Marriott International Continues Global Growth of Autograph Collection with the Signing of The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo

THE PRINCE SAKURA TOWER BECOMES COLLECTION’S SECOND HOTEL IN ASIA.

Marriott International and Prince Hotels, Inc, of Japan announced that The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo became Japan’s first the Autograph Collection hotel – a portfolio of independent hotels, with the re-opening of the newly renovated property in September.

Sakura Ribbon Cutting (l to r) – Ryu Kosaka, A.N.D. Creative Director; Takashi Goto, Seibu Holdings Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer; Masanori Kobayaski, Prince Hotels, Inc., President; Simon Cooper, Marriott International president and managing director, Asia.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Tokyo, Simon Cooper, Marriott International’s president and managing director in Asia, said: “Today we celebrate the inauguration of The Prince Sakura Tower into Autograph Collection, marking the first Autograph property to open in Japan and only the second Collection hotel to open in Asia. The vision and inspiration behind Autograph Collection was to create an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels and this hotel certainly meets those criteria with its wonderful new design and inspiring gardens.

“I want to personally thank everyone involved with creating this wonderful hotel for their passion and commitment to providing an exceptional hotel experience which is sure to add enormous value to Autograph Collection here and around the world. Tokyo is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world, and we could not be more proud to introduce Autograph Collection to this great city with the conversion of The Prince Sakura Tower – and the timing could not be better with this great city having just won the 2020 Olympic bid.”

Originally opened in 1998, the 288-room Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo has gone through an extensive refurbishment and renovation under the direction of interior designer Ryu Kosaka of Aoyama Nomura Design, whose work is highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. All of the hotel’s rooms, lobby area, restaurants, and other areas were designed to convey a modern sense of harmony, blending the spaces with the seasonal landscapes of hotel’s Japanese garden.

The hotel has at its heart the concept of ‘Japanese style hospitality at the center of the city’ and is centrally located just a 3-minute walk from Tokyo’s Shinagawa station. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo also boasts a spacious Japanese garden of approximately 2 hectares (5 acres) where guests can enjoy the ever-changing natural beauty of the garden from season to season – and especially during the cherry blossom season as the hotel’s grounds are blessed with more than 200 cherry blossom trees which showcase the amazing sakura blossoms – reflected in the hotel’s name.

The Prince Sakura Tower Tower Tokyo guestroom

The Prince Sakura Tower with its newly enhanced facilities is expected to host an increased number of international travelers, and this will further be supported by in the future with government tourism promotion, the economic growth of countries in the region, and the implementation of a robust MICE strategy by Prince Hotels.

SONY INTRODUCES FALL LINEUP OF VAIO® PCs

New Line Features Full Range of Elegant Convertibles and the World’s Thinnest (0.39”) Windows 8 Tablet PC With Intel® Core™ Processor Family

Sony has introduced a bold new line for fall including a new form factor PC, VAIO® | Flip PC, featuring the flexibility of a convertible with a laptop mode that is equal to a conventional clamshell PC, the world’s thinnest (0.39”)Windows 8 tablet with Intel® Core™ Processor family, VAIO® Tap 11 Tablet PC*, and the next evolution of the portable all-in-one PC, VAIO Tap 21, encompassing power and beautiful design.

VAIO® | Flip PC

“Consumers want the portability and convenience of a tablet but don’t want to sacrifice PC power,” said Pedro LaFarga, SVP, Sony VAIO & Networked Products Division. “With Sony’s new VAIO | Flip PC and VAIO Tap 11 form factors, they don’t have to. Sony will continue to lead the fast changing PC industry, offering new experiences in both productivity and play while always incorporating the best technologies from our display, imaging and audio groups.”

Distinctly Sony

VAIO | Flip PC and VAIO Tap models feature a sharp and gorgeous Full HD 1920 x 1080 display (select models with have a high resolution  2880 x 1620 display with 4K HDMI output).  Drawing on Sony’s TV heritage of delivering the best picture quality, TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile recreates incredibly rich natural colors. With a wider color range, TRILUMINOS Display for mobile renders hard to reproduce reds, blues, and greens more accurately, giving mobile devices the ability to display intense colors better than ever before.

In addition to TRILUMINOS Display for mobile, the new VAIO PCs employ Sony’s picture engine, X-Reality™ for mobile, which analyzes each image and reproduces lacking pixels to optimize quality for the sharpest videos. The combination of these technologies ensures that VAIO users experience a level of video quality that exceeds expectations.

The front-facing camera powered by Exmor RS™for PC image sensor developed by Sony, captures sharp, clear images even in low light conditions. Fused with ClearAudio+, the new PCs deliver a louder and clearer sound that is distinctly Sony. With unique sound processing technologies, listeners hear dynamic bass and soaring highs with ultimate clarity and presence with less distortion for an unmatched music or movie experience.

Citizen Watch Company Introduces Limited Edition Watch with Brand Ambassador Matt Kenseth

Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc. (www.citizenwatch.com) introduces a new limited edition watch with CITIZEN Brand Ambassador, 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and two-time Daytona 500® winner Matt Kenseth.

The watch is part of CITIZEN’s Primo collection, a race-inspired line that first debuted this spring. The Matt Kenseth

Citizen Eco-Drive Matt Kenseth Limited Edition Primo. (PRNewsFoto/Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc.)

Limited Edition Primo features a red and black color scheme, two interchangeable genuine leather straps and an etched case that resembles auto racing’s checkered flags. Kenseth’s racing number 20 is featured on the dial, as well as on the engraved caseback that also includes his signature. Each limited edition timepiece also comes in a handsome wooden presentation box. Additional features of the watch include a 1/5 second chronograph that measures up to 60 minutes, 12/24 hour time, a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel and has Citizen Eco-Drive’s proprietary light-powered technology.

“When CITIZEN first approached me about the limited edition watch I was certainly honored that they wanted to do this,” said Kenseth. “Everything CITIZEN does is first class and this watch is exactly what you would expect from them. The CITIZEN Primo was already my day-to-day watch so it’s cool to be able to wear one with our No. 20 on the face during race weekends at the track.”

CITIZEN holds the leading position in the mid-priced watch market in the United States, setting itself apart from its competitors with its ecologically friendly Eco-Drive technology. Utilizing the power of light, Citizen Eco-Drive technology converts light into stored energy to power a watch for at least six months, even in the dark.

Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch Company of America remarked: “We are thrilled to have Matt as one of our unstoppable Brand Ambassadors; and happy to have the opportunity to collaborate on the development of this outstanding watch with him.”

Holland America Line Introduces an Extensive Lineup Of South America Voyages, Fall 2013 Through Spring 2014 Season

Three ships to visit more than 40 ports of call around South America

From fall 2013 through spring 2014, four of Holland America Line’s (www.hollandamerica.com) premium ships will sail to South America on a series of cruises that will explore more than 40 ports of call that span from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., around Cape Horn up to Vancouver, British Columbia. With vibrant cultures, breathtaking scenic cruising and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, guests can choose from a variety of itineraries on MS ZAANDAM, MS MAASDAM, MS STATENDAM and MS PRINSENDAM.

The voyages range from 13 to 49 days and include Zaandam’s full season of cruising and a popular 49-day port-intensive “Amazon & Carnaval Explorer” Voyage aboard Maasdam in early 2014. A 26-day “Amazon Explorer” Cruise in November 2013 on Prinsendam is another highlight of the line’s 2013-14 South America schedule.

“South America is very popular with our guests because it’s exotic, mysterious and adventurous with a wide diversity of cultures and scenery,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. “Guests can experience incredible ‘must-do’ moments with us, from seeing penguins in Antarctica and visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu to exploring the Amazon River and witnessing Carnaval from a seat in the Sambadrome.”

Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in February 2016. Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds.

CSL Behring Launches MySource(TM) at the National Hemophilia Foundation’s 65th Annual Meeting

MySource Offers One-Stop Access to Information About CSL Behring’s Innovative Patient-Support Offerings

People who are living with rare and serious bleeding disorders will now have one-stop access to educational resources, financial support, and community connection programs through CSL BEHRING’S MYSOURCE(TM) PROGRAM.  Launched during the National Hemophilia Foundation’s (NHF) 65th Annual Meeting, MySource allows patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals to quickly and easily access CSL Behring’s patient-support resources at one online location www.MySourceCSL.com or with a one-on-one care coordinator (at 1-800-676-4266).

CSL Behring logo. (PRNewsFoto/CSL Behring)

“CSL Behring has a broad portfolio of coagulation products, a long history of advancing coagulation therapy, and a thorough understanding of the challenges facing the bleeding disorders community,” said Lynne Powell, Senior Vice President, North America Commercial Operations, CSL Behring. “We are committed to providing treatments and supportive services, like MySource, that make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with bleeding disorders and those who care for them. We are proud to launch the program during NHF’s annual meeting.”

CSL Behring is a leader in the plasma protein therapeutics industry. Committed to saving lives and improving the quality of life for people with rare and serious diseases, the company manufactures and markets a range of plasma-derived and recombinant therapies worldwide. CSL Behring therapies are used around the world to treat coagulation disorders including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema and inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders in certain markets. The company’s products are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic diseases in newborns.

CSL Behring created MySource to provide members of the bleeding disorders community with a single source of information that will enhance their treatment experience.  MySource is also designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of each patient by providing customized information each time they visit.  MySource offers:

— Education opportunities that provide members of the bleeding disorders community with information about hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD)

— Financial support programs to help ensure individuals are able to access their treatment

— Community connections that allow members of the bleeding disorders ommunity to share experiences with one another, both online and in person.

“For those living with a bleeding disorder, it can be difficult to find a central location for information about their condition.  It can also be difficult to connect with a community for help in navigating the challenges associated with a bleeding disorder,” said Timothy Grams, who lives with severe hemophilia A. “The new MySource resource is a welcome addition to address this need.  The site provides a wealth of information for patients and caregivers alike who are looking to learn more about the condition that affects them or to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.”

CSL Behring also operates one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma and is a subsidiary of CSL Limited, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit www.cslbehring.com.

National GeographicTravel unveils New Super-Digital Magazine, 50 Places of a Lifetime: Canada

National Geographic Travel Selects Canada for World’s First-Ever Digital Super Magazine

Huge content experience is unmatched in its coverage of one country

With the launch of 50 Places of a Lifetime: Canada, National Geographic Travel brings together the best Canadian travel writers with iconic National Geographic photographers. The result is a breathtaking, destination-based, digital super mag unparalleled in its comprehensive coverage of any single country.

Auyuittuq and Sirmilik National Parks – A pristine iceberg stands out starkly against Nunavut’s blue skies. (Photo Credit: John E. Marriott, Corbis) (CNW Group/National Geographic Society)

The world’s first digital super mag showcases all-new content from every Canadian province and territory and launches this week on www.Nationalgeographic.com/canada50. Additional content rolls out the entire month of October.

“This is a celebration of all that is Canada,” said Keith Bellows, a native Canadian and editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine. “For anyone planning a trip to Canada, this massive digital content is a must read.”

Aside from spectacular photography and intriguing stories, the super mag’s content includes practical travel information on where to stay, when to go, how to get around, what to eat or drink, what to buy, and what to read or watch before you go. There are also helpful links as well as a fun fact about each destination.

“Canada is a place for exploring, and we are thrilled to share some of the most immersive travel experiences that our country offers,” said Greg Klassen, senior vice president, marketing strategy and communications, Canadian Tourism Commission. “We are pleased to align ourselves with the great National Geographic brand and its extensive travel experience and reach. This innovative initiative will inspire the world to visit Canada.”

The super mag content falls into four categories: Country Unbound : civilization and nature in harmony; Urban Places : exploring great cityscapes; Wild Spaces : wonders of the outdoors; and Paradise Found : retreats to restore the soul. The scope of the coverage is impressive and features a mix of well-known and soon-to-be-discovered experiences and destinations from coast to coast to coast.

The super mag includes four galleries of about 25 original photos each in the following categories, with links back to destination articles: Canada’s Cities, Coastal & Countryside Canada, Landscapes of Canada and Animals of Canada.

Fun and informative features will be rolled out throughout October as part of the digital experience. One will be “Favorite Place” submissions by readers. Site visitors will be encouraged to nominate their favorite Canadian location on a form titled “Name Your Own Canada Place of a Lifetime.” Nominations will be accepted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013, with the top entries highlighted online in November.

Teva Opens First Retail Store

Orlando, Florida store Offers Unique Shopping Experience Focused on the Adventure Lifestyle

Adventure lifestyle brand, Teva, opens new retail store location Oct. 3rd at Orlando Premium Outlets in Orlando, FL. (PRNewsFoto/Teva)

Teva® (http://www.teva.com), makers of the original sport sandal and outdoor footwear for the adventurous life, opened the doors to its first retail store this week in Orlando, Florida. Located at the Orlando Premium Outlets at Vineland Avenue, the Teva store will showcase a complete selection of footwear for travel and everyday adventure, from sandals and trail shoes to sneakers, boots, and water shoes.

Reflecting Teva’s commitment to the outdoor lifestyle, the interior space blends modern design with natural materials to create an immersive experience with an outdoor aesthetic and include real consumer and ambassador stories throughout the space designed to share inspiration from Teva’s brand promise of “Live Better Stories”, as well as interactive displays and areas dedicated to customer gatherings. Upcoming events will include video screenings, outdoor excursions, and workshops, all centered on the inspiration to find adventure in everyday life.

Facilitating outdoor adventures worldwide since 1984, Teva is a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation and is headquartered in Goleta, California. Creator of the original sport sandal, the brand continues to be driven by performance innovation and clean, modern design. What started out as whitewater product has evolved into a full arrangement of performance and lifestyle footwear ready for use in the water or on the trails of the great outdoors. The company’s products are sold in over 40 countries worldwide in a wide range of distribution channels.

“Our goal is to have the store act as a platform for sharing the Teva lifestyle,” said Jason Bertoli, retail marketing manager at Teva. “This includes having customers share their stories with us, but is also about using the retail store as a catalyst for outdoor adventure. This comes to life in-store with staff recommendations, suggested local activities, organized excursions, and other engaging events, all with the goal of making adventure as accessible as possible for the community and Teva fans that visit Orlando from around the world.”

“Orlando has a consistent warm weather climate, a travel-savvy community, and is home to one of the brand’s key tradeshows, Surf Expo,” says Erika Brakken, Marketing Director at Teva. “As a brand born on the water, it’s a natural place for Teva to introduce a retail experience. Florida’s relaxed and casual environment mirrors our brand really well and we’re excited to share a complete view of the Teva line with the local community – not to mention the millions that visit this area each year.”

Store Location & Hours:

8225 Vineland Avenue, Space 2091

Orlando, FL 32821

Monday – Saturday:  10am – 11pm

Sunday:  10am – 9pm

For more information on Teva, please visit http://www.teva.com

United Signs On As Exclusive Airline Partner of 2014 Gay Games

United Airlines will serve as a gold sponsor and the exclusive airline partner of the 2014 Gay Games – the largest international sports and culture festival in the world open to all adult participants. The 2014 Gay Games, which will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, Aug. 9-16, 2014, are expected to attract approximately 30,000 visitors, including 11,000 participants from across the globe. The Games are open to athletes regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity or ability, and participants can compete in more than 35 sports and cultural events.

“We are proud to serve as the exclusive airline for this international celebration of community and competition, and we look

forward to welcoming each of the athletes to our hub city of Cleveland,” said Nene Foxhall, the airline’s executive vice president for communications and government affairs. “We are also pleased to support an event that so closely reflects United’s culture of diversity and inclusion.”

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,341 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six

United Airlines logo. (PRNewsFoto/United Airlines)

continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. the two airlines together operates nearly 200 daily flights out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, more than any other carrier and the airport serves as one of United’s eight domestic hubs, connecting United customers to more than 65 destinations throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

“We are excited to have an airline partner that has the reach to easily get our global and domestic visitors to Northeast Ohio for next year’s Gay Games,” said Tom Nobbe, executive director of Gay Games 9, the non-profit organization putting on the Games. “It is especially great since United has served our region for so many decades, both as an employer contributing to our community and as a premier air carrier.”

The company expanded its industry-leading global route network in 2012, launching nine new international and 18 new domestic routes. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United’s MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. According to the 4th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit www.united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook.

Flamingo Las Vegas Renames Showroom After Headliners Donny & Marie in Celebration of Their Contract Extension Through 2014

Flamingo Las Vegas (www.flamingolasvegas.com) has renamed its iconic showroom the “Donny & Marie Showroom” after America’s most beloved brother-sister duo, who, after recently celebrating their five year anniversary at the property, signed an extension to perform through 2014.

Donny and Marie Osmond unveil the signage for the newly-renamed Donny & Marie Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas

“It’s only fitting that we rename our showroom for Donny & Marie, whose show is not only sold out night after night, but has been named the ‘Best Show in Las Vegas,'” said Eileen Moore, regional president of Flamingo Las Vegas. “Donny & Marie have become one of the staple entertainers on the Strip and they’ve truly become part of our family. We’re proud to have them call the Flamingo ‘home’ and be part of our incredible history.”

Flamingo Las Vegas headliners Donny and Marie hold up the proclamation from the Mayor of Las Vegas naming October 2, 2013 ”Donny & Marie Showroom Day”

Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the Flamingo Las Vegas is a true desert oasis. The center Strip resort features more than 3,500 guest rooms including the newly renovated FAB rooms and the award-winning Flamingo GO Rooms and Suites. The historic hotel-casino is home to a sprawling 15-acre pool and wildlife habitat complete with waterfalls, mature island vegetation and tropical wildlife, three distinctive pools and several outdoor wedding gardens. The resort hotel casino offers a wide variety of dining options with eateries such as Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Center Cut Steakhouse and Mexican hot spot Carlos’n Charlie’s, and hosts an all-star line-up of entertainers. In addition to the brother-sister duo Donny & Marie dazzle, comedians George Wallace and Vinnie Favorito keep audiences laughing non-stop, Legends in Concert features live re-creations of superstars of yesterday and today and the late night adult revue X Burlesque showcases the sexiest ladies on the Strip.

Fourteen Documentary Directors are in Contention For the Prestigious Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award at the 2013 MARGARET MEAD FILM FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

“What compelled you to see for yourself?”

“To cherish the life of the world…”—Margaret Mead

Fourteen filmmakers are eligible for the top honor at the 2013 Margaret Mead Film Festival, which runs from October 17 through October 20 (at the American Museum of Natural History NYC) and honors the legacy of groundbreaking anthropologist and Museum curator, Margaret Mead (1901-1978).

The Margaret Mead Film Festival encompasses a broad spectrum of work, from indigenous community media to experimental nonfiction and is distinguished by its outstanding selection of titles, which tackle diverse and challenging subjects, representing a range of issues and perspectives, and by the forums for dialogue with filmmakers, invited speakers, and film protagonists.

This year’s theme invites audiences to come to the Museum to engage in the powerful experience of seeing culture on film. It is an invitation to come to the festival to see new reflections of “your” ”self,” to have audiences understand themselves in relation to other individuals and to various communities. It invites viewers to reflect on ways of seeing—how we perceive visual culture and how our identities shape how we look and what we see. The theme also raises questions about what it means to authentically see something for yourself—do you need to be in a place physically to understand a place or its cultures? Or how can we be transported to “see for ourselves” through film?

Tackling diverse and challenging cultural and social issues, the Mead Festival has introduced New York audiences to such acclaimed films as the Oscar-winning documentary The Blood of Yingzhou District (2006), Oscar-winning animated short The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation (2005), The Future of Food (2004), Power Trip (2003), and Spellbound (2002). The Mead Festival has a distinguished history of “firsts,” including being the first venue to screen the now-classic documentary Paris Is Burning (1990) about the urban transgender community.

The 2013 Festival will take place October 17-20 at the American Museum of Natural History (You can view the scedule for the festival here : http://www.amnh.org/explore/margaret-mead-film-festival/schedule

The Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award recognizes documentary filmmakers who embody Mead’s spirit, energy, and innovation by offering a new perspective on a culture or community in their films, which will be making their U.S. or world premieres at the festival. The 2013 winner or winners will be announced at the festival’s closing-night ceremony on Sunday, October 20. The Mead Filmmaker Award jury includes HBO’s Lisa Heller, Columbia University Professor of Professional Studies Jamal Joseph (Drive By: A Love Story), Reel 13’s Richard Peña, and author and filmmaker Sadia Shepard (The September Issue). The Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award winner will be announced on closing night.

The 2013 Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award Contenders, presenting U.S. premieres at the festival, are:

” Gerardo Barroso and Lisa Tillinger for Calle López

” Vincent Coen and Guillaume Vandenberghe for Cinema Inch’Allah!

” Uli Gaulke for As Time Goes By in Shanghai

” Sarah Gavron and David Katznelson for Village at the End of the World

” Alicia Harrison for Taxiway

” Lalita Krishna for Mallamall

” Juliet Lamont for Miss Nikki and the Tiger Girls

” Sebastien Mez for Metamorphosen

” Miriam Smith and Christopher Pryor for How Far is Heaven

” Kesang Tsetan for Who Will Be a Gurkha

” Pegi Vail for Gringo Trails

Cinéma Inch’Allah! By Vincent Coen and Guillaume Vandenberghe

Cinéma Inch’Allah!

Vincent Coen and Guillaume Vandenberghe

2012 | 80 minutes | Belgium

U.S. Premiere | Director in Attendance

Cinéma Inch’Allah! is a moving exploration of the struggle of four young Belgian-Moroccan men to reconcile artistic passion with religious belief, family obligations, and their place as Muslim filmmakers in modern Belgian society. Now in their thirties, Reda, Mohamed, Farid, and Nourredine have worked together since adolescence on more than 30 low-budget comic action movies. With infectious enthusiasm, they have thrown themselves into their collective endeavor, often starring in their own films and using their work not only to channel their fears and aspirations but as a way of projecting an image of themselves to their community and the outside world. Cinéma Inch’Allah! captures them at a pivotal moment, when one member of the group decides to radically change his life, threatening their common artistic goals and even their friendship.

Co-presented by Flanders House and Park 51

Gringo Trails by Pegi Vail

Gringo Trails

Pegi Vail

2013 | 79 minutes | U.S., Bolivia, Thailand, Mali, Bhutan

World Premiere | Director in Attendance

A timely documentary raises urgent questions about how we travel and the unintended cultural and environmental consequences of tourism around the globe. Gringo Trails follows well-worn travelers’ routes through Latin America and beyond to Africa and Asia. The film reveals the complex relationships between colliding cultures, such as the host countries’ need for financial security and the tourists who provide it in their quest for authentic experiences. Through the stories of both travelers and locals, and with stunning footage from Bolivia, Thailand, Mali, and Bhutan, Gringo Trails explores the dramatic impact of travel and tourism around the world over the past 30 years.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with travel writer Rolf Potts and Costas Christ, National Geographic Editor at Large.

Co-presented by Solimar International and Women Make Movies

Nine West Introduces Their Latest Shoelaboration Partnering With Cameron Silver, The “King Of Vintage” Fashion

Exclusive limited edition footwear collection inspired by 80’s punk

Nine West, a division of The Jones Group, looked no further than Decades store founder and vintage connoisseur, Cameron Silver and Nine West’s Contributing Style Director and former Shopbop Fashion Director Kate Ciepluch, to create their latest Shoelaboration(TM) inspired by 80’s punk. Shoelaborations(TM) is a collaborative platform celebrating fashion, design, music and pop culture through creative partnerships with unique artistic talents.

BAM. (PRNewsFoto/Nine West)

Cameron Silver for Nine West is the latest in the brand’s series of celebrated designer partnerships, which have included Karen Elson, Pamela Love, Sophie Theallet, and most recently Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini of Kirna Zabete.

Debuting in October 2013, the Cameron Silver for Nine West Collection lives and breathes rock ‘n roll. Comprised of six limited edition styles, the capsule includes d’orsay flats, classic and scalloped pumps, slouchy booties and the ultimate, show-stopping over-the-knee boot and matching fold-over clutch. The exclusive collection represents a modern interpretation of the punk movement’s most iconic trends including neon accents, camouflage calf hair and eye-catching silhouettes. The Cameron Silver for Nine West Collection will be available for $69 to $299 at top Nine West stores nationwide and at www.Ninewest.com.

Three Metropolitan Museum Exhibitions Stimulate $742 Million 2013 Economic Impact for New York

Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that the presentation of three special exhibitions during the spring/summer 2013 season—Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity; Punk: Chaos to Couture; and The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi—generated an estimated $742 million in spending by regional, national, and international tourists to New York, according to a visitor survey released by the Museum today. Using the industry standard for calculating tax revenue impact, the study found that the direct tax benefit to the City and State from out-of-town visitors to the Museum totaled some $74.2 million. (Study findings below.) The full-year estimate of visitor spending in New York by out-of-town visitors to the Museum in fiscal year 2013 is $5.4 billion.

Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity considered the role of fashion in the works of the Impressionists and their contemporaries. The exhibition was made possible in part by The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, the Janice H. Levin Fund, and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Additional support was provided by Renée Belfer. The exhibition was supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. The exhibition was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,  the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity

February 26–May 27, 2013

Total Visitors: 440,973

Average/Day: 5,128

Punk: Chaos to Couture examined punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today. The exhibition was made possible by Moda Operandi. Additional support was provided by Condé Nast.

Punk: Chaos to Couture

May 9–August 14, 2013

Total Visitors: 442,350

Average/Day: 4,706

The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi presents the first large-scale installation in the United States by the contemporary artist Imran Qureshi. The exhibition is made possible by Bloomberg.

Additional support is provided by Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky.

The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi

May 14–November 3, 2013

Total Visitors through August 31: 259,858

Average/Day: 2,625

Campbell noted: “It is particularly gratifying to see that visitors from around the globe continue to respond enthusiastically to the Met’s diverse exhibitions and renowned permanent collection. A visit to the Met was cited repeatedly—by more than half of the out-of-town visitors in our survey—as a key reason for deciding to travel to New York.”

Emily K. Rafferty, President of the Metropolitan Museum—who also serves as chair of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism agency—stated: “Tourism—both domestic and international—is vital to New York’s economic health. The Metropolitan Museum is the most-visited cultural attraction in the City. We are proud of this strong record of attracting visitors from beyond the five boroughs, and of the Met’s clear impact on the economy.”

In the spring/summer 2013 survey period, Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity, on view from February 26 to May 27, 2013, drew 440,973 visitors. Attendance for Punk: Chaos to Couture was 442,350 during its run from May 9 to August 14. And The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi attracted 259,858 visitors from May 14 through August 31, 2013, when this survey was completed.

The survey found that 1.7 million or 77% of the Museum’s visitors traveled from outside the five boroughs of New York. Of these travelers, 21% were from the Tri-State area, 31% were from other states, and 48% were international visitors. Seventy-eight percent of travelers reported staying overnight in the City and, of these, three-quarters stayed in a hotel, hostel, or rented apartment. The average length of stay was 6.6 days. These out-of-town visitors reported spending an average of $1,139 per person ($773 for lodging, sightseeing, entertainment, admission to museums, and local transportation, and another $366 for shopping). Overall spending per person was 3% lower than in 2012, primarily due to a decline in shopping. The amount reported for lodging and other expenses is virtually unchanged from 2012.