| NATIONAL: Hopin has announced that Wei Gao is the company’s first chief operating officer. She previously served as the worldwide vice president of product, technology and supply chain for Amazon Grocery and technical advisor to Jeff Bezos. At Hopin, Gao will lead operations and oversee the rapid growth of Hopin’s virtual event and shared experiences platform. Hard Rock International has appointed a new director of global sales for meetings and events. The role is being filled by Shelley Williams, who brings 25 years of experience in global hospitality with companies like Caesars Entertainment and the Westmont Hospitality Group. She most recently served as vice president of sales at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: The 35th annual GrapeFest: A Texas Wine Experience will take place Sept. 16-19. Billed as the largest wine festival in the Southwest United States, the Bank of the West-sponsored event will feature guest wineries from South Australia’s Barossa Valley and California’s Napa Valley, as well as signature events like the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic and a live performance from '80s band Berlin. LOS ANGELES: After taking place as a drive-thru event last year, Freeform’s fourth annual “Halloween Road” activation is coming back to the Heritage Square Museum for a socially distanced and outdoor experience. Open to the public from Oct. 1-5, the Hyundai-sponsored event will feature immersive attractions from the worlds of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family along with games, photo moments, live entertainment and prizes. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. TEMPE, ARIZ: The Westin Tempe, the largest new hotel to debut in Tempe in nearly four decades, is now open in the city’s downtown district. The 290 room, full-service property has 21,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, along with three new dining concepts including the highest open-air rooftop in Tempe. What's happening on the event scene in your city? Email us and share the news!
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