NATIONAL: Event venues across North America will be illuminated in red on the evening of Sept. 1 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. in local time zones. #RedAlertRestart aims to amplify the voices of the live event industry and encourage Congress to resume talks on the Restart Act. A similar U.K. event on Aug. 11 included 715 structures; organizers hope to double that for the North American event.

Alliance Nationwide Exposition has launched Together Again TV, a YouTube channel streaming live content from the trade show floor of events happening around the country. The goal? To help energize the industry and showcase ideas for layout and flow plus interviews with sponsors and vendors. The company hosted the Together Again Expo last month
in Orlando.

HOUSTON: The upcoming mixed-use development POST Houston, slated to open in early 2021, has announced plans for a unique rooftop event space. Billing itself as the "world's largest rooftop park and farm," the five-acre rooftop space will include a 6,000-square-foot event venue that holds 300, plus multiple dining options, recreation areas, and open spaces. There's also a sustainable organic farm called Skylawn; culinary tenants will source ingredients from the farm.

MEMPHIS: The Renasant Convention Center and Memphis Management Group have been awarded the GBAC STAR, the gold standard of safe facilities during COVID-19. GBAC STAR accreditation requires adherence to 20 program elements, providing third-party validation that ensures meetings and event facilities implement strict protocols for bio-risk situations.

SEATTLE: Cuiline, a company offering live online cooking classes via Zoom with home delivery of hard-to-find ingredients, made its recent debut. Cuiline was created by Tamar Lowell, CEO of Access Culinary Trips, to help promote international culture and put her network of chefs back to work. Groups can choose between 25 multi-course classes, with the option to customize the experience.