Call Sheet #165: Most-Searched Brands, Travel Trend Forecast, the Week in Events

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #165 — Friday, 12.16.11

Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
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* INCOMING *

1. MOST SEARCHED BRANDS: Big brands came out on top on Google's annual list of the world's top searches. Nike, Victoria's Secret, and Zappos topped the brand list in the U.S. Technology also had a strong showing. Four of the top ten fastest-rising overall searches were Google+, social catalog startup Pinterest, the iPhone 5, and Steve Jobs. Adweek:
http://bit.ly/tDi0ul

2. TRAVEL TRENDS: Marketing communications agency JWT released its travel and tourism trend report. Things to watch for: women-only hotel floors, smarter check-ins with radio-frequency identification cards, and a concept that lets people rent their backyards to travelers in Britain just in time for the London Olympics. Travelpulse.com:
http://bit.ly/rNOpQ3

3. TECH-SAVVY TRAVELERS: Fox Business lists the best gadgets for business travelers that can make travels easier with technology, from tablets and the water-purifying SteriPen to digital luggage scales and portable cell phone chargers.
http://fxn.ws/vghutb

* THE WEEK IN EVENTS *

Here’s a look at 10 highlights from our event coverage this week, including Pirelli's calendar unveiling, Cotton Inc.’s 24-hour runway show, an ice lounge for tweens in Washington, and molecular gastronomy at Kiehl’s Chicago store opening.
http://bit.ly/vSenAN

* CHECK-IN APP *

CheckInEasy has developed boarding pass technology for events. Event planners can now send their R.S.V.P. list a pass with a barcode, which can be scanned with an iPhone or iPad 2. The feature was used last week at a Google holiday party for 2,600 employees at the New York Public Library.
http://bit.ly/sEm8k7

* UPCOMING *

The Online Marketing Summit produced by UBM TechWeb is February 6-10 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Keynote speakers include leaders from companies like Salesforce, the Huffington Post, and General Motors.
http://prn.to/sGYfKC

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: The Ivy Plus Society will host its holiday party Saturday at the Estate.

Today marks the 238th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. In celebration, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum will place a Cupola on its roof this morning, and actors will reenact the historic patriots throwing tea into the water.

Paul M. Griffin will be joining AlliedPRA New England as its new director of sales and industry relations. AlliedPRA Destination Management is a global destination management and event planning company.
http://bit.ly/tEWFKL

CHICAGO: The Lincoln Park Zoo has added nearly two million lights to the grounds, which will stay lit until January 1. There will also be ice carving demonstrations, holiday crafts, and an opportunity to visit Santa.
http://bit.ly/eI0DSP

The Facebook status of Blue Plate Catering: "Big Breaking News!! Blue Plate has just been certified by the Green Restaurant Association as Chicago’s first and only green certified caterer!"

Total Event Resources has been named PepsiCo's supplier of the year. Nominated by PepsiCo organization's internal stakeholders, Total Event Resources has been credited as a "strategic partner" for the company, and has worked on its large-scale meetings and trade shows.
http://bit.ly/viE7NU

Playboy's New Year’s Eve Party at the Hilton‚ produced by Global Adrenaline, Tommy Z Productions, and Premier Event Marketing, includes a four-hour open bar, a video countdown and midnight confetti explosion, performances by Baby Bash and Eva Simmons, and appearances from eight Playboy Playmates.
http://bit.ly/tnyDqj

LAS VEGAS: Page Six: "Dutch techno DJ Tiesto has landed a multimillion-dollar deal with the Wynn Las Vegas' XS nightclub to play exclusively at the venue. Sources say Steve Wynn is paying a fortune to secure Tiesto at XS through 2012, an exclusive arrangement that prevents him playing elsewhere in Vegas."
http://nyp.st/trfuC4

Las Vegas Review-Journal looks at the reasons for the extended time between the last "Jersey Boys" show at the Palazzo January 1 and the first at Paris Las Vegas March 6.
http://bit.ly/sHas5T 

The lifestyle boutique Kardashian Khaos officially opened at the Mirage last night with a red-carpet event. The Mirage had beefed up security ahead of the party, anticipating huge crowds. It was Kim Kardashian's first real public appearance since her split from Kris Humphries. Las Vegas Sun:
http://bit.ly/uh8UW8

LEXINGTON, ALABAMA: Global Special Effects Inc. has purchased and acquired European fireworks manufacturer Universal Fireworks.

LOS ANGELES: Crustacean, Beverly Hills is hosting a New Year's Eve event that will borrow its theme from other celebrations around the world, with a noon-to-midnight bash influenced by parties in London, Rio, and New York. Another House of An restaurant, AnQi by Crustacean, will also host a party that evening, with a molecular dining menu.

The nominees for the 2012 Golden Globe awards were announced Thursday at the Beverly Hilton. Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Aida Takla-O’Reilly introduced Sofia Vergara, Woody Harrelson, Rashida Jones, and Gerard Butler to announce the nominees in 25 categories. Ricky Gervais will again host the ceremony on January 15 at the hotel.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The NATPE Market and Conference at the Fontainebleau Resort expects more than 5,000 attendees January 23-25. TVNewsCheck.com:
http://bit.ly/urHVvv

The ninth annual Miami iDate Dating Industry Super Conference runs January 23-30. The iDateAwards will take place the night of January 24.
http://bit.ly/uO4RWp

As the SLS Hotel South Beach gears up for its grand opening in April, the hotel will launch the first ever Jose Andres food truck designed by Philippe Starck and a Latin graffiti artist. The truck will be located near the pools and beach club. Haute Living:
http://bit.ly/uQRF0o

The new community skate court at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park opens tomorrow. The Miami Herald:
http://bit.ly/vsrKJm

NEW YORK: Chef David Burke is close to signing a deal with the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to provide mobile food trucks and use social media or in-stadium announcements to let people know what food is being served at which gate throughout an event. New York magazine:
http://bit.ly/uyysQW

The tenth annual June Briggs Awards will honor Givenik Jujamcyn Theaters, BI Worldwide, David Bouley, and Zak Events January 9 at the Mandarin Oriental.

Michael Douglas will receive the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's twelth annual Monte Cristo Award at a gala dinner at Edison Ballroom April 16 where his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, will present. The Hollywood Reporter:
http://bit.ly/uyOdIc

The BMF Media Group is looking to hire an experienced event producer and a creative director. Resumes can be sent to [email protected].

ORLANDO: Mad Cow Theatre will move into a new 8,800-square-foot facility on Church Street next fall. The Harriett Theatre will have seating for 170 and the Black Box Theatre will seat 70. The venue will also have a large lobby and wine bar.

TORONTO: The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District ends Sunday.
http://bit.ly/tS3IiQ

The sixth annual Santa Cruise sails tomorrow and Sunday, presented by Mariposa Cruises and Waterfront BIA as part of Winterfest. Two-hour cruises aboard the Northern Spirit include complimentary refreshments and a free photo with Santa.
http://bit.ly/sDgpYV

WASHINGTON: At the end of the month, the Washington Ballet's manager of special events and stewardship Elizabeth Early is leaving her post and heading to the Smithsonian Associates, where she takes on the role of donor events coordinator.

The Roof Terrace Restaurant will hold its 15th annual Sunday Brunch with Santa this weekend.
http://bit.ly/rENG2Y

In Maryland, the newly renovated Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center now offers 49,314 square feet of event space.
http://bit.ly/vGvVZY

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 Matthew Mogavero, Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, Courtney Thompson, and Katherine Zoeller in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com. 

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html