March 2011

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Las Vegas Participates in an International Twestival Event

March 30, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Thursday, March 24th I had the pleasure of attending the Las Vegas Twestival that benefited Aid for AIDS of Nevada. Twestival, standing for Twitter Festival, was designed to use social media to connect communities around the world and highlight a charity during a social event. Twestival began as a single event in London back in 2008 and now has grown into a global movement, covering 45 countries and raising close to $1.2 million for 137 causes.  This year, more than 200 cities in the United States hosted a Twestival event that benefited local charities.

Nominations poured into the local Twestival coordinators once Las Vegas was announced as a participating city. After weeks of deliberating, they chose AFAN as the beneficiary. The viral announcement of the recipient created a buzz within the social media realm resulting in the #LVTwestival hash tag to trend in Las Vegas. Local businesses caught wind of the Twestival and donated prizes that were to be used for the silent auction as well as signed on as sponsors for the event.

Ready to tweet away the evening, I arrived at the stunning Caramel Bar & Lounge inside the Bellagio Hotel where I was surprised to find a line of local community members, donors, and social media influencers awaiting to enter the venue.  Once inside, the cocktail hour had begun and guests were treated to complimentary Stoli drinks, while they mingled with other tweeps and bid on auction items. Televisions around the lounge streamed tweets from a variety of Twestivals happening simultaneous. This gave guests the opportunity to see what local participants were saying about the event as well as gage the success of other cities’ events. As the evening closed, AFAN representative, Theresa Mayet thanked the crowd for their continual support and invited everyone to attend the upcoming AIDS Walk.  Eager to know the outcome of the silent auction, bidders hovered around the auction table and as the clock struck 9:30 p.m. event coordinators circled the winners and delivered the prizes to their news owners.

After a successful evening of fundraising and tweeting, AFAN patiently waited for the announcement of the grand total. Finally, on March 28 the total was publicized, raising close to $1000 for AFAN and its effort to fight HIV/AIDS within Southern Nevada.  This event ultimately proved how powerful social media is after the success of an event that was virtually promoted through Twitter and Facebook. Twestival is definitely an organization to follow over the next few years as they gain recognition and make a difference for hundreds of charities not only nationally but globally. 

Photo credit to Ryan Shewchuck

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Nove Italiano Executive Chef Geno Bernardo Cooks for More Than 700 People at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada in Honor of St. Joseph’s Day

March 21, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Sometimes you need a wake-up call to realize how truly lucky you are.  I got that wake-up call on Saturday, March 19 when I celebrated St. Joseph’s Day with Chef Geno and some of the staff of Nove and 9 Group at St. Vincent Lied Dining Room on the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada campus. 

Servando Daniels/Chef Geno Bernardo at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (credit 9Group)

Each year, communities pay tribute to the Italian holiday, St. Joseph’s Day, by giving food to the less fortunate, a custom that has been around for centuries. 

I arrived at Catholic Charities around 10:30 a.m. and there was a line out the door.  Men and women were waiting in line to receive a hot meal, many of them homeless and jobless carried what they owned in a backpack or a rolling suitcase.  They waited outside in the Vegas wind that made the temperature feel even cooler than it was.  The St. Vincent Lied Dining Room Facility feeds nutritious meals to homeless and needy men, women and children every day of the year, in a clean and safe environment, no questions asked.  A free meal is served to anyone who is hungry. 

Serving his signature Nove spaghetti, Chef Geno worked with Siena Food Company to have the pasta donated and Enzo to supply the tomatoes for the marinara sauce.  In addition, Las Vegas Bakery, Bon Breads donated a variety of breads and 9 Group/Palms sponsor, FIJI Water, supplied bottled water. For dessert, Nove Italiano’s Executive Pastry Chef Victor Solano treated those in need to a variety of cakes.  After about an hour and half, nearly 700 people were served a hot meal.  It was truly an eye-opening experience to see so many people in need and a charity that provide them a service free of charge.  

It is days like this that I realize, I am more than blessed.  I have an incredible circle of family, friends and colleagues, plus a job that I love.  It is days like this that reminds me that I can make a difference and help those in my community.  It doesn’t have to always be by donating money, but by merely donating your time.   I ask you all to think of what you can do to help those less fortunate in your community.   To learn more about Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada visit their website at www.catholiccharities.com.

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The Madness Is Upon Us at KDC

March 16, 2011 in Kirvin Doak News | No comments

Each year, Kirvin Doak hosts a friendly competition during March Madness to see who can fill out the best bracket. The entire staff and KDC clients are invited to participate and enjoy the excitement of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Jim Valvano, NC State

 

 I have had the honor of being co-commissioner of the league for the past  three years with Terri Maruca, who is also a fellow Nittany Lion alum here at KDC. While it is always devastating to my ego to get beaten by pretty much everyone in the office (even after claiming to have superior basketball knowledge), it is still one of my favorite office events each year. This year, win or lose, I will enjoy the fact that my alma mater Penn State gets to play in the “Big Dance” for the first time in 10 years. Yes, that’s two Penn State references in a three sentence span. Did I mention it’s their first visit to the NCAA Tournament in 10 years?!

 As the weather gets warmer in Vegas, March Madness always seems to be the unofficial start of summer/pool season each year. There’s nothing better than watching a NCAA Tournament game outside with a nice cold beer while all your East Coast friends are still complaining about snow! Anyway, this year’s tournament should be a fun ride and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold here at Kirvin Doak Communications. Be sure to check back after the tournament to see who wins our office competition! One last time for my team: We Are…Penn State!

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Executive Chef Barry S. Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse Throws the Heat at Big League Weekend

March 15, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Spring has sprung and that means that baseball is in full effect. As a die-hard baseball fan, I was extremely excited when I found out that N9NE Steakhouse’s Executive Chef Barry S. Dakake was going to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during Big League Weekend in Las Vegas.

On Sunday, March 13, Chef Barry was ready to face the 11,000 plus crowd of Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs fans at Cashman Field. Dressed in his chef’s coat, Chef Barry was escorted down to the field where he mixed and mingled with some of the greats. Chef Barry rubbed elbows with Alfonso Soriano, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, Kosuke Fukudome, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs and Don Mattingly, the new skipper for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

All eyes were on Chef Barry who quickly took the mound with two show girls and threw a perfect pitch right down the middle of home plate in front of the roaring crowd.  A star in his own right, Chef Barry had fans of N9NE Steakhouse shouting his name as he stood on the field in awe of the MLB legends.

Once everyone from the pre-game festivities cleared the field, the starting players took their positions and it was time to play ball. It was a great day for a game and it was one that was filled with excitement, bringing fans to their feet as the game remained close if not tied throughout the day. The game went into extra innings leaving both teams to rally, but the Cubs fought back in the 10th to bring the winning run home to beat the Dodgers 4-3. 

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Photos courtesy: Tom Donoghue / Tom Donoghue Photography http://www.donoghuephotography.com/

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“40 Under 40″

March 10, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

On Tuesday, March 8, I had the pleasure of attending In Business Las Vegas’ “40 Under 40” event.  The celebration was held at TAO Nightclub inside The Venetian and honored 40 local professionals under 40 years old that have each made significant community and business accomplishments.  Any event  featuring delicious food and drinks is more than enough reason for me to add it to my schedule.  This time however, I was really there to support one of my clients, Chris Nelson of Blue Man Group.    He oversees 120 employees at Blue Man Group’s Las Vegas production at The Venetian and was one of the 40 professionals selected from more than 250 nominees by a panel of In Business staff members. 

During the event, Greenspun Media Group Business Editor Richard Pérez-Feria announced that the group will be launching VEGAS INC this April.  Pérez-Feria  will serve as Editor-in-Chief.  As a big fan of In Business, I’m really excited to see what interesting new features will arise when this launches. 

I’ve been attending the “40 Under 40” event the last couple years and I am very happy to notice that each year it seems to get better and better. It’s great to see increased support and recognition for individuals that have had positive impacts in both their respective industries and the community as a whole. 

You can check out photos from the event here.

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Go, Fight, Win!

March 10, 2011 in Just For Fun | No comments

As UNLV prepares to take the court tonight in the Mountain West Basketball Championship tournament against Air Force guaranteed a trip the big dance, I wonder how many Las Vegans will venture to the Thomas & Mack for the game?

We are so fortunate to be the host for the Mountain West Basketball Championship tournament for many reasons:  1.  Our “home” team is playing at home 2.  The tournament has positive impact on our local economy and 3. It provides four days of TV coverage of Las Vegas to some of our key feed markets.

However, being a die-hard sports fan and having fallen in love with the Runnin’ Rebels – I remember last year sitting in the T & M on “championship” Saturday watching the Rebels battle San Diego State University for the Mountain West Championship crown in front of a half-empty or half-full arena.  This is a city that has over three proposals pending to build a new arena.  If they build it, will you come? 

I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of the  HBO documentary on the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV which will air this Saturday (it is a must see!), and it was heart-warming to  see how this city and its residents embraced those teams of the late 80′s and early 90′s.  It truly shows how a sports team and their coach can galvanize an entire community.  Where is that passion now Las Vegas? 

Lon Kruger is running a clean program.  His team has been ranked nationally this year and they’ve already punched our card to the big dance.  Are you wearing your Rebel Red today?  Are you going to the T & M tonight? 

UNLV, Go, Fight, Win!

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