Call Sheet #314: Olympics Ban Wi-Fi Hotspots, New App Matches Sponsors to Events, Foursquare Tests Ads

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #314 — Thursday, 07.26.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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* INCOMING *

1. WI-FI BAN: People have been calling the London Games the first truly "social Olympics," but that nickname has been dealt a blow by new restrictions on Internet use. Mashable: "Attendees will not be allowed to set up personal Wi-Fi or 3G hotspots for Internet use. It may seem strict, but many question the ability for the International Olympic Committee to monitor such a policy. Since mobile phones are not banned, tethering could be a very real possibility. This comes on the heels of several other restrictions put into place during the games, including a ban on broadcasting or publishing Olympic video, sound or images on social networks or the 'general Internet.'" http://on.mash.to/P1snod

While NBC plans to live-stream much of the Olympics, viewers hoping to watch the opening ceremony Friday will have to turn on their televisions. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/Pm5G1S

2. FOURSQUARE TESTS ADS: Foursquare, an app that lets people virtually check in to venues, launched a pilot program for paid ads Wednesday. Companies participating in the test include Mario Batali restaurants; Best Buy; BR Guest restaurants; the Gap and Old Navy brands sold by Gap Inc.; Hertz; Hilton Hotels; and JCPenney. New York Times: "As for those who are uncomfortable with or unhappy about the creeping commercialization of social media, [chief revenue officer Steven] Rosenblatt said he would understand criticism of Promoted Updates 'if we were going out with a whole bunch of display ads.' Rather, they will be 'organic,' he added, 'and relevant to a user.'" http://nyti.ms/OjAWOO

3. SPONSOR START-UP: Sponsorfied is a new software tool to connect brands with events and help with negotiations, contracts, and payment processing, as well as provides feedback on the deal through attendee lists, photos, videos, and tweets. Red Bull, Task Rabbit, and Popchips are the first clients. TechCrunch: "Sponsorship is a huge business the startup estimates, around $56 billion a year by the startup’s estimate, and spend keeps increasing. But it’s also grossly inefficient. Brands want to find events or influencers they’re target demographics attend or care about. Events and influencers (sponsees) have the attention of their attendees / readers / followers but need free products to delight them and money to pay for production." http://tcrn.ch/M93E78

4. SWEET SIPS: Here's a heads-up on a possible new catering trend. New York Times: "A venerable New Jersey candymaker has come up with a fun and frivolous embellishment for drinks. Giambri’s Quality Sweets, a family business for 70 years, makes hand-pulled four-inch lemon and orange hard candy sticks that can be used like little straws, sweetening as you sip. The lemon will turn iced vodka into instant limoncello, and the orange will enhance Lillet or Campari."


++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++

Check out our editor's collection of top-rated video chapters from our class library, and sharpen your event insight. Our Suggested Summer Learning compilation includes content from David Merrell, Jes Gordon, Mindy Weiss, Preston Bailey, Mary Wittenberg, Colja Dams and others.  41 minutes | 10 clips | lots of ideas 


* AWARDED *

The ISES Los Angeles chapter hosted its chapter board installation and Special Event awards night. Here are the winners:

*Best "Green" Event: Mumtaz Marketing & Events, "Beyond Our Doors"
*Best Event Produced for a Nonprofit Organization: Catalina Island Conservancy, “Catalina’s Gold”
*Best Event Entertainment Concept and Execution: Special Occasions Event Planning, "Adobe Max Bash”
*Best Allied Team: Mumtaz Marketing & Events, “Asia Society Korea Center’s Hansik Dinner”
*Best Event Design: Caravents Inc., “Elle Women in Hollywood”
*Best Event Produced for a Corporation: Special Occasions Event Planning, "Adobe Max Bash”

Chapter Award winners:
*Firecracker: Taylor Somera
*Committee Member of the Year: Sarah Golonka
*Chapter Member of the Year: Stacy Ober
*President’s Award: Jen Poyer
*Marty McGowan Scholarship: Craig Tolliver

Board of directors:
*President–Gerry Rothschild, Gerry Rothschild Band
*President Elect–Kelly Wynn, Keck School of Medicine of USC
*Immediate Past President–Carol Roleder, Craig’s Crew, Inc.
*Vice President of Marketing/Communications–Kristin Wilson, E.G.O. Design & Production
*Vice President of Education/Programs–Jennifer Minzey, Mumtaz Marketing & Events
*Vice President of Membership–Rhonda Boyer, AFR Event Furnishings
*Director at Large, Communications–Natalie Spiro, Drum Café West
*Director at Large, Marketing/Advertising and Allied Associations–Alice Goetschel, Memorable Occasions
*Director at Large, Marketing/Strategic Partners–Harvey Slater, Feast Catering
*Director at Large, Education–Stacy Ober, Centerplate/Pasadena Convention Center
*Director at Large, Programs–Melissa Navarro, Lawry’s The Prime Rib
*Director at Large, Membership–Veronica Puleo, Vero Foto
*Director at Large, Membership/Student Programs–Laura Lopez, GBS Linens

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: City Landing opens on Friday in the former Sel de la Terre space on the Waterfront. The venue has a separate gluten-free menu.

Oak Long Bar & Kitchen opened this week in the Fairmont Copley Hotel. The venue hosts private parties and serves American cuisine.

The Greater Boston Convention Center and Visitors Bureau will host Restaurant Week Boston from August 19-24 and August 27-31. Local restaurants will offer discounted lunches and dinners.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: The Charlotte Convention Center awarded Smart City Networks a 10-year contract extension for providing technology services, including high-speed Internet access, telephone services, and a distributed antenna system.

LAS VEGAS: Caesars Palace announced plans for chef Gordon Ramsay to expand his partnership with Caesars Entertainment with the opening of his second Las Vegas restaurant—Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill—later this year.

LOS ANGELES: The Hollywood Museum hosts two events—a meet-and-greet August 2, followed by a book signing with celebrity photographer George Barris August 4 in tribute to Marilyn Monroe's 50th anniversary memorial.

Catering company Bread & Wine is expanding its services to catering event consulting.

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

MIAMI: The second annual Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic is scheduled for September 30, 2012 in the Studz Poker Club at the Calder Casino & Race Course. The poker tournament will follow a V.I.P. reception. The event raises money for the Conine Clubhouse at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

NEW YORK: We know of a spirits company looking for a PR coordinator with two years of experience, preferably agency-side. Email [email protected] and we'll put you in touch.

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

ORLANDO: Beginning in January, Walt Disney World will reduce the extra time guests at Disney hotels can have in its theme parks. Orlando Sentinel: http://thesent.nl/Ntt2UM

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: The Brandman Agency is now the public relations agency of record for the Scottsdale Convention Center & Visitors Bureau.

WASHINGTON: The Hill has released its list of Washington's 50 Most Beautiful People. http://bit.ly/LMTbNa

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 



With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Alexandra Brandt, Rose Chevalier, Julia Elstrodt, Beth Kormanik, 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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