1. FACEBOOK'S "HOME" LAUNCH: Facebook, along with HTC and AT&T, launched the "Facebook Home" Thursday. The system can customize a smartphone user's home screen on Android products and add chat and other features. AdWeek: "'If Facebook can use this to deliver location relevant and timely commercial messages to consumers, it will effectively give Facebook a license to print money, their long sought-after equivalent of Google's AdWords,' said Robin Grant, global managing director of We Are Social." http://bit.ly/ZbaOr3
2. ACADEMY CONCLAVE CREATES STIR: Oscar voting is among the topics the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will tackle at a May 4 general membership meeting that will take place simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York and Emeryville, California. Hollywood Reporter: "Because the Academy hasn't held such a broad-based meeting in the past, there was some speculation when members received the first notice that a dramatic announcement might be in the works." http://bit.ly/10zK6e3
3. TRADE SHOW FIRM CONFRONTS EMBEZZLEMENT: The Pennsylvania-based trade show company Sho-Aids found out that even small companies are vulnerable to embezzlement when it learned that the company's payroll clerk stole $600,000 over six years and threatened Sho-Aids' future. Philadelphia Inquirer: "The theft at Sho-Aids is a case study in the concussive impacts embezzlement can have on a tight-knit, small business, where it's not only a crime, but an act of betrayal, and what companies have to do to recover." http://bit.ly/Z66Cdd
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Craft distiller Berkshire Mountain Distillers has created a new gin for Legal Sea Foods locations across Massachusetts. The "Berkshire LSF Ethereal Gin" will debut on the restaurant's spring and summer cocktail menu beginning Wednesday. Drinks will include strawberry sangria and French lemonade.
American Seasons on Nantucket opened for the season on Thursday. Additionally, the team behind the restaurant will open a new venue, the Proprietors Bar & Table, in June. On India Street in Nantucket, the venue will offer small plates, local fish and grains, and a European-focused wine selection.
CHICAGO: Swarovski, sponsor of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Fashion 2013 and the Walk 2013, will use its windows to showcase a jewel-studded design from students of the school. The windows will be unveiled at an in-store cocktail party on April 15; the fashion events take place in May.
LAS VEGAS: Seattle Times: "Safari Club International is holding next year's annual convention in Las Vegas and had planned to return to Reno the following year for the 16th time in its history. But now Nevada tourism officials say the international hunting organization has decided to spend the next two years in Las Vegas." http://bit.ly/10zV03N
Las Vegas Weekly: "October’s Life is Beautiful festival may still be months away, but you can get a look at what’s in store—and how it will fit in the global music fest scene—this weekend at Festival Generation Week, a three-day series of free events and interactive discussions held Downtown as part of local start-up CatalystCreativ’s monthly speaker series." http://bit.ly/YVR9PQ
LOS ANGELES: The literary event series Live Talks Los Angles has announced its spring 2013 series. L.A. Times: http://lat.ms/YyPzUt
The Resort at Pelican Hill announced the opening of a newly constructed golf pavilion, located at Pelican Hill Golf Club.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Operation Smile is hosting the Little Bright Dress brunch April 14 at Nikki Beach Miami. The event, timed with the Thai New Year, will include a Thai-inspired fashion show.
The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau has opened online voting for its Providencia Award, given annually to an individual or entity that has contributed to the vitality and prosperity of the county as a tourist destination. Votes will be accepted through April 25 at www.palmbeachpost.com/providencia
Ronen Rental Boutique has just introduced a new sign-in feature on its Web site that allows clients to view the company's inventory, including prices and available quantities, in real time. The service is free and available only to the trade.
NEW YORK: The lineup for the Insomniac's second annual Electric Daisy Carnival includes Eric Pyrdz, Empire of the Sun, Afrojack, and more. The electronic music festival is March 17-18 at Citi Field.
The inaugural MoCCA Arts Festival is this weekend at the 69th Regiment Armory. Hosted by the Society of Illustrators and the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, the event will bring together exhibitors and top comic and illustration artists.
The 2012 Delete Blood Cancer gala will honor designer Vera Wang, actress Leighton Meester, and co-founder and artistic director of EVP and OPI Suzi Weiss-Fischmann for promoting its Share the Love campaign. The May 1 black-tie event is at Cipriani Wall Street and will be hosted by designer Nate Berkus and feature entertainment from Lady Antebellum.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's gala is June 6 at the Central Park Zoo. The Southeast Asia-themed evening will honor WCS chair Ward Woods and will include a reception, dinner and dancing, and an after-party.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: The 2013 American Cancer Society's Central Florida Cattle Barons' Ball is April 13 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. The western-themed fund-raising event will include food from area restaurants, a live auction, and bull-riding games. http://bit.ly/YVUSwV
TORONTO: The Top Ten Event is May 9 at the Winter Garden Theater. The event will feature 10 Canadians speaking for 10 minutes each on the one thing people should know before they die.
WASHINGTON: Dolcezza is opening a 4,000-square-foot gelato factory at 550 Penn Street NE that will have a tasting room and a coffee lab. The entire venue will be available for private events of 50-100 guests.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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