Here we are again. Now that the Writer’s Strike is all but over, we get on with the business of celebrating another great year of movies. Eye on L.A. began their coverage last week with a Preparing Hollywood Blvd. segment. This clip aired Saturday on KABC and can be seen again in it’s entirety this coming weekend as a part of ABC’s exclusive coverage of the 80th Academy Awards Ceremonies. Each year the anticipation mounts in Hollywood. This is my fourth year to experience Hollywood during award season and it gets more and more fun each year.
For those of you who missed the season premier, episode of Ace of Cakes, “The Harry Potter Cake“, you can still catch Duff’s visit to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on the Food Network:
February 2, 2008 @ 9pm
February 3, 2008 @ 12am
February 12, 2008 @ 10pm or
February 13, 2008 @ 12am
This year I am on the planning committee for this great event that will be crossing the country this Fall. CMN Torch Relay spans from coast to coast over 5,000 miles and culminates with a celebration event here in Hollywood. On November 18th (Sunday before Thanksgiving), there will be a mid-day event to welcome the torch to its final resting place in the H&H Central Courtyard.
The Children’s Miracle Network raises money for a collection of 27 non-profit children’s hospitals across the country. In 2006 this relay raised $1,000,000 for this organization and our goal is to crush that number this year. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles is the local member of this organization. This year will be my third year to participate in this event and it is more fun and more rewording each time. Please register to join us in walking, running or riding through any community as the torch crosses the country.
With the flash bulbs of the ESPY Awards still creating spots in my vision, I hopped a plane for Washington DC for another star studded event. The destination was the M Street Renaissance Hotel. Renaissance threw an amazing grand opening party for our newest sister hotel. In attendance, a veritable “who’s who” of Washington DC society. My colleagues from around the country were there to celebrate the Renaissance Brands newest addition. In addition to Marriott corporate officers, there were Renaissance representatives from Times Square, South Beach, Sonoma, Ross Bridge, and Boston Waterfront. I brought the Red Carpet from Hollywood, Sonoma brought the wine. Combine that with the Lobster Burgers provided by M Street and the Party was on…
I am Chris Orr, the Director of Marketing at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.. a truly great place to work! I’m sure most people are familiar with the ESPY Awards. Tonight we have the pleasure of hosting the ESPYs for the fourth time. An unbelievable event, this annual gathering brings together the “A List” from the sports world and the entertainment world. It’s so surreal to be at the heart of it all on the day of the show. What’s even better is to have a live boxing match during the post-party in the Hollywood & Highland Center’s Central Courtyard.If you watch Wednesday Night Boxing on July 11th, you will notice a landmark hotel in the background… that’s us. In addition, the boxing analyst (Teddy Atlas) filmed his pre-fight breakdown on the roof of the hotel. Working in the heart of Hollywood has really shown me the inner workings of the industry and I have been lucky enough to witness some of the entertainment industry’s biggest events. Stay tuned for more stories from inside one of Hollywood’s greatest hotels…