BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #226 — Thursday, 03.22.12
++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++
Compiled today by Beth Kormanik and Anna Sekula in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
TODAY'S CALENDAR: Diffa’s Dining by Design begins in New York, Winter Music conference continues in Miami, Sony Ericsson Open continues in Miami
* INCOMING *
1. GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The furor of the Occupy Wall Street movement may have died down in recent months, but the protest group is still pushing its message. Activists are now calling for a day of action, inviting the general public to skip work or school May 1 as a response to alleged police brutality carried out over the weekend. The Wall Street Journal:http://on.wsj.com/GB6BEe
2. FIRST LADY FLAP: A joke made by Robert De Niro at a New York fund-raiser for President Obama has apparently ruffled Newt Gingrich's feathers. The Republican presidential candidate has demanded an apology from the president for the actor's remarks, which poked fun at the wives of the GOP politicians running in the primary. A spokesperson for Michelle Obama, who was present at the event, agreed that the comment was "inappropriate." ABC News: http://abcn.ws/GCQ6fx
Here's some advice from industry experts on what to do when a speaker or M.C. goes off-book and out-of bounds: http://bizba.sh/GEWYrv
3. CHAI AT DIFFA: Among the creative minds devising table installations for Diffa’s Dining by Design benefit in New York is Richard Chai. This year, the fashion designer partnered with Effen Vodka to create a lounge and bar for the event at Pier 94. “We came up with a concept that was inspired by the circular shape of the Effen bottle. We wanted it to feel organic and not like a cookie-cutter rectangular bar,” Chai told WWD. http://bit.ly/GF18Sb
4. TRADE SHOW ATTENDANCE: Several trade shows in late 2011 and the first part of this year are reporting substantial increases in attendance over prior years. Trade Show News Network: http://bit.ly/FQtdUe
5. 'HUNGER GAMES' HYPE: The buzz Lionsgate has built up for its latest film 'The Hunger Games' appears to be working. Los Angeles movie theaters report already selling out the midnight premiere, and hundreds of teens camped out in Union Square in New York for a book-signing event on Tuesday that included appearances by the movie's stars, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. The New York Times: "Fans began lining up for the event...on Monday, some as early as 10 a.m., a full 24 hours before wristbands were given out. A few dozen camped out overnight, complete with tents and inflatable mattresses, on the sidewalk on 17th Street; by dawn Tuesday, the line stretched around the corner. Ultimately, it reached nearly three city blocks, but only the fans from the first two were granted bands, so hundreds of people were turned away, their day ruined."http://nyti.ms/GD9CHv
6. SWITCHING GEARS: Nascar is looking to expand its footprint by targeting a younger and more multicultural demographic. The national racing association has launched an agency review in which it hopes to find a shop with experience in those market segments as well as event and promotion capabilities. Ad Age: http://bit.ly/GBTEh5
7. MARRIOTT MEMORIES: On the eve of his retirement as CEO, Bill Marriott reflects on his career as a hotel pioneer, the decision to stop offering in-room adult videos, and how the company is slowly catching up to the boutique trend. What does Marriott look for in his own hotel stays? "I want a quiet room." The Associated Press: http://abcn.ws/FOujSN
++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: EVENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ++
The Event Leadership Institute is proud to provide the most progressive training and education for event planners in the industry, through on-demand video classes, bi-weekly webinars, white papers as well as interviews with industry leaders. www.eventleadershipinstitute.com
* INTERNAL NEWS: TORONTO READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS *
The call for nominations for the BizBash Toronto Readers' Choice Awards opened yesterday. There are 12 categories, including the newly added Fund-Raising Event Planner of the Year. Nominations will be accepted through April 4. Voting opens May 3 and ends May 17. Winners will be revealed at the BizBash Celebrates Toronto Events cocktail reception at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts May 22. All information for the nominations and voting portions of these awards, as well as category descriptions and nominations criteria, is here: http://bit.ly/GNaAhi
* COAST TO COAST *
The Entertainment Industry Foundation announced Revlon brand ambassadors Halle Berry, Emma Stone, and Olivia Wilde will host this year’s EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women taking place in New York May 5 and in Los Angles May 12.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The David Yurman store in Copley Plaza will host a kickoff event for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Hot Pink Party April 4. The nonprofit’s official fund-raiser is at the InterContinental Boston May 17.
The American Organization of Nursing Executives' annual meeting and exposition kicked off Wednesday at the Hynes Convention Center and wraps up Saturday.
The Vision Show, billed as the largest vision and imaging trade show and conference in North America, comes to the Hynes Convention Center May 8-10.
CHICAGO: Randolph Street Market's Spring Fling is Saturday and Sunday at Plumbers Hall.
Writers' Theatre WordPlay gala is April 21 at the Four Seasons.
The Midwest Produce conference and expo will take place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel August 13-15.
LAS VEGAS: Vending Times: "Total attendance at the third annual Amusement Expo was 2,926....While buyer attendance was up only slightly, the increase suggests that three-year-old amusement trade show, which combines the long-running (and formerly separate) shows sponsored by the Amusement and Music Operators Association and American Amusement Machine Association, will continue to draw stronger attendance than its individual predecessors." http://bit.ly/GE3orQ
LOS ANGELES: After 10 years at VOX Entertainment, Josh Mele left to partner with longtime colleagues Carter Reese and Chris Wu at Hatch, where Mele will be executive vice president.
MIAMI: The 27th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show begins today and continues through Sunday in downtown West Palm Beach. The MyBoatShow app will help attendees navigate the show's docks, land areas, and tents and offer maps, schedules, and seminar information. MarketWatch: http://bit.ly/GBbClQ
Miami International Fashion Week began yesterday and runs through March 24 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. http://bit.ly/GC6TP9
The eighth annual Deering Seafood Festival is March 25 at the Deering Estate at Cutler. The event will have Virgin Island stilt walkers, pontoon boat rides, crafts by local artists, nature hikes, historic house tours, and cooking demonstrations. http://bit.ly/GBpxF8
NEW YORK: Dara P. Richardson-Heron, the chief executive of Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Greater New York City affiliate, will resign effective April 27. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/GFkXFI
Following a failure to install its "Bomb Shelter Museum" at Columbia University's campus this month, the organizers at Artists for Israel is looking for a spot to house its immersive multimedia exhibition. The piece is designed in imitation of real bomb shelters found in Southern Israel and includes flashing videos and sounds that replicate a rocket assault. Metro New York: http://bit.ly/GDcWC7
The Collegiate Chorale will present The Mikado at Carnegie Hall April 10. The comic opera will feature performances by the American Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara and more.
After the attack on a Jewish school in Toulouse, France, the New York police have boosted security at Jewish sites across the city. "Although there is no known specific threat against New York City, the NYPD has taken the precaution of stepping up coverage of Jewish neighborhoods and institutions in the city," said spokesman Paul Browne. Chicago Tribune: http://trib.in/ypwS1P
Danny Meyer's latest restaurant, the North End Grill, earns a two-star review from The New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells, who praises the menu from chef Floyd Cardoz, but finds fault with the eatery's lack of personality. http://nyti.ms/GDLwz2
The Conrad New York and Hilton New York Fashion District announced a three-year partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, happening April 18-24. Both brands will serve as hubs for the 2012 festival, offering guests and film fans access to screenings and other exclusive events.
The ISES New York Metro Chapter will host its 2012 Sustainability Summit April 3 at the Rubin Museum of Art. Catered by Stephen Starr Events, the industry gathering will offer interactive workshops and keynote speakers including Bloomberg LP’s sustainability manager Lee Ballin, Food Karma Project founder Jimmy Carbone, and Rainforest Alliance president Tensie Whelan. http://bit.ly/xlTpQl
ORLANDO: The International Sign Expo is taking place at the Orange County Convention Center through Saturday. The event includes education sessions and a trade show with more than 500 exhibitors.
The Peabody Orlando is extending its Connects 2012 incentive offer until September 1. Planners that book events by that date can select one of three incentives: complimentary Internet service in meeting spaces; a three percent rebate of actualized room revenue; or complimentary transportation to and from an off-site activity.
The Amway Arena will be imploded on Sunday. The facility has been unused since the new Amway Center opened a few blocks away in October 2010. The old arena is coming down to make room for the Creative Village, a mixed-use neighborhood for higher-education providers and digital media companies.
PHILADELPHIA: Lucy MacNichol has joined the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau as senior content development manager/editor.
SAN DIEGO: The San Diego Convention Center Corporation appointed Tom Mazzocco as executive vice president.
TORONTO: Canadian Music Week began on Wednesday and runs until Sunday. Now in its 30th year, the event focuses on the business of music and combines four informational conferences, a trade show, an awards show, and Canada's Music Fest, where more than 900 artists will perform in various venues over the five days.
WASHINGTON: Telework Exchange will host its 11th semi-annual Town Hall Meeting May 2 at the D.C. Convention Center. More than 900 federal attendees will discuss technology and management practices to support an efficient, mobile workforce.
Interior designer Jonathan Adler will open a signature shop in Georgetown May 22. Washington Post: http://wapo.st/GAOfTW
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation will recognize three Citizen Service Before Self honors recipients and its American Spirit Award recipient Friday at an event at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
Eatonville Restaurant’s Food & Folklore Dinner Series continues March 25 with Howard Dodson, the new director of Howard University Libraries and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
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 Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
Advertise here: [email protected]
