Call Sheet #271: Democrats Choose Planners, Secrets of All Things Digital, C.F.D.A. Awards Go Digital

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #271 — Thursday, 05.24.12

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Compiled today by Beth Kormanik and Anna Sekula in New York
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* INCOMING *

1. CONVENTION PLANNERS PICKED: Thirteen local event planners were awarded contracts to plan welcome parties for the Democratic National Convention September 2 at venues across Charlotte, North Carolina. They were selected from a group of more than 200 planners who pitched business and were revealed at an event at the city's Bechtler Museum Tuesday. The Charlotte Observer: "Event planners have been waiting since early February, when they were first given the details on how to make a pitch for one of the parties, which will be used to welcome delegates when they arrive on the Sunday night before the convention." http://bit.ly/JVITsm

2. HIGH-TECH TICKETING: Ad Age: "Ticket designs for the London Olympics, designed by IPG's brand consultancy FutureBrand, have been revealed. Commissioned by Olympics organizer Locog, each ticket features a pictogram (designed by Someone) that corresponds to a specific sport, and is color-coded according to the venue." http://bit.ly/Kf0R7u

3. LESSONS FROM ALL THINGS DIGITAL: From West coast editor Alesandra Dubin: Since 2003, The Wall Street Journal's conference has brought big-name speakers for conversations about the impact of digital technology. The 10th annual conference—called D10—takes to the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes May 29-31, with the likes of Oracle founder and C.E.O. Larry Ellison and Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios president Ed Catmull. Conference general manager Lia Kennett: "Once on-site, speakers are invited and encouraged to stick around and participate in the hosted conference activities. While certainly we consider speakers and sponsors V.I.P.s, we think of all of our attendees as V.I.P.s, so we don't whisk speakers away for private functions or hidden-away hospitality suites. We strive to create a classless society where all attendees are treated equally. Even when Steve Jobs and Bill Gates spoke at the conference, they sat in on the sessions and participated in group cocktail parties and meal functions." http://bit.ly/LstbB4

4. AWARD STREAM: From contributor Jim Shi: For the first time in its 50-year history, the C.F.D.A. Awards will be broadcast in its entirety. The show, which will be held June 4 at Lincoln Center, will be broadcast on Style.com a day after it takes place and include red carpet arrivals. On the night, Style.com staffers will provide live updates via social media, Instagram, and Tumblr.

5. BET NAMES HOST: Actor Samuel L. Jackson will host the BET Awards 12 on July 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The network plans to launch an app for the awards next month with photo, video, and interactive content, as well as a series of interactive games on BET.com. Press release: http://on.mktw.net/Kf18Hq

6. NEW LIFE FOR ASTRODOME: Consultants are recommending that the iconic but empty Astrodome become a multipurpose facility that could help Houston land the 2017 Super Bowl. The Associated Press: "In a presentation to Harris County's sports and convention agency, the consultants said the multipurpose option could turn Houston into a popular destination for special events and national trade shows. The plan would preserve the iconic structure's outer shell. The reconfigured dome would have more than 300,000 square feet available for trade shows, exhibitions and various sporting events, including basketball and football games." http://bit.ly/KbWNX9

7. MEET YOUR WAITER: The New York Times profiles several servers: "Cater waiters are more than just a pretty face. Look beyond their black suits, and what is revealed is a broad portfolio of careers, from former linebackers to aquaponic researchers." http://nyti.ms/Jf1nQs

8. PLANNER SCAM: A London planning firm says it was taken for $1 million by two men claiming to be organizing a private Lady Gaga concert, according to a lawsuit. New York Daily News: "As soon as the money was sent, the party planner was met with radio silence until finally being told in early March by Gaga’s agent that she would not be doing a show in Cancun, Mexico, the suit alleges." http://nydn.us/La8iOY

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* ABOUT LAST NIGHT: MEN IN BLACK 3 PREMIERE *

From News Editor Anna Sekula: The premiere and after-party for Men in Black 3 in New York not only marked the debut of the Barry Sonnenfeld-directed action-adventure film, but also the start of Fleet Week. In addition to the private screening at the Ziegfeld Theatre, Sony Pictures Entertainment hosted supporters of the Natural Resources Defense Council, sailors, first responders, and active military personnel at two other locations. The night culminated with a party for 2,500 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Planned by Alison Bossert, senior vice president of special events at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and produced by 15/40 Productions, the event saw a fireworks tribute to the military and a performance by Pitbull, as well as DJ Jazzy Jeff accompanied by Will Smith and his son Jaden.

* AWARDED *

Here are the winners from last night's Sports Business Awards, hosted by Street & Smith's, SportsBusiness Journal, and SportsBusiness Daily at the New York Marriott Marquis:

* Facility of the Year: Orlando's Amway Center
* Sports Event of the Year: Humana Challenge golf tournament
* Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing: Major League Baseball's Fan Cave
* Sports Sponsor of the Year: Bridgestone

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Brian Poe of Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will open the Tip Tap room next month in Beacon Hill, with a back corner booth to host semiprivate events.

Sneakerball will have its first run at the Fairmont Copley Plaza October 11, benefiting ALS Therapy Development Institute with auction prizes including diamond-studded sneakers valued at $30,000.

The Westin Boston Waterfront's new meeting space, the Westin Hive, is suited to small meetings and can be booked by the hour.

The Cable Hall of Fame dinner raised a record $1 million Monday at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel. The event was part of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association convention. The Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/JSxP17

CHICAGO: Bike the Drive is Sunday, presented by MB Financial Bank; the event lets 20,000 participants pedal down a car-free Lake Shore Drive, and culminates with a festival in Grant Park.

LAS VEGAS: On Tuesday, Chinese Laundry hosted a run with Dania Ramirez on Las Vegas Boulevard. The participating beauty queens ran in wedge heels, in 105-degree heat.

Vegas.com has a roundup of Memorial Day events in town: http://bit.ly/L9gDm6

Golflasvegasnow.com: "There are two big professional golf tournaments over the 2012 Memorial Day weekend. The BMW P.G.A. Championship takes place on the European P.G.A. Tour while the P.G.A. Tour features the Crowne Plaza Invitational." http://bit.ly/JrjqV5

Insomniac Events will curate a collaboration between Blue Man Group and Steve Aoki at the 16th annual Electric Daisy Carnival. Exec Digital: http://bit.ly/LESG8J

LOS ANGELES: Huffington Post has an interview with mixologist Andrew Parish of Beveredge: http://huff.to/MHXZDF

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Matthew Oetting is the new chef de cuisine of BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel South Beach. Oetting previously was executive chef for The Trump Soho Hotel.

NEW YORK: ExtraMooga V.I.P. ticket holders of this past weekend's GoogaMooga food and music festival will be refunded their $250, organizers announced yesterday. http://nydn.us/Lr5Bor

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

ORLANDO: To generate buzz about its new water park, Legoland Florida will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the number of beach balls simultaneously thrown in the air. The event is today at the park in Winter Haven, with free admission to the first 400 people who show up to participate. The water park officially opens on Saturday.

Premiere Beauty Show has signed on to remain at the Orange County Convention Center through 2015. This year's show is June 2-4.

TORONTO: EnVille Event Design and Catering catered the reception for Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, at the Lieutenant Governor's Suite at Queen's Park yesterday. 

Doors Open Toronto will open 135 architecturally and historically significant buildings to the public on Saturday and Sunday. This year's theme is "200 Years of Building Our City," in commemoration of the War of 1812.

WASHINGTON: The seventh annual Ultra White Party is slated for Sunday at Ibiza with actress Meagan Good hosting.

Authorities identified seven illegal nightclubs in Prince George's County that failed to pay taxes or obtain permits. Two have been shut down. http://bit.ly/Kxb3Fu

The new Pho Junkies food truck has a zombie apocalypse theme and the tag line "Better than Brains." http://bit.ly/LoUxLP

Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. announced the appointments of Stephen Longbottom as associate director of sales and Joanna Kaub as the associate director of catering.

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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