Call Sheet #292: The Secret to Successful Tech Launches, Why Small Events Are Big, Murder-Suicide Creates Real-Life Drama at Daytime Emmys

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #292 — Monday, 06.25.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR:
THURSDAY: X Games kick off (through Sunday) in Los Angeles, M.P.I. Southern California Chapter Installation and Awards in Los Angeles

* INCOMING *

1. DRAMA AT DAYTIME EMMYS: Despite a murder-suicide at the Beverly Hilton the night before the award show was to take place, the ceremony went on as planned. It was a less glamorous affair, though, than the glitzy Primetime Emmys. The Hollywood Reporter: "As an example of how relatively low-key the scene was (and this might be a first) there was no traffic back-up at the BevHilton’s circular driveway. Guests just drove up; left the car; and were greeted by a few dozen fans. … There was the standard red carpet with a full complement of photographers, but the Daytime Emmys differed from other award shows as there was also a publicist who’d stand behind each arriving star with their name spelled out on a dry erase board." http://bit.ly/LugLgF

2. NEW WAVE OF TECH LAUNCHES: As new products are revealed to massive hype, they are becoming separate events rather than part of a tech conference. The Globe and Mail: "In the past couple of years, the biggest fish in the gadget-making pond have been shifting their big product announcements in-house. This January, Microsoft all but parted ways with the Consumer Electronics Show, the tech industry’s biggest, noisiest annual conference. Previously, Microsoft’s CEO would give the keynote address at CES, which (the keynote, but also much of CES itself) would inevitably deteriorate into a series of mostly minor product announcements. But while the keynote lent CES some gravitas, it doesn’t do much for Microsoft. The company doesn’t have a lot to gain by making its major product announcements during a conference that just misses the big holiday shopping season and features competing cacophony from thousands of other companies. For that reason and more, Google, Apple, RIM and Facebook also tend to make their biggest launch events in-house productions. The irony is that, for all their efforts to differentiate themselves from the crowd, the major tech companies’ events all look suspiciously the same—which is to say, they all look suspiciously like they were cribbed from Apple." http://bit.ly/LoblUq

But small tech conferences, such as the 150-attendee events from Paddy Cosgrave of F.ounders, are making a big impression. CNN: "The gatherings organized by Cosgrave—an almost accidental tech networking impresario—are less 'conference' and more schmoozing marathons, with entrepreneurs from all over the world attending dinners, panels and parties until the early morning hours. Instagram pictures from the event, often called a 'Davos for geeks,' might as well be hashtagged #humblebrag." http://cnnmon.ie/MKoUNl

3. HOT PARTY FOR N.B.A. CHAMPS: The Miami Heat celebrated its N.B.A. title early Friday morning at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach's LIV nightclub. Miami Herald: "Shortly after 2:30 a.m. players began arriving and filling up the main stage at LIV which had been turned into a massive VIP area reserved just for the Heat. ... LIV had to close its doors to the public by 3 a.m. once the team had arrived, already nearing capacity, and then it was time to pop bottles of champagne - an estimated tab of over $200,000—including the legendary Ace of Spades super magnum-sized champagne (we're talking 15 liters of bubbly, people, with a sticker price of $75K). DJ Irie, the Heat's DJ who was also celebrating his birthday, took over the decks from headliners Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, per the team's request, and LMFAO, who are scheduled to perform at LIV Friday night, gave a surprise performance for the NBA champs." The team's victory parade is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon today, followed by a celebration inside American Airlines Arena. http://hrld.us/NZ9l6A

4. CONCERT BRANDING BOOST: American Express believes its Unstaged concert series, featuring talent such as Usher, is building the brand and helping it master social media. Huffington Post: "The value takeaway for the brand, and it's not just one takeaway, is that people are recommending the brand, and when it's connected to social it drives usage of the card around entertainment but also acquisitions because people get a sample of what it's like to be an American Express member. It's like Groupon for the soul," said Mark Beeching, Worldwide Chief Creative and Strategy Officer at Digitas, the digital agency for American Express. http://huff.to/MClbjv


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

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
 

* INDUSTRY NEWS *

ISES Orlando presented its WOW Awards Thursday at an event at the Orlando Science Center. Here are the winners:

Best Corporate Event: Valerie Lenz, Convention Planning Services, “White Hot Island Party”
Best Social Event: Derek Eaton, PRI Productions, MOCA Jacksonville’s Chair Affair Gala
Best Event Design: Derek Eaton, PRI Productions, Embraer’s Grand Opening Celebration
Best Entertainment Concept and Execution: Paul Creighton and Raymond Ramsay, T. Skorman Productions and Raymond Ramsay & Associates, “La Quinta: The Musical”
Best Rental Support: Kelly Graves, Chic Event Furnishings, “One Night Under the Big Top” Headdress Ball
Best Event Innovation: Charles Miles, Mix on Wheels, “Big Shows Now Come in a Mini Package”
Best Technical Achievement: Charles Miles, Mix on Wheels, “Mini … the New Power Word in Event Entertainment”
Best Team Effort: Dr. Mary Jo Ross, University of Central Florida; Cendy Knight, Hello Florida!; Lisa Compton, Metropolis Productions; Karen Cassmeyer, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Richard Streitler, Flourish Floral Productions; Darlene Walker, Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations; Rick Andrews, Airstar America; Robert Christie, Christie’s Photographic Studios; Ann Taylor, A Chair Affair; “Grand Tour Gala 2011, Destination Argentina”

The organization also installed its 2012-2013 board of directors:
OFFICERS
President, Chris Esposito, Hello Florida!
President-elect, JC York, Wise Guys Interactive Entertainment
Vice president of membership, Sara Bertran, Tidy Coast Event Services
Vice president of education and programs, Holly Steinebronn, Hello Florida!
Vice president of communication, Lisa Kovach, Key Artist Group
Immediate past-president, Jason Logan, Logan Mania Music & Madness

DIRECTORS
Jon Adcock, PTE Productions
Sara Florio, AFR Event Furnishings
Darren Johnson, Creative Services
Cheryl Andrews, Distinctive Creations
Stacey Greifinger, Florida Coast to Coast
Todd Arnold, The Flipbook People
Jason Gabel, Two Left Feet Entertainment

* INTERNAL NEWS *

Share Your Event Photos: Tag #BizBash on Instagram

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.

So today 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: The Boston Globe has details on Conventions CARE, a two-year-old program from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority that repurposes leftover swag from trade shows. In the case of the BIO International convention, which wrapped Thursday, swag included boxes of fortune cookies leftover from the Hong Kong pavilion, which will be donated to schoolchildren in Los Angeles. http://b.globe.com/Li6cci

President Obama swings through Boston today for a series of events. His trip includes a campaign roundtable at Hamersley's Bistro, an afternoon gathering hosted by advertising titan Jack Connors, an evening event at Symphony Hall, and dinner at the Weston home of philanthropists Douglas and Judi Krupp. Boston Globe: http://bo.st/MHUBac

CHICAGO: TechWeek started Friday and runs through Tuesday at the Merchandise Mart. Last year's first-time conference drew 2,000 guests; organizers expect 5,000 this year.

The promotional and event marketing agency T.S.M.G.I. (The Specialized Marketing Group, Inc.) will be operating the event merchandise store for Milwaukee's 2012 Summerfest Rock 'n' Sole Run.

LAS VEGAS: The annual Women's Leadership Conference is August 14-15 at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, with sponsors MGM Resorts International and the nonprofit MGM Resorts foundation. Author and CBS This Morning contributing reporter Lee Woodruff will speak at the event's opening keynote address.

Bradley Ogden restaurant at Caesars Palace will end its 10-year run after dinner service on Sunday, August 5.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The 16th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach wrapped up Saturday. More than 5,000 people were expected to attend.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Opening Night V.I.P. Celebration is scheduled for October 19 at the Playwright Irish Pub in the Village At Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. Warren Henry Auto Group, Entre Nous, Arthur E. Benjamin, and the Trinity Diversified Film Fund are the hosts for the party, which is expected to draw 500 guests.

NEW YORK: From BizBash Managing Editor Ellen Niz: VisitScotland held a private advance screening of Disney Pixar's Brave at AMC Empire 25 Thursday night as part of the tourism organization's global marketing campaign around the film.  VisitScotland and Disney joined forces in March to jointly promote the film and the destination across the world, marking the first time Disney has worked with a country's tourism organization on such a large scale.

New York Post: "The State Liquor Authority filed 14 charges yesterday against the trendy SoHo nightclub where Drake and Chris Brown had a bloody throw-down over Rihanna — and the place could soon be shut down. The charges against W.i.P. — and the Greenhouse club where it’s located — include one count of not stopping the bloody June 14 bottle brawl." http://nyp.st/MqgGIo

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

ORLANDO: The Orlando Sentinel has a roundup of the top 10 sushi restaurants in town: http://bit.ly/Mcf8Fn

The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort hosts the "Give Hope & Hold ’Em" gala and poker tournament June 30 to raise funds for the Give Hope foundation.

This summer, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando will host Enchanted Evenings on weekends through September. The ongoing events include themed ice cream socials, pool parties, and kid-friendly arts and crafts activities.

TAMPA: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa will hold a ceremonial guitar smash tomorrow to unveil its $75 million expansion. The expansion makes it the sixth largest casino in the world, based on gaming positions.

TORONTO: TIFF in the Park will present screenings of classic films at David Pecaut Square every Wednesday this summer, ending August 29.

WASHINGTON: Hello Craft is hosting a book launch at Churchkey for Handmade to Sell, which advises readers on setting up craft fair booths and other business tips.

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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