Call Sheet #241: Questioning Air Show Safety, Correspondents’ Dinner Rundown, CBS Expands Green Program

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #241 — Thursday, 04.12.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik and Anna Sekula in New York.
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* INCOMING *

1. INVESTIGATING AIR SHOW STANDARDS: At a hearing with the National Transportation Safety Board six months after the Reno National Championship Air Races crash, the Federal Aviation Administration claimed there are necessary measures in place to regulate such events, a $300 million industry attracting 12 million spectators yearly. The current safety standards for the shows and races are enough, according to John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. USA Today: http://usat.ly/wwXqgI

2. CORRESPONDENTS' WEEKEND PARTIES: The Hill has a roundup of the parties surrounding the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton April 28. Among the after-parties: Bloomberg and Vanity Fair will return to the French ambassador's residence, MSNBC will do a second run at the Italian Embassy, and Capitol File magazine will move to the Newseum. Among the new hosts: Google and The Hollywood Reporter will host a party the night before the dinner at the W. Celebrity guests expected at dinner include George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, and Steven Spielberg. http://bit.ly/IEluHc

3. FORD’S ONLINE SERIES: Despite the recent restructuring at Yahoo, Ford is taking a chance with the Internet platform’s new Web-based video hub, Yahoo Screen. The car company’s project, dubbed "Plugged In," is a 10-part scavenger-hunt-style reality show designed to show off electric cars to American audiences. Adweek: "The hope is that viewers will become vested in favorite teams as they compete to win the competition, just like any other reality show…" http://bit.ly/HstPP6

In related news, former Young & Rubicam executive Penny Baldwin is replacing Elisa Steele as interim chief marketing officer at Yahoo. Ad Age: http://bit.ly/IIhtUY

4. GREEN AD EFFORTS: CBS is also looking to promote its eco-friendly side with the expansion of its marketing program EcoMedia. The initiative from CBS, which donates 10 percent of the money marketers spend on ads with its media outlets to community projects, will now include education and wellness. And although CBS has been criticized for "greenwashing," the company claims its EcoAd program "is not a certification program nor is the EcoAd logo a seal of approval." The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/ImxQJE

5. NEW POST: Ad Age: "Dish Network has hired James G. Moorhead, the Procter & Gamble veteran who oversaw Old Spice during its 'Man Your Man Could Smell Like' brand revival, as chief marketing officer." http://bit.ly/ITmRkK

6. PINTEREST BRIDES: According to Brides magazine editor in chief Anne Fulenwider, the online pinboard is changing wedding planning. USA Today: "Since she took over the title in November, Pinterest has 'exploded and really changed the conversation.' A majority of her readers are pinners—repinning other users' favorites, culling the Web for new stock, and uploading their own pictures. She estimates that Brides' 55 boards, supplied with fresh images every day, are gaining about 500 followers a week." http://usat.ly/II7IpL

7. NEW HIRE: G2Planet announced Mary O'Neill is its new vice president of industry relations. She previously worked at Cisco where she managed the Industry Events team and oversaw hundreds of events annually. Press release: http://bit.ly/Hx3bng

8. MILAN DESIGN SHOW PREVIEW: About 300,000 visitors are expected at Salone del Mobile, the international design and furniture show, April 17 to 22. WWD shared top themes emerging during Milan Design Week, including eco-friendly fabrics, bold colors, furniture embellished with prints, and multifunctional furnishings. http://bit.ly/HyneY3

++ 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, biweekly webinars, white papers as well as interviews with industry leaders. www.eventleadershipinstitute.com

* INTERNAL NEWS: FLORIDA READERS' CHOICE AWARDS *

Voting for the BizBash Florida Readers' Choice Awards will close this Sunday, April 15, at 11:59 PM E.S.T. This is your last chance to support your favorite finalists. Winners will be revealed at BizBash Florida Expo & Awards at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center on April 18, and live-tweeted from @BizBash_News. Cast your last-minute votes here: http://bit.ly/Ht3WP8

* MOVIE BREAK *

Earlier this week, sparked by the lackluster production design in The Hunger Games, we asked for your favorite inspiring movies. Here's what Call Sheet reader Elizabeth Wanless from Casa Lomo in Toronto sent:

"Recently saw Cafe de Flore—so inspiring and haunting, and partly or fully made in Canada. No Hunger Games hype, all movie substance that slowly takes you by surprise. See it if you haven't yet!"

Here's the trailer: http://bit.ly/Hwpx8g (Sorry, it's not on Netflix)

Send us your faves: [email protected].

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Rethink Music—a conference focusing on the future of live music, music innovation, and artist branding—is April 23-24. Speakers include execs from Converse, Spotify, and YouTube; presenters and performers include Portugal the Man and Karmin.

The Phantom Gourmet's Hot Dog Safari to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Joey Fund is May 19. The indoor/outdoor event will offer parties inside the restaurants and bars on Lansdowne Street as well as street vendors and kids' activities.  

Park Restaurant & Bar opened in Harvard Square on Wednesday. Serving New American fare and handcrafted cocktails, the venue's back room can host large parties in a supper-club setting.

CHICAGO: Association Week, hosted by the Association Forum of Chicagoland, is June 18-22. Slated events include the annual meeting and honors gala.

Time Out Chicago will host its Eat Out awards at Ravenswood Event Center on Monday. Sponsors include Infiniti, Classic Party Rentals, Botanicals, Red Streak, Fiji Water, and Goose Island.

Unicef's Message of Hope gala takes place April 28 at the Union League Club with a performance from 10-year-old pianist Emily Bear and a new after-party replete with sponsored sweets, thematic cocktails, and a photo booth.

Cochon 555, a traveling culinary competition and tasting event to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs, will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago April 29. The event will challenge five local chefs to prepare a menu created from heritage breed pigs, nose-to-tail.

Bike to Work Week, June 11-15, has unveiled its events lineup. Activities include a free outdoor spinning class at Could Gate, a Loop bike tour, and a viewing of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure in Millennium Park.

Sailor Jerry Rum's activation the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention includes a branded photo booth, $5 cocktails, and pin-up calendar, CD, and T-shirt giveaways. The convention is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Friday and Saturday.

LAS VEGAS: Marketwire: "According to a recent report by Moody's Investors Service, Las Vegas in 2012 is projected to break the all-time visitor volume record of 39-plus million visitors, which was set in 2007." http://mwne.ws/ITnB9C

Michael Grimm is the first weekly resident headliner at Green Valley Ranch Resort, with shows beginning April 21.

LOS ANGELES: Simmzy’s, which offers craft beer and gastropub fare, plans to open in Long Beach later this month. The 3,000-square-foot space seats 98 guests and has a patio.

As part of its ongoing expansion, the Petersen Automotive Museum hired David Boulé as director of corporate sponsorships.
 
Nylon magazine hosted a 13th anniversary party at Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood on Tuesday night, presented by Bedhead by Tigi.

MIAMI: Zoo Miami’s Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, will be April 21-22. The Tropical Flowering Tree Society will host what organizers claim is the world’s largest flowering tree annual plant show and sale.

The Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami’s performing arts center, is hosting its annual gala April 28. Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, will perform.

NEW YORK: The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club will mark the opening of this year's Decorator Show House with a dinner at the Mandarin Oriental April 30; the preview reception of the interior design exhibition is slated for May 15.

Yesterday Syfy announced its upfront this year will include performances by Young the Giant and DJ Spooky as well as a menu curated by chef Marcus Samuelsson. The event is scheduled to take place April 24 at the American Museum of National History.

ORLANDO: Day Entertainment & Events is offering a new mobile gaming experience for corporate events. The XBus is a 30-foot air-conditioned bus equipped with eight 22-inch LCD screens and Xbox 360 linked stations. The exterior has two 47-inch LCD screens connected to a Wii and Xbox Kinect.

TORONTO: In an effort to attract more travelers, the Toronto Pearson Airport will open 13 new bars and restaurants headed by top local chefs, including Mark McEwan, Claudio Aprile, and Rocco Agostino. Additionally, 2,500 iPads will be available for guest use in the gate areas. The Globe and Mail: http://bit.ly/IgyiVe

WASHINGTON: The annual D.C. Caribbean Carnival may not take place this year because it owes the city $210,000. The event, which the Washington Post says has struggled to attract donations and sponsors, must pay back the debt for police and other services before city officials allow it to go forward, but organizers say they do not have the money. http://wapo.st/Irx5tV

Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire will host the first Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit, Intelligence, and Insights on the Future of Communications at the Gannett/USA Today Corporate Headquarters in McLean, Virginia, April 20. The one-day conference will focus on emerging trends and technologies in marketing communications, including metrics, social media, mobile, video campaigns, and experiential advertising.

Wendy Rukstalis has been appointed manager of conference services for the Fairmont Washington D.C., Georgetown. Prior to joining the 415-room hotel, Rukstalis was a conference services and catering manager at the Fairmont Southampton Bermuda since 2007.

Patricia Coleman joined Hargrove, the trade show, event and exhibit contractor, as director of exhibitor sales.

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, Beth Kormanik, and Rose Chevalier in New York.

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

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