12 Luxe Corporate Gifts for Those Who Want to Spend a Lot of Jingle, Plus The Latest Event News From Toronto

1. NYWIFT TO HONOR GLORIA ESTEFAN, JANE ROSENTHAL, AND OTHER FILM AND TV LUMINARIES: The N.Y. Women in Film and Television Muse Awards luncheon this year will honor singer/songwriter/actress Gloria Estefan, Harriet director Kasi Lemmons, and Tribeca Enterprises CEO and co-founder Jane Rosenthal. Set to take place on December 10 at the New York Hilton Midtown, the event will be hosted by CBS Sunday Morning contributor Nancy Giles, and several other women also will be honored for their industry contributions. The Hollywood Reporter: “NYWIFT board of directors president Jamie Zelermyer said, ‘Now celebrating its 40th year, the annual NYWIFT Muse Awards continues this organization’s long tradition and dedication of applauding the work and achievements of women in our industry and we look forward to honoring this year’s incredible roster of accomplished women.’”

2. HONG KONG UNREST TAKES A TOLL ON EVENTS: The event industry is the latest casualty of the prolonged protests in Hong Kong. An upcoming major airline conference co-hosted by Cathay Pacific Airways Inc. just pulled up stakes, which follows cancellations by a Pride parade, sports tournaments, an international tattoo convention, and many more. Fortune: “The government last month announced incentives to provide relief for the tourism industry, including handing out about HK$100 million ($12.8 million) to travel agencies, but the continued loss of public and corporate events and the rush of violence is stoking concern that Hong Kong’s situation is set to worsen. ‘What we are witnessing is very worrisome,’ lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said.”

3. SALESFORCE C.E.O. HECKLED DURING HIS TALK AT DREAMFORCE:Salesforce co-C.E.O. Marc Benioff on Tuesday faced a controversy that has dogged the company head-on. He was heckled by protesters during his keynote address at the company’s annual Dreamforce conference. At issue is Salesforce’s contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which protesters claim has detained thousands of people, including children. Benioff gave the first protester 30 seconds to speak and responded to his claims. A second protester was drowned out by the noise of Dreamforce before Benioff continued his speech. CNBC: “‘I want to tell you why I stopped the program and let him speak for 30 seconds,’ Benioff said. ‘It’s because I value free speech in this country. I value everybody’s speech…We’ve heard from your group, and we will [be] happy to have a further conversation with you,’ Benioff said. 'We gave you your time. We will continue to give you other opportunities to speak. Thank you very much.’ The crowd applauded, and Benioff continued speaking.”

INDUSTRY NEWS: As part of its Responsible Business strategic initiatives, Radisson Hotel Group announced this week its partnership with ECPAT-USA, a policy organization working to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation.

LOS ANGELES: Chef Melissa Perello and co-owner Robert Wright, owners of the Michelin-starred Frances and Octavia restaurants in San Francisco, have opened M.Georgina at the Row DTLA. The 4,500-square-foot venue combines Nordic architecture with French farmhouse charm; it seats 68 people in the dining room, 10 at the bar, and 36 on two outdoor patios. A private dining room seats 20 or holds 30 for receptions.

NEW YORK: PopSugar will serve up a pop-up holiday experience called “Sugar Chalet” November 23 in Bryant Park Overlook. The free, one-day winter wonderland space will feature interactive activities geared toward millenial women.

WASHINGTON: Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. has tapped Jean-Claude Plihon as director of culinary and food and beverage operations. The chef comes to the property from Dallas, where he served for 10 years as executive chef of the Grand Hyatt DFW. He was honored as 2019 Texas Chef Association’s Dallas Chef of the Year, the 2017 Hyatt Culinary Leader of the Year, and received the 2015 Hyatt Culinary Team of the Year accolade.

SAN FRANCISCO: RIU Hotels & Resorts has added a new hotel to its Riu Plaza brand in the United States. The company has acquired the 531-room Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.