1. LAS VEGAS MOVES FORWARD ON CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PLAN: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority could vote as early as Friday on a plan to acquire and demolish the Riviera hotel and casino to make way for a major expansion to the city’s convention center. Las Vegas Review-Journal: “Authority officials have said that about 20 major trade shows have expressed interest in Las Vegas, but couldn’t come because the calendar was full and there wasn’t enough room to accommodate them. They believe the planned 750,000 square feet in expansion and the renovated facilities would help them land those shows and bolster the city’s position as the nation’s leading trade show host.” http://bit.ly/1LgNjaK
2. THE $300,000 DINNER CHECK EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT: The era of big-time business entertainment is back—at least it was for one night during International C.E.S. in January. Vice Media C.E.O. Shane Smith is reported to have spent $300,000 during one dinner at Prime Steakhouse, padding the bill by ordering bottles of wine that cost more than $20,000. The New York Times: “Executives at MGM Resorts International mentioned the outsize dinner bill during a company conference call on Tuesday. They cited it in response to a question from an analyst about how spending at the casino now compares with levels before the recession. MGM did not identify Mr. Smith as the guest who had hosted the dinner. James J. Murren, the chief executive of MGM, said he had not seen a check that size for several years.” http://nyti.ms/1AWsf6h
3. THE SURPRISING RIPPLE EFFECTS OF CHINESE NEW YEAR: From shutting down factories for more than a week to boosting spending on luxury brands, the Chinese New Year holiday has several ripple effects that reach globally, including in the United States. Associated Press: “The holiday is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. In San Francisco, where about one in five residents is of Chinese descent, the celebration is stretched over a few weeks, with fairs, beauty queens, bazaars, lion dances and deafening firecrackers in Chinatown. The festivities culminate in the San Francisco Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade, complete with feisty 270-foot-long (82 meters) dragon. It’s such a big deal that schools close for the holiday.” http://bit.ly/1G7jA1a
* LOCAL NEWS *
COAST TO COAST: The James Beard Foundation announced its list of restaurant and chef award semifinalists for the 25th anniversary James Beard Foundation Awards, selected from more than 34,000 online entries. The foundation will announce the finalists March 24 and the winners at its Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception May 4 at Lyric Opera of Chicago. See the full list: http://bit.ly/1l9pmsw
BOSTON: Shabumaru is now open at Westin Copley Place. The restaurant specializes in Japanese comfort food and seats 40.
CHICAGO: Presidio, a new cocktail lounge, is open in Bucktown. Decorated with cowhide bar stools, velvet banquettes, and a chandelier made from salvaged metals, the venue holds as many as 100 guests for events. Its cocktail program specializes in drinks made with seasonal ingredients, and menu items include fried fish bites and steak tartare.
DALLAS: The Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm, ACM Lifting Lives, announced its first fund-raising gala, dubbed “One Night, Two Cities, All Music," slated for April 17. Hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, the evening will consist of two shows taking place simultaneously at the Omni Dallas Hotel and the Fort Worth Zoo.
LAS VEGAS: Mandalay Bay’s beach concert series will kick off with Sublime With Rome on May 22.
UNLVino, a wine and food event, is slated for April 16-18 with events at the Venetian, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, and Paris Las Vegas.
LOS ANGELES: InterContinental Los Angeles has announced a multimillion-dollar renovation to its 363 rooms and suites. The Design Studio is overseeing the project, which is slated to finish in 2016.
Hollywood Reporter: “Raul R. Rodriguez, an artist and designer best known for his breathtaking floats seen for years at the Tournament of Roses Parade, died Wednesday of cardiac arrest at his home in Pasadena, publicist Harlan Boll announced. He was 71. Rodriguez won more Tournament of Roses awards than any other designer in the 125-year-plus history of the splashy Pasadena event, Boll said.” http://bit.ly/1CMwC39
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Food for the Poor will host its 13th annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala on January 28, 2016, at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.
NEW ORLEANS: Chefs John Besh and Alon Shaya have opened a modern Israeli restaurant called Shaya on Magazine Street. It's their third collaboration following the Italian concepts Domenica and Pizza Domenica.
NEW YORK: Reuters: "Gay rights activists and elected officials said on Tuesday they would continue to protest New York City's main St. Patrick's Day parade even as organizers prepared to let a gay group carry a banner this year for the first time in the parade's history." http://reut.rs/1EpI7gw
The Gregory, a 132-room boutique hotel, is slated to open this spring in the garment district.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: The Lexus Culinary Classic will be held March 6-8 at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito. The culinary celebration will offer wine tastings, winery dinners, and interactive cooking classes.
TORONTO: Chef Susur Lee of the restaurant Luckee shares the dim sum platter he created for Chinese New year, which includes dumplings, black moss, and more. Toronto Life: http://bit.ly/1E6YfWo
WASHINGTON, D.C.: DB Bridal Expo—with a focus on South Asian weddings—will host its first event in the D.C. area on March 1 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
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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, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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