BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #330 — Friday, 08.17.12
++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++
Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. GRACELAND GATHERING: Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley surprised the crowd gathered at Graceland Wednesday evening to mark the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. It was the first time they had appeared together at the event. Associated Press: "The vigil, which was set to run through Thursday morning, marked the high point of Elvis Week, an annual celebration of Presley's life and career. Organizers said about 75,000 people were expected by authorities to take part in the vigil." http://apne.ws/nnsQfk
2. EVENTS AS MONEYMAKERS: When a tech journalism startup realized that selling advertising alone wouldn't support their site, they turned to the events industry, starting an eight-day conference. Nieman Journalism Lab: "Technically Philly points to the events-based business model as the foremost reason it has become a profitable business." http://bit.ly/OgnI4W
3. MEETINGS SPENDING QUESTIONED: Another federal government is drawing scrutiny for its events spending. The Department of Veterans Affairs is facing an internal investigation for a four-day training event last summer at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. Washington Post: "The agency’s inspector general is investigating whether event planners and other organizers of the training for human resources employees took alcohol, concert tickets and spa treatments from vendors. Also under scrutiny are tens of thousands of dollars in promotional items the conference organizers gave attendees, government sources said." http://wapo.st/NECfFe
Meanwhile, after lobbying from the hotel industry, the General Service Administration decided to freeze per diem rates. Washington Business Journal: "The GSA was considering an alternative that would recalculate the per diem rates used by government travelers nationally." http://bit.ly/N8ravM
4. BOLDFACE CONVENTION NAMES: Politico has several tidbits about the upcoming Republican and Democratic National Conventions. One event note: "Actress Jessica Alba and producer Cash Warren are hosting the much talked about "Super-O-Rama" convention closing party being put on jointly by Priorities USA, Majority PAC and House Majority PAC at the Democratic National Convention. The event Sept. 6, after President Barack Obama accepts his party's nomination, will feature musical entertainment by American rapper, songwriter and producer Pitbull and the Scissor Sisters. The party will be at the Fillmore Charlotte, part of the NC Music Factory." http://politi.co/OlaZ0N
5. NETS GAINS: Jay-Z, a part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets, has an outsize influence on the team, from marketing to advice on conducting weapons pat-downs before games. New York Times: "Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is benefiting handsomely, too, beginning with free use of one of 11 exclusive “Vault” suites, for which paying customers are charged $550,000 a year. Suite owners will have access to a Champagne bar serving Armand de Brignac, an expensive bubbly that Mr. Carter promotes and in which he holds a financial interest, according to a biography by a writer for Forbes. The arena will contain a 40/40 Club, an iteration of his sports-bar-style nightclub chain. There will be a Rocawear store, selling his clothing line, on the arena’s exterior. Even the advertising agency used by the Nets, Translation, is half-owned by Mr. Carter." http://nyti.ms/MzuYKM
6. DENVER GOES FOR SHOW: After organizers of the Outdoor Retailer show said they were considering moving from longtime host city Salt Lake City because of political differences with Utah government, speculation centered on which cities would try to lure the $40 million show. One answer so far: Denver. Boulder County Business Report: http://bit.ly/MC8BV2
7. MARKETING HIRE: Svedka Vodka announced yesterday the appointment of Diana Pawlik as vice president of marketing. Pawlik has served in this role on an interim basis since March. Press Release: http://on.mktw.net/Olo3mO
++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++
Check out our editor's collection of top-rated video chapters from our class library, and sharpen your event insight. Our Suggested Summer Learning compilation includes content from David Merrell, Jes Gordon, Mindy Weiss, Preston Bailey, Mary Wittenberg, Colja Dams and others. 41 minutes | 10 clips | lots of ideas
* BEST IDEAS OF THE WEEK *
Here’s a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week, including a Jamaica-shaped stage for a Toronto gala, a bar with redwood fencing at the Odd Life of Timothy Green premiere in Los Angeles, a menu preview at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, an art project with Heidi Klum at her Truly Scrumptious line debut in New York, and trading tweets for ice cream treats in Washington. http://bizba.sh/PqowFp
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Boston American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with a Gala at the Boston Marriott Copley Place August 25. Organizers expect more than 500 guests representing local engineering firms, contractors, manufacturers, and facility and building owners.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.: The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis announced the appointment of Lisa Astorga to the newly created role of director of meetings.
CHICAGO: According to NBC Chicago, the cleanup bill for this year's Lollapalooza should be around $150,000, which is significantly less than last year's tab of around $1 million. The work to restore the park, which started on Tuesday, includes aeration, seeding, and laying down new sod. http://bit.ly/QGBo7k
LAS VEGAS: Fashion Police's George Kotsiopoulos will host a Fashion's Night Out event at the Shoppes at the Palazzo. Broadcast Newsroom: http://bit.ly/N6FN2s
USA Today: "The hotel booking site trivago.com says Las Vegas is the No. 1 destination for U.S. travelers this Labor Day, and that visitors can expect rates that are 17 percent above August." http://usat.ly/Nqd4af
LOS ANGELES: L.A. Times: "True Blood's Sam Trammell and The Good Wife's Alan Cumming are slated to co-host Kiehl's Manhattan Village grand opening celebration benefiting Project Angel Food on Friday." http://lat.ms/Pu668s
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI: The annual “Chefs Up Front Dinner” is scheduled for August 23 at the W Fort Lauderdale, with proceeds benefiting Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters program. Participating chefs are: Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s, Andy Trousdale of Le Bistro, Carlos Jorge of W Ft. Lauderdale, Jason Smith of Steak 954, Jeremy Ford of 3030 Ocean, Makoto Okuwa of Makoto Bal Harbor, Marc Gruverman of Capital Grille, Nuno of Ironside Café, Richard Gras of J&G Grill, and Ron Duprat of Gulf Harbor Yacht & Country Club.
NEW YORK: The 10th annual New York Times Travel Show is slated for January 18-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with founding sponsor American Express. The show will feature about 500 exhibitors, special travel offers, and live entertainment.
Nokia, in partnership with Microsoft, will host a press conference September 5—the same day Nokia World kicks off in Helsinki.
The Ironman triathlon's first run in New York may be the last. Organizers suspended registration for next year's race due to its pricy $1,200 entry fee. Bloomberg Businessweek: http://buswk.co/N3sxSh
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: Fashion's Night Out is September 6, with cocktails, nibbles, designer appearances, and exhibitions at destinations throughout the city including Queen St. West and Yorkville.
The Drake Hotel is returning as the hospitality partner of the Toronto International Film Festival for the ninth consecutive year September 6-16.
The Creative Coalition hosts its Spotlight Awards dinner September 11.
WASHINGTON: To celebrate the opening of its new ballroom next month, The Mayflower Renaissance partnered with Iron Horse Vineyards in Sonoma, Calif., to create a custom sparkling wine called “Fete Cuvee.” Employees of the hotel visited Iron Horse to blend and taste the 2008 Cuvee, which will be served throughout The Mayflower this fall.
AFR Event Furnishings's annual showcase and networking event is scheduled for October 1 at the Mead Center for American Theater.
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 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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