Call Sheet #280: How to Manage Online Reviews, What Bonnaroo Offers Sponsors, Tales From the White House Social Secretary

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #280 — Thursday, 06.07.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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TODAY'S CALENDAR: M.P.I. Orange County Chapter awards and installation in Irvine, California; Vimeo Awards in New York

* INCOMING *

1. SOCIAL SECRETARY DISH: Current White House party planner Jeremy Bernard shared tales from the job along with five of his predecessors at a panel discussion about the job hosted by the White House Historical Association and Smithsonian Associates. The Washington Post on one behind-the-scenes tale: "He oversaw last year’s dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Rose Garden and, despite ominous weather reports, made the risky call to hold the event outdoors without a tent" despite not having a back-up plan. "He would have resigned if the rain ruined the dinner, he said; luckily it held off until after the party." http://wapo.st/LbxYb6

2. TIPS ON MANAGING ONLINE REVIEWS: With more people posting and reading online reviews of businesses, staying on top of what people are saying matters more than ever. Mashable: "Research shows that online reviews strongly influence buying behavior, with nearly half of American consumers stating that they are more likely to visit a business after reading a positive online review. … Business owners need to not only respond to negative reviews, but also promote the positive ones." http://on.mash.to/KDsACe

3. PREPPING FOR CHARLOTTE: About 400 journalists had a sneak peek at the Democrats' convention logistics during a walk-through of venues including the Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium, where President Obama will deliver his acceptance speech from a T-shaped stage. Charlotte Observer: Democratic chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz "touted events such as the planned Labor Day gala at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a way to engage voters. She contrasted that to the Republican convention in Tampa, which she called 'an event open only to the party faithful and its wealthy donors.'" http://hrld.us/LxvWCO

4. ENGAGING CONSUMERS WITH TABLETS: Optimum Media Direction U.S. C.E.O. Alan Cohen explained how marketers can make the most of tablets. Ad Age: "They're a way to test more engaging and innovative opportunities. The tablet space is something everyone should be learning as much about as they can because it's taking over these other media experiences like TV, email, surfing the web." http://bit.ly/KxW5FZ

5. WHY BONNAROO? The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival gets underway today in Manchester, Tennessee. More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, and 24 official sponsors will be on site vying for their attention. International Business Times looks at what makes the event appealing to companies such as State Farm and Dell. http://bit.ly/KPm3Tr


++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++

The Event Leadership Institute is looking for a rock star intern! Join the team helping to shape the future of event education and make a difference in the future of your industry. Apply here: www.EventLeadershipInstitute.com

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro hosts the author of Markets of New England, Christine Chitnis, with a dinner June 14. Guests will receive a signed copy of the book.

CHICAGO: L.K. Bennett London at the 900 shops will host a cocktail party and book signing with author Jill Kargman Tuesday to celebrate the release of her latest book, The Rock Star in Seat 3A. Skoog Productions is managing the event.

Jenn-Air will host Chef's Table on the penthouse level of the Reid Murdoch building June 28. Chef participants include Jared Van Camp of Nellcôte, Celeste Campise of Spiaggia, and James O’Donnell of Michael Jordan’s Steak House.

Joe Aguilera has been named director of sales and marketing at the Langham Chicago. The 316-room luxury hotel, slated to open in mid-2013, will have 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

LAS VEGAS: Palms Casino Resort is investing $50 million in the first phase of renovations, which will encompass a Palms tower room and suite redesign, new culinary options, and gaming spaces.

LOS ANGELES: The Broadcast Television Journalists Association announced the nominations for the second annual Critics' Choice Television awards. Winners will be awarded at a gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel June 18.

Ciel Spa at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills announced a partnership with Blushington—a makeup and beauty lounge in West Hollywood—to provide makeup applications.

M.P.I. Orange County presents its annual chapter awards and installation dinner today, hosted by U.C.I. Student Center & Event Services and Aramark.

Brent Bolthouse introduces the Bungalow, a new meeting and event space at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, slated to open in July.

Kate Chamberlain has left her job at Michele Marie PR in Beverly Hills.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: South Florida Business Journal: Miami-Dade is considering building a film studio complex on county-owned land in partnership with Donald Trump that would include "film studios, stages, back lots, a media hub, digital production, a hotel and offices." http://bit.ly/Mf8xbz

Palm Beach County is negotiating to build a huge soccer complex that would include 13 outdoor fields, a 14,000-seat stadium, and a hotel. Palm Beach Post: http://bit.ly/NBj3cK

NEW YORK: Chicago-based industrial design and branding firm Streng announced the opening of its New York office.

N.Y.C. & Company promoted Lisa Lopez to regional director of sales where she will oversee convention/meeting sales efforts in the Midwest and continued supervision of the west/southwest.

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

ORLANDO: Local leaders have a tentative agreement for renovations to the Citrus Bowl. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/Nhlrrv

TORONTO: The Power Plant celebrates 25 years at its annual Power Ball June 14, with presenting sponsor Hugo Boss.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters gala is June 14 at the Liberty Grand, presented by Scotialife Financial.

WASHINGTON: The Washington Post: "Destination D.C. scored $3 million in funding in the city’s fiscal 2013 budget, marking the first time the District has allocated money to the annual operating budget of the chief tourism bureau." http://wapo.st/JJWmzw

The Washington Nationals will host the seventh annual Dream Gala June 16 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. The evening will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner program emceed by MASN analysts Bob Carpenter and F. P. Santangelo, and a live auction.

Clyde’s Restaurant Group named Salvatore Ferro executive chef at The Hamilton.

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 Rose Chevalier, Beth Kormanik, 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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