Call Sheet #74: How Parties Help Politics, Gathering Hackers at Defcon, Lolla Goes International

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #74 — Monday, 08.08.11

Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *  

1. HOW DINNER PARTIES HELP POLITICS: Lea Berman, White House social secretary from 2005 to 2007, in a Washington Post op-ed piece: "When I worked in the White House Social Office, I was often surprised at how many officials—some serving in the same agency or in the same house of Congress—had never met...How useful those dinner-party connections seemed, with guests exchanging e-mail addresses and making plans to get together. Once, this cross-pollination happened at dinners all over the city."

"Today, however, political purists from both sides openly sneer at the idea of going to a dinner party...Politicians say they’re too busy to socialize, citing the demands of travel to their districts, the increasing unpredictability of the congressional calendar and the absence of their spouses. The last is a particular blow: That fewer government spouses live in Washington means another source of political friend-making is lost, and it’s a loss as well for the city charities that traditionally relied on congressional spouses for fundraising leadership."
http://wapo.st/nC5HVp

2. GATHERING HACKERS AT DEFCON: More than 10,000 security professionals, hackers, media, and federal agents attended Defcon, the largest hacker convention, in Las Vegas. Games showed how easy it is for hackers to get into systems. Twelve teams gathered for the "Capture The Flag" contest, an all-day event in which teammates hack each other all day. Reuters:
http://reut.rs/nXXLSm

Defcon spokeswoman: "You are about to enter one the most hostile environments in the world. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind...Your hotel key card can be scanned by touch, so keep it deep in your wallet. Do not use the ATM machines anywhere near either conference. Bring cash and a low balance credit card with just enough to get you through the week." CNN:
http://bit.ly/qnGjDU

3. LOLLA GOES INTERNATIONAL: At a Friday-morning press conference, Lollapalooza organizers announced that the festival will expand to Brazil next year. Last April, the first Lollapalooza Chile took place in Santiago, and a third international location may be added to the fest's roster in 2013. Los Angeles Times:
http://lat.ms/nROoyW

4. HOTELS GET INTO SHAPE: From in-room equipment and allergy-free rooms to staff nutritionists and wellness coaches, hotels are finding ways to satisfy today's health-conscious guest. The Wall Street Journal: "Those who take more than 20 trips per month are likelier to suffer from obesity and other health problems, according to a study of 13,000 workers by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health."
http://on.wsj.com/oHrLnM

5. KANYE WEST RANTS AT BIG CHILL: At Saturday night's Big Chill music festival in England, the hip-hop star said he's underappreciated and  misunderstood, and people look at him like he is Hitler. "West, who started his set roughly 30-minutes late, apologized to the crowd for his tardiness, saying he needed to make sure his performance was great." The Washington Times:
http://bit.ly/n2t35U

* INTERNAL NEWS *

The call for nominations for the BizBash New York Readers' Choice Awards opens today. This year, there are 11 categories, with the newly added Entertainment Act of the Year and Event Promoter of the Year. The Lighting Designer of the Year category has been folded into the Event Designer of the Year. Nominations will be accepted through August 22. Voting opens September 19 and ends October 16. Winners will be announced at the BizBash New York Expo & Awards October 19 at the Javits Center. 
http://bit.ly/qLeTRm

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Capital Grille will open a new location in the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center on August 24. The space will seat 300 and serve lunch and dinner. The Boston Herald:
http://bit.ly/pFEnoP

CHICAGO: While Lollapalooza rocked Grant Park, a tamer musical event known as the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans, took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel.
http://bit.ly/phGRYj

The Chicago Latino Network will host its inaugural awards gala at the Drake Hotel September 23. Sponsors include NBC 5 Chicago, U.S. Cellular, and State Farm.
http://bit.ly/qpB6EX

Autohaus on Edens will host the North Suburban YMCA Capital Campaign $1 Million Match Caribbean Casino Night August 28 with flowers by Topiarius, rentals from Cort, catering by Wolfgang Puck, and entertainment by Fig.
http://bit.ly/nHbOUc

LAS VEGAS: Event marketing and management company Nth Degree hired Emily Puccio as a customer service representative. Puccio was previously exhibitor show site coordinator at G.E.S. Exhibitor Online:
http://bit.ly/nXOPcZ

The bankruptcy filing by the owner of Las Vegas' Hooters Casino Hotel will not affect the restaurants by the same name that are owned or franchised by Atlanta-based Hooters of America L.L.C. The Wall Street Journal:
http://on.wsj.com/ofkbfa

All future events scheduled to be held at the Venue on West Sahara and Jones have been canceled now that the space has closed for business.
http://bit.ly/qEdWoE

LOS ANGELES: A.A.R.P. announced that the Los Angeles Convention Center will host the association's annual national expo, called Life@50+, September 22-24.
http://prn.to/reBdOs

After the death of a baby, a new city council-approved task force is looking at safety issues surrounding the Downtown L.A. Art Walk, and changes to the monthly event could be made soon.
http://lat.ms/pfebyL

After avoiding the public eye following his infidelity scandal, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered the keynote address at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives conference at L.A. Live this past Thursday. The Sacramento Bee:
http://bit.ly/ouWO3c

MIAMI: Rod Kukurudz, president of Citizen Events, is producing the official commemoration of September 11 in Paris with an afternoon ceremony and evening vigil. The event will be hosted by the French Will Never Forget association.
http://bit.ly/orGlYu

NEW YORK: Over the next few months, Barneys New York's Madison Avenue location will undergo a redesign, which will not only refresh the look of the luxury department store, but also add an eatery that's slated to open in mid-October. WWD: "The cafe, which will be called Gene's, in honor of Gene Pressman, Barneys' former chief executive officer, will have some innovative digital elements and food by Mark Straussman, the chef behind Fred's restaurant on the first floor."
http://bit.ly/mOsg1L

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced the world premiere of Simon Curtis' "My Week With Marilyn" during the New York Film Festival at Alice Trully Hall October 9. The festival will run September 30 to October 16.

ORLANDO: The Orlando Business Journal: PittCon, an annual conference and expo for laboratory science, announced it will come to the Orange County Convention Center in March. The event expects to draw more than 1,000 exhibitors and attendees from more than 90 countries.

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, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, and Courtney Thompson in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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