Call Sheet #262: Democrats Pressured to Move Convention, What Yachts Cost in Cannes, Bonnaroo Launches YouTube Channel

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #262 — Friday, 05.11.12

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Compiled today by Beth Kormanik and Chad Kaydo in New York
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TODAY'S CALENDAR: Bon Appetit's Vegas Uncork'd continues in Las Vegas

* INCOMING *

1. MOVE THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION? Some Democrats are pressuring the party to move the national convention from Charlotte after North Carolina voters passed a ban against same-sex marriage this week. Nearly 30,000 people had signed a petition that Gay Marriage USA started on change.org as of Friday morning, although The Charlotte Observer reports, "No one expects the Democrats to move the September convention out of Charlotte." http://bit.ly/JiMd2e

2. WHEN IN THE FRENCH RIVIERA: Finding the right yacht to rent during the Cannes Film Festival can be essential part of making deals there. With prices ranging from $130,500 to $400,000 or more a week, it's not inexpensive, although some film executives claim it can be cheaper than finding separate venues for sleeping, hosting meetings, and entertaining. The Hollywood Reporter: "About 60 vessels converge there every year, turning the jetty into something akin to a luxury trailer park on water. Many of the yachts are rented by banks, private financiers and film commissions from around the globe." http://bit.ly/K2Juba

The Hollywood Reporter also checks in with Cannes Mayor Bernard Brochand about topics including security measures at the Cannes Film Festival, which attracts 200,000 visitors for the $26 million event. http://bit.ly/K0i7dg

3. BONNAROO ON YOUTUBE: The Tennessee music festival has launched a YouTube channel to stream archived concerts and other material. According to Mashable, Bonnaroo365 "features original shows, band interviews and most importantly, archival footage of performances from previous Bonnaroo festivals. The channel will be updated year-round unlike other music festival channels, which are mothballed after the event is over." http://on.mash.to/KOBJCx

4. POTTERMANIA CONTINUES ABROAD: A Harry Potter theme park attraction is coming to Universal Studios Japan following success in Orlando and Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times: "The eight Potter movies grossed nearly $900 million in Japan—more even than in his home country of Britain. Products including magic wand chopsticks have made the Harry Potter brand Japan's most successful movie-based consumer products line of the last decade." http://lat.ms/KR6DcO

5. MEETING TRANSPARENCY? Goldman Sachs is considering opening some of its client conferences to the media and other audiences. It's a departure from the usual discreet events. The Wall Street Journal: "Now, Goldman is considering adding publicity to events that have broad public appeal, such as an upcoming conference this fall where established entrepreneurs will be able to meet and mingle with up-and-comers." http://on.wsj.com/Jhg4bt

6. MTV NAMES HOST: Russell Brand will host the MTV Movie Awards for June 3 at the Gibson Amphitheatre. He hosted the Video Music Awards in 2008 and 2009. The Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/KNQmWJ

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* INDUSTRY EVENTS *

The planners behind some of the country's biggest events—the Super Bowl, fashion week, the largest shareholder meeting in the world—will share tips on planning mega events May 14 as part of the Event Leadership Institute's Maverick Series Live in New York City. http://bit.ly/IYf6j4

* THE WEEK IN EVENTS *

Here’s a look at 10 highlights from our event coverage this week, including the Schiaparelli and Prada-inspired Met Ball in New York, Prince Harry's first trip to Washington, Pure Leaf's promotion at the Kentucky Derby, Baby Buggy for Havaianas launch in Los Angeles, and Mashable Connect's conference in Orlando. http://bizba.sh/IQ6J9C

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: The Newton-Wellesley Hospital Charitable Foundation hosts its "Everyone Deserves a Safe Community" gala at Westin Copley Place Saturday. Corinthian Events is handling design and production.  

The J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference is May 17 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

CHICAGO: The Women's Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago will host the Medicine Ball at the Peninsula Chicago Saturday. Inspired by "Return to Old Havana," the event will have entertainment by Mambo 911 Orchestra.

Center on Halsted's Human First gala is Saturday, with host Andy Cohen of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live and a performance by K.D. Lang & the Siss Boom Bang.

The Association of Travel Marketing Executives will hold its annual conference June 26-27 at the W Chicago-City Center. Keynote speakers include marketing reps from United Airlines, Rock Cheetah, and Atmosphere Research Group.

Macy's Glamorama is scheduled for August 10. This year's theme is "British Invasion."  

LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce honored the Las Vegas News Bureau, which has documented the city in images for 65 years, at the Chamber's Power Lunch on Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES: GBK hosted the official gift lounge for the fifth annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic and the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championships Monday benefiting the Lopez Foundation at the Lakeside Country Club in Burbank.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund hosted its second annual Leaders in Education awards lunch Tuesday at the JW Marriott Hotel at L.A. Live downtown, where Wells Fargo announced a nearly $3.4 million grant in support of the organization’s work.

Meeting Professionals International's monthly meeting will bring incoming chair Kevin Hinton as the speaker at L3 at the Santa Monica Place May 15.

National Train Day on Saturday will bring a free, public event to Union Station, including an appearance by the Dora the Explorer character.

NBC L.A. has a report on the Beverly Hills Hotel's centennial year, including a weekend of celebratory events scheduled for June 15-17. NBC: http://bit.ly/JhNl2n

Filter magazine’s Culture Collide Festival will return to Los Angeles October 4-7. The 10th anniversary lineup will include Montreal, Junip, School of Seven Bells, Clinic, Penguin Prison, Class Actress, and others.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: A vote in August will determine whether to increase a tourist tax that would fund renovation and expansion of Miami Beach's convention center, which hotel and tourism leaders support. The Miami Herald: "The resort tax increase, if passed, is expected to bring about $8.5 million a year to the city, which could use the money to pay down longterm debt and then future improvements." http://hrld.us/LRa1Kl

The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority is awarding grants to local, national, and international businesses and event producers whose events fit with its core initiatives. Press release: http://on.mktw.net/KOCM5B

Loews Hotels & Resorts has named Shawn Hauver vice president of operations, putting him in charge of operations, sales and marketing, human resources and finance and revenue management for the Eastern Region of Loews Hotels. He spent the last 13 years at Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

NEW YORK: Page Six: "The much-anticipated return of Amy Sacco’s famed Chelsea hot spot Bungalow 8 at 357 W. 16th Street has ended in drama." http://nyp.st/IXfi1d

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

ORLANDO: The Orlando World Center Marriott hosts the World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine May 17-19. Speakers include TV personality Suzanne Somers.

TORONTO: The Spirit of Toronto, the eighth annual whisky gala with tastings, demonstrations, and mixologist cocktails, is at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday.

Bridgepoint Health Foundation is hosting its annual Fandango gala fund-raiser on Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton, themed “On the Nile.” The Canadian Audio Visual Centre is heading the lighting and audiovisual design.

WASHINGTON: Passport D.C.’s Shortcut to Europe is Saturday, with all 27 European Union embassies and Croatia open to visitors. The Washington Post has the rundown on entertainment, food, and beverages. http://wapo.st/JkMy10

The Georgetown Inn celebrates 50 years in business May 21, noting its rich history as host to visiting celebrities, dignitaries, and politicos. Owner Your DC Hotels purchased the boutique hotel in November 2011 and is planning a renovation.

Becky's Fund is hosting its annual All In Against Domestic Violence Poker Tournament June 10 at the Woman's National Democratic Club.

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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