November 29, 2016: New Partnership Aims to Turn eSports Into Larger Public Events, Bill Nye to Host Facebook Live Fund-Raiser to Benefit National Parks, Airbnb Estimates 10,000 Guests for Inauguration

1. NEW PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO TURN ESPORTS INTO LARGER PUBLIC EVENTS: Live event company Done & Dusted and British gaming industry content agency Attention Seekers have partnered to turn eSports and competitive gaming events into bigger public events. Fortune: “Attention Seekers and Done + Dusted say the Santa Monica, Calif.-based venture, AD+D, will bring large-scale live entertainment and new thinking to showcase competitive gaming to the general public and offer live event expertise to the games industry. The venture will help the burgeoning competitive gaming industry innovate and will raise the profile of live events, including consumer experiences and media briefings, as well as bringing a new level of inventiveness to formats and entertainment. Attention Seekers will bring its understanding of video games and authenticity in that space, plus its expertise in creating bespoke video content, both online and in a live context, to the joint venture. Done + Dusted is known for its work on some of the highest-profile live shows, including the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the opening and closing ceremonies of London 2012 Olympics, and tours by artists such as U2 and Katy Perry. … From planning to production, AD+D will provide a one-stop shop for companies wanting to deliver creative, entertaining, and highly memorable live events and broadcasts to consumers and media. With much of the gaming industry centered in North America, AD+D has set up shop in its West Coast office to be on hand to work directly with games companies, platforms, and broadcasters.” http://for.tn/2fwh15x

2. BILL NYE TO HOST FACEBOOK LIVE FUND-RAISER TO BENEFIT NATIONAL PARKS: Bill Nye and Mashable have partnered to host a Giving Tuesday "view-a-thon" fund-raiser on Facebook Live to raise money for the National Park Foundation. Adweek: "For the fundraiser, Nye will talk to Mashable's 30 million Facebook followers while answering questions from the audience, giving quizzes and doing 'classic-but-enchanting classroom demonstrations.' (He wouldn't give too much away but told Adweek he's planning 'some whacky things.') 'Millennials get their news from their phones, from their handheld devices,' Nye said in an interview. 'So if we can raise awareness of national parks through this media, we think it will be better for the national parks and for all human kind. Millennials are going to be running the show here in another 10 years or so, so this effort is just to engage people where they're already engaged on their news sources.' This isn't the first time Nye has spoken on behalf of the nation's parks. In fact, he's the Centennial Ambassador for the National Park Service's #FindYourPark campaign, which celebrates the 100-year anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson creating the service. As ambassador, Nye focuses on getting the next generation of park goers excited about the parks and how to preserve them." http://bit.ly/2gPM5xm

3. AIRBNB ESTIMATES 10,000 GUESTS FOR INAUGURATION: Airbnb has released a report estimating it will host 10,000 guests for the presidential inauguration on January 20. DCist: "A new report from the company says that it's expecting seven times as many bookings as those made during the previous inauguration in 2013, when 1,300 Airbnb guests came to D.C. (the increase makes sense, given the company's growth since then). Where are these people coming from? Airbnb says the top locations are New York, LA, Boston, and Chicago (notably, all among the most populous cities in the country). The top neighborhoods they'll be staying in include Adams Morgan, the H Street Corridor, Columbia Heights, and Shaw​. The week following Election Day saw an 80 percent increase in area bookings, according to the report. In D.C., the median price per night is $125, whereas it's $101 in Northern Virginia, and $79 in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Those prices are much cheaper than, say, the $500,000 weekend package at the Trump International Hotel, though it's safe to say that Airbnb hosts aren't offering a 24/7 car service." http://bit.ly/2fJVcOs

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  Diamond Resorts International has named Matthew Avril C.E.O., effective January 1. He replaces David Palmer, who will retire as president and C.E.O. on December 31, but will continue in an advisory role for the next two years. Additionally, the company has promoted Michael Flaskey to C.O.O. He was executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer.

BALTIMORE:  Sagamore Pendry Baltimore hotel, which will open in early 2017, has partnered with NoHo Hospitality Group to lead all food and beverage outlets.

CHICAGO:  The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association is hosting its Long Grove Christmas Tree Parade events through December 18. Events include Mr. and Mrs. Clause appearances, costumed carolers, and free horse-drawn carriage rides.

LAS VEGAS:  Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas has unveiled the first phase of a $13 million Casino Tower remodel, which includes the renovation of 575 rooms. The second phase will renovate the remaining 65 suites.

LOS ANGELES:  Artisanal LA's Holiday Market will take place December 3 in Arcadia at North 1st Street and Huntington Boulevard.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Hole Gallery is seeking a sponsorship deal starting at $10,000 to have Pussy Riot perform at Art Basel. The annual art event will take place Thursday to Sunday. In other Art Basel news, Kendrick Lamar will perform Thursday at Faena Art Dome.

NEW YORK:  Alice & Olivia by Stacey Bendet and the Good Foundation will host the kickoff to their sixth annual toy drive on Wednesday at the fashion brand's store on Madison Avenue. Bendet will host the event alongside Nicky Hilton, Georgina Bloomberg, and Jessica Seinfeld.

The Little Orchestra Society's Fall Gala will take place Wednesday at Florence Gould Hall. The event supports the organization's music education and community engagement programs.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

PITTSBURGH:  Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company will open an AC Hotel by Marriott in downtown Pittsburgh. Construction has begun on the 133-room hotel, which is next door to the restaurant Eleven and across the street from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, a resort slated to open in January, has named David Yamada general manager. The resort has 343 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO:  El San Juan Hotel has named Timothy Arnold managing director of food and beverage. 

TORONTO:  The city's first-ever Jiggle Ball jello shot competition takes place tonight at Apt. 200. The event, which will feature drinks from Ace Hill, Sweetgrass, and Corbys Spirits & Wine, will benefit Nellies Women's Shelter.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Nakazawa, a sibling restaurant to Sushi Nakazawa in New York's West Village, will open at the Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C., in summer 2017. The hotel's other restaurant is BLT Prime by David Burke. 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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

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