LOS ANGELES—Welcome to BizBash’s Los Angeles-based column, where West Coast bureau chief Claire Hoffman recaps the week’s biggest local news. Got a tip? Get in touch!
Moves & Milestones
Nash Tennant is the new general manager of H Club Los Angeles. Tennant most recently worked as director of operations at Spring Place Beverly Hills and food and beverage director for NeueHouse Hollywood.
Paul Gregory has been named executive chef of Double Take at the Hotel Palomar in Beverly Hills. He previously was the executive chef at the West South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa.
Jessica Allen is a new account director at HL Group, based in Los Angeles.
In Case You Missed It
Earlier this week, we explored how VidCon attracts "the most media-savvy audience in the world" through creativity-sparking activations from MTV, Facebook, YouTube, and more.
In the News
Dodger Stadium is embarking on a $100-million renovation, expected to be completed in time for the 2020 season. Los Angeles Times: "Spread over two acres, the new center field plaza will include food establishments, a beer garden, two sports bars, a children’s play area, and a space for live pregame and postgame music. Fans will be able to watch the game from above a new batter’s eye in straightaway center field and from standing positions that ring the seating areas. ... Dodger Stadium will host the All-Star Game next season for the first time since 1980."
In June, Saint Laurent staged its spring/summer 2020 menswear show on a boardwalk on a hidden beach in Malibu called Paradise Cove. City officials and residents are now alleging the French brand violated multiple environmental regulations that protect Malibu’s delicate natural resources, which include grunion, a type of fish that were expected to spawn on the sand that evening. City officials said the brand went around the city’s permit approval process by applying for a filming permit from a city contractor, after it was denied an event permit by the local government. Vogue Business: “‘It isn’t clear how much Saint Laurent, which worked with outside contractors on the event, knew about local environmental regulations. Saint Laurent and its corporate parent, Kering, declined to comment. But Kering chief executive and chairman François-Henri Pinault has been made aware of what happened.”
The long-anticipated Alamo Drafthouse finally opened last week, and C.E.O. Tim League is taking the blame for some of the delays. Los Angeles Magazine: “'I’m just a small-town boy country boy that doesn’t understand big city construction,' League says with a laugh. 'I try to be optimistic, but it just takes longer than you think.' After an exhaustive search in Southern California for a location, League had chosen downtown for its recent renaissance, connection to mass transit, and the freedom to design a new space to his specifications—or so he thought. ... 'The constraints of designing a modern theater in a 1970s building, in addition to a redesign after the initial start, attributed to a drawn-out opening schedule,' says Dan Cote, general manager of the Bloc."
Venue Buzz
The AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay opened in El Segundo on Wednesday. The 180-room hotel, part of AC Hotels by Marriott, has more than 7,200 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, accommodating groups as large as 200. Opening later this year is rooftop dining venue Flora, which will serve locally sourced and sustainable tapas-style dishes, plus local craft brews and creative cocktails.
The Santa Monica Proper Hotel opened its Calabra rooftop late last week. The bar and lounge offers Mediterranean-inspired dining from executive chef Kaleo Adams.
Overheard
"The reason you do a [fund-raiser] has to be 50 percent money, 50 percent awareness."
—Nonprofit industry veteran Judy Levy during the Event Innovation Forum at BizBash Live: Los Angeles on Wednesday. Levy suggested raising awareness by bringing in a multi-generational audience, and paying attention to all attendees—not just the ones who bought the tables. Stay tuned to bizbash.com for more insights from BizBash Live next week.
Surprise Event Metric of the Week
813 pounds: the amount of chocolate that San Diego Convention Center caterer Centerplate used to create 4,000 chocolate bars for Comic-Con International. Each year, the caterer creates unique comic-theme chocolate bars to celebrate the event; highlights from this year included the 50/30 bar that commemorated the 50th edition of Comic-Con and 30th anniversary of the convention center. The Centerplate team spent more than 60 hours making the bars.
On the Scene
The Firm Event Design created a 3-D globe made entirely from recyclable materials for National Geographic's T.C.A. showcase at Eataly Los Angeles.
What's Next
Actor Michael B. Jordan and nonprofit Lupus L.A. are hosting the third annual MBJAM on Saturday at Dave & Busters in Hollywood. The family-friendly daytime fund-raiser will have games, prizes, and food. Also on Saturday, Kiehl's is hosting its LifeRide for Amfar event at Cabana at the Westfield Century City.
This weekend also kicks off the nine-day Van's U.S. Open of Surfing, a partnership with the World Surf League and owner IMG. The annual event, held in Huntington Beach, is one of the biggest sports festivals in the world, drawing about a half-million people every year. Related events include a kids-only surf party that raises money for the local Y.M.C.A., as well as a village featuring art exhibitions and creative workshops.
