BIZBASH CALL SHEET— #173 —Monday, 01.09.12
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. P.C.M.A. KICKS OFF: From Los Angeles bureau chief Alesandra Dubin: The Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting, Convening Leaders, officially got rolling Sunday in San Diego. Initial estimates from the association put likely attendance around 3,300, but early registration surpassed goals and organizers say as many as 4,000 attendees may hit the San Diego Convention Center this week. Kicking things off last night at the conference’s headquarters, the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel, was a welcome reception that took its look and feel from the party's views of the San Diego Bay. Pacific Event Productions produced the event, with an ocean-inspired lighting look from PSAV. Dotting the tabletops were centerpieces that made use of seashells and starfish as well as flowers. FormDecor and Kool Party Rentals provided furniture, and the Mass Ensemble performance group entertained the crowd.
2. CANADA TO GET SUPER BOWL PARTIES: On Friday, the NFL announced that Canada will host three Official Super Bowl XLVI parties. The gatherings will take place in Vancouver at Commodore Ballroom, Montreal at Stade Uniprix, and Toronto at Sound Academy. The events will include appearances from NFL players and cheerleaders, a tailgate party featuring food from the completing teams' cities, and giveaways. Mosaic is overseeing the organization of the event as well as PR and social media, and Bud Light will be the presenting sponsor. Dan Quinn, managing director of NFL Canada: "Canadian NFL fans deserve to be part of Super Bowl XLVI, and not everyone can acquire a coveted seat at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis."
In other Super Bowl news: Rolling Stone, in partnership with the Crane Bay event venue in Indianapolis, announced the music lineup for its party celebrating the 150th anniversary of Bacardi. LMFAO, Lupe Fiasco, Cobra Starship, and Gym Glass Heroes are confirmed for the February 4 event, which is part of Rolling Stone Rock Weekend. On Sunday, the party continues with a Rock & Roll Tailgate with musical guests and tailgate food.
3. FACEBOOK DEBATE: The social platform teamed up with NBC Sunday night to co-host the Republican debate. Moderated by David Gregory of "Meet the Press," the debate streamed live on MSNBC.com and Facebook. Users submitted questions directly to candidates and were able to interact with others. Mashable:
http://on.mash.to/y7x0QM
4. SUBWAY RIDE: Improv Everywhere's annual No Pants Subway Ride took place internationally this past weekend. In cities around the world including New York and London, passengers boarded subway cars without pants. Those participating all wore winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, and only lacked pants.
http://bit.ly/sW7rfS
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The New England Journal of Medicine will celebrate its 200th anniversary this year with several events, including a June 22 symposium at Harvard Medical School.
http://bit.ly/zOxIj5
Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz will perform at the Art Ever After Gala at the Plaza Castle February 13. The event will have a fairytale theme, with wooded-forest decor and roving storybook characters.
TheaterMania.Com:
http://bit.ly/AfxQri
Boston's inaugural one-minute play festival took place over the weekend.
The Boston Globe:
http://b.globe.com/vZYSJx
CHICAGO: Online travel agency Orbitz named Chicago a "travel hotspot" for 2012. The recognition was due in part to two high-profile events set to take place in Chicago this year: the World Summit of Nobel Peace Leaders in April, and the NATO/G8 Summits in May. The Chicago Tribune:
http://trib.in/AnrXAX
Coco Pazzo will celebrate its twentieth anniversary with a gala benefit February 2. With lots of wine and Tuscan bites, the evening will also offer live opera. Chicago Now:
http://bit.ly/yx4Lj5
Ditka's Restaurants are waiving food and beverage minimums for meetings and events booked Sundays through Thursdays from January 9 to March 9.
http://bit.ly/9sNvKm
LAS VEGAS: Vegas Inc: "Because Christmas and New Year's Day fell on Sundays, pushing back setup schedules, CES 2012 is starting later than normal. It's also running Tuesday through Friday, enabling Las Vegas resorts to host conventioneers during the middle of the week and not lose any traffic on weekends, when most tourists visit."
http://bit.ly/wEV9ze
LOS ANGELES: Melissa McCarthy will be honored with an award at the seventh annual "Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film" event, which will be held during Oscar week on February 23 at Bad Robot, JJ Abrams' Santa Monica production company.
The Screen Actors Guild awards online auction to benefit the SAG Foundation is offering a second collection of red carpet bleacher seats for fans, available now through January 15.
The Beverly Hilton will launch its first "Red Carpet Experience" for this year's Golden Globes weekend, January 13-16. Select domestic and international meeting planners will be invited to a V.I.P. experience meant to show off what Beverly Hills has to offer as a destination. The weekend also includes a spot on the Globes carpet.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates its fifteenth anniversary February 25 with a special performance by artist Ragnar Kjartannson.
Alonzo Mourning is hosting the Kreiss showroom opening in the Design District tomorrow. Eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV will be served and the Honey Shine Mentoring Program is the event's beneficiary.
http://bit.ly/7ld6mY
NEW YORK: The American Museum of Natural History's Museum Dance event is March 8. The theme of the evening is "Bright Young Things" in honor of the upcoming exhibit, "Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence." DJ Jus-Ske will provide music.
http://bit.ly/wWjSE6
ORLANDO: Another restaurant has closed: McCormick & Schmick's at the Mall at Millenia. Orlando Sentinel:
http://thesent.nl/ysTeXY
PHILADELPHIA: The U.S. Lacrosse National Convention comes to the Pennsylvania Convention Center January 13-15. Around 5,000 attendees are expected.
TORONTO: Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada will be the keynote speaker at the new Breakfast with Champions networking event at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show. More than 1,200 booths will exhibit at the show at the Direct Energy Centre March 4-6.
WASHINGTON: Former Washington Convention Center Authority board chairman and attorney Vincent H. Cohen passed away December 25.
Travel & Leisure Magazine named the Jefferson the number one hotel in Washington and one of the top five city hotels for business.
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 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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