April 12, 2017: White House Reportedly Unprepared for Annual Easter Egg Roll, 'Daily Show' Comic Hasan Minhaj to Host White House Correspondents' Dinner, Facebook to Host First Summit for Group Page Administrators

1. WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY UNPREPARED FOR ANNUAL EASTER EGG ROLL: Factors including a slow hiring process, a lack of an onsite first lady, and a last-minute response to an Easter egg manufacturer has raised the question of whether or not the Trump administration is ready to host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. The New York Times: "The late start in planning by the Trump White House points to a smaller and less ambitious Egg Roll than in previous years. There may be half as many guests, a fraction of the number of volunteers to manage the invasion of the South Lawn, and military bands in place of A-list entertainers like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Idina Menzel and Silentó who have performed for Egg Rolls past. White House officials did not respond to several weeks’ worth of inquiries about the Easter Egg Roll, typically a heavily and enthusiastically promoted affair, and declined to provide basic information such as how many people are expected to attend. It is unclear, for instance, whether Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, will reprise his appearance in a bunny suit for the event, as he did a decade ago when George W. Bush was president and Mr. Spicer was an aide in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The evidence points to a quickly thrown-together affair that people close to the planning said would probably draw about 20,000 people—substantially smaller than last year’s Easter Egg Roll, which drew 37,000—and be staffed by 200 volunteers, one-fifth of the usual number. These people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to describe the plans for the Easter Egg Roll, which are still evolving just a week before the event. The White House has ordered 40,000 of the commemorative eggs—about half of the roughly 85,000 ordered in 2016—with 18,000 to be given away at the Easter Egg Roll and another 22,000 available for sale, according to Lara Kline, the vice president for marketing and communications at the White House Historical Association, the official retailer." http://nyti.ms/2p4RstC

2. 'DAILY SHOW' COMIC HASAN MINHAJ TO HOST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER: The Daily Show's Hasan Minhaj has been tapped to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which will take place April 29. Politico: "Minhaj is a stand-up comedian and senior correspondent on Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show,' where he has performed caustic bits on President Donald Trump, liberals and others in between. Minhaj has Washington experience, having performed as host of last year's Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner. This is the latest point in recent years that the entertainment has been announced; normally, the name of the host is announced by late February. The job is always seen as a tough and politically sensitive gig, but this year's dinner seems to have been a particularly tough one to book, as people like CBS host James Corden were approached to perform but declined. … The president and the entire White House staff are skipping the event, something Trump announced in February before he was even technically invited. Normally, the president, first lady and press secretary sit on the front dais and the president makes a speech, helps present the awards along with the first lady, and is toasted by the room. Last month, the White House announced that Vice President Mike Pence and other White House staff would not attend the event in 'solidarity' with the president. Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of Watergate fame will speak and present the awards. 'It is a tremendous honor to be a part of such a historic event even though the president has chosen not to attend this year. SAD! Now more than ever, it is vital that we honor the First Amendment and the freedom of the press,' Minhaj said in a statement." http://politi.co/2p20ied

3. FACEBOOK TO HOST FIRST SUMMIT FOR GROUP PAGE ADMINISTRATORS: In an effort to bring online friends together in real life, Facebook will host its first-ever Communities Summit in Chicago this summer for Facebook Group administrators. Adweek: "'Community' is one of those warm, fuzzy, ambitious and yet ambiguous words used by the tech world to describe online relationships. However, the event—which will be held in Chicago on June 22 and 23—marks the next tangible step in CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious plans to help better connect users in the U.S. with each other in real life. In a blog post today announcing the event, Facebook Groups Product Director Alex Deve said people already meet each other through 'tens of millions' of active Groups pages on the social network. 'Whether connecting with other fisherman in your town to share tips, organizing a get together for new parents in your neighborhood or finding others dealing with the same medical condition, people use Facebook Groups to connect in personal, practical and powerful ways,' Deve wrote. According to the event’s website, attendees will hear from Facebook executives about products the company is building to help Groups admins grow and manage their pages. And while the plan is to help a few hundred group administrators 'gather, share and connect' without the filters of their phones, space will be limited. The company is inviting admins to apply to attend. According to the website set up for the conference, the event will be free, with hotel and food paid for by Facebook. (Attendees still need to buy their own flight.)" http://bit.ly/2onc5B9

* LOCAL NEWS *

CHICAGO:  Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills has debuted Tin Cup, an 88-seat gastropub concept that was formerly the Grille. The venue includes a 40-seat patio.

The 14th annual Wicker Park Fest will take place July 29-30. The event will feature more than 40 bands on three stages, plus local food, retail vendors, and a kids' area.

LAS VEGAS:  Allied Esports has partnered with Esports Arena to open Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino in early 2018. Press release: http://prn.to/2p4EvQu

Dave Chappelle will perform live at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 5.

LOS ANGELES:  The 12th annual Lummis Day Festival will take place June 2-4 with events at Occidental College, Southwest Museum, Avenue 50 and York Boulevard, and Sycamore Grove Park. The music, art, and dance festival honors multicultural activist, journalist, and Southwest Museum founder Charles Lummis.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Fort Lauderdale Fringe Festival runs April 21-23, with live theater events at venues such as Broward Center for the Performing Arts; Stache, 1920’s Drinking Den; Broward College Plaza; Bailey Hall; and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society.

NEW YORK:  Hulu's annual upfront presentation will take place May 3 at La Sirena. The lineup will feature Hulu original series stars including Elisabeth Moss, Mindy Kaling, Alexis Bledel, and Samira Wiley.

The third annual Harlem EatUp!, presented by Marcus Samuelsson and Herb Karlitz, will take place May 18-21 at venues throughout the neighborhood. The event will include the two-day Grand Tasting at Morningside Park, featuring vendors such as BLVD Bistro, Harlem Shake, Minton's, and Red Rooster.

The Edison Ballroom will host Swing Into Spring on May 19. The event will feature a performance by Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band.

Lotte New York Palace has appointed James Locker associate director of catering.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has completed a $5 million renovation of its 329,000 square feet of meeting space. The renovation added new technology, carpeting, and paint. The meeting space refresh is part of the resort’s multiyear $140 million redesign project. In the fall, renovation of the lobby and guest rooms at the Dolphin Resort is scheduled to be completed.

ST. LOUIS:  Martiz Travel—A Maritz Global Events company has appointed Mary Casey senior vice president of sales and marketing.

TORONTO:  Azure Restaurant & Bar at InterContinental Toronto Centre will offer a gin-based Secret Garden cocktail for Earth Day on April 22-23. The cocktail will be served with take-home wildflower-seed menus and coasters to plant.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown will debut its urban courtyard garden on April 17. The space will be open for cocktails, lunches, and dinners, and also offer weekday happy hours.

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With contributions from Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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