Why Miami is the Perfect Destination for Your Next Corporate Event?
Why Miami is the Perfect Destination for Your Next Corporate Event? Organizing a corporate event in Miami, Florida, offers a unique opportunity to blend business with pleasure. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and picturesque settings, Miami is an ideal location for any corporate gathering. Here are some positive aspects that make Miami a standout choice: 1. Stunning Venues Miami offers an array of breathtaking venues that cater to any corporate event need, whether it’s a conference, seminar, or an elegant gala. From luxurious beachfront resorts to contemporary downtown hotels and unique art deco spaces, the city’s venues provide flexibility and style, ensuring your event’s ambiance is both impressive and memorable. 2. Excellent Weather Miami’s tropical climate is a huge advantage, offering sunshine and warmth year-round. Hosting an event in such pleasant weather allows for outdoor activities, cocktail receptions by the beach, or networking sessions by the pool, adding a refreshing twist to your event and ensuring attendees enjoy both the indoor and outdoor experience. 3. Cultural Diversity Known as a cultural melting pot, Miami’s rich blend of cultures enhances the event experience. The city’s diverse culinary scene provides an array of catering options, ranging from authentic Latin cuisine to international delicacies, ensuring your guests have a gastronomic experience to remember. This diversity also provides a backdrop for unique team-building activities and cultural explorations. 4. Accessibility Miami is easily accessible with one of the busiest and well-connected airports in the world, Miami International Airport (MIA). The city is equipped with comprehensive transportation options including public transit, rideshares, and shuttles, making it convenient for attendees from different parts of the world to travel and navigate during the event. 5. Networking Opportunities As a major hub for international business and commerce, Miami offers robust networking opportunities with professionals across various industries. Planning your corporate event in such a dynamic city provides a platform to connect with renowned business leaders, fostering relationships that could lead to beneficial partnerships. 6. Entertainment Options The entertainment options in Miami are endless. Attendees can enjoy the vibrant nightlife of South Beach, explore the artistic neighborhood of Wynwood, or unwind with oceanfront activities. These entertainment options offer a well-rounded experience, allowing attendees to relax and engage outside formal event hours, enhancing their overall experience. 7. Rich Cultural Experiences Hosting an event in Miami provides a chance to incorporate cultural experiences such as a visit to the Art Deco Historic District, Cuban cultural tours in Little Havana, or exploring the flourishing art scene. These experiences can enhance the attendees’ appreciation of Miami’s unique character and leave a lasting impression. Overall, Miami’s exciting blend of stunning venues, excellent weather, cultural richness, and diverse entertainment make it a prime choice for hosting your next corporate event. The city not only meets logistical needs but also offers an enriching experience that engages and delights every attendee. Whether it’s the views of Biscayne Bay or the buzz of Ocean Drive, Miami promises to turn your corporate event into an exceptional experience.
Rio Games TOCA 2016
TOCA Events Triumphs Again at Rio Olympic Games 2016 Just like the arts, sports create a global language, building bridges between people and transforming lives through spirited competition, friendship, and peace. The 2016 Summer Olympic Games began with a highly emotional ceremony, with Rio de Janeiro as the first South American city to host such an event. At 1/10th the cost of London and 1/20th the cost of the Beijing Games, Rio was the perfect backdrop for a thrilling few weeks featuring the best of the best. Right Place, Right Time Once again, TOCA was at the right place at the right time providing VISA, one of the main sponsors and global partner of the Games, with exciting and motivating morning activities for their super VIP clients. Beginning on Aug 4th, our TOCA team provided impeccable attention to every detail, from ambiance to guided tours, catering, and everything in between. Starting Off the Day To start off each day of parties, business sessions, networking, and games, TOCA created customized morning activities for four separate waves of VISA VIPs, with activities offered to each group. With the sand and sea as our canvas, we created an enhanced beach club experience with branded elements including VISA colors to highlight activities including a volleyball clinic, beach tennis, slack line, Cross Fit training, and yoga. And of course, what could be better than being coached by some former Olympic greats like American gold medal diver, Greg Louganis; volleyball greats Jackie Silva and Sandra Pires; and the nine title winner for swimming, Missy Franklin! Keeping Everyone Inspired and Excited Other special events that TOCA provided included a beautiful bike tour of Copacabana and Ipanema, and a hike to Leme Fortress on the coastline of Copacabana. Our resident celebrity photographer, Fabio Pamplona, gave a wonderful workshop on how to use a smartphone camera, touring Sugar Loaf for inspiring photo ops of one of the world’s most iconic locations. We provided a gift kit for our guests, containing fisheye, macro, and wide angle lenses to clip on and screw in to each phone, along with a customized booklet filled with places of interest to shoot, which kept everyone inspired and excited. Creating a Seventh Heaven And as if all of this wasn’t enough, TOCA arranged a special VIP shopping experience complete with champagne and catered edibles. Covering an exclusive area in Ipanema, guests received a specially designed map with select stores featuring some of Brazil’s top clothing, leather, and arts & crafts designers. Moderated by our vivacious celebrity hostess, attendees received the perfect lesson in Ipanema fashion, including news on the latest trends and influences. Needless to say, everyone was in seventh heaven! Modesty Aside All modesty aside, we heard many of our Visa clients who are regulars at Olympic games around the world say that it was their best Olympic experience ever. The entire TOCA Events team is honored to have been selected as part of Visa’s team, and looks forward to participating again in this truly memorable global gathering. www.tocaevents.com
TOCA is back! The Creative Approach of the Event Production Company in Las Vegas
The Creative Approach of the Event Production Company in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities in the US; an entertainment capital and global incentive meetings hub as well. Viewed from outer space, the Vegas strip is the brightest spot on our planet both for its brightness and diversity of colors. TOCA draws from NASA’s fantastic images to create the theme for an exclusive program for 3,000 guests in the city’s Convention Center. A unique chance to showcase the talents of our event production company in Las Vegas. Brilliant Lights was the concept used to reconcile the location with the client’s message. The program is a fresh interpretation of Las Vegas culture, inspired by the destination and the unrivaled brilliance that emanates from the Vegas Strip out toward the universe. TOCA Events, the event production company in Las Vegas, delivered a unique fusion of highly sophisticated design elements, subtle yet effective corporate messaging, and visually impactful performance elements from the raw and empty canvas of the Las Vegas Convention Hall S3. The transformation of the Hall took four days of continuous work marked by the incredible creativity of the TOCA Events staff. The overall effect was achieved through various initiatives and the creation of multiple continuous spaces infused with the diverse and cosmopolitan sizzle of Las Vegas. TOCA Events created a central core that mirrored the Strip with mapped lighting effects that formed a glistening corridor interconnecting each of the spaces. The spaces—or zones—were delineated by luminous structural elements, modular translucent walls and LED messaging, culminating in an atmosphere that was vibrant, colorful, and inviting. The sort of dream act for any event professional or event production company in Las Vegas. Our DJ held court from atop his tower overlooking the central Strip. Additionally, to highlight the overall concept, we showcased a LED Cyr Wheel performer who dazzled the crowd alongside an Olympian LED hoops artist who performed atop a bridge spanning the Strip. See also: New Event Planners in Las Vegas Their acrobatics resulted in extraordinary visual impact, complemented by a state-of-the-arts laser dance troupe. To complete such an amazing night, our live dance band took the stage as the crowd danced into the night. Following our event, TOCA Events was proud to become an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor of the Las Vegas Convention Center. And being recognized as a premier event production company in Las Vegas. TOCA Events is an approved vendor for MGM Resorts. Our team is proud to call Las Vegas one of TOCA’s primary hubs in North America, and our establishment as an event production company in Las Vegas has led to an increased presence throughout the West Coast market. [:pb] Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities in the US; an entertainment capital and global incentive meetings hub as well. Viewed from outer space, the Vegas strip is the brightest spot on our planet both for its brightness and diversity of colors. TOCA Events draws from NASA’s fantastic images to create the theme for an exclusive program for 3,000 guests in the city’s Convention Center. Brilliant Lights was the concept used to reconcile the location with the client’s message. The program is a fresh interpretation of Las Vegas culture, inspired by the destination and the unrivaled brilliance that emanates from the Vegas Strip out toward the universe. TOCA Events delivered a unique fusion of highly sophisticated design elements, subtle yet effective corporate messaging, and visually impactful performance elements from the raw and empty canvas of the Las Vegas Convention Hall S3. The transformation of the Hall took four days of continuous work marked by the incredible creativity of the TOCA Events staff. The overall effect was achieved through various initiatives and the creation of multiple continuous spaces infused with the diverse and cosmopolitan sizzle of Las Vegas. TOCA Events created a central core that mirrored the Strip with mapped lighting effects that formed a glistening corridor interconnecting each of the spaces. The spaces—or zones—were delineated by luminous structural elements, modular translucent walls and LED messaging, culminating in an atmosphere that was vibrant, colorful, sophisticated, and inviting. Mirroring the Las Vegas cityscape was the idea that sparked the imagination of our creative team. Our DJ held court from atop his tower overlooking the central Strip. Additionally, to highlight the brilliance of the overall concept we showcased a LED Cyr Wheel performer who dazzled the crowd alongside an Olympian LED hoops performer who performed atop a bridge spanning the Strip. Their acrobatics resulted in extraordinary visual impact, complemented by a state-of-the-arts laser dance show. To complete such an amazing night, our live dance band took the stage as the crowd danced into the night. www.tocaevents.com[:es] Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities in the US; an entertainment capital and global incentive meetings hub as well. Viewed from outer space, the Vegas strip is the brightest spot on our planet both for its brightness and diversity of colors. TOCA Events draws from NASA’s fantastic images to create the theme for an exclusive program for 3,000 guests in the city’s Convention Center. Brilliant Lights was the concept used to reconcile the location with the client’s message. The program is a fresh interpretation of Las Vegas culture, inspired by the destination and the unrivaled brilliance that emanates from the Vegas Strip out toward the universe. TOCA Events delivered a unique fusion of highly sophisticated design elements, subtle yet effective corporate messaging, and visually impactful performance elements from the raw and empty canvas of the Las Vegas Convention Hall S3. The transformation of the Hall took four days of continuous work marked by the incredible creativity of the TOCA Events staff. The overall effect was achieved through various initiatives and the creation of multiple continuous spaces infused with the diverse and cosmopolitan sizzle of Las Vegas. TOCA Events created a central core that mirrored the Strip with mapped lighting effects that formed a glistening corridor interconnecting each of the spaces. The spaces—or
Bossa Nova Sinfónico & TOCA Culture: Resounding Success in Havana
The sun had not risen on the morning of May 11th when Robson Coccaro, President of TOCA Culture, was already being interviewed by Univision Television Network at Miami International Airport about the upcoming performance of Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Havana. The interview session culminated with an impromptu rendition of Girl from Ipanema by vocalist Rose Max to the delight of the airport staff, the press and dozens of travelers who broke into applause. Bossa Nova Sinfónico is an ode to Brazilian music, an homage to the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim, one of the 20th-century’s most admired composers. It features the classic Brazilian jazz quintet format in tandem with a symphonic orchestra. The glorious sounds of Jobim’s compositions come to life through the voice of Rose Max, accompanied by Ramatis Moraes (guitar), Mike Orta (piano), Carlomagno Araya (drums) and Jamie Ousley (bass), all under the direction of conductor Jeremy Fox. The project has been presented in Costa Rica and Mexico, was nominated for a Latin Grammy, and received the Brazilian Press Award for Album of the Year. Jeremy Fox conducts Cuba’s National Symphony Orchestra for Bossa Nova Sinfónico The cultural immersion of TOCA Culture’s entourage of artists and VIP sponsor guests began as soon as we arrived in Havana. The group seemed overwhelmed by the colors, textures, sounds, and architecture of the city, a grand old dame that has been given a second chance to shine. Our first stop was the classic Café del Oriente in San Francisco Square. It was a time to take in the city’s vibe and get ready for an unforgettable four-day musical journey. Havana, cradle of Cuban music and culture Bossa Nova Sinfónico was selected to perform at the Inaugural Gala of Cuba Disco 2016, Cuba’s premier music industry event, which was celebrating its 20th anniversary. As we approached the theater for our first rehearsal, TOCA’s staff had been prepped by our Cuban counterparts for a simple session without much expectation. But as the first chord made its way through the theater halls, everyone sensed that the concert would be a success. One of the most emotional moments came during the first rehearsal when both the orchestra and the quintet realized they were a perfect fit. Everything was fluid. Maestro Enrique Pérez Mesa, Director of Cuba’s National Symphony Orchestra—and the most gracious host—said, “the music of Cuba and Brazil—and their cultures in general—share the same roots: Yoruba African slaves and colonizers from the Iberian Peninsula.” These historical ties manifest themselves through parallel cultural landscapes that understand each other without speaking the same language. Rose Max and Bobby Carcasses, who was instrumental in presenting Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Cuba. It was most gratifying to observe as new relationships and friendships were born between the musicians, producers, event organizers, and staff in general. And our project lives on through the national broadcast on Cuban television of the concert, and will spread beyond the Island as TOCA Culture identifies global broadcast partners for the project. There could not be a better example of real People-to-People exchange. The concert was broadcast on Cuban National television on June 4th. Bossa Nova Sinfónico was presented to a full crowd at Teatro Nacional de Cuba in Havana. Between rehearsals, the group explored Havana’s neighborhoods, from the baroque palaces and squares of Old Havana to the dive bars in Centro Habana as well as the theaters and restaurants in posh Miramar. The Bossa Nova Sinfonicogroup met more musicians in the streets and were invited to play in some descargas with local bands. As a prelude to the main concert, part of the quintet (Rose, Ramatis, and Jamie) had the opportunity to present a concert at the Centro Hispanoamericano de la Cultura—a gorgeous neoclassical building along the Malecón— sharing the stage with the renowned vocal ensemble, Schola Cantorum Coralina. Under the direction of Dra. Alina Orraca, the ensemble performed a program of Cuban traditional classics with perfect pitch. Meanwhile, Rose Maxdelighted the audience with Brazilian standards preceded by a lovely children’s choir. A few tears were shed by some members of the public as children and adult choral members joined Rose on stage for a resounding finale. Rose Max and Ramatis share the stage with the renowned vocal ensemble, Schola Cantorum Coralina at Centro Hispanoamericano de Cultura. Front row from left to right: Mike Orta, Jamie Ousley, Jeremy Fox, Carlomagno Araya, Rose Max, and Ramatis Moraes. Rose Max, Carlomagno Araya (project founder), and Robson Coccaroparticipated in a press conference that drew almost 60 national and international media outlets. The trio charmed the press with their genuine words of gratitude and admiration for the Cuban musicians, people, and culture. When the day of the concert arrived, all the musicians were relaxed, as when one knows things will go well. Bossa Nova Sinfónico was the first half of the gala and Max’s renditions of Jobim‘s songs grabbed the audience from the first note. The Cuban audience is extremely knowledgeable of Brazilian music and at times sang along, even danced in the aisles to the melodies and rhythms emanating from the stage during the final selection. The performance was received by two standing ovations, interrupted only by an interpretation of Mas Que Nada which brought the house down in a palpable celebration of the best in popular music. The second half of the program was entrusted to the singer/songwriter Raúl Torres, author of classic pieces such as Candíl de Nieve, and Se Fue. The great Vania Borges, a sultry chanteuse with a velvety voice was his guest. And so Cuba Disco 2016 was inaugurated. Granma International said in its art column, “The excellence, beauty and quality of the work of Tom Jobim, performed by the Bossa Nova Sinfónico quintet together with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra, provided a high degree of distinction to the Inaugural Gala of the 20th CUBADISCO International Festival”. ACN (Agencia Cubana de Noticias) echoed Rose Max’s feelings about her stay in Cuba. “Being in Cuba is a great dream”, said the vocalist, “as a child I always heard about the quality of Cuban musicians, and as soon as we started rehearsing we were captivated by the warmth and talent of
Copa America brings Fiestón to South Beach
A special edition of Copa America—the premier men’s soccer event in the Americas—is being held for the first time outside of South America. The United States is the host nation for Copa America Centenario, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Tournament from June 3rd to the 26th. The 2016 event is significant because it features teams from CONMEBOL (the South American football confederation) and CONCACAF (the Confederation of North and Cen- tral America and the Caribbean). Soccer fans across the US will be able to view all 32 games live on Univision Sports, but if you feel the need to share this unique experience with fellow fans and cheer for your team, Univi- sion, the largest Spanish-language television network, has organized viewing parties across the country as a way of replicating the sensation of being at the stadium. One of such events—a tailgate beach party—was produced by TOCA Events during the week- end of June 3 to 6 at Miami Beach’s Lummus Park on the iconic Ocean Drive. The Fiestón—as Univision calls these viewing parties—came to Miami for the first time, and the sports manage- ment side of TOCA Events was chosen to take care of the challenge and design an unforget- table opportunity for all soccer fans of all ages. There were plenty of family-fun activities for attendees. Besides cheering for their favorite teams, guests enjoyed beach games as well as live musical performances by reggaeton artist Joey Montana, pop artist Karol G, pop Latin sensation Grupo Treo, Afrobeta, and Locos for Jua- na, among others. The first six matches of the tournament were broadcast live on large LED screens placed on the beach. TOCA Events continues its support of Univision Fiestón events in cities across the country such as Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. www.tocaevents.com
TOCA Culture Presents Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Havana, Cuba
TOCA Culture presents Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Havana Cuba MIAMI, USA (March 24, 2016) — The Miami-based cultural institution, TOCA Culture, will present Bossa Nova Sinfónico in Havana, Cuba on May 15th, as the opening concert for the 2016 Cuba Disco Festival. In a historic move, Cuba’s National Symphonic Orchestra will share the stage with U.S. artists based in Miami. This momentous occasion coincides with the Festival’s 20th anniversary. The orchestra, guest musicians, and the Cuban fans of Brazilian music are looking forward to this award-winning program that celebrates ever increasing cultural dialogue between Cuba, Brazil and the U.S. The collaborative performance will be led by the Symphonic Orchestra’s Maestro Enrique Perez Mesa. Bossa Nova Sinfónico is a project founded with the purpose of sustaining Antonio Carlos Jobim’s body of work and legacy among music lovers everywhere. Jobim was the most pivotal figure in Brazilian popular music over the last century. His music has permeated cultures around the world. Jobim’s compositions coupled with the symphony orchestra format and the traditional Brazilian Jazz quintet gives this project its unique appeal. The quintet is formed by singer Rose Max, guitar player Ramatis Moraes, bassist Jamie Ousley, pianist Michael Orta and drummer Carlomagno Araya. Conductor Jeremy Fox, from the original concert in Costa Rica, will be part of the encounter, working together with maestro Perez Mesa. In its first year, this project was performed in Central America, Mexico, and the United States. Its premier in Costa Rica along with the National Symphony Orchestra (March 2013) resulted in the release of a live recording. The CD “Bossa Nova Sinfónico Recordando a Antonio Carlos Jobim” garnered a Latin Grammy nomination, as well as winning “Best CD of the Year” at the 2014 Brazilian Press Awards. “The music of Jobim is universal, and provides the ideal framework to present our PanAmerican musical encounter,” states TOCA Culture director Robson Coccaro. “We are at such a transformative moment in U.S.-Cuban relations, and we are thrilled to be collaborating creatively with Maestro Pérez and Cuba’s National Symphony Orchestra. Much like Jobim’s subtle use of rich harmonies in his music, our hope is that this performance will encourage harmony and further stimulate the cultural dialogue between the U.S. and Cuba”. ABOUT TOCA CULTURE TOCA Culture is a not-for-profit cultural organization that promotes the visual and performing arts through cultural exchange and performative encounters throughout the Americas, with particular focus on Brazil-USA-Cuba interface. We support established as well as emerging artists, and produce live and virtual events to showcase their works and introduce their offerings to a global audience. Bossa Nova Sinfónico is scheduled to be presented at the Cuba Disco Music Festival in Havana, Cuba under the direction of Maestro Enrique Pérez Mesa with the National Symphony Orchestra. This showcase of Brazilian Bossa Nova, performed by Brazilian artists based in the US and Cuban musicians from the national orchestra, embodies the cross-cultural focus of TOCA Culture. www.tocaculture.org
Curating Experiences
Every now and then we have to stop and think about how grateful we are to have gotten into the business of curating experiences through TOCA Events. Uniting people together through entertainment and the beauty of other cultures is certainly the perfect formula for helping make life so rich and varied. We all know that creating a united world comes through sharing knowledge. Travel, the arts, food, and philosophy are just some of the ways we foster a greater awareness of the similarities and beautiful differences between cultures. Through dialogue and exposure we make a collective vision that helps to empower our own individual take on the world, as well as a much wider awareness of the varied and colorful communities that exist around the globe. Sharing is the key. We are truly in a time of individual and communal transformation, with communication and knowledge at our fingertips whenever we have the desire to learn more. Creative partnerships are paving the way for greater global unity through sharing ideas, expertise, and joy. At TOCA, we emphasize this through all of our programs, collaborating with people from different cultures to bring new awareness to our audiences. As all of you readers of the TOCA blogs are well aware, we adore travel. Along with the excitement of discovering the unknown, exploring the world expands the mind and spirit. Sharing language, history, and different customs adds color and heart to life, with every location on this earth emanating its own soul. And of course, travel helps to dispel preconceptions and prejudices as we open up to the new. We have created TOCA Culture to reach into communities worldwide, enjoy their spirit, and help share this energy with our clients. Whether it is a musical tour, learning a specific craft, taking a cooking course, or enjoying a festival, a film or the nightlife and natural resources of a given region, we enjoy the sense of sharing what we have discovered… and always with a light and conscious footprint wherever we go! One person can accomplish amazing things. Companies have an even farther reach, working within their own business culture to extend outwards. In our company, we always seek to gift our clients with the exposure to something they may not have experienced before. Keeping cultures alive through awareness is just part of what it takes to create global unity. By sharing the spirit of the world, we can honor those communities that we are not familiar with, with their customs enriching our view of the world. www.tocaevents.com
Havana’s International Jazz Festival and TOCA Culture
Picture a crowded basement. The lights are dim, the air thick with smoke and anticipation. A late night set is well into its umpteenth hour as local and international jazz greats make their way to the stage, adding their particular stamp to the continued improvisation. It could be twenty years ago, or it could be the present, but there is no doubt that this is Havana, Cuba on a night not to be missed. In Cuba you have music for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and snacks. Its in the clubs, its on the curbs. And when it comes to jazz, it inhabits the late night into the morning, penetrating your very cells down to the marrow of your bones. This is the Cuba we at TOCA love and its the Havana that stands everyone on their heads during the annual Havana International Jazz Festival. In December 2015 from December 13 to the 21st, the Havana International Jazz Festival once again will be magnetizing jazz lovers from all over the world. For nine days and eight nights, attendees will be privy to some of the most astonishing musical talent at venues around the city including concerts at the Mella, Nacional, and Amadeo Roldan theatres and throughout the city’s many, many clubs. Hang out on any one of these nights at the Jazz Cafe or La Zorra y el Cuervo and you’re sure to see your favorite jazz luminaries adding their heat to the fire. The Havana International Jazz Festival was born in 1978 as the Jazz Plaza Festival when Cuban jazz showman Bobby Carcasses and a host of other exceptional Cuban musicians presented the first jazz concert in the Casa de la Cultura de Plaza. The following year featured keyboard great and five-time Grammy winner, Chucho Valdes, who became the director of the festival in 1996. As one of the most thrilling events for jazz lovers, the festival combines the allure of Cuba itself with some of the greatest icons of jazz music. In the past, the festival has featured artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tete Montoliu, Charlie Haden, Max Roach, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Carmen McRae, Leon Thomas, Airto Moreira, Tania Maria, Dave Velentin, Ivan Lins, and Michael Legrand. This year will be no different, with local and internationally acclaimed musicians coming in from everywhere to add their talent to the stunning and innovative scene that thrives in Havana. Never shirking our responsibility to share the fun, TOCA Culture will be there to provide people-to-people educational exchanges, combining encounters with Old Havana, Ciefuegos, and other UNESCO treasures with the excitement of the festival’s abundant musical offerings. With a mission to offer an intimate view of Cuban culture, we are looking forward to a total immersion into Havana’s musical pulse, from Afro-Cuban to Bossa Nova, improvisational, and free jazz… and everything in-between, above, and beyond! For more information on TOCA Culture and the Havana International Jazz Festival, contact us today at: www.tocaevents.com www.tocaculture.org www.tocatrips.com
The Exciting Game of Sports Marketing
As we prepare for the Rio Summer Games, where we are assisting the NBA for the third year in a row, it occurs to us that we might say a few words about the exciting game of sports marketing. As huge sports fans, we at TOCA are always thrilled when we are called upon to provide our sports clients with strategies that bring their goods and services to expectant fans. Perhaps more than any type of event, sports has the power to ignite both the passion and pride of its viewers. Ready to cheer for their favorite athletes and teams, there is no more vicarious thrill than feeling the excitement generated by fans when the game is on. Competition, an undetermined outcome, and star athletes put everyone on the edge of their seats, creating a thrilling mix that electrifies every sporting event. Sports marketing wouldn’t be what it is if advertising wasn’t tied in to the event at hand. The popularity of teams and athletes encourages fans to purchase the products and services that they support, which creates an undeniable synergy. At TOCA our task is to come up with great strategies that will promote an event, along with the goods and services that go along with it. In service to this, we provide our clients and audiences with interactive settings that keep team spirit at its highest and client brands at the forefront. Getting the public to participate in ancillary events, allowing them to get closer to their favorite athletes and teams through live feeds and parties, and providing urban elements that encourage fans to stay active is what makes an event successful. Our goal at TOCA is always based on offering people a wonderful time, and it is with this in mind that we create our marketing strategies. Sports marketing is a fast-paced, energetic facet of event production. It requires quick thinking and a knack for coming up with creative solutions for promotion and advertising. Attention to detail, good communication and organizational skills, and a ton of flexibility make for a great result. When clients keep coming back for each new event, you know your formula is working. In this regard, we are proud to be producing three more events for Univision’s USA Mexico game, including simultaneous live viewing parties in L.A. and Dallas. We expect over 4,000 fans to turn up at each location, with fun and games for all. We have many sports marketing-related events in the works, many with return clients who want more of the TOCA touch. With each one, we rev up our motor, hone our skills, and revel in the excitement we share with our clients, the sponsors, and the fans. And of course, with each production, we learn more about our craft as we come up with new ideas for the exciting game of sports marketing. www.tocaevents.com[:pb] As we prepare for the Rio Summer Games, where we are assisting the NBA for the third year in a row, it occurs to us that we might say a few words about the exciting game of sports marketing. As huge sports fans, we at TOCA are always thrilled when we are called upon to provide our sports clients with strategies that bring their goods and services to expectant fans. Perhaps more than any type of event, sports has the power to ignite both the passion and pride of its viewers. Ready to cheer for their favorite athletes and teams, there is no more vicarious thrill than feeling the excitement generated by fans when the game is on. Competition, an undetermined outcome, and star athletes put everyone on the edge of their seats, creating a thrilling mix that electrifies every sporting event. Sports marketing wouldn’t be what it is if advertising wasn’t tied in to the event at hand. The popularity of teams and athletes encourages fans to purchase the products and services that they support, which creates an undeniable synergy. At TOCA our task is to come up with great strategies that will promote an event, along with the goods and services that go along with it. In service to this, we provide our clients and audiences with interactive settings that keep team spirit at its highest and client brands at the forefront. Getting the public to participate in ancillary events, allowing them to get closer to their favorite athletes and teams through live feeds and parties, and providing urban elements that encourage fans to stay active is what makes an event successful. Our goal at TOCA is always based on offering people a wonderful time, and it is with this in mind that we create our marketing strategies. Sports marketing is a fast-paced, energetic facet of event production. It requires quick thinking and a knack for coming up with creative solutions for promotion and advertising. Attention to detail, good communication and organizational skills, and a ton of flexibility make for a great result. When clients keep coming back for each new event, you know your formula is working. In this regard, we are proud to be producing three more events for Univision’s USA Mexico game, including simultaneous live viewing parties in L.A. and Dallas. We expect over 4,000 fans to turn up at each location, with fun and games for all. We have many sports marketing-related events in the works, many with return clients who want more of the TOCA touch. With each one, we rev up our motor, hone our skills, and revel in the excitement we share with our clients, the sponsors, and the fans. And of course, with each production, we learn more about our craft as we come up with new ideas for the exciting game of sports marketing. www.tocaevents.com[:es] As we prepare for the Rio Summer Games, where we are assisting the NBA for the third year in a row, it occurs to us that we might say a few words about the exciting game of sports marketing. As huge sports fans, we at TOCA are always thrilled when we are called upon to provide our sports clients with strategies that bring their goods
Bossa Nova Then and Now
Who among you haven’t hear the song “The Girl from Ipanema?” Very few, we are sure, as the song has been ubiquitous ever since it was created by bossa nova king, Antonio Carlos Jobim. With its cool, laid back sound enhanced by the whispery voice of Astrud Gilberto, the song put bossa nova on the map, from Rio to NY and everywhere else beyond. The origin of bossa nova came from finding a new way of playing and singing samba, a musical genre with roots in Africa. Taking elements from jazz music and combining it with a soft and poetic sound, bossa nova came at a time when Brazil was changing and becoming more modern, and this sound surely became emblematic of the time. Born in 1927, Jobim was a revered songwriter, singer, composer, arranger, pianist, and guitarist who was a big part of the creation of the bossa nova style. With “The Girl from Ipanema” one of the most recorded songs in history, his music put bossa nova on the map, along with the music he wrote in collaboration with poet vinicius de Moraes in 1959 for the film, Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) directed by Michel Camus. Musicians like Stan Getz, Joaö Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto helped to add fuel to the bossa nova craze all over the world, with Jobim at the helm. As one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century, his music was recorded by many famous singers, including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jobim died in 1994, but he had an airport named after him in Rio in 1999 and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 . When it began, bossa nova was headquartered in a tiny alley in Rio called Beco das Garrafas in Copacabana, known to music afficianados as well as the great musicians who play and visit the local bars. Known as an after-hours place for musicians to play, it has been a hang out for greats such as Sergio Mendes, Milton Banana, J.T. Meirelles, and Edison Machado. Heavyweight jazz players like Coleman Hawkins and Herbie Mann were often regulars, and the beat goes on to today, where Beco das Garrafas continues to host some of the best bossa nova bands and the musicians who appreciate and contribute to the sound. In the latter part of the 1960’s pop and rock became the musical styles of choice in Rio, but bossa nova still held its ground as a staple. Today, bossa nova has evolved into a new sound, combining the style with electronic beats giving it a harder edge that makes it popular with a new generation of kids on the dance floor. The contemporary bossa scene is growing all the time. Bands like Bossacucanova combine the traditional sound with electronica. Nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2002 for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album with “Brasilidade,” they are produced and engineered by Alex Moreira and boast stunning vocals by his wife, Cris Delanno. Innovators like Mitar Subotic, known as Suba, have pioneered a sound that is constantly transforming. Listen to his album Säo Paulo Confessions, or to Fernanda Porto’s bossa, drum n’ bass dance floor hit, “Sambassim” with its various contagious mixes. And then there is Mugamango, Marcelonho da Lua, Cibelle, Vanessa da Mata and Ramilson Maia, and so many more who are moving the bossa sound into exciting realms. Like all art forms that are alive with their times, bossa nova breathes new life into itself through the artists who expand the form through their own visions. Whether you want a soothing sound to soften your ears or a driving beat to lift you higher, bossa nova is a sound that can take you to many places, not the least of which is Rio de Janeiro where it all began. www.tocaevents.com[:pb] Who among you haven’t hear the song “The Girl from Ipanema?” Very few, we are sure, as the song has been ubiquitous ever since it was created by bossa nova king, Antonio Carlos Jobim. With its cool, laid back sound enhanced by the whispery voice of Astrud Gilberto, the song put bossa nova on the map, from Rio to NY and everywhere else beyond. The origin of bossa nova came from finding a new way of playing and singing samba, a musical genre with roots in Africa. Taking elements from jazz music and combining it with a soft and poetic sound, bossa nova came at a time when Brazil was changing and becoming more modern, and this sound surely became emblematic of the time. Born in 1927, Jobim was a revered songwriter, singer, composer, arranger, pianist, and guitarist who was a big part of the creation of the bossa nova style. With “The Girl from Ipanema” one of the most recorded songs in history, his music put bossa nova on the map, along with the music he wrote in collaboration with poet vinicius de Moraes in 1959 for the film, Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) directed by Michel Camus. Musicians like Stan Getz, Joaö Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto helped to add fuel to the bossa nova craze all over the world, with Jobim at the helm. As one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century, his music was recorded by many famous singers, including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jobim died in 1994, but he had an airport named after him in Rio in 1999 and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 . When it began, bossa nova was headquartered in a tiny alley in Rio called Beco das Garrafas in Copacabana, known to music afficianados as well as the great musicians who play and visit the local bars. Known as an after-hours place for musicians to play, it has been a hang out for greats such as Sergio Mendes, Milton Banana, J.T. Meirelles, and Edison Machado. Heavyweight jazz players like Coleman Hawkins and Herbie Mann were often regulars, and the beat goes on to today, where Beco das Garrafas continues to