor three people for their philanthropic commitments to the African community: contemporary African artist Wangechi Mutu will receive the Humanitarian award; Beats Music marketing executive Bozoma Saint John will receive the Leadership award; and podiatric surgeon Samuel F. Quartey will receive the Health Advocate award.

Andrew Hampp has joined music marketing/experiential agency MAC Presents as its new vice president/brand strategist. Hampp will help MAC clients build innovative music strategies and experiences.

The French Heritage Society's annual New York Gala Dinner Dance will take place November 18 at the Pierre Hotel. The black-tie event will feature music from Bob Hardwick Sound.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Orange County Convention Center will host three major events this month: the Surf Expo through Saturday, the Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show today through Sunday, and the Southern Women's Show September 24-27. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1i1z6Vo

SAN FRANCISCO:  Marriott International is offering two fan experiences for Super Bowl 50. Courtyard will host the first "Suite Stadium Contest" sleepover in Levi's Stadium for four people the night before the game, while Marriott Rewards has launched a "50 to 50" sweepstakes campaign that will give members in three countries the chance to take 50 people to the game on February 7.

TORONTO:  Throughout the Toronto International Film Festival, running through September 20, Moët & Chandon will host a gala green room at Roy Thompson Hall. The lounge is intended as a space for celebrities and special guests to relax in before introducing a film.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced plans to open a hotel in the former Hotel Helix property on 14th Street. Called Kimpton's Mason & Rook Hotel, it will have a newly constructed 1,800-square-foot ballroom and 178 rooms. It’s scheduled to open in spring 2016.

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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]