Clear to China: Live entertainment producer Clear Channel Entertainment (www.clearchannel.com), based in San Antonio, Texas, announced last week that it has entered into a joint venture with the Chinese government to arrange and promote live tours, promote international events, and manage venues, food and beverage services, sponsorship opportunities, and production. The new joint venture company—Gehua Clear Channel Entertainment, based in Beijing and satellite offices in New York and London—will create international event and management systems within the Chinese sports and entertainment-related industries … Getting the gates: According to accountants PriceWaterhouseCoopers Hospitality (www.pwcglobal.com), the art installation “The Gates” in New York’s Central Park contributed to record hotel occupancy in the city during the last two weeks of February. The public work of art by famed Christo consisted of 7,500 saffron-colored gates hung with saffron fabric panels, placed at intervals over 23 miles of pedestrian walkways. “Hotels at all rate levels benefited from the increase in tourism and hotel occupancy,” said PWC’s Bjorn Hanson. “Even hotels in Brooklyn and New Jersey experienced higher occupancies from The Gates” … Classic’s house party: L.A.’s Classic Party Rentals (www.classicpartyrentals.com) rebranded its Regal Rents location in nearby Santa Ana, Calif., acquired last summer, with a party last month. Some 200 guests were treated to cuisine from caterers White Lilac, Crème de la Crème, Turnip Rose, David Wilhelm’s Culinary Adventures, Creative Catering, Margaritaville and California Chocolate Fountains while the Ron Kobayashi Trio played. The swag bags included food and a private label "Classic Party Rentals" wine.
