BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #450 — Wednesday, 02.20.13
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Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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1. OLYMPIC BID: Could the Olympics be headed to Columbus, Ohio? The U.S. Olympic Committee Tuesday sent letters to mayors of 35 cities asking them to consider bidding for the 2024 games. New York Times: "The U.S.O.C. says it has not decided whether to pursue a bid in 2024, but it has begun the decision-making process in unusual fashion. The selection pool of potential United States bid cities is usually limited to the very largest, for logistical reasons as well as the need to compete with major international cities to win the Games. The last two American bid cities, New York (2012) and Chicago (2016), each spent more than $10 million, only to be eliminated early in the voting by the International Olympic Committee. The U.S.O.C. is clearly interested in trying again, and it is being far more inclusive than usual." http://nyti.ms/13cIQhp
2. TOP FOOD: GQ's Alan Richman announced his 12 best restaurants of the year, a list topped by Washington's Little Serow. One trend from the list: "Last year meals in tiny, unusual restaurants matched and usually exceeded those in conventional dining venues. Small spots got better, a new breed of restaurant unbound." http://gqm.ag/Y6P7f9
3. TOP FOOD, PART II: The James Beard Foundation announced its list of Restaurant and Chef award semifinalists for the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation’s most prestigious recognition program honoring professionals in the food and beverage industries. The foundation will announce the finalists during a press brunch March 18 at the Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, with the winners announced at events in New York in May. A list of the semifinalists is available at jamesbeard.org/awards.
4. BONNAROO, WEIRD AL, AND YOU: Announcing a festival lineup via press release now feels like a missed opportunity. Music fans learned Bonnaroo's artist lineup at a live Webcast reveal yesterday designed as a telethon-style show hosted by Weird Al. The show, which was available on the festival's Web site and YouTube channel, included a look at classic Bonnaroo moments as well as a surprise concert and encouraged fans to call in and participate in the event. bonnaroo.com
5. SXSW PRO TIPS: The festival's advisory board shared its picks for what the members are most excited for. Here's Sheila Scarborough of Tourism Currents: "I always walk the trade show floor just to see who forked over big bucks to get a booth and get in front of the Interactive crowd. There are always companies there that surprise me. I remember seeing Zappos one year and thinking, WTF?" http://bit.ly/YwYcMe
6. REAL-TIME BRANDS: How fast do marketers work to capture the zeitgeist from live national events? Adweek says it's a matter of seconds. "During the Oscars this Sunday night, nimbly crafted ads highlighting both golden moments and gaffes will stream into Twitter and Facebook feeds. And don't be surprised next month if new-Pope-themed promos—especially for those identified as Catholic—ascend into the social strata." http://bit.ly/WGnBnn
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* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Spectacle Eyewear will host an opening party in the South End on Thursday. The event will include sunglasses giveaways, bites from BoMA Restaurant & Bar and drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka; John Powhida will provide live music.
Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake in the Back Bay has a new express lunch menu available on weekdays. The quick-service meal pairs sandwiches with sides such as potato soup and Caesar salad; there's also the option to order alcohol.
Swissbakers' grand opening party on February 28 will include wintry drinks, live music, and—in a somewhat more unusual detail—a cow-naming contest. There's a giant red cow being placed atop the bakery, and whoever names the cow gets a stay for two in Switzerland.
Aura in the Seaport Boston Hotel will offer a special tea menu to correspond with the Boston Flower and Garden Show March 13 to 17. Menu items will include tea pastries, tea sandwiches, and "blooming" teas in flavors such as Floral Passion.
CHICAGO: Chicago Chocolate Tours is hiring sales associates to sell the tours to convention, corporate, bridal, and social groups.
The Chicago Blues Festival will expand to four days this year June 6 to 9. The fest has a Rollin' Up the River theme and will include performances from Shemekia Copeland, Bobby Rush, and more.
Committed, a green wedding show, is this Sunday at the Greenhouse Loft. This year's show has a new D.I.Y. Rumpus Room, which will allow guests to participate in arts and crafts offered by vendors. Activities will include making hot chocolate, pinwheel boutonnieres, and thank-you cards. 

Rosalia Barron is the new executive chef of the Signature Room at the 95th. 

LAS VEGAS: Examiner has a wrap-up of the Las Vegas Wranglers' biannual midnight hockey game: http://exm.nr/12ZUf8C
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Downtown News has a roundup of "cultural activities, series, organizations, and movements that have had a significant impact on the community and helped strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood." http://bit.ly/W6ZADI
Regal Entertainment is said to acquire Hollywood Theaters through a $238 million deal.
Extraordinary Events promoted Jenna Linnekens to director of business development.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Miami’s sixth annual Global Cuba Fest, a music event, is March 9 to April 6 and will include performances at several venues in the city.
NEW YORK: InterContinental Hotels Group announced it plans to sell its flagship New York Barclay property. Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/UE0QBZ
The School of American Ballet announced the 2013 Winter Ball: A Night in the Far East at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater March 11. The evening's theme is inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels' collection Le Bal Oriental, which is based on the party of the same name held in Paris in 1969. The Winter Ball will include a thematic tableau featuring the jewels.
It's not just wealthy New Yorkers that want to emulate TV hit Downton Abbey with British-style butler and maid services, but event planners too. Metro New York: "Mary Jane Seymour at Chelsea-based the Butler Did It Inc., which provides special events staffing, said New Yorkers want familiar faces, requesting the same people again and again, which resembles Downton, where staffers live in and stay for years. 'In that sense, it is a Downton,’ she said." Metro New York: http://bit.ly/ZpmMDD
The National Meningitis Association's annual Give Kids a Shot gala is April 22 at the New York Athletic Club. Actor Richard Thomas will host.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: The pet industry's largest annual trade show, the Global Pet Expo, opens today at the Orange County Convention Center. The event includes educational seminars, networking events, and products from more than 900 manufacturers.
SAN FRANCISCO: Skye Holyfield has joined the Krisam Group and Global Events Partners as a national sales manager in San Francisco.
TORONTO: The Youth Code will host its first fund-raiser show March 16 at One King West.
The Carlu's 10th anniversary celebration will take place May 3 and has a Decadence theme.
WASHINGTON: Barmini by José Andrés, the chef's first cocktail-centric concept, opened last week. Located in Penn Quarter, Barmini will serve as a cocktail lab for all of Andrés's restaurants and projects.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job:http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Joana Mangune, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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