Event Solutions | Breaking News

Washington Convention Center Authority CEO Steps Down

Aubrey — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:43:09 -0700

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Reba Pittman Walker, CEO and general manager for the Washington Convention Center Authority in Washington, D.C., is stepping down for personal reasons, effective May 30, 2008.

“It has been an honor to work with some of the brightest talent in the meetings and conventions industry, and I know the center will continue to have a strong impact on the region’s economy,” said Walker.

“During her tenure here, Walker has brought a tremendous commitment to customer service and to enhancing the sales and marketing efforts of the center,” said Beverly Perry, the authority chairwoman for the center. “She has established a well-respected reputation in the hospitality industry as someone who understands the vital role customer service plays in the convention business, and has applied that expertise to our building. We thank her for her dedication, professionalism and commitment to improving the hospitality industry in Washington, D.C.”

For more information, visit www.dcconvention.com.

Venue, Lead Time and Security Biggest Challenges During Pope Visit

Aubrey — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:49:55 -0700

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When Global Event Partners (GEP) was contacted with just four months lead time regarding a visit by the pope to Washington DC, GEP turned to Showcall Inc. knowing they could rely on the company’s experience in production of high profile, intense security events.

The biggest challenges Showcall faced were the venue, the lead time and the VIP security.

The Venue

The Nationals Park baseball stadium, the brand new home to the Washington DC Nationals, was chosen to host the 47,000 who attended the Mass. The stadium opened just two weeks prior to the pope’s visit for the first baseball game of the season. There was no baseline to guarantee the capabilities of the stadium. Many questions about lighting, power, staging, video and other logistical strategies were answered during the first baseball games of the season. But for most of the four-month planning period, Showcall dealt with many uncertainties and planned for the unknown.

“This event was particularly challenging from a technical perspective,” said Ajay R. Patil, co-founder and owner of Showcall. “Not only did we have to compete with the sun, from a lighting point of view, but we also had to deal with very complex audio elements. Our Audio Designer, Mike Scarfe consulted with Martin Audio in England and Crown Microphones to determine the best way to ensure that the entire field and stadium would hear the event clearly. They also had to consider a full orchestra and three choirs behind the speakers…a big ‘no no’ when it comes to audio. But the collaboration worked and the sound was perfect.”

The venue’s groundskeepers expressed concern for the care of the grass when setting up the enormous stage, audio towers and seating for 6,000 guests. Using Terra Plast and Bravo Mats to protect the grass helped resolve these issues.

Lead Time

Four months of lead time for an event of this magnitude, planning every detail meticulously, provided another challenge. Design for the staging and production, as well as the vestments worn by the pope, the bishops and cardinals, had to be presented to a local committee then to the Vatican for approval. Included in the four months of planning was a design contest for the pope, the altar and the ambo (pulpit).

The amount of load-in time was abbreviated to three days instead of the preferred five to six, as dictated by the stadium’s schedule. And as the clock ticked down, the team had from 3:00 a.m. until 5:15 a.m. to finalize their preparations.

“The key to dealing with a compressed time frame is an effective communications system during the planning process,” said A. Blayne Candy, co-founder and owner of Showcall. “Also, surround yourself with a team of highly experienced personnel. If your team gets overwhelmed with the scale of the event, it is less effective. Decisions must be made and executed in real-time while keeping everyone apprised of the results. There is no time or room for big mistakes.” Candy also stressed the importance of honesty among participants. If they do not have an answer, they need to let everyone know about the unknown factor.

Security

Showcall worked with the United States Secret Service, those ultimately responsible for the security and safety of the event. The Secret Service arranged for the presence of a wide variety of law enforcement, emergency response and medical personnel. Understanding security concerns and further navigating around the rigid challenges was key to the success of the planning process and the execution of the event.

The Secret Service made a final sweep of the park at 10:00 p.m. the night before the event. The entire park was evacuated of the 500 personnel while agents and dogs swept the stadium until 3:00 a.m. Personnel were then readmitted to finalize preparations before doors opened at 5:15 a.m.

“Get involved in these events at the most basic level,” said Patil and Candy to any who aspire to this niche of production. “Learn the ropes at every level and work your way up so that you know and understand every nuance of the security solutions.”

Additional Challenges and Rewards

Showcall produced the pre-program at the Mass, called Morning Glory. The company’s responsibilities included scripting, stage management, calling of the show and securing and coordinating all talent, celebrities and athletes. Additionally, Showcall planned and managed all media logistics for over 600 members of the International Press. The company also managed media logistics and audio-visual production services for the pope at the White House, the Shrine, the Basilica and the John Paul Cultural Center.

The Showcall team felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience…to be part of an event of this magnitude, and to be part of a team that rises to meet and exceed any challenge.

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Freeman Named ‘Business of the Year’ by the LVHA

Aubrey — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:47:24 -0700

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Freeman, a provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing events was named “Business of the Year” by the Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA).

The Distinction Awards honor those in hospitality-related industries for outstanding service and commitment to maintaining Las Vegas as a premier destination for business and leisure travel.

“The fact that this honor was voted on by our peers in the Las Vegas business community makes it especially important to all of the 400 employee owners of Freeman who work in the Las Vegas area,” said Barry Rappaport, executive VP, national sales group for Freeman.

Freeman received a $2,500 educational scholarship in its name to the school of its choice, funded by the LVHA. Freeman will award the scholarship to the UNLV Hospitality Program in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.freemanco.com.

Signature Marketing Group Acquires RK Global Meetings & Events

Aubrey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:40:23 -0700

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Corporate event and meeting management company, Langhorne, Pa.-based Signature Marketing Group (SMG), has acquired RK Global Meetings & Events, an event management firm based in West Chester, Pa. RK’s founders, Stephanie Krzywanski and Jennafer Ross, CMP, will join SMG as director, event operations and vice president, business development.

“Acquiring RK Global Meetings & Events puts us in a strong position for continued growth,” said Julie Smith, CMP, president, SMG. “Krzywanski and Ross bring us a wealth of talent and industry experience including strong revenue management and strategic client development. Their recognized leadership within our industry, coupled with their creativity and commitment to excellence, is a significant new asset for SMG.”

Aramark Hires Two Industry Veterans

Aubrey — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:23:00 -0700

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Aramark Harrison Lodging, a provider of food services, facilities management and uniform services and a division of Philadelphia-based Aramark Corporation, has hired Bob Marshall as senior vice president of operations and Sandy Heilman as vice president of sales and marketing.

Marshall, with more than 20 years of hospitality experience, will be responsible for directing and supervising the organization’s operational activities from it’s headquarters in Philadelphia.

Also a veteran in her field, Heilman brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing and will oversee Aramark Harrison Lodging’s sales process while leading all marketing, electronic distribution and central reservations programs from the company’s Phoenix location.

For more information, visit www.aramark.com.

Phoenix Marriott Unveils $21 Million Ballroom Addition

Aubrey — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:25:14 -0700

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The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in Phoenix, has unveiled a $21 million addition to its property, the Saguaro Ballroom.

Adding more than 50,000 square feet to the resort, the new addition brings the resort’s total event space to 240,000 square feet.

“The addition will continue to drive convention business, and leisure business will benefit as well,” said Steve Hart, general manager and regional marketing vice president for the resort. “Many of our leisure travelers are guests that have visited the resort for a meeting and then returned for vacation.”

As the ultimate christening, the ballroom hosted Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night fundraising event, which attracted numerous A-list celebrities.

For more information, visit www.jwdesertridgeresort.com.

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PRG Creates New Company, Opportunities

Aubrey — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:34:31 -0700

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Production Resource Group LLC (PRG), an event resources provider, has formed a new company, PRG Distribution LLC (PRG Distribution).
The new company, headquartered in Dallas, will distribute entertainment technology product lines from global manufacturers such as FogScreen, PowerQuick, Spotlesslight and others, to dealers in North America.
“PRG Distribution gives North American dealers and their customers access to state-of-the-art lighting equipment and other entertainment products that have been hugely popular with customers outside the U.S., but difficult if not impossible to purchase in this country,” said PRG Vice President Tim Brennan. “Buyers can now purchase this equipment from their regional dealers.”

Brennan will oversee the new company.

GEP Names New President and CEO

Aubrey — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:46:16 -0700

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Global Events Partners (GEP), a partnership of destination management companies worldwide, has appointed Andrew Rosuck as president and CEO of GEP South Florida.

Rosuck brings more than 20 years of executive experience in hospitality in the areas of event planning, hotel and program management and destination marketing. He will lead the office’s sales, marketing, operations and human resources activities.

“I am thrilled to join GEP at an exciting time in the life of our brand and in the South Florida market in particular,” said Rosuck. “With big opportunities thanks to the opening of great new hotels in Florida’s east coast and a still-vibrant meetings market in the region, I look forward to leading the growth of GEP South Florida in the years ahead.”

For more information, visit www.globaleventspartners.com.

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Shareholders Experience Starbucks Heritage at Annual Meeting

Aubrey — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:04:03 -0700

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At java giant Starbucks’ recent shareholders meeting, video images of the original Starbucks store prompted attendees to reflect on the company’s 37-year heritage of buying, blending and brewing its signature coffees.

Helping inspire that reflection was audio-visual, staging and technical support company AV Concepts, which provided video for the meeting or the fifth year in a row.

The event was held at McCaw Hall (Seattle’s opera house), and the more than 6,000 attendees exceeded the venue’s capacity, requiring Starbucks to utilize the exposition hall in the neighboring building for overflow.

Using fiber optic cables to provide both high-resolution video and audio feeds, AV Concepts allowed the large overflow audience to be a part of the action in the main hall.

For more information, visit www.avconcepts.com.

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New Special Event Production Firm Launches in L.A.

Aubrey — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:25:19 -0700

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Erick Weiss, 17-year executive with Along Came Mary Productions, has left the company to establish Honeysweet Productions, a creative show production house.

During his time at Along Came Mary, a Los Angeles-based event production company, Weiss oversaw the production of the award after-party for the Grammy’s and worked with clients such as Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros., Dom Perignon and General Motors.

“I am so grateful to Mary Micucci of Along Came Mary for mentoring and teaching me the intricacies of detail,” said Weiss. “My years at ACM were incredible, but my love of theater has long tugged at my heartstrings and has evolved into the manifestation of a creative show production house that will no doubt collaborate with Along Came Mary and others for many years to come.”

For more information, visit www.honeysweetproductions.com.

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Fashionable Production

Aubrey — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:08:20 -0700

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When Charleston magazine needed a production team for Charleston Fashion Week ⎯ a New York-style fashion show with five days of runway shows and parties ⎯ they turned to PDA Productions for the second year in a row.

“This ranked highly as one of the most involved shows as far as my time spent designing, planning and producing,” said Todd St.Onge, project manager for PDA.

The event was held under the tents at Marion Square in Charleston, S.C. where PDA designed, set and operated lighting, audio, video content, video projection, staging and rigging for the all five days of runway shows and for the Finale Gala Saturday night.

“The design consisted of a clean, streamlined, modern aesthetic that was more about clothing than production,” said St.Onge. “I focused on keeping simple lines a monochromatic color scheme.”

St.Onge added two, three-foot mirror balls that hovered two-feet above the stage. When the show was about to start, the mirror balls raised to draw attention to the stage.

Tents were provided by Snyder Event Rentals.

For more information, visit www.pdastage.com.

Dems to Go Green at National Convention

Aubrey — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:43:53 -0700

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The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) proved that it has more on the mind than Obama and Clinton when it launched a series of “green” pages on its website, www.demconvention.com.

The new content highlights the DNCC’s efforts to design waste out of the convention by applying sustainable planning principles to every decision in the lead-up to the four-day event.

“The Democratic Party has been a leader in addressing climate change, environmental preservation and the promotion of renewable energy use, and the ways we build and execute our convention in Denver will mirror those same commitments,” said Andrea Robinson, director of sustainability and greening for the DNCC. “We aim to lead by example and identify opportunities, such as these Web pages, to help educate the public as well as convention attendees about making more sustainable choices in their own day-to-day activities.”

The website features a carbon calculator to help convention guests measure the carbon footprint generated by their individual trips to Denver. Additional components of the new green pages include an overview of the DNCC’s sustainable goals and objectives, a weekly greening tip, behind-the-scenes video of the DNCC’s efforts to create a sustainable event, and information on the organization’s eco-friendly initiatives.

The DNCC is also assembling a “green team” to help meet the organization’s goal of a minimum 85 percent waste diversion rate at the Colorado Convention Center. Robinson estimates needing the help of some 800 volunteers in various shifts to assist with greening assignments during convention week.

For more information, visit www.demconvention.com.

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Showorks Produces Event for Million-Dollar Donors

Aubrey — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:40:23 -0700

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Not sparing on the gold drapery, Showorks Inc., a Tampa, Fla.-based event production management company, created an elegant event for the University of South Florida’s (USF) million-dollar donors.

The event was held outdoors on the university’s campus and featured a 40- by 50-foot tent provided by Signature Special Events, foliage by Estelas, linens by BBJ Linen and Panache: A Classic Party Rentals Company, chairs and tables by PKS, and catering by Aramark.

For more information, visit www.showorksevents.com.

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Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Completes Renovation

Aubrey — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:31:12 -0700

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The Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh, connected via an indoor walkway to the Pittsburgh International Airport, has completed a $4 million renovation.

The renovations include upgrades to the hotel’s 20,000-square-foot ballroom, as well as new carpeting, wall coverings, drapes, Speakman showerheads and space-enhancing curved shower rods for all guestrooms.

The hotel offers 11 specialty suites, an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, fitness center and on-site dining venue, The Olive Press.

For more information, visit www.pittsburgh.hyatt.com.

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Car Auction Provides Entertainment, Philanthropic Opportunities

Aubrey — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:39:44 -0700

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Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Barrett-Jackson Auction Company recently held its 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event during its Opening Night Gala at the Americraft Expo Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Legal Seafood, Macaroni Grill and other Palm Beach-area eateries catered the event, and entertainment included live music from Heat Wave, tunes from DJ Marc Evans and an appearance by the Xellent Vodka Heavenly Angels.

Live and silent auctions were held to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com) and The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org).

“Amidst the bright lights, beautiful cars and excitement at Barrett-Jackson, our team works diligently to support organizations that put others first,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “And the collector car community, along with our generous sponsors, has really stepped up to make philanthropy a top priority.”

For more information, visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

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Communication and Organization Key in Planning MTV Event

Aubrey — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:07:57 -0700

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Production Design Associates (PDA) prides its self on providing state-of-the-art productions. So when planning a sweet 16 party to be filmed for the eponymous MTV show, the company settled for nothing less.

“We started planning this event eight months out, which gave us ample time to work out all the details,” said Todd St. Onge, project manager for PDA. “A key feature of our firm is performance customization to each client’s event by taking the client vision and expanding it exponentially. From kabuki curtains, to up-lighting tent dresses to rigging aerialists, our company collaborations put this sweet 16 high in the ranks of MTV’s best.”

The carnival-themed production was held at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C., and included New York-based alternative rock band and national recording artists Cobra Starship and the visually avant-garde performance experience known as Acroback. PDA provided the lighting and sound.

“There were many players involved ⎯ various entertainers, décor and equipment vendors, production companies, etc., so communication and detailed organization was key,” said Laura Kate Harlos, event producer/coordinator.

The event will air on MTV in April.

For more information, visit www.pdastage.com.

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Joy Johnson Floyd Joins Dallas Fan Fares

Aubrey — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:07:19 -0700

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Destination management company Dallas Fan Fares has hired Joy Johnson Floyd to oversee destination management and special events.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Floyd has been active in many industry associations and served as a featured speaker at regional and national conventions.

“I have known [Floyd] for over 20 years and always admired her high level of service, integrity and creative solutions,” said Kaye Burkhardt, president of Fan Fares. “It is only fitting that she join Dallas Fan Fares after successfully serving as a preferred vendor partner of ours for many years.”

For more information, visit www.fanfares.com.

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Visit Jacksonville Launches Website Redesign

Aubrey — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:01:12 -0700

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Visit Jacksonville, the city’s organization for marketing Jacksonville, Fla., as a leisure and business destination, has unveiled its redesigned website, www.visitjacksonville.com. The new site features various multimedia components including streaming video and a photo tour, itinerary builder and travel packages for online purchase.

A special section of the site allows meeting and event planners the ability to access venue information from a large number of traditional and unique spaces, submit an online RFP, download an updated destination planner and view special offers.

Users can also plan their trip through the online Travelocity booking engine, as well as book airfare, hotel and transportation and receive last-minute travel deals and event-related and seasonal packages.
“With over 80 percent of travelers turning to the Internet to plan a trip and book travel, it is important to have a website that gives the increasingly technology-savvy consumer what they expect,” said John Reyes, president and CEO of Visit Jacksonville.

The second phase of the site, scheduled to launch April 24, will allow meeting planners hosting groups in Jacksonville the ability to create meeting micro sites to provide destination and event information for their specific group.

For more information visit, www.visitjacksonville.com.

Anthony Bollotta Honored with Award

Aubrey — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:18:55 -0700

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Anthony Bollotta, of Bollotta Entertainment, received the Allied Person of the Year Award at the Twenty-Ninth Annual Gold Key Awards dinner hosted at the Sheraton San Diego.

The event, co-sponsored by the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), set the stage for awarding individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of the tourism industry.

During the event, Bollotta was credited for his commitment to total customer satisfaction and community involvement. Bollotta Entertainment was noted to have earned the success of multiyear contracts from its clientele who have experienced superior results from its entertainment and booking agency.

Bollotta, an instructor in the University of San Diego’s Event Management Certificate program, lectures regularly at San Diego State University and has advised groups at Mira Costa College and Grossmont College. He is also a member of HSMAI and the president of TEAMNet, a consortium of production companies across North America and Canada.

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Immersa Adds Three to Executive Management Team

Aubrey — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:55:55 -0700

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Immersa Marketing, a San Francisco-based event marketing agency, has added Jay Miller, Stacey Bovero Price and Paolo Zeppa to its executive management team. Miller will serve as the agency’s vice president of business development, Bovero Price will be vice president of client marketing and Zeppa, vice president of strategy.

“This is a very competitive business and it’s critical to have an executive team that demonstrates the right combination of experience, creativity and most importantly, enthusiasm,” said Bob Priest-Heck, CEO of Immersa Marketing. “Jay, Stacey and Paolo’s experience and knowledge will enable us to bring strategy, innovation and accountability to the event marketing agency model.”

Miller has spent more than 25 years creating marketing strategies. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, executive and marketing strategist, working with companies and brands of all sizes to meet and exceed their marketing and business objectives.

For over two decades, Price has created event marketing strategies for global B2B and B2C corporations and brands. She is also co-owner of San Francisco-based event marketing company Pfeifer Price LLC.

Zeppa has worked in marketing for over 10 years. Prior to joining Immersa, he developed relationship marketing strategies with the George P. Johnson Company, Carlson Marketing Group and the Performance Group Inc.

For more information, visit www.immersamarketing.com.