BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Opinion & Experts

A Matter of Opinion

With a dinner and political panel, The Week honored op-ed journalists while continuing to raise the magazine's visibility.

Walter Nicholls
April 30, 2009

On Tuesday night, under unusually muggy and decidedly pollen-filled skies, news and opinion magazine The Week gathered 190 members of the media, politicians, and advertisers for a cocktail reception, awards dinner, and panel discussion at the St. Regis Hotel. The magazine's sixth annual Opinion Awards again recognized excellence in opinion journalism in three categories.

Hosted by The Week’s editor in chief, William Falk, the ceremony presented glass plaques to Columnist of the Year David Brooks of The New York Times, Blogger of the Year Nate Silver of Fivethirtyeight.com, and Cartoonist of the Year Mike Luckovich of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Candidates were evaluated by senior editors at The Week and a panel of 25 judges that included journalists, academics, and authors.

At 6:30 p.m., the evening kicked off with cocktails on the spacious Astor Terrace. On the edges of the space, the magazine’s marketing department placed six six-foot signs depicting sponsor Chevron’s current print campaign. The Week marketing director Alain Begun said the energy company’s participation is an important reason the yearly event continues. “We’re happy that for a fourth year in a row Chevron is a sponsor,” said Begun. “In terms of exposure, we get a great turnout every year in Washington. The awards are now part of our DNA.” After an hour, guests continued mingling in small groups, despite a repeated call-to-dinner chime played by a hotel employee.

For the dinner in the compact Astor Ballroom, St. Regis chefs prepared an arugula salad, followed by a main course of beef short ribs and tenderloin, whipped potatoes, and grilled squash. White House adviser David Axelrod kicked things off with opening remarks and presented the first award to Brooks. Servers delivered tiered dessert stands with mini tarts and pastries before the start of a panel discussion, led by The Week’s editor-at-large Harold Evans, who served questions to participants Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, and MSNBC's Joe Scarborough.  

After the panel ended at 9:30 p.m., guests mingled until 10.

The Week's Opinion Awards dinner at the St. Regis Hotel
The Week's Opinion Awards dinner at the St. Regis Hotel
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan
The Week staffers placed blow-ups of recent magazine covers as well as signage depicting a sponsor's ad campaign along the border of Astor Terrace, where bartenders served cocktails.
The Week staffers placed blow-ups of recent magazine covers as well as signage depicting a sponsor's ad campaign along the border of Astor Terrace, where bartenders served cocktails.
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan
With the focus on the panel discussion, The Week planners kept the tabletop decor to simple planted centerpieces.
With the focus on the panel discussion, The Week planners kept the tabletop decor to simple planted centerpieces.
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan
The stage for the panel discussion dominated the compact St.Regis ballroom.
The stage for the panel discussion dominated the compact St.Regis ballroom.
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan
During the panel discussion, The Week editor-at-large Harold Evans (far right) served questions to participants, left to right, MSNBC Morning Joe hostJoe Scarborough, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, Senator Claire McCaskill, and Senator Lindsey Graham.
During the panel discussion, The Week editor-at-large Harold Evans (far right) served questions to participants, left to right, MSNBC Morning Joe hostJoe Scarborough, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, Senator Claire McCaskill, and Senator Lindsey Graham.
Photo: Neshan Naltchayan
Latest in Opinion & Experts
As part of Facebook’s ongoing, increased efforts to reach young adults, the platform made its Stagecoach debut this year. See more: Stagecoach 2025: Saddle Up for the Best Brand Activations From the Desert’s Country-Cool Festival
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: May 2025
'I’ve worked with Edge Catering many times, and they are always my first call for the 'tricky ones'—which, as an event planner in the mountains, come up often!' says Heather Odendaal, founder and CEO of Bluebird, a destination management firm in Western Canada. 'Their staff, food quality, service, and organization are truly top of the line.'
Opinion & Experts
3 Event Profs in Canada Share Their Favorite Vendors
At this year's Coachella, Coca-Cola celebrated its 'Real Magic' campaign with the Coca-Cola Pop Shop activation, designed and produced by Crown + Conquer. See more: Coachella 2025: The Most Talked-About Brand Moments and VIP Happenings
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: April 2025
'Postal Petals and its unique horticulture experiences are our go-to for enhancing engagement at events,' says Michael Cirino, chief experience officer at House of Attention, of his go-to wellness vendor.
Opinion & Experts
3 Event Profs in the U.S. Share Their Favorite Vendors
Related Stories
This Roy Lichtenstein-painted BMW 320 i Gruppe is on display at Grand Central.
Opinion & Experts
Haute Rods
The supposedly replantable tree at the Absolut Mango launch
Opinion & Experts
Absolut Mango Launch Had (Predictable) Tropical Setting, Skewered Fruit
The David Beahm-designed bunny at F.A.O. Schwarz
Opinion & Experts
The Bunny Hop Keeps Going and Going
Kiton's grand opening at Saks on Thursday night
Opinion & Experts
Kiton to the Rescue!
More in Opinion & Experts
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: May 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
As part of Facebook’s ongoing, increased efforts to reach young adults, the platform made its Stagecoach debut this year. See more: Stagecoach 2025: Saddle Up for the Best Brand Activations From the Desert’s Country-Cool Festival
Opinion & Experts
3 Event Profs in Canada Share Their Favorite Vendors
Event professionals reveal their preferred partners across entertainment, catering, photo booths, and more.
'I’ve worked with Edge Catering many times, and they are always my first call for the 'tricky ones'—which, as an event planner in the mountains, come up often!' says Heather Odendaal, founder and CEO of Bluebird, a destination management firm in Western Canada. 'Their staff, food quality, service, and organization are truly top of the line.'
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: April 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
At this year's Coachella, Coca-Cola celebrated its 'Real Magic' campaign with the Coca-Cola Pop Shop activation, designed and produced by Crown + Conquer. See more: Coachella 2025: The Most Talked-About Brand Moments and VIP Happenings
Opinion & Experts
3 Event Profs in the U.S. Share Their Favorite Vendors
Event professionals reveal their preferred partners across entertainment, catering, florals, photo booths, and more.
'Postal Petals and its unique horticulture experiences are our go-to for enhancing engagement at events,' says Michael Cirino, chief experience officer at House of Attention, of his go-to wellness vendor.
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: March 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
During the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Megan Thee Stallion surprised attendees by mixing and pouring cocktails in support of her Chicas Divertidas tequila launch. See more: South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2025: 40+ Mouthwatering F&B Trends and Event Strategies
Opinion & Experts
16 Event Profs Reveal Their Most Ingenious Problem-Solving Hacks
We've rounded up some clever—and often hilarious—ways event profs have tackled unexpected challenges with creativity and quick thinking.
'I think we all may have crazy balloon stories,' says Kayla Jennings-Rivera, founder and creative director of Studio KJR. 'Have you ever popped 500-plus balloons in one sitting? Just put some headphones in, grab those sharp scissors, and watch your fingers!'
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside This High-Tech, Multisensory Experience from Don Julio
Event Design & Decor
How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future
Industry Insiders
Inside the Build: How Bellagio Fountain Club Delivers F1® Weekend’s Most Luxurious Hospitality Experience
Strategy
18 Fun Ways to Keep Guests Cool at Outdoor Events
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: February 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate
Opinion & Experts
The Case for Hosting Events in Los Angeles Right Now
Local event professionals share how the wildfires have impacted their events—and why bringing productions to Los Angeles right now is safe and more important than ever.
As of press time, both the Palisades and Eaton fires were almost 100% contained.
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: January 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
Abbott’s “Life. To the Fullest.” exhibit was one of many standout activations at CES this year. Factory360 served as the event agency and designer for the eye-catching booth. See more: CES 2025: 50+ Memorable Ways Brands Drove Innovation at the Giant Tech Show
Opinion & Experts
9 Top Event Trends to Look for in 2025
Here's what to expect from this year's events—from emerging technologies and Gen Z's influence to a renewed focus on authenticity and personalized experiences.
Jigar Panchal Ee Hcc Yvl Ds Unsplash
Opinion & Experts
BizBash's 25 Most Popular Stories From 2024
This year, readers continued to love event inspo from high-profile events like Coachella and Cannes Lions.
Working with experiential agency Seen Presents, Netflix returned to Cannes Lions for its second year in 2024, hosting an interactive Squid Game dalgona cookie-based challenge. Guests attempted to beat the clocks as they navigated their way around a series of wired shapes without getting shocked.
Opinion & Experts
What Was Your Favorite BizBash Story You Wrote in 2024?
Our editors share the most memorable stories they worked on this year.
Hands And Laptop Article 2
Page 1 of 36
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.