Why Activating on College Campuses is a Smart Move for Brands, Plus the Latest Event News From Toronto

1. ALICIA KEYS, MEGAN THEE STALLION, AND ROSALIA TO BE HONORED AT BILLBOARD’S 2019 WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS: Alicia Keys, Megan Thee Stallion, and Rosalía will be celebrated for their contributions to female empowerment during Billboard's 14th annual Women in Music event, the magazine announced Tuesday. The three performers will join previously announced honorees Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Alanis Morissette, Nicki Minaj, Brandi Carlile, and Roc Nation C.O.O. Desiree Perez during the December 12 event at the Hollywood Paladium. The ceremony is slated to be presented by YouTube Music and hosted by last year's Rising Star honoree Hayley Kiyoko. Billboard: “‘Women in Music is a celebration of artists and executives who are changing the world through their work. We are excited to honor Alicia Keys, Rosalía, and Megan thee Stallion, whose singular visions and voices are shifting our culture while inspiring fans to stay true to themselves,’ said Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director.”

2. MEETING PLANNERS AND HOTELS ARE RECRUITING FOOD TRUCKS FOR UNIQUE EVENT EXPERIENCES: The popularity of food trucks, combined with today’s emphasis on experiential and authentic moments, is prompting hotels and meeting planners to use the vehicles to serve guests. For event organizers, recruiting food truck operators allows for the introduction of memorable and local bites, even if they wind up actually being served in the hotel and not out of a truck. For properties, using the vehicles can cut down on space hogging for banquets. New York Times: “‘The whole dining experience is changing,’ said Rashad Armstead, a chef who coordinates the logistics of the trucks for groups. ‘They’re all now leaning more toward the whole dining experience of the food-truck scene. ...The diner of this generation is different,' Mr. Armstead said. ‘We don’t want fancy food. We want good food.’”

3. SAY CHEESE! DHS WANTS A SNAP OF EVERY U.S. BOUND, OR EXITING, TRAVELER: Boarding flights in comfy sweats and with bed head might be a thing of the past if the Department of Homeland Security moves forward on a plan to photograph travelers. The agency posted a notice that it wants to take pictures of each and every traveler entering or exiting the U.S., including American citizens. The Points Guy: “Although the idea of mandatory photographs may be alarming to some people, it should be familiar to travelers with Global Entry as new facial recognition kiosks have been popping up around the country. This allows registered travelers to speed through immigration without the need for passport scanning or fingerprint recognition. The TSA has also been testing biometrics at airports including at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport back in August, but those tests have been voluntary. Both American Airlines and Delta have also tested biometric boarding.”

AUSTIN: The Loren Hotel Group, founded by author Stephen King, is set to expand with the Loren at Lady Bird Lake. Slated to open in early 2022, the property will house 108 guest rooms, event space, and a rooftop restaurant.

DALLAS: The Hall Arts Hotel opened Tuesday with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was developed by Craig and Kathryn Hall, owners of California’s award-winning Hall, Walt and Baca Wines, and founders of Dallas-based real estate company Hall Group. Featuring 202 guest rooms and suites, and over 6,000 square feet of meeting space, Hall Arts Hotel is the first property to open in the Dallas Arts District, the country’s largest contiguous arts district.

LOS ANGELES: Cocktail bar and lounge Pinky’s opened in Los Feliz on November 15. The 1,000-square-foot space has tropical, Miami-inspired decor, plus a menu of creative cocktails and a playlist from Alex Rodriguez, the curator of Coachella’s on-site record store. Pinky’s has 60 seats.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Hundreds of college swimmers from across the nation, some of whom have pursued Olympic gold, will compete in a monthlong winter training session in Key Largo. The contest culminates in the open-to-spectators Orange Bowl Swimming Classic on January 3.

NEW YORK: The Accessories Council’s first-ever all-female holiday pop-up, featuring companies owned and led by women, will be at Penn Plaza Pavilion today and December 5.