Can I be frank, dear Call Sheet reader? While I always play a role in putting together this little email of ours (unless I'm traveling), it's a team effort, and I've handed off a lot of the heavy-lifting. This week I've been back in the thick of it for a few mornings. It's fun, but honestly: I'm not a morning person. I assure you my party-reporting colleagues aren't either.
Which brings me to this: If you like what we're doing here, won't you help us share the news with more people? Forward this email to colleagues, tweet about it, post a link on Facebook—you get my point. Thanks. And good morning!
—Chad Kaydo, editor in chief, BizBash
BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #146 — Thursday, 11.17.11
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
* INCOMING *
1. GERVAIS TO HOST GLOBES: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Wednesday that Ricky Gervais will return as host of the Golden Globes January 15 at the Beverly Hilton, after his swipes at major stars last year—to mixed reviews, but successful ratings.
Los Angeles Times: "Apparently some of the [H.F.P.A.] membership was opposed to the move. But any dissension in the ranks was squelched by NBC, which broadcasts the show and is, as you may have noticed, something of a ratings-challenged network...NBC clearly figured that the prospect of more controversy would draw more eyeballs."
http://lat.ms/vdCtlI
Gervais tweeted: "Just told Billy Crystal he'd better not use any of my holocaust or pedophile material at The Oscars. He agreed (true)."
http://bit.ly/u2LUTZ
2. OCCUPYING NEW YORK STREETS: This morning hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protestors began a planned day of action by attempting to take over streets around New York Stock Exchange. New York magazine has a roundup of early news coverage:
http://bit.ly/tCIZwY
One group is doing a live stream of the protest—right now at least—here:
http://bit.ly/uT2hRI
3. HIGHLIGHTS FROM ENGAGE: I asked a couple event industry folks at the Engage wedding business summit in the Cayman Islands this week to share some highlights.
From designer-producer David Beahm on Wednesday evening: The conference is going really well and the energy is high with the big closing gala tonight. Jasmine Star, an L.A. photographer, rocked yesterday's session in a high energy Southern revival style, complete with shouts of "Amen!" about the importance of selling the you as opposed to selling your product. Marcy Blum followed with supporting sentiments, complete with shouts of "Oy!"
The buzzwords seem to be "change," "collaboration," "shake things up," and "gratitude." There seems to be a lot more bonding and trust between the generations than usual, where in the past there was caution. Of course, there is still the ever-resounding argument on how, when, and what to charge.
And from his cohort Christina Matteucci: The talk of the conference is the amount of cohesive Engage branding that is pervasive throughout the event (from hotel room keys, to stage backdrops, table linens to towels, notebooks to coasters, to iPhone covers to thumb-drives). Everything is marked with the logos of Engage and its colors—lime green, purple, and jute. The event world's "detail masters" have been astounded at the level of thought and intricacy that has gone into the convention's look.
The Engage site:
http://bit.ly/vqas4z
4. BEST AIRPORT FOOD: Some of Haute Living's picks:
* At JFK: "lounge-like sushi bar Deep Blue, the high-end steak house 5iveSteak, the Spanish taperia Piquillo, the modern-Italian trattoria Aero Nuova and the small Parisian brasserie La Vie."
* At LaGuardia: Bar Brace and Bisoux, Tagliare, and Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda.
* At San Francisco International Airport: Napa Farms Market, Acme Bread, Cowgirl Creamery, and Cat Cora.
http://bit.ly/vXXOFA
5. GET TECH SAVVY: An I.B.M. panel discussion in New Zealand for its global CMO study suggests "CMOs and marketers needed to learn the language of technology and finance in order to handle the demands of the future." National Business Review:
http://bit.ly/vraJXe
* ABOUT LAST NIGHT: AT MARTHA'S PLACE *
On Wednesday Martha Stewart hosted a benefit for the Martha Stewart Center for Living at the New York HQ of her company. She turned to Danny Meyer's Union Square Events to cater (pan-seared hen-of-the-woods mushrooms followed by pan-seared wild striped bass), but found design help in-house, calling on two stylists from Martha Stewart Weddings: Erin Furey made a Lucite chandelier and Naomi Demanana handled the simple flowers. Naturally they have other talents, too: After the dinner—and the performance from Jennifer Hudson—they were heading to the East Village bar Lit to DJ.
A quick pic of the chandelier:
http://ow.ly/i/lrr9
* HELP: WHO'S INNOVATIVE? *
Remember our big story about the most innovative people in events? We're working on our second annual list. So send your suggestions for the class of 2012 (ASAP, please) to [email protected].
* UPCOMING *
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association released the dates of its HSMAI's MEET series, which include conferences, supplier-buyer appointments, and an expo. The series will be in Chicago April 3-4, Anaheim, California, May 30-31, and Washington September 5-6.
http://bit.ly/sw8Frv
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The Boston Wine Expo is January 16-22 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Related events include vintner dinners at area restaurants.
http://bit.ly/4DU4K1
CHICAGO: Cooper Technica will host an event in honor of Milicent Rogers December 8. Jordan's Food of Distinction will cater.
LAS VEGAS: The Guardian has a list of spaces it calls the "10 best alternative show venues" in a town well known for blockbuster performances in big theaters.
http://bit.ly/s5y6n4
LOS ANGELES: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences communications director Leslie Unger has resigned after 19 years with the organization. Her last day is December 2. The academy’s publicity and marketing team has seen changes lately: In July, Christina Kounelias was named to the newly created position of chief marketing officer. The Hollywood Reporter:
http://bit.ly/rJRX7e
Meanwhile, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has elected Warner Bros. Television Group president Bruce Rosenblum as its chairman and C.E.O., a high-profile but unpaid position. Hollywood Reporter:
http://bit.ly/sorHRK
The Visionary Group produced OP's winter wonderland-themed event last night at Siren Studios. Bread & Wine catered.
West Hollywood's Planning Commission will consider making permanent a temporary ordinance that allows businesses to have as many as 12 special events a year at a meeting tonight. Patch:
http://bit.ly/rMkFJq
Gensler, the firm chosen to design the $1.1 billion proposed stadium known as Farmers Field, revealed how it will ultimately look. The venue will have a roof that would be assembled on the ground and lifted into place for events, and stored underneath the stadium when not in use. ESPN:
http://es.pn/uuoGCT
On Saturday, GBK produced the SoHo Project's masquerade-themed lung cancer benefit at the London West Hollywood. Food came from Gordon Ramsay, and roving entertainment included a model dressed as Marie Antoinette in a gown from which guests could pluck cupcakes.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Art Basel Miami Beach will run from December 1-4 and be divided into two sections: the Conversations and the Salon. The former offers a chance to see debates of key issues facing the artworld today and the latter serves for panel discussions and performances.
http://bit.ly/4Tjbi
Ron Bergeron and the Zoological Society of Florida are hosting Alligator Ron’s Holiday Hoedown, December 3, at the Green Glades Ranch, to benefit Zoo Miami’s upcoming exhibit, "Florida: Mission Everglades."
NEW YORK: The New York Times named former dining editor Pete Wells the newspaper's new restaurant critic.
http://nyti.ms/w1lSFd
As part of a partnership with St. Regis hotels, Jazz at Lincoln Center is expanding overseas and will open a jazz club in Doha, Qatar, next April. New York Times:
http://nyti.ms/rWtWWU
As a footnote to yesterday's news about New York's hotel boom: John Fox of PKF Consulting notes much of the new growth is in the "limited service" sector, budget-friendly properties such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Capital:
http://bit.ly/uD9rFN
On November 25, the New York Palace hotel will launch "Holiday Fantasty," a new holiday-themed environment that will turn the lobby into a gingerbread house.
http://prn.to/vXjiv1
ORLANDO: Universal Orlando Resort's annual Green Fest is Saturday. The free event at Universal CityWalk will include environmentally friendly products from Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Nestle Waters, as well as many other vendors selling organic food, beverages, and clothing.
Central Florida's newest theme park, Legoland Florida, will hold its first Christmas Bricktacular December 8-31. The holiday celebration will include a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made with 270,000 green Lego and Duplo bricks. For New Year's Eve, the park will have a fireworks show, named "Kid Standard Time."
TORONTO: City councilors have begun to discuss entering a bid to host the 2024 Olympic Summer Games. National Post:
http://natpo.st/t6XZj4
Canfar's Bloor Street Entertains celebrates its 15th anniversary on Tuesday. The fund-raiser will host 20 dinner parties in Bloor Street shops like William Ashley, Catier, and Holt Renfrew. The after-dinner gala will be at the Royal Conservatory this year.
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 Matthew Mogavero, Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, Courtney Thompson, and Katherine Zoeller in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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