BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #182 — Friday, 01.20.12

Compiled today by Jana Schiowitz and Anna Sekula in New York
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* INCOMING *

1. BRANDING SUNDANCE: The 2012 Sundance Film Festival kicked off yesterday in Park City, Utah, with a press conference from Sundance Institute's president and founder Robert Redford streamed live on livestream.com. In an effort to bring the indie fest experience to film geeks at home, nine more events throughout the 10-day event will be streamed live, including the Parker Posey-hosted concluding awards ceremony on January 28. A rooster of guest "Tweetniks"—directors, actors, and filmmakers, and musicians—will also be offering on-the-ground insights under the handle @sundancefest. Brands like Acura, Nintendo, Oakley, and Carhartt are hosting lounges, music venues, gifting suites, and snowboarding clinics throughout. Bertolli's Meal Soup Chalet will warm guests with heated chairs and hearty soup, and happy hours and concerts at temporary venues like the Bing Bar, sponsored by Microsoft’s search engine, will entertain festival-goers by night.

Livestream schedule:
http://bit.ly/ziHCmA

Tweetnicks schedule:
http://bit.ly/wF6jOk

2. CHRISTIE’S PARADE DREAMS: If the New York Giants win the Super Bowl, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants the parade to be held in New Jersey, not New York. ESPN:
http://es.pn/zQMU7U

3. MENUS ON LOCATION: New York startup SinglePlatform is teaming up with Foursquare to bring 400,000 of its menus and businesses to anyone who has access to the location-based social site app. As of Wednesday, users can click through menus on the right hand side of venue pages that have menu information. San Francisco Chronicle:
http://bit.ly/zCWFrT

4. SCHRAGER'S LATEST MOVE: Ian Schrager and Marriott International are planning five new Edition Hotels on three continents by 2015, including a property in New York at the landmark Clock Tower building. The luxury lifestyle brand will also be opening in Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, and Gurgaon, India. Concepts for Miami Beach and London are already in the works. 
http://bit.ly/zcol1O

5. GREENER ACRES: The U.S. Green Building Council released its list of the top states for LEED-certified projects in 2011. Washington D.C. leads the nation with more than 31 square feet of LEED-certified space per person.
http://bit.ly/yFb9mWs

6. RATING AIR TRAVEL: New site Routehappy offers ratings and opinions from flyers about airlines, flights, and airports, all organized by route. Users can find information about terminals, lounges, crew, comfort, food, and more. "Flyers like you share observations, hidden gems and "flyer bewares" to help fellow flyers make better decisions—and help airlines and airports improve."
http://bit.ly/s4Jjpy

* THE WEEK IN EVENTS *

Here's a look at 10 highlights from our event coverage this week, including Fox's ‘Alcatraz’ premiere, the surprise speaker at I.B.M. Lotusphere, and L.L. Bean's giant duck boot.
http://bizba.sh/x6ksfV

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST: The 23rd annual G.L.A.A.D. Media Awards will be held in New York March 24 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, in Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure April 21, and in San Francisco at the Marriott Marquis June 2. Among the nominees are "Modern Family," Lady Gaga, and "Glee."

Fleming's restaurants are offering a $150 gift card to hosts who book an event with 15 or more guests before February 13, and hold the event anytime in 2012. This deal is good for all national locations.

BALTIMORE: The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition is looking for industry experts to apply to be speakers at its annual trade show taking place June 19-21. Topics for this year's Professional Education Program include trends in the meeting industry, incentive travel and practical case studies, and marketing and sales.

BOSTON: With the theme "Project Debussy," the Boston Symphony Orchestra's annual fashion contest at Symphony Hall February 2 will show student-designed evening wear inspired by the composer's music.

Dwelltime Coffeebar opens in Cambridge next month. According to Eater Boston, the "new shop is part of the latest wave that roast [coffee beans] locally, source responsibly, and serve pour-over." EaterBoston.com:
http://bit.ly/zv3pOC

The inaugural Hotel Equity & Lender Perspectives conference, a two-day hotel investment event, is scheduled for May 2-3 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel.     

CHARLOTTESVILLE: The Boar's Head, an independent historic resort in Virginia appointed Susan Holland as sales manager for groups.

CHICAGO: Klay Oven Kitchen opens at the French Market in February. The 12-seat Indian restaurant will host cooking classes and spice tastings, as well as catered wraps and bowls.

Park Grill has announced the appointment of new executive chef Thomas Donnelly where he will lead the culinary team at the Millennium Park restaurant.

Tickled Pink, a benefit for Y-ME, is at the River East Art Center February 24. Participating vendors include Fig Media and Paramount Events.

A stage performance of "Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches" and "Part 2: Perestroika" will open April 14 at the Court Theatre.

DALLAS: Freeman appointed Bob Priest-Heck to chief sales officer, replacing Bob Moore following his retirement June 30.

LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Sun: "Internet and Twitter reports Tuesday night by a former Las Vegas TV personality that said the Miss America Pageant would not be held here in Las Vegas next year were labeled as 'totally untrue'... by the organization's top executives."
http://bit.ly/yVIhk8

For the seventh consecutive year, Caesars Palace Las Vegas will host the World Series of Poker Circuit, January 19-30.

LOS ANGELES: For the fourth consecutive year, Clive Davis and the Recording Academy will present the annual pre-Grammy gala the night before the 54th annual Grammy awards, and this year's event will honor Sir Richard Branson. The gala is slated for February 11 at the Beverly Hilton.

The Anaheim Convention Center has planted a 2,000-square-foot garden that will supply the convention center's caterer, Aramark, with herbs for use in food for events.

I.S.E.S. Los Angeles has announced that Gerry Rothschild will serve under president Carol Roleder as president elect for 2011/2012. Nahchey Storer assumed the role of vice president of membership. Board positions in strategic partnerships, membership, and communications are currently available.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The documentary "Full Circle: Before They Were Famous" is showing this afternoon at contemporary art fair ArtPalmBeach, which opened yesterday. A lecture series and cocktail reception will be held this weekend.

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort opened yesterday with 243 guest rooms, a 2,800-square-foot presidential suite, and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's J&G Grill.

Miami Today: "A boutique hotel could be heading to Brickell in five years time on a 24,000-square-foot patch where Italian restaurant Rosinella and Grano Bakery currently sit. The new hotel is expected to have anywhere between 75 to 150 hotel rooms and to include retail on the bottom floor, said Fabio Faerman, commercial division director for Fortune International Realty."
http://bit.ly/zyOqYu

The Miami International Film Festival, which runs March 2-11, has a lineup of more than 100 films from 35 countries. Miami Dade College, which produces the event, also announced that the opening night's film is "Mariachi Gringo." Miami Herald:
http://bit.ly/yC3R4e

The Museum of Discovery and Science is hosting a pet fair tomorrow. There will be a pet toy design station, demonstrations, and a Jungle Island Animal Show sponsored by the Bird Lovers Club.

NEW YORK: Jay-Z threw a blue-themed baby bash Wednesday at the re-launch of the 40/40 club. There was an Armand de Brignac champagne tower made from 350 gold bottles and buffalo wings with "blue ivy" cheese sauce. Marie Claire:
http://bit.ly/xXDGAx

The I.S.E.S. New York Metro chapter is holding a "Meet, Greet & Tweet" at the Special Event January 24 at the Tampa Marriott Water Hotel & Marina Lobby Bar. All chapter members, North East Region I.S.E.S. members, and New York event professionals are welcome to this informal gathering hosted by Debra Roth, president and Morgan Steele Connacher, vice president of membership.

David Stark is opening up a pop-up shop in NoLIta February 3-27, filled with limited edition hand-made items for the home, art and vintage pieces, and other items inspired by iconic wood-workers in the U.S.
http://bit.ly/1onijU

Tuesday, Plein Sud, the French-themed restaurant located in the Smyth Hotel, announced the appointment of Sebastien Agez as the new executive chef.

Ariel Moses has joined DKC Public Relations as a senior account executive in the hospitality and lifestyle division. Previously Moses worked at Fingerprint Communications. 

ORLANDO: The Downtown Food & Wine Fest is scheduled for March 31 and April 1 at Lake Eola. Sponsors include the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Park Square Homes, and Centennial Bank.

Three2OH has added an induction cooking bar to its liquid nitrogen ice cream system. The new equipment allows the company to create toppings such as bananas foster and cherries jubilee to go along with its ice cream.

SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Lazar has joined Key Events as vice president of sales. Previously, Lazar served as managing partner of Green Owl.

TAMPA: Pirates are invading the city during the 108th annual Gasparilla Parade. Tomorrow night, the world's only sailing pirate ship will anchor off into Tampa Bay, fully rigged with lighting and pyrotechnics. The parade is January 28, where pirates, beads, and elaborate floats will flood the streets and, Gasparilla season concludes in February with the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Coronation Ball produced and designed by Bay Stage Lighting.

TORONTO: TIFF announced on Tuesday that it will be dividing the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children and Youth into two separate events. The TIFF Kids International Film Festival will run from April 10-22 and will be targeted at children aged 3 to 13. The TIFF Next Wave Film Festival will run from May 10-12 and is for teenagers aged 14 to 18.
http://tiff.net/

WASHINGTON: The Howard Theatre has signed BrandLinkDC as its agency of record. The theater and music hall is hosting its opening gala April 12. The lineup will be announced February 1.

 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: tips@bizbash.com. 

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com. 

Feed the Sheet: tips@bizbash.com
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html