BizBash's Canada 250: The Top Canadian Event Professionals, Plus How to Give Better Presentations Today

1. OSCAR NOMINATIONS SNUB ACTORS OF COLOR AND FEMALE DIRECTORS: The Oscars just narrowly avoided another year of an #OscarsSoWhite controversy Monday after naming Cynthia Erivo as a nominee in the best actress category for her turn in the title role in Harriet, but the Academy still left out a host of performers of color, including Awkwafina, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and more. The achievement in directing category also is stirring the pot as all of the nominees are men, leaving out Greta Gerwig and many others. Variety: “Shortly after the 2016 nominations, then-Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced sweeping changes to membership and voting rules, and a concerted effort to increase the number of women and people of color among the Academy membership. Those efforts doubled the percentage of people of color within the Academy in just four years, from eight percent in 2015 to 16 percent in 2019. Given Monday’s nomination announcement, it’s clear that the Academy’s recent efforts to make its voting base more inclusive aren’t enough for the organization to recognize a diverse array of filmmaking talent.”

2. DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE PETE BUTTIGIEG PLANS AN UPSCALE, CHEF-FOCUSED FUND-RAISER FOR HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Despite the blowback he received for hosting an elite fund-raising dinner in a wine cave, presidential candidate and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg has revealed plans for another upscale affair. The new soiree, called the “Nationwide Chefs for Pete Culinary Experience,” is a chef-focused gathering with a hefty price tag. The food will be cooked by Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters, while some local restaurateurs are scheduled to appear. Slated to be held somewhere in San Francisco on January 26, tickets offer a variety of price levels. Eater: “Tickets for the event started at $100, which the campaign calls the ‘friend’ level. Buttigieg does not appear to want for friends, as that category is marked as ‘sold out,’ but as of publication time, tickets remain for the $250 ‘supporter’ role and the $500 ‘advocate’ position. Folks hoping to actually rub shoulders with Buttigieg will actually have to shell out $1,000 for an ‘investor” level ticket, however—as Buttigieg has no plans to attend the SF event himself, only by dropping $1,000 (or more) would an attendee be guaranteed ‘admission to a future event with Mayor Pete.’”

3. BUSINESS TRAVEL IS TAKING A TOLL ON ROAD WARRIORS: Lost baggage, flight delays, and the myriad of other moments that can go wrong when flying cause business travelers a great deal of stress, according to a new report. The research by NexTravel found that nearly one in four business travelers—or 22 percent of those surveyed—feel their time on the road wears on their mental health. Suggested remedies include healthy eating and some walking; staying in contact with friends and family; taking some down time; enjoying some leisure time in a destination, and making sure that challenges at home are addressed before a trip. Fast Company: “‘Business travel can be indeed grueling as it takes you away from your regular routine,' notes psychologist Charmain Jackman. 'As a result, people have limited access to supports that keep them healthy and emotionally stable.'”

INDUSTRY NEWS: John H. Graham IV, the longtime president and C.E.O of A.S.A.E., has died after a long battle with cancer, according to USAE News. He began his tenure at the association in 2003 and, since that time, A.S.A.E. more than doubled its membership and created many products and services to benefit association professionals and their partners, the A.S.A.E. website reported. In a statement, U.S. Travel president and C.E.O. Roger Dow said of Graham: “John was a visionary who guided and shaped the work of associations to the benefit of thousands of workers and organizations around the country.”

BOSTON: Blantyre Country Resort has named Stephen Benson general manager, and Alan Champney has been made food and beverage director/sommelier at the Relais and Chateaux property in the Berkshires. Benson previously was the regional hotel director for American Cruise Lines. Champney most recently was a fine wine consultant for Masciarelli Wine Company.

LAS VEGAS: True Food Kitchen will open its first restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip on February 12 at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Also on that date, the brand will launch its first ever True Bar, featuring pressed juices, organic teas, and natural refreshers.

LOS ANGELES: Russell Harris Event Group has announced two new promotions. Jordan Lehman is now vice president; she previously served as director of events and has been with the company since 2015. And Connie Harikul has been promoted to senior events manager; she started at the firm as an event manager in 2016.

NEW YORK: The Viennese Opera Ball’s 65th Gala will be held February 7 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Proceeds from the event once again will go to the Music Therapy Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.