February 10, 2014: French President’s Affair Complicates State Dinner, Notorious Streaker Crashes Fashion Week, What Everyone Will Remember About the Olympics Opening Ceremony

1. FRENCH PRESIDENT’S AFFAIR COMPLICATES STATE DINNER: Protocol experts are trying to figure out how to handle the upcoming state dinner to honor French President François Hollande in the wake of news of his affair and the breakup of his long-term relationship. The White House had to print new invitations, and that’s the least of the concerns for the high-profile event, just the seventh of President Obama’s administration. New York Times: “The turn of events in the private life of Mr. Hollande, 59, posed a number of questions for the White House as well: Who should be placed next to the president in the seat Ms. Trierweiler would have occupied? Would any of the entertainment be inappropriate? Should there be dancing if the romantically complicated guest of honor has no one to dance with?” http://nyti.ms/1h3ycpT

2. NOTORIOUS STREAKER CRASHES FASHION WEEK: A man wearing a leopard-print jockstrap, tube socks, and a crown rushed the runway at Prabal Gurung’s New York Fashion Week show before security caught up with him. The prankster has crashed other high-profile gatherings including the Grammys and the Men in Black III movie premiere. See his latest stunt here: Bullett: http://bit.ly/1eKXkym

3. WHAT EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER ABOUT THE OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY: The Opening Ceremony for the Sochi Olympics was filled with Russian historic, cultural, and artistic references, but NBC failed to translate the spectacle for American viewers, at one point advising them to “Google it” for more information. As an event, the ceremony was wondrous, but not error-free. Time: “When it was possible to, the ceremony was often strikingly gorgeous. The designers of the spectacle did wondrous things with light, in particular a Swan Lake ballet sequence in which the dancers wore glowing blue strands that made them look like graceful jellyfish. (Unfortunately, NBC edited out parts, like, reportedly, an anti-bias statement by from the IOC president, not to mention a weird, fanciful segment with the Olympic mascots—a bear, a hare, and a snow leopard.) The biggest hitch was a symbolic doozy: one of the five snowflakes meant to expand into the Olympic rings was stuck, as if placing an asterisk on Sochi.” http://ti.me/1kodFN7


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

The ADMEI Annual Conference announced its award winners this weekend. See a list of the winners here: http://bit.ly/MENxiK

Special Event Superstore announced it will begin distributing products from Veteran Tables as well as continue to fabricate its own convention/expo tables.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Inn at Hastings Park, a 22-room boutique hotel, has opened in Lexington. Its restaurant, Artistry on the Green, is set to open soon. Boston.com: http://bo.st/1c4wqNm

CHICAGO:  Hollywood on State: A Red Carpet Celebration will be held on Oscar night at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The event will offer snacks from Pure Kitchen Catering, cocktails, and a high-definition telecast of the Academy Awards.

LOS ANGELES:  Los Angeles Times: “Valentine's Day is one of the busiest times of the year for a restaurant. If all goes well, it can be an unforgettable meal a couple will remember for the rest of their lives. But with all that pressure to be perfect, things can go horribly wrong. There are countless rings to hide, requests for ‘the most romantic table’ and fires to put out when couples decide to break up in the middle of the dining room.” http://lat.ms/1eJ65ub

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

NEW YORK:  The Jackie Robinson Foundation's 2014 Robie Awards will be presented at its annual award dinner March 3 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Hosting for the 32nd year is Bill Cosby.

Today co-host and breast cancer survivor Hoda Kotb joined the Young Professionals Committee of Susan G. Komen Greater New York City for the sixth annual Painting Wall Street Pink event on Thursday. The event began with a reception on the Trading Floor of the New York Stock Exchange and was followed by an after-party at Cipriani Wall Street.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

TORONTO:  HBO Home Entertainment will host a Game of Thrones season-three release party at the Berkeley Church on February 18. The event will include a sit-down dinner and a mock wedding.

WASHINGTON:  The 22nd annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala is May 4 and will feature the debut performance of Camelot, along with a reception, dinner, and after-party.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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