March 18, 2015: Should Shareholder Meetings Go Virtual?, Why One SXSW Stunt Could Start a Risky Trend, the Problem With CeBIT

1. SHOULD SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS GO VIRTUAL?: Are virtual shareholder meetings the wave of the future? This year Hewlett-Packard's event for its shareholders will be virtual only, but the move raises questions about the value of in-person engagement and the ability of investors to have their voices—and questions—heard. The Washington Post: "Major corporations have faced resistance when they've gone, or considered going, completely virtual in the past. Several years ago, Intel explored taking its meeting completely virtual and Procter & Gamble amended its bylaws to allow such meetings, only to backtrack after objections from shareholders. After Symantec hosted an online-only meeting in 2010 and heard complaints, it switched to a hybrid format. ... 'Face time is still important,' says Natasha Lamb, director of equity research and shareholder engagement for Arjuna Capital, which has filed shareholder proposals on issues including equal pay and carbon asset risks. While she supports the concept of hybrid meetings, 'if you’re creating a virtual-only vacuum that becomes an echo chamber of management’s ideas, that’s a terrible idea.'" http://wapo.st/1H1j33Z

2. WHY WARREN BUFFETT'S HOME IS ON AIRBNB: Attendees of Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting on May 2 could stay in Warren Buffett's childhood home in Omaha, Nebraska, courtesy of Airbnb. ABC News: "The home-sharing service Airbnb is offering a free three-night stay at the Omaha home around the May 2 meeting as a way to promote its services. Shareholders who want to stay at the three-bedroom house must submit short essays and prove they own Berkshire stock. The crowd that fills Omaha's downtown arena and several overflow rooms to listen to Buffett answer questions always books every hotel room in the region. Buffett's childhood home is about 15 minutes away from the arena. Airbnb is signing up people willing to rent all or part of their homes to help provide rooms for the more than 40,000 people expected to attend this year's meeting." http://abcn.ws/1Ltl8ZI

3. COULD MOVIE'S TINDER STUNT SPELL TROUBLE?: Aside from Meerkat, chatter about SXSW has been focused on Ex Machina's stunt, which had a fake Tinder profile messaging users of the dating app. The film's marketing campaign was clever and certainly attention-grabbing, but its deceptive nature could, as some marketing pros argue, damage relationships with consumers, and other brands should think twice before copying. Adweek: "Some marketing experts raised concerns that it was the kind of idea that could take the industry down a dark path, and consumers would not want to come along for the ride. ‘The consumer's point of view seems to get lost here,’ said ad veteran Tim Geogeghan, who has been both a creative director and marketing educator. ‘It's creative, it's clever, but take a step back and ask, "What do we want to leave people with?"'" http://bit.ly/1BQ4xJ8

4. WHY A NONPROFIT OPENED A FAKE GUN STORE: In an unusual move, national nonprofit States United to Prevent Gun Violence created a gun store on New York’s Lower East Side as part of a social experiment. Displaying weapons each carrying a tag detailing its deadly history, the organization hoped to debunk the perception that owning firearms increases safety. Reactions from unsuspecting visitors to the store were captured on hidden cameras and the footage used in a P.S.A. The Washington Post: http://wapo.st/1LrKNBZ

5. THE PROBLEM WITH CEBIT: The annual international computer expo CeBIT is underway in Hanover, Germany, but has the event lost its relevance with tech professionals? TechRadar: "CeBIT is the third big event in the global tech calendar this year, taking place only a few days after the end of MWC. That barely gives any time for respite for journalists, fearful of having to tread through its 27 gargantuan halls. The declining number of key tech publications covering the event coupled with the lack of major announcements means that CeBIT has lost a lot of its clout, with companies preferring either to invest their event marketing budgets in CES, MWC, IFA or more niche events like World Hosting Days.” http://bit.ly/1GWp5PX

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Boston Park Plaza Hotel is undergoing a $95 million renovation.

CHICAGO:  The Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala will be held at Hilton Chicago on May 9.

LAS VEGAS:  On April 11, Motley Brews will host its fifth annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer throughout the streets near downtown’s Fremont East Entertainment District. 

The Delano Las Vegas will debut its Delano Beach Club this season with 16 private cabanas.

LOS ANGELES:  The Los Angeles L.G.B.T. Center has announced that No Doubt and Sia will perform acoustic sets and Sarah Silverman will perform a stand-up routine at the annual An Evening With Women celebration on May 16 at the Hollywood Palladium.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The inaugural Taste of Tennis Miami will take place March 23 poolside at W South Beach. The event pairs professional tennis players with Miami chefs to create dishes for guests to taste. Citi is sponsoring the event.

NEW YORK:  The Solving Kids’ Cancer sixth annual Spring Celebration gala, which raises awareness and funds for Pediatric Cancer research, is scheduled for May 12 at 583 Park Avenue. The event will be hosted by Donna Karan, Gabby Karan De Felice, Jan Planit, Latham Thomas, and Bonnie Young.

The American Museum of Natural History will host its annual Spring Environmental Lecture and Luncheon on April 22.

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

ORLANDO:  Planet Hollywood has announced plans to build a 436-room condominium hotel in Lake Buena Vista. The PH Premiere Hotel & Spa will have four restaurants and more than 20,000 square feet of event space including two ballrooms and several breakout rooms.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Axiom Hotel, which is owned by Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. and managed by Kokua Hospitality, announced Jarnetta Manna has been appointed director of operations. The property is slated to open this fall.

Ashfield Meetings & Events announced its expansion to San Bruno, California. The increased footprint for the event management company specializing in serving the healthcare sector includes an office presence and local team that will work alongside affiliate company Ashfield Healthcare Communications.

TAMPA:  The Epicurean Hotel is now a Tesla Destination Charging site. The equipment allows guests to charge their vehicles while staying at the hotel.

TORONTO:  Starting on Friday, Toronto Comicon will take over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with celebrities, workshops, panel discussion, and more. There will even be retro dance party. BlogTO: http://bit.ly/18YxYNr

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

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

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