November 5, 2015: Orlando’s Smoking Policy Could Hurt Convention Business, Pentagon Slammed for “Paid Patriotism” at Sports Events, Houston Politicos Consider Boycott of Super Bowl

1. ORLANDO’S SMOKING POLICY COULD HURT CONVENTION BUSINESS: The American Heart Association's new policy—to not host events in regions where smoking is allowed in bars—may start to cost the Orlando convention business. Orlando Business Journal: “If a smoke-free city sounds strange, note that it seems some of Orlando's big convention-hosting competitor cities are following suit with the American Heart Association's new policy. Chicago, one of Orlando's biggest convention rivals, has a law that prohibits smoking and e-cigarettes in many places, including bars, restaurants and private clubs, as well as prohibiting smoking within 15 feet of the entrance of those establishments.” http://bit.ly/1WAyoMr

2. PENTAGON SLAMMED FOR “PAID PATRIOTISM” AT SPORTS EVENTS: The Pentagon’s practice of paying for military tributes at sports events as part of its marketing and recruitment efforts came under congressional scrutiny after a report found it paid more than $9 million over four years for the tributes. Several major professional sports were beneficiaries, but the N.F.L. received the most money. In response, the league announced it would refund money that specifically paid for patriotic displays such as color guard performances or surprise homecoming reunions. USA Today: “What is upsetting is when you see activities like this that people assume when they go to games are paid for out of the goodness of the heart by the owners and the teams, and then to find out the taxpayers are paying for it. It kind of cheapens (it) and it’s simply not right," said Senator Jeff Flake said at a news conference with Senator John McCain to release the report. http://usat.ly/1kaUg5p

3. HOUSTON POLITICOS CONSIDER BOYCOTT OF SUPER BOWL: After Houston voters rejected an equal rights initiative that would have established nondiscrimination protections for L.G.B.T.Q. people and others, supporters of the measure are considering targeting big events coming to the city, like the Super Bowl, with boycotts. ABC News:  "The Super Bowl is slated to come in 2017, and there are rumblings of plans to ask the NFL to move and go elsewhere in support of LGBT people and other groups HERO would have protected," said John LaRue, a Houston attorney and city council candidate who supported the measure. http://abcn.ws/1Op1hMm

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair will take place November 13-15 at Hynes Convention Center. This year, there will be a new “typewriter rodeo,” with poets using vintage typewriters to compose poetry.

CHICAGO:  Tasting Table’s Open Market will take place at Revel Fulton Market on December 5. The holiday market will offer savory snacks, sweets, and workshops in wreath-making and pies.

DALLAS:  The ninth annual AIA Dallas Tour of Homes will take place November 14-15. The Editor at Large: bit.ly/1Wz1f3F

DENVER:  Denver voters passed a special initiative on Tuesday that approves an expansion of the Colorado Convention Center. The future expansions and additions include as many as 85,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 50,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, and the National Western Center, a new year-round event facility.

LAS VEGAS:  Boyz II Men has extended its residency at the Mirage Hotel & Casino through December 2018.

LOS ANGELES:  County officials are calling for a closer look at Fairplex in Pomono, where two women died at the Hard Summer music festival in August. LA Weekly: http://bit.ly/1Pnr9qy

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  As part of the ARS/Rescue Rooter Hoophall Miami Invitational, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will host five high match-ups on November 24 and two college games—University of Kentucky against University of South Florida and Ohio State against University of Memphis—on November 27 at AmericanAirlines Arena.

NEW YORK:  The Whitney Museum's 2017 Whitney Biennial will be co-curated by Christopher Y. Lew and Mia Locks. The 78th in the museum's series, the Biennial will go on view in spring 2017.

Marketing agency Sparks will celebrate the launch of its New York studio on November 19 at 42 Greene Street.

3 West Club will host its first holiday boutique on November 12 featuring 35 vendors.

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

SAN FRANCISCO:  The San Francisco Brewers Guild's official Coin Toss and Ingredient "Draft Day" for SF Beer Week's Opening Gala Beer Bowl will take place at Cervecería de MateVeza on November 18. The event will have captains Team Noma and Team Soma announce their respective team's chosen beer style, and a coin toss will determine which team gets first pick of the special ingredients donated by Whole Foods Market.

TORONTO:  The city council has voted to ban hookah use in bars, restaurants, and patios starting next year. CTV: http://bit.ly/1HrrxOo

VANCOUVER:  Mobile meeting and events app QuickMobile has appointed David Smith as its C.E.O.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Fashion Group International of Greater Washington, DC, will host the “Men in Motion” workshop, a panel discussion on the male perspective of the largely female-dominated fashion industry. Michael McCarthy of DC Modern Luxury magazine will moderate the ticketed event, scheduled for November 16 at the Loft at 600 F.

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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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