Call Sheet #289: Rival Event Challenges G.O.P. Convention, Paul Mitchell Partners With Marriott, Partial Press Ban Criticized at BIO 2012

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #289 — Wednesday, 06.20.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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 * INCOMING *

1. PARTY CRASHERS: Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul are planning a three-day "Paul Festival" at the Florida state fairgrounds just before the G.O.P. convention in Tampa, although convention organizers have the ability to kill the event. Tampa Tribune: "Under its agreement to bring the national convention to Tampa, the Committee on Arrangements was granted control of all publicly owned event venues in the county during the convention period. The committee hasn't yet approved use of the fairgrounds for the event. But according to the terms of the agreement between the committee and the State Fair Authority, the authority is free after June 1 to make contracts with groups seeking to hold events. The committee then has 10 days to overrule the contract, but if it does so, it must rent fairgrounds venues on the same terms." Although Paul will not attend the festival, he is planning his own rally the Sunday before the convention. http://bit.ly/NOrG6l

2. PRESS MISSTEP: Media handlers at Boston's BIO 2012 conference are catching flak for blocking many reporters from its keynote luncheon while allowing members of the trade press to attend. The speakers included former U.S. Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson Jr. and Robert Rubin. Boston Globe: "When any organization, even a private one, decides it is going to hand-pick who in the media gets access and who doesn't, you would be wise to question your trust in that organization." http://bo.st/LxEgGT

3. HOTEL AMENITY DEAL: Marriott and John Paul Mitchell Systems Tuesday announced the salon brand's first hotel partnership, offering its products at four brands: Courtyard by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Last year, the brands used 23 million bottles of shampoo and 15 million bottles of conditioner, according to Marriott. The launch will include a Facebook promotion offering winners a one-year supply of Paul Mitchell products and a $250 hotel gift card. Press release: http://bit.ly/MbXX2V

4. BRAND-BOOSTING: Pepsi Pulse and Intel's iQ are at the forefront of a new brand trend. AdWeek: "Hungry for content to push out into social feeds, a growing number of marketers are adopting strategies that include repackaging articles from news sites on their own sites." Curating content encourages social networking and can boost a brand's presence on those channels. http://bit.ly/NJwTh2

5. CVENT CONTINUES EXPANSION: Following its acquisition of event app developer Seed Labs for $4.2 million last week, event management company Cvent today announced it has acquired CrowdCompass—a tool used to create mobile apps for business and association events. Press Release: http://bit.ly/Mo20eX


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* INTERNAL NEWS *

People sometimes ask us, "How do I get my work featured on BizBash?" We tell them to send photos, press releases, and invitations to  [email protected], but this week we're trying another idea, too: Instagram. We've been posting photos from events on our own Instagram account (under bizbash_news), and we like using the photo-sharing tool to show you what our editors and reporters are seeing at events in real time. Now we want to know what you're seeing. We're inviting you to use the hashtag #BizBash when you post photos to Instagram—photos of events you're working on, photos of your team working behind the scenes, photos of events you're attending, photos of venues you're checking out. Occasionally we'll post our favorite photos with the #BizBash hashtag on BizBash.com and on our Twitter account (@bizbash_news—you follow us, right?). Not using Instagram yet? Now you have another reason to check it out. (And make bizbash_news the first account you follow.)

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: After rain cancellations, the Seaport Hotel will host Canines & Cocktails today on the TAMO terrace. The event includes cocktails for humans, water for dogs, and obedience and training tips.

CHICAGO: Three conventions and trade shows are coming to McCormick Place after a labor deal: the American Incentive & Business Travel Market in June 2013, 2015 and 2017; Book Expo America in 2016; and Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, which will stay in Chicago through 2014. The Chicago Tribune: "The commitments come on the heels of a new pact between competing unions that work at Navy Pier and McCormick Place—an agreement that spells out which workers do certain electrical tasks at events. … The three show signings are with Reed Exhibitions, which expressed support for labor work-rule changes."  http://trib.in/MtLgih

Kalahari Resort's "Fuel Your Fun" gas giveaway tour stops in Chicago on Thursday in locations that will be revealed on the Kalahari Facebook page at 6 a.m. on Thursday; the first 125 guests will get a $25 gas card.

As part of the TechWeek conference, Tech Cocktail will host a Mixer & Startup Showcase at the Merchandise Mart Saturday. Motorola Mobility and Coca-Cola are sponsors.

The Chicago Match Cup, presented by Chicago Match Race Center, is July 14-15. Chicago was chosen as the sole U.S. stop on the ALPARI World Match Race Tour.

The Service Club of Chicago's "Day on the Terrace" fashion show and lunch is July 30 at the Peninsula hotel. This year's event has a Parisian theme.

Lakeview's Kanela, which hosts private events, is now open for dinner. Formerly serving breakfast only, the restaurant now slings stuffed meatballs and mushroom risotto by night.

LAS VEGAS: Olympic medalist Chellsie Memmel is visiting the Las Vegas area to promote the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions coming to the Thomas & Mack Center on September 20.  She will make appearances at local gyms on June 27.

LOS ANGELES: The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows celebrated its centennial beginning on Friday with a weekend of events including celebrity hosts and honorary ambassadors Warren Beatty, Clive Davis, Bryan Lourd, Brett Ratner, Rick Rosen, and Ben Silverman. The Motion Picture & Television Fund was the official charity partner for the celebration.

Anne Stephany, director of public relations-California for Loews Hotels, has taken a position as director of marketing and communications at Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara and starts July 16.

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

MIAMI: Whiskey Joe’s is slated to open next month in Miami’s Key Biscayne. The bar and grill, which began with a Tampa outpost in 2009, will have a seating capacity of more than 300 and include an outdoor dining space.

NEW YORK: To celebrate the summer solstice today, fitness and lifestyle brand Athleta hosts the all-day yoga event "Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness." Some 9,000 yogis are expected at the New York event, and the company's 16 nationwide stores will host yoga classes, dinners, and private shopping events.

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

ORLANDO: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando will host Ascendio, a Harry Potter fan conference July 12-15.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant will host a midsummer feast today to celebrate the summer solstice, with a four-course menu prepared by chef Kevin Dundon,

TORONTO: The annual SCENE independent music festival in downtown St. Catharines is Sunday, with more than 160 bands on 17 stages at 13 venues.

WASHINGTON: Eddie Moran is the new chef de cuisine for the Mediterranean-American restaurant Station 4.

Black Restaurant Group chefs and owners Jeff and Barbara Black will host a one-year anniversary celebration for their dual restaurant Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Black Jack September 20. Proceeds will benefit Food & Friends.

Room & Board D.C. will host a wine tasting event with Cameron Hughes on Thursday to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society National Area Chapter.

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, and Alexandra Brandt, Rose Chevalier, Julia Elstrodt, 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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