Call Sheet #253: White House Correspondents' Dinner Highlights, Spending Limits for Federal Conferences, Komen Attendance Declines

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #253 — Monday, 04.30.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Anna Sekula in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html

THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR:
MONDAY: Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Hot Pink Party in New York, Unesco's International Jazz Day concert in New York
THURSDAY: American Society of Association Executives' Springtime Expo in Washington
FRIDAY: Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky (through Saturday)
SATURDAY: National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago (through Tuesday)

* INCOMING *

1. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER: With barbs aimed at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, and even the Secret Service, Barack Obama's speech at Washington's big night got some of the loudest laughs. The President even poked fun at the General Services Administration: "I mean, look at this party.  We've got men in tuxes, women in gowns, fine wine, first-class entertainment. I was just relieved to learn this was not a G.S.A. conference."

Here's what others had to say about Saturday night's dinner:

The New York Times: "The highlight was a spoof Romney ad showing the former governor at the door of Air Force One with a dog cage on top of the aircraft." http://nyti.ms/IhmpCr

The newspaper's columnist David Carr tweeted "Had funnest #nerdprom ever. Probably had something to do with the fact that I didn't have a seat for dinner."

The Hollywood Reporter: "Kimmel's half-hour speech was received with consistent, if not uproarious, laughter—likely a result of his playing it relatively safe. By Correspondents' Dinner standards, and certainly compared to Seth Meyers' 2011 skewering of Donald Trump, Kimmel really wasn't that mean. ...The low point of the speech, at least for the audience, seemed to be Kimmel's crack at the members of the print media in attendance." http://bit.ly/IJcUus

The Washington Post's Reliable Source even weighed in on the weekend itself. "For better or worse, the once-clubby press dinner has become Washington’s own Super Bowl, a main event drawing ever more out-of-towners and bracketed by ever more parties. ... Why? WHCD is less political than an inauguration; brainier, presumably, than the Oscars." http://wapo.st/IfkDwF

CORRESPONDENTS' WEEKEND PARTIES: From editor in chief Chad Kaydo: Google joined established hosts MSNBC, Bloomberg, and Vanity Fair in the race to lure guests. The tech giant drew considerable attention by hosting a crowded party with The Hollywood Reporter Friday night at the W hotel.

Alexandra More, The Hollywood Reporter: “People call this the Oscars of D.C., so it seemed like a place we should be.”

Generally considered the most fun after-party, MSNBC’s bash at the Italian Embassy had the vibe of a big family wedding reception, with a dancefloor peopled by politicos and TV hosts. (Watching Valerie Jarrett wave her hand in the air to a Justin Timberlake song is not unlike watching a happy mother of the bride.)

Elizabeth Baker Keffer, Atlantic Media: “The interest in the dinner is stronger this year than any year since I’ve been going." She noticed more C.E.O.s on guest lists. “People have realized this is the signature social event of Washington.”

More on BizBash.com later. Here's a Storify archive of our tweets from the weekend: http://bit.ly/IgRUrh

2. FALLOUT FROM G.S.A. SCANDAL: Following the fiasco surrounding the General Services Administration's lavish conference in Las Vegas, the Senate has approved an amendment that will cut federal conference spending by 20 percent, cap agency spending at $500,000 for a single conference, and require more regular reporting. Federal Times: http://bit.ly/J3fSHX

3. FUND-RAISING WOES: The local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure are struggling to repair the nonprofit's image—and distance themselves from the decisions made by the national office—as attendance and donations have dropped more than 25 percent at recent events. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/KhF7oz

4. REVIEWING THE DRAFT: With Radio City Music Hall bursting with fans of the New York Jets, the N.F.L.'s big two-day event saw some harsh reactions from the crowd. According to Forbes reporter, league commissioner Roger Goodell was "booed every time he walked on stage" and although the setting was "a bit snappier and jazzier" this year, the "time between picks was a bit like watching paint dry." Nevertheless, the football organization managed to reel in plenty of viewers, perhaps the results of three months of promotion. http://onforb.es/Ixo01r

ESPN has a round up of photos: http://es.pn/IeswlY

5. BALLPARK BETS: The Miami Marlins are hoping that its grand new stadium, decorated with art and a color scheme inspired by Spanish painter Joan Miró, will draw more fans to watch the baseball team. The New York Times: "An art dealer, [the team's owner, Jeffrey Loria] cares more than most about aesthetics and took a gamble—part old-school civic improvement plan, part marketing strategy—that Miamians will recognize themselves in the stylishness of the place...Whether the tropical colors and aquariums at Marlins Park will appeal to local Latino fans, on whom Miami is relying to fill most of the seats, or play to outsiders’ clichés of the city, time will tell." http://nyti.ms/IwL1CI

6. BUILDING FRIEZE: From contributor Jim Shi: "The inaugural Frieze New York makes its debut Friday and organizers for the 250,000-square-foot contemporary arts fair are working with big-name brands to create a seemingly self-sustaining environment on Randall's Island. Among the amenities attendees can expect: a lounge operated by Soho House; the city's largest-ever temporary book store created by Koenig Books and Artbook D.A.P., which will house more than 1,000 titles; and a bevy of pop-up restaurants, including Frankies Spuntino, Sant Ambroeus, the Fat Radish, the Standard Biergarten, and Intelligentsia Coffee. Sponsor BMW will offer V.I.P. guests rides with a fleet of 7-Series sedans that will be equipped with custom sound installations."

7. CHANGES AT ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV: Chris Burggraeve, the global chief marketing officer for the international beverage company, has stepped down and will be replaced by Miguel Patricio, who previously served as the company's zone president of Asia Pacific. Ad Age: http://bit.ly/IXEAcD

8. FASHION MOVES: Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, founding fashion director at Lincoln Center has resigned to launch an independent marketing agency. Effective Tuesday, Wolkoff will leave her post at the arts center, where she was responsible for integrating fashion events, including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, into the Upper West Side campus, and head up SWW Creative. WWD: http://bit.ly/IkX47T

++ 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

* AWARDED *

Meeting Professionals International announced its Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence Award winners who will be honored July 29 at the group's World Education Congress in St. Louis:
* Young Professional Achievement: Jillian Schroeder, Midwest Horse Fair, event coordinator
* Meeting Industry Leadership: Ray Bloom, IMEX Group, chairman
* Member of the Year: Amanda Cecil, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, assistant professor
* Community Achievement in Knowledge and Ideas: Tennessee Chapter
* Community Achievement in Marketplace Excellence: Tampa Bay Area Chapter
* Organizational Achievement: Royal DSM

* UPCOMING *

A webcast for planners who organize meetings and incentive programs outside of the U.S. is set for May 17. The free event is sponsored by Associated Luxury Hotels International, Associated Destinations Worldwide, and Delta Air Lines. Registration information is here: http://bit.ly/KowYzy

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Boston Ballet will host "Offstage," an after-party for young professionals following a performance of Don Quixote, at Bina Osteria Thursday night.

CHICAGO: The Reely Teeny Weeny Film Spectacular is tonight at Vertigo Sky Lounge. Hosted by the Junior Board of the Chicago Film Festival, the event showcases 60-second films that may be screened at the festival in October.

The Alzheimer's Association's Rita Hayworth Gala May 12 will have silent, live, and online auctions. Prizes include a "trainer for a day" experience at the Shedd Aquarium and a bottle of wine signed by Sideways director Alexander Payne. http://bit.ly/KoxQIC

Arlington Park's opening weekend is May 4-5. Opening events include Kentucky Derby Day with live racing and a simulcast viewing of the race at Churchill Downs May 5.

LAS VEGAS: Chef Masa Takayama will introduce his first teppan concept with the interactive venue Tetsu, located at Aria Resort & Casino, slated to open in August inside Masa’s Japanese restaurant, BarMasa. It replaces Shaboo, which closes April 28.

ExhibitorOnline: "Event management veteran Joshua Reiman has joined Brumark as senior account manager for the Las Vegas area, effective immediately." http://bit.ly/IE3C2Q

The Commercial Real Estate Women of Las Vegas will host its fifth annual charity event to benefit the Shade Tree May 10. Simon Doonan will M.C. a Barney's New York fashion show, and food will come from First Food & Bar.

LOS ANGELES: New Italian culinary goods importer Gustoitaliano will host a two day pop-up event offering cheeses, olive oils, pastas, and coffee at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. It kicks off today and runs through tomorrow.

On Wednesday, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will host its fifth annual Television Academy Honors at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The Britweek Design Award ceremony will take to the Christopher Guy showroom in West Hollywood on May 5, with guest Phillip Treacy.

Huffington Post has a closer look at the Comedy Store on the venue's 40th anniversary: http://huff.to/JF4VAc

Los Angeles Business Journal named the Los Angeles Convention Center as the No. 1 meeting facility for the second time.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI: The Young Society of Love and Hope will host a “Haute Tea” at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort May 18, with a fashion presentation by Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour.

The city of Miami's long-awaited downtown trolley service debuts today. Miami Herald: http://bit.ly/Iq5z5u

NEW YORK: On May 29 the Paley Center for Media will honor actor Christopher Plummer at an event moderated by film critic David Edelstein.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host its New York Fashion Ball: Dining in the Dark event at the Plaza Hotel May 30, with appearances by keynote speaker Andy Hilfiger and photographer Patrick McMullan.

Susan Magrino Agency will celebrate its 20th anniversary at Alison Eighteen May 1. 

Big City Moms will host its 13th annual Biggest Baby Shower Ever at the Metropolitan Pavilion May 9. The event will see appearances by celebrity moms Jessica Alba, Melissa Joan Hart, and Tia Mowry.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO: The U.S. Travel Association's "Vote Travel" bus tour stops at Pointe Orlando tomorrow. The national tour launched in Washington, D.C. in March and will travel more than 20,000 miles and make 37 stops. The tour is intended to boost the awareness of the travel industry and its impact on the economy during this election year.

TORONTO: Oliver & Bonacini Events will host a launch party for the renovated Arcadian Court and new Arcadian Loft Tuesday.

The Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival kicked off Friday and will continue through the end of May. More than 1,000 artists will exhibit photography matching this year's theme "public" at almost 200 venues across the city.

WASHINGTON: The ASAE Springtime Expo is May 3 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, followed by the Springtime DC Gold & Tennis Invitational May 4 at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia. A pre-conference program from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events is May 2 at the convention center.

Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium opens May 5 with a demo from professional skate teams, skateboard raffle, and ribbon cutting.

The Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum is scheduled for May 30 at the JW Marriott. Linda Henman, author of Landing in the Executive Chair, will deliver the closing keynote “How to Lead a Team of Virtuosos.”

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. 

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
Advertise here: [email protected]