The Special Event badge worked fine for me when I stayed in Paris during the Fashion Week (in fact I went to Paris for the Fashion Week). I think it is obvious and only makes sense that you have to stay at a hotel in the city the event is held at. Just checking in with Places in a hotel in New York during the Fashion Week while not staying there kinda defies the purpose.
That said, the whole thing is a mess, hotels missing etc. I hope the VP of Marketing will sort that team out.