INTEL: The Bay impact, Kirkland’s closing, Harley-Davidson groundbreaking
Michael Bay was like the gift that kept on giving during the 2014 International CES.
Many of the speakers at the trade show couldn’t resist using the Bay incident in their material, referencing that they were above walking off the stage and in many cases, using teleprompters altogether.
At the WWE Network announcement, for example, one of the company’s executives pretended to freeze up during his presentation. Seasoned wrestlers Triple H and Shawn Michaels, who frequently take the mic during the sports entertainment company’s live shows, came in to save the day, telling the executive to leave the speaking to the professionals.
At the Last Gadget Standing event, Howard Stern Show Producer Gary Dell’Abate joked with his Howard Stern Wrap-Up Show co-host, Jon Hein, about the Bay incident. He then turned to the crowd and offered some reassurance.
“Jon and I are professionals. We do not read off a teleprompter,” he told the standing-room audience at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
• • •
In February, Boca Park is losing one of its longtime retailers.
Kirkland’s has said it isn’t renewing its lease in the shopping center and the store will close Feb. 2. Employees were told they can apply for jobs at the other two area Kirkland’s locations, 9893 S. Eastern Ave. and 6710 N. Durango Drive.
The home décor retailer was founded in 1966 and operates 324 stores in 35 states.
• • •
The Wal-Mart Foundation’s Nevada State Giving Program has awarded $515,000 to seven organizations across the state. Grants were made to the Minden Rotary Club Foundation, HELP of Southern Nevada, Operation Homefront, Communities in Schools of Nevada, The Food Bank of Northern Nevada, City Impact Foundation and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.
The foundation awards grants twice a year to local organizations that address the needs of the communities they serve and make a significant social impact.
To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)3 tax-exempt status to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available at walmartfoundation.org/stategiving. The next application cycle opened Jan. 19.
• • •
On Jan. 23, crews will break ground on the new Harley-Davidson on the Strip.
Once complete, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson at 5191 S. Las Vegas Blvd., will be a 50,000-square-foot retail and rental facility. The event will showcase a motorcycle commemorating Nevada’s 150th birthday that one person will win.
• • •
International travel is still on an upswing.
Through October, international air traffic to/from the United States totaled 155.8 million passengers, a 4 percent increase over October 2012 year-to-date. In all, 68.8 million U.S. citizens traveled, up 3 percent. Their market share was 44 percent of all air traffic. Non-U.S. citizen air travelers, 86.9 million total, increased by 5 percent with their market share at 56 percent.
U.S. airlines carried 83 million passengers, up 3 percent, with their share at 53 percent. Foreign flags carried 72.7 million passengers, up 5 percent from same period in 2012.
• • •
PJ Perez and Daniel Lowber recently opened Creation Forge Studios, a design and printing company focused on developing print communications from concept to final product.
The new business specializes in high-quality, short-run digital printing of periodicals, programs, magazines, comics and art prints.
Creation Forge Studios is on the second floor of Downtown Spaces, a recently renovated midcentury office building in downtown Las Vegas’ historic Gateway District at 1800 Industrial Road, Suite 206D. Its neighbors include photography studios, recording studios, a dance studio and art galleries.
Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.
