BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #174 — Tuesday, 01.10.12
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. C.E.S. OPENS: The International Consumer Electronics Show warmed up in Las Vegas Monday with a lineup of pre-show press conferences from big players like LG, Intel, Sharp, Samsung, and Panasonic and a keynote by Microsoft C.E.O. Steven A. Ballmer. It was a swan song of sorts for the tech company, which is making its last appearance at the annual event as it joins giants like Apple and HP who prefer to stage launches on their own terms. Still, when the giant tech show floor officially opens today, it will be the second-largest in the show's history, with more than 2,700 exhibitors launching more than 20,000 products.
In other news, AT&T has made its C.E.S. participation worthwhile by building a concurrent developer's summit set to draw 2,500 attendees this year. More from The New York Times:
http://nyti.ms/wmF6t5
More from Cnet:
http://bit.ly/x2OgOf
2. INCENTIVE TRAVEL: From Orlando bureau chief Mitra Sorrells: The Site International Foundation and Incentive Travel Council surveyed more than 1,000 people to learn about incentive travel opportunities. Results concluded that people prefer a trip with limited mandatory functions than one that offered full schedules each day. Another find: people eligible for incentive travel enjoy evening social events scheduled on a few nights during a trip. Here's the full story:
http://bit.ly/wKMR2Z
3. REPORT FROM P.C.M.A.: From West Coast editor Alesandra Dubin: The airy San Diego Convention Center was buzzing Monday with a thick crowd on site for the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting, Convening Leaders. A throng estimated at close to 4,000 meeting professionals scurried between simultaneous sessions on hot topics like budgets, green meetings, and hybrid events. Here are some sound bites from the day:
Eric Olson, general manager, Active Events: "There’s a general fear in the events industry of technology replacing what we’re doing in the live environment. But digital technology isn’t a replacement for anything. It’s additive."
Susan Tinnish, assistant professor, Kendall College: "You need to build a business case [for sustainable meetings], otherwise the C-level suite is not particularly interested."
Arlene Davis, senior director of trade shows, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association: “We have to remember trade shows are not [only] about buying and selling. We have to tell our story to the attendees.”
4. TARGET DROPS AGENCY: The retailer has split with Wieden & Kennedy after a six-year relationship. Ad Age: "With neither a CMO nor a quarterback, it's a whole new ballgame at Target. "
http://bit.ly/zygO6Q
5. DISNEY RESIGNATION: Walt Disney Studios worldwide marketing president, MT Carney, is leaving. L.A. Times: "The film industry outsider who was brought in by [chairman Rich]Ross 19 months ago to shake up Disney's marketing practices and focus more on digital platforms has had a difficult run. She failed to acclimate to Hollywood and oversaw the release of a number of box office flops."
http://lat.ms/x8EZzV
6. BIG SALES, LAGGING BRAND: Chinese computer maker Lenovo—the No. 2 computer maker in the world—is looking to build its brand through social media, design, branded content, retail experience, event and strategic engagement, and partnerships. Ad Age: "Lenovo is also reaching teens where they live, with an onslaught of online content, competitions and promotions. The company is sponsoring the annual HopSotch independent music fest, was a tech partner with ‘Transformers 3’ and even showed up at Fashion Week in New York with designer partnerships and the Lenovo Lounge."
http://bit.ly/wwaos0
* LOCAL NEWS *
COAST TO COAST: Hotelier Vikram Chatwal is looking to expand his boutique brand Dream to Los Angeles and Chicago. Crains New York:
http://bit.ly/wR3TYh
ATLANTA: Kelley Ruff has been named director of sales and business development for Global Events Partners.
http://bit.ly/hAkPwg
BOSTON: The recently shuttered Mare in the North End will reopen early this year as Mare Oyster Bar. Boston Restaurant Talk:
http://bit.ly/xL7e1X
CHICAGO: Bill Clinton will speak at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, May 6.
"Angels in America" playwright Tony Kushner will be the guest of honor at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's March 27 dinner.
The Chicago Sun-Times predicts that donuts, macaroons, and dumplings will be among the "hot food trends" of 2012. The Chicago Sun-Times:
http://bit.ly/y0vFTg
LAS VEGAS: A 128-foot dragon decor piece arrived by way of two 18-wheel trucks at the Palazzo last night, and will soon make its way to the resort's Waterfall & Atrium Gardens as part of the horticulture team's transformation of the property for Chinese New Year. Once complete, in time for the ceremonial dragon dance January 23, the attraction will be suspended 19 feet in the air and weigh 8,000 pounds.
LOS ANGELES: Sunday night, Audi and jewelry designer Martin Katz got started celebrating the Golden Globes, with a party at Cecconi's in West Hollywood. Audi's third-annual award season kickoff event brought celebrities to the venue in Audi A8 sedans.
Today, DoSomething.org and Aeropostale will celebrate the kickoff of the fifth annual "Teens for Jeans" campaign at Palihouse with host Kristen Bell. Red Carpet Systems is handling the design and production of the step-and-repeat wall and other elements including a custom carpet, podium cover, linens, and pillows—all done in denim.
Fiji Water announced Monday that it will serve as the official water for the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild awards, and will appear on the red carpet, on dinner tables during the ceremony, and at the post-awards gala hosted by People magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Thomas Ford of Tom Ford Designs will once again design the 13th annual
In Style and Warner Brothers Golden Globes party. Inspired by water, fluidity, and movement, his team will construct a tent over the Beverly Hilton Hotel pool, creating an underwater look and feel.
On Thursday, guests came out for the premiere of "Haywire" at the Directors Guild of America, where the lobby was transformed into a lounge-like setting for the Playboy- and Relativity-sponsored after-party. Guests sipped Bombay Sapphire cocktails and food came from Baked It Myself catering.
Town and Country Event Rentals is now distributing Girari's line of event rental furniture.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: FreeMiamiFun.com is listing more than 2,000 free events in Miami and surrounding areas, including concerts, sporting events, and art exhibits.
http://bit.ly/ttgV1H
NEW YORK: Out NYC, billing itself as the city's first gay hotel, opens March 1 in Midtown. The 105-room hotel will have hostel-style accommodations, a nightclub, restaurant, and wellness center. Metro:
http://bit.ly/wnxiOi
Euro RSCG, Arnold, and Draftfcb are all vying to drum up Atlantic City tourism marketing. Adweek:
http://bit.ly/yC6UX0
Crains New York on the new convention center proposed last week: "What worries some tourism and convention officials about Javits' proposed 3.8 million-square-foot replacement is whether anybody will want to go all the way out to South Ozone Park. It is far closer to the Atlantic Ocean than Times Square, which is an hour away by taxi and even longer by subway, according to HopStop.com."
http://bit.ly/xB2e1c
Danny Meyer and Union Square Hospitality Group will open North End Grill this week in Battery Park City. The space has an open kitchen, coffee bar, and a menu with items like American red snapper and rib eye steaks. New York Daily News:
http://nydn.us/An1cRX
Laura Lachman, formerly senior manager of special events at Escada, has been named PR and events manager at Tag Heuer, overseeing all retail and corporate functions.
Chef Marc Forgione is opening is first restaurant outside of New York. His 11,000-square foot steakhouse, American Cut, will be housed in the beachfront resort, Revel in Atlantic City.
Serena Abraham, formerly marketing manager at Thomas Pink, has been named events manager for the Ralph Lauren Collection stores.
Entertainment Cruises has acquired charter yacht Atlantica.
http://bit.ly/yI21wX
ORLANDO: Central Florida will gain more than 2,650 new hotel rooms in 2012, and the Orange County Convention Center is anticipating a 16 percent increase in attendance compared to 2011. Orlando Sentinel:
http://thesent.nl/zaPv6J
OTTAWA: Ottawa will host its first Nuit Blanche September 22. The all-night art festival will have its own regional flair. The Ottawa Citizen:
http://bit.ly/wF7Bf6
PHILADELPHIA: Since the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the venue is now the fourteenth largest center in the nation. The convention center has booked 225 meetings and conventions so far for 2012.
PITTSBURGH: SwiftMobile is building an app for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center set to launch in late February. The customized app will provide visitors with venue floor plans, area maps, and other pieces of information. Local merchants will be able to promote their businesses, and event planners can upgrade the app to include their agenda, attendee profiles, and other information relating to the show floor.
http://bit.ly/zj3lC6
WASHINGTON: In an effort to extend the life of banners, stages, and signage, Arlington, Virginia-based Beth Signer Design is finding new ways to integrate existing materials into events. The communications firm recently designed staging systems that can be reused, reconfigured, and resized according to the scale of the event.
http://bit.ly/zeR4Vo
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 Jana Schiowitz 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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