May 16, 2013: How to Boost Conference Connections, Catholic Church Joins Venice Biennale, Prince Harry Wraps U.S. Visit

1. HOW TO BOOST CONFERENCE CONNECTIONS: One of the main reasons people attend conferences today is for the face-to-face networking opportunities. Successful conferences create meaningful connections and a sense of community during the event. Velvet Chainsaw blog offers tips on how to get there: "Rather than cramming every concurrent session with end-to-end lectures, panels, and Q&A, instruct and coach your presenters to incorporate at least three small-group discussions or networking activities into the session design and set up the room accordingly." http://bit.ly/10GWZTc

2. CATHOLIC CHURCH JOINS VENICE BIENNALE: The Roman Catholic Church's history is filled with art masterpieces, but next month it will sponsor a pavilion at the Venice Biennale with contemporary artists. New York Times: "In the past the church has fiercely criticized some works of contemporary art, especially those using religious symbols—most notably Andres Serrano’s 1987 'Piss Christ,' a photograph in which a crucifix is suspended in a vial of urine. But Paolo Baratta, president of the Venice Biennale, said he did not expect such controversies at this year’s show." http://nyti.ms/14lGZJh

3. PRINCE HARRY FINISHES U.S. VISIT: Women's Wear Daily: "Prince Harry’s week-long goodwill tour of the U.S. took him from a military Paralympics event in Colorado to Capitol Hill to a baseball date in Harlem to a tour of the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged Jersey Shore with Gov. Chris Christie. It came to a close on Wednesday in tonier climes with a luncheon seat between Karolina Kurkova and Stephanie Seymour under a large white tent on the kempt lawn of the Greenwich Polo Club." http://wwd.us/14rZ6NF

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Cafe de Boston, a new marketplace-cum-eatery in the financial district, now offers catering. With global fare, the casual spot serves salads, crepes, pizzas, pastas, and more.

Broadway Gourmet has rebranded and is now called BG Events and Catering. The full-service event planning company handles design, staffing, bar service, lighting, floral design, and more for corporate and social events.

CHICAGO:  The Bentley Tavern, a chef-driven neighborhood spot on the cusp of Lakeview and Lincoln Park, is slated to open in June. With seating for 50, the venue will offer "nouveau bistro" cuisine including Peekytoe crab cakes, burgers topped with pork belly, and "old-fashioned tin roof" desserts.

LAS VEGAS:  Caesars Entertainment announced some personnel moves: John Strait is now director of catering and convention services at Caesars Palace, Sara Shein is the in-market manager for clients in New York City above 50th Street as well as several New York State counties, and Kimberly Harvey is the in-market manager serving clients below 50th Street and several New Jersey counties.

LONDON:  Central London International Conference Centres combines the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and next-door venue Central Hall Westminster. The two venues are only separated by an outdoor square and lawn and can now be hired together to provide event space for 2,160 people theatre-style in one room.

LOS ANGELES:  The Sunset Strip Music Festival announced that Linkin Park will headline its sixth annual event August 3.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Miami Herald: "The International Swimming Hall of Fame, a treasure trove of aquatic history, might say farewell to its beachside home and move its medals and memorabilia to California if an agreement on its future cannot be worked out with the city of Fort Lauderdale." http://hrld.us/17qTdVj

NEW YORK:  The Municipal Art Society's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Gala will honor the Rockefeller Foundation on the 100th anniversary of its founding. The event is June 13 at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, which is also celebrating its centennial year.

As part of the promotional efforts around Delta's new terminal at J.F.K. airport, the airline is offering coupons for free Shake Shack burgers May 19-22 at its pop-up shop.

One Twenty-Two First Avenue will open tomorrow in the East Village. Owner James McGown's new restaurant will feature artisanal pizza, small plates, cocktails, and a bar that opens onto First Avenue.

Shellback Caribbean Rum and Los Angeles-based marketing agency Rebel Industries have organized the Shellback Rum Cup today, an interactive half-day competition of teams from targeted media outlets and social influencers. The event at Offshore Sailing School includes a boat race and nautical-themed activities for media outlets who reach Shellback Rum's core target consumers: 25- to 35-year-olds.

Kelly Ripa and Donna Karan will host Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s 16th annual Super Saturday, presented by QVC and InStyle, a designer garage sale with a carnival for kids, July 27 at Nova’s Ark Project in Water Mill, New York.

Helen Keller International will honor former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her dedication to food and nutrition security at the 2013 Spirit of Helen Keller gala May 22 at Christie’s. The event will also feature a live auction with a rare Picasso print, a V.I.P. “Subway Series” package at Yankee Stadium, and a week at a private Italian villa.

David Stark's latest book, The Art of the Party, and his premiere collection of one-of-a-kind art pieces created for Bergdorf Goodman, Paper Tales, were celebrated May 14 at the posh department store.

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

ORLANDO:  J. Christopher Windus, currently the executive chef at Todd English’s Bluezoo, has been named the executive chef of the Alfond Inn, scheduled to open in August in Winter Park. Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide: http://bit.ly/12BsOyy

For the third year in a row, the Hilton Orlando has received the company's highest award. The Connie Award, named for founder Conrad Hilton, is awarded to the top hotel of the year based on quality-assurance audits measuring cleanliness, condition and brand standards, customer scores rating staff service, and customer service scores rating the quality of the hotel's physical accommodations.

TORONTO:  The Streetsville Founders' Bread & Honey Festival is May 31-June 2 at Streetsville Memorial Park. The event's entertainment will include live music, carnival rides, kids' crafts, a marketplace, a parade, and free bread and honey.

WASHINGTON:  New York chef Michael White will open two restaurants in the Yards development: Osteria Morini this summer, and later, a branch of his Nicoletta NYC Pizzeria. Eater: http://bit.ly/18Ggr8U

The Brunswick Eagle Riders group will hold its second annual Patriot Ride & BBQ Bash May 25, with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. Riders will depart at 11 a.m. for a ride through Frederick County before returning to the Brunswick Aerie for a tribute to veterans and active duty members of the military. The Eagles will feature vendors, beverage tents, biker games, a kid zone, and live music from local bands Burn the House and Sound Assassins.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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