Call Sheet #307: Models May Strut at Closing Ceremony, Teens Get Their Own Concierge, Yahoo Taps New Chief

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #307 — Tuesday, 07.17.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html

 * INCOMING *

1. CLOSING CATWALK: After all the hype about the Summer Olympics opening ceremony, British tabloid The Mirror has shifted to rumors about the closing ceremony. The Cut: "[It] will include a number of A-list British celebrities, including appearances by models Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Lily Cole, and Georgia May Jagger, who 'will strut the catwalk to David Bowie songs Fashion and Rebel Rebel.'" http://bit.ly/O5CX0G

2. NEW YAHOO CHIEF: Google executive Marissa Mayer has been named chief of Yahoo, with a charge to turn the tech company around. She brings an aesthetic sense—Mayer is credited with Google's famously sparse white screen—as well as an engineering background. New York Times: "As Google and Facebook have emerged as Web giants, Yahoo has struggled to create a distinct strategy, even though its audience remains among the largest on the Internet. … As she hashes out Yahoo’s strategy, Ms. Mayer said she wanted to focus on the Internet company’s strong franchises, including e-mail, finance and sports. She also hopes to do more with its video broadband and its mobile businesses." http://nyti.ms/O33UST

3. COSPLAY QUEEN: Ever wonder about those Comic-Con attendees who dress up as their favorite superhero? They're part of the costumed play, or "cosplay," culture, and they have their own stars, like Kat Quinn. Los Angeles Times: Quinn "has been a force at conventions since 2007, has served on discussion panels and has been a guest judge for costume contests. … She's worn everything from Disney's Cheshire Cat and Snow White to gender-reversed Superma'am." http://lat.ms/NtpNLG

4. TEEN TREND: Omni Hotels & Resorts has launched a concierge program to help teen travelers find teen-friendly activities and restaurants. The program began Memorial Day at the Omni Berkshire Place in New York City and now is at seven hotels. Lodging Hospitality: "Teens can meet [the teen concierge] via the hotel’s website or a YouTube video. They can follow his activity suggestions via Twitter. And, they can ask questions via email or text." http://bit.ly/Lojapz


++ 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 


* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: The Rochester Country Fair is August 16-19 at new fairgrounds at 65 Pine Street. Activities include a truck-pulling and fiddle contests, professional wrestling, and a pancake breakfast.

CHICAGO: W Chicago Lakeshore will host an Instagram photo exhibit July 26. The exhibit will showcase prints selected from a contest that lets participants upload photos using the hashtag #WVIEW.

Embeya restaurant, named after the Vietnamese word for "little one," opens in the West Loop late this summer. Serving progressive Asian fare, the 7,000-square-foot venue will have a private dining room with room for 62 guests.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special events released its Draft Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 Monday for public comment. Four upcoming town-hall meetings will let local residents and stakeholders share their thoughts on the plan, which can be downloaded here: www.cityofchicago.org/dcase

The Adler Planetarium's black-tie Celestial Ball is scheduled for September 8.

LAS VEGAS: The World Football Challenge at Sam Boyd Stadium will host the game between title-winning teams Real Madrid and Laguna Santos August 5.

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Times on the renovation of the Palace Theatre: "They're not dead," Carole Koenig said of the theaters. "They're living pieces of architecture for people to continue using in new ways." http://lat.ms/Md5T7o

ISES L.A. will be hosting its chapter board installation and Los Angeles Special Event Awards night July 25. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served as  well as a sit down dinner at the Ebell of Los Angeles.

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

MIAMI: Nikki Beach and Equinox will present the second annual SPF: Sand - Play - Fashion, a series of fashion shows and events at Nikki Beach Miami this Saturday and Sunday.

The Heart Gallery of Broward County's Back to School Bash fund-raiser is August 16 at the Funderdome Indoor Play & Café in Fort Lauderdale, where kids will have access to the venue's activities and food.

NEW YORK: Finger on the Pulse presents the Wild Game BBQ Blowout with the Mable's Smokehouse menu serving alligator and venison, as well as wild-boar ribs on Wednesday at 10 Hope St., Brooklyn.

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

ORLANDO: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will broadcast of the Summer Olympics opening ceremonies in London displayed on large-screen televisions in the Dolphin lobby with complimentary food and beverage and an opportunity to meet with past summer games medalists July 27.

The Sonesta ES Suites is now open on International Drive. The property has 146 one- and two-bedroom suites and a 780-square-foot meeting room.

Amazon Forest is a new Brazilian restaurant on International Drive. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the option of sit-down dining or grab-and-go counter service. The menu includes fish, sandwiches, smoothies, juices, and Amazon Forest's signature frozen treat, the Açaí Bowl.

TORONTO: The Culinary Adventure Company will host a walking tour of Little India's restaurants, markets, and food shops on Thursday.

The Hot and Spicy Food Festival will serve spicy foods from around the world and will have live dance performances as well as the ninth annual Iron Chef Competition on Friday at the Harbourfront Centre.

Chowbella Culinary Experiences will be hosting a tour of Queen and King West's chocolate and cheese food shops on Saturday.

WASHINGTON: Moet Hennessy is hosting a Glenmorangie Golf Simulator Experience launch party Thursday at the St. Regis. Guests will take a swing at the golf simulator while sipping on Glenmorangie Original and Glenmorangie 18YO single malt scotch and watching the first-round play of the 2012 British Open from Royal Lytham and St. Annes course.

National Elite, Entertainment Cruises’ newest private charter yacht, will have its christening and inaugural cruise July 24. Karmen Walker Brown, wife of Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, will serve as christening godmother.

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 Alexandra Brandt, Rose Chevalier, Julia Elstrodt, Beth Kormanik, and Anna Sekula 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: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
Advertise here: [email protected]