1. WEWORK PRESSES THE PAUSE BUTTON ON EVENTS: In the wake of a tumultuous two months for WeWork—when the company’s valuation nosedived and C.E.O. Adam Neumann got the boot—the co-working space giant has stopped planning some annual events, including its Rock the Boat party, where musicians generally delivered surprise performances. The next iteration was slated to be in Miami this month. Business Insider: “Since 2016, the company has been throwing a series of boat parties in different cities across North America. The events, dubbed Rock the Boat, are open to members and the public and have been headlined by the likes of Fat Joe and Fetty Wap...WeWork’s decision to abruptly cancel ticket sales for its Miami event comes as the company looks to cut costs, salvage its reputation, and focus on core operations."

2. TOP CHEF EXITS LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU FOLLOWING VIOLENT OUTBURST: Executive chef Doug Psaltis, a high profile partner of Lettuce Entertain You who oversaw a number of the group's restaurants, has left the organization. No formal explanation has been issued but current and former employees revealed that the culinarian physically and verbally attacked an employee at RPM Steak Chicago last week. Eater.com: “Significantly, Psaltis also shaped LEYE’s massive $50 million project along the Chicago Riverwalk, which was announced by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Melman family in March... The opening for the final piece of the four-level project, RPM Seafood—selected as one of the most anticipated openings of 2019—has been delayed until January."

3. AIRBNB FOCUSES ON UNIQUE LODGING EXPERIENCES: After generating innovative marketing campaigns in the past, Airbnb is now reaching a fever pitch. The home sharing giant previously has partnered with Oscar Meyer to offer up a themed stay in the famous Wienermobile, with Mattel for a stay in a life-size version of Malibu Barbie’s Dreamhouse, and more. Coming up this month, two fans of Downtown Abbey can stay at Highclere Castle, the home of the show. The New York Times: “I think a lot of brands, in the future, they need to be in the business of making news, not just advertising,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s chief executive. “And to make news you have to do something that is worth somebody reporting about.”

4. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW MOVES DATES FROM NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY: Beginning in 2021, the Miami International Auto Show will move from a November event to one held in February. The shift, which starts in 2021—in time for the event's 50th year at the Miami Beach Convention Center—was spurred by a similar move by the North American International Auto Show, which will convene in June next year, instead of in January. South Florida Business Journal: "The Auto Show is thrilled to join the elite list of world-class events that define South Florida each February," said Richard Baker, president, South Florida Automobile Dealers Association. "We appreciate the tremendous support of the City of Miami Beach in making our move to the winter a reality."

5. PRO-HONG KONG PROTESTORS SWARM BLIZZCON: Attendees at the annual festival—where Blizzard Entertainment hosts fans of its franchises, such as World of Warcraft, and reveals details on upcoming projects—were greeted at the Anaheim Convention Center by demonstrators who gave out roughly 4,000 t-shirts that said “Mei With Hong Kong,” a reference to a character from Blizzard’s Overwatch game. Demonstrators also chanted “Free Hong Kong” and several signs were displayed. The Hollywood Reporter: “It wasn't just black T-shirts being worn in protest. A number of attendees (who paid to attend the conference) wore Winnie the Pooh costumes, a reference to Chinese president Xi Jingping, who had the character banned in the country after protesters drew comparisons between himself and the cartoon bear. The demonstrators were out to protest Blizzard's suspension of professional Hearthstone player Chung "Blitzchung" Ng Wai for voicing support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in October.”