Navigating the Corporate Hospitality Landscape in 2024
The corporate hospitality industry in 2024 is marked by transformational trends that cater to evolving business landscapes and shifting client expectations. No longer just about dining at executive suites during sporting events, corporate hospitality has become an essential part of business strategy, focusing on creating exceptional experiences that align with corporate values, technology advancements, and sustainability priorities. Technological Integration In 2024, technology plays a crucial role by seamlessly blending physical and digital experiences. Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) tech allows companies to engage with clients in innovative ways. Imagine attending a Formula 1 race while simultaneously immersing in a virtual behind-the-scenes pit experience from the comfort of a private suite. This incorporation of technology ensures events are both exclusive and interactive, significantly enhancing the guest experience. Sustainable and Ethical Practices As sustainability demands mount, corporations are now selecting hospitality partners that share their commitment to the environment. In 2024, eco-friendly practices, from sustainable sourcing of food and materials to energy-efficient venues, are non-negotiable. Companies strive to demonstrate corporate responsibility by opting for green certifications and reducing their carbon footprint at events. Ethical considerations extend to inclusivity and diversity, prompting businesses to create more accessible and culturally sensitive events. Personalization and Custom Experiences Personalization takes center stage in corporate hospitality. Businesses recognize the importance of tailoring experiences to individual preferences to foster genuine connections and brand loyalty. Companies now utilize data-driven insights to craft bespoke experiences, from customized menus to curated entertainment, ensuring every guest feels valued and appreciated. This bespoke approach strengthens client relationships and positions the company as attentive and customer-focused. The Rise of Hybrid Events The pandemic accelerated the shift towards hybrid events, and in 2024, this trend is more prominent than ever. Hybrid events combine in-person and virtual components, offering flexibility and broader reach. Clients can choose how they wish to participate, increasing engagement and inclusivity. This model is cost-effective, allowing companies to host larger, more diverse audiences without significant logistical challenges. Focus on Wellness and Well-being An emphasis on wellness permeates the corporate hospitality industry in 2024. Health-conscious menus, mindfulness activities, and stress-reducing amenities are standard components of the event experience. Wellness initiatives extend beyond physical health, addressing mental well-being through serene environments and thoughtful programming. This holistic approach ensures that guests leave events feeling rejuvenated and valued. Challenges and Opportunities Despite its evolution, the industry faces challenges such as balancing high customer expectations with budget constraints and navigating geopolitical instabilities impacting international events. However, these challenges present opportunities for innovation and differentiation. By prioritizing creative problem-solving, businesses can craft compelling hospitality experiences that set them apart. Conclusion The corporate hospitality industry in 2024 is characterized by innovation, sustainability, and personalization. As companies adapt to the changing landscape, they are not only creating memorable experiences but also reinforcing their brand values and fostering deeper connections with clients. As this industry continues to evolve, its role as a strategic business tool becomes increasingly indispensable.
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.
Unlocking the Secret to Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Corporate Event
Unlocking the Secret to Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Corporate Event Planning a corporate event can be a daunting task, with one of the most crucial aspects being the choice of venue. The right setting can elevate your event, leaving attendees with a lasting positive impression. Let’s explore the key factors in uncovering the perfect spot for your next corporate gathering. 1. Understand Your Event Goals Before you start the venue hunt, have a clear understanding of the event’s purpose. Are you launching a product, hosting a team-building retreat, or celebrating an organizational milestone? Your goals will help dictate the atmosphere and functionality needed in a venue. 2. Consider the Location Location plays a pivotal role. It should be convenient for all attendees, especially if they are coming from different areas. Proximity to public transportation, hotels, and airports can significantly improve attendee experience. Additionally, consider the local amenities and attractions that might enhance the overall appeal of your event. 3. Assess the Capacity and Layout Ensure the venue can comfortably accommodate your expected number of attendees. Consider the layout for presentations, networking, or workshops. An adaptable space that can be configured for various activities is often ideal. 4. Evaluate the Ambiance The venue’s ambiance should align with your event’s theme and objective. Does the décor mirror a professional, cutting-edge vibe for a tech launch, or is it more relaxed and creative for a workshop? Sound, lighting, and even the scent of the venue can contribute to the overall atmosphere. 5. Check Available Amenities Review the venue’s facilities. Depending on your event needs, you might require audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi access, on-site catering, or breakout rooms. Adequate parking or valet services are also important considerations. 6. Budget Wisely While budget is a significant factor, it’s worth investing in a venue that offers value to your event. Consider all costs, including any hidden fees for additional services. Sometimes spending a bit more on the ideal venue can lead to greater returns in terms of attendee satisfaction and brand image. 7. Visit the Venue Photos and virtual tours can be helpful, but nothing beats visiting the venue in person. This allows you to get a true feel of the space, assess logistical aspects like accessibility, and envision how the event will flow. 8. Seek References and Reviews Researching reviews and requesting references from past clients can provide insight into the venue’s quality of service. People’s experiences can reveal important details you might not consider initially. 9. Consider Flexibility and Availability Check the venue’s availability on your desired date and ask about their flexibility regarding changes in timelines or guest count. Venues that can adapt to unforeseen changes can save a lot of hassle. Conclusion Finding the perfect venue for your corporate event involves balancing essential elements like location, capacity, and cost with the needs of your attendees and the goals of your event. By considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to orchestrating a memorable and successful event. Happy planning!
Tanzania Tour with TOCA Trips!
Tanzania Tour with TOCA Trips! With the ever-increasing popularity of our tours in Brazil, Cuba, and Thailand, we at TOCA Trips are expanding our roster to include Tanzania in our select list of destinations. Tanzania tour. With its endlessly fascinating natural resources, we felt it would be remiss if we didn’t share our knowledge of this magical part of the world with those of you yearning to take a journey of a lifetime! Vast Natural Beauty on Protected Land Exotic and enticing, Tanzania is known as one of the best wildlife viewing locations in all of Africa. From white-bearded wildebeests to giraffes, gazelles, zebras, and more, the country is also home to Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro; as well as its deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika; and largest lake, Lake Victoria. Containing 16 national parks, along with countless bio-diverse forest and game reserves, Tanzania one of the primary African countries where you can enjoy such vast and natural beauty on protected land. Tours with a Personal Flavor TOCA co-founder Sean Gibbons lived in Tanzania as a teenager, a time that informed his youth with a sense of the preciousness of a grand landscape that fills the soul. With his deep connection to this country, Sean’s knowledge of the land and its people has imbued our tours with a deeply personal flavor. The Serengeti Our trips focus primarily on the Serengeti region, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater. Included in the Tanzania Tour are a range of activities such as photographic safaris, canoeing, biking, hiking, shopping, as well as cultural and culinary encounters. Accompanied by our impeccable tour guides, you will experience the magnificence of some of the area’s most impressive sites, including Arusha National Park. Smaller than many of the other local parks, Arusha is extremely accessible and teeming with wildlife inhabiting stretches of untainted countryside. Equally awe-inspiring is Lake Manyara National Park, with its breathtaking scenery offering endless photographic opportunities. Stunning Overnights Offering impeccable accommodations such as Rivertrees Country Inn just outside Arusha and near to Kilimanjaro Airport, Serena Mountain Lodge in Mt. Meru, and the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge inside the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, we also introduce our tourists to exciting overnights in some of the best open-air safari camps. With all of this and more, you can be sure that your visit to the land of the Masai will enrich you as much as it has inspired our TOCA team. Sharing the Joy At TOCA Trips we supply you with all you need to share the profound joy of being deeply engaged in untainted nature. There is no doubt that you will be as astounded as we are each time we visit this majestic country where description falls so far short of the experience. Join Us! For more information on TOCA Trips and the Tanzania Tour, please contact us here. www.tocaevents.com www.tocatrips.com[:pb]With the ever-increasing popularity of our tours in Brazil, Cuba, and Thailand, we at TOCA Trips are expanding our roster to include Tanzania in our select list of destinations. With its endlessly fascinating natural resources, we felt it would be remiss if we didn’t share our knowledge of this magical part of the world with those of you yearning to take a journey of a lifetime! Vast Natural Beauty on Protected Land Exotic and enticing, Tanzania is known as one of the best wildlife viewing locations in all of Africa. From white-bearded wildebeests to giraffes, gazelles, zebras, and more, the country is also home to Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro; as well as its deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika; and largest lake, Lake Victoria. Containing 16 national parks, along with countless bio-diverse forest and game reserves, Tanzania one of the primary African countries where you can enjoy such vast and natural beauty on protected land. Tours with a Personal Flavor TOCA co-founder Sean Gibbons lived in Tanzania as a teenager, a time that informed his youth with a sense of the preciousness of a grand landscape that fills the soul. With his deep connection to this country, Sean’s knowledge of the land and its people has imbued our tours with a deeply personal flavor. The Serengeti Our trips focus primarily on the Serengeti region, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Crater. Included in the Tanzania Tour are a range of activities such as photographic safaris, canoeing, biking, hiking, shopping, as well as cultural and culinary encounters. Accompanied by our impeccable tour guides, you will experience the magnificence of some of the area’s most impressive sites, including Arusha National Park. Smaller than many of the other local parks, Arusha is extremely accessible and teeming with wildlife inhabiting stretches of untainted countryside. Equally awe-inspiring is Lake Manyara National Park, with its breathtaking scenery offering endless photographic opportunities. Stunning Overnights Offering impeccable accommodations such as Rivertrees Country Inn just outside Arusha and near to Kilimanjaro Airport, Serena Mountain Lodge in Mt. Meru, and the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge inside the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, we also introduce our tourists to exciting overnights in some of the best open-air safari camps. With all of this and more, you can be sure that your visit to the land of the Masai will enrich you as much as it has inspired our TOCA team. Sharing the Joy At TOCA Trips we supply you with all you need to share the profound joy of being deeply engaged in untainted nature. There is no doubt that you will be as astounded as we are each time we visit this majestic country where description falls so far short of the experience. Join Us! For more information on TOCA Trips and the Tanzania Tour, please contact us here. www.tocaevents.com www.tocatrips.com[:es]With the ever-increasing popularity of our tours in Brazil, Cuba, and Thailand, we at TOCA Trips are expanding our roster to include Tanzania in our select list of destinations. With its endlessly fascinating natural resources, we felt it would be remiss if we didn’t share our knowledge of this magical part of the world with those of
Sao Paulo: Brazil’s Favorite Destination for Events and Incentive Travel
Fabulous Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and the most populous megapolis in the entire Southern Hemisphere. The world’s ninth largest metropolis is located in Southeastern Brazil—in the State that shares its name—and is the commercial and industrial heart of the South American giant, a country that has made great strides in the last few years to become a world economic power while helping and assisting the perennially underserved populations of its urban centers and rural areas. View of Sao Paulo Sao Paulo is also a world-renowned center for art, culture, entertainment and sophistication, unlike any other Latin American city. Practically an open air museum with neighborhoods and buildings of historical value—it ranks first among the cities that host international events in the Americas and 12th in the world, after Vienna, Paris, Barcelona, Singapore, Berlin, Budapest, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Seoul, Lisbon and Copenhagen. And according to a study by MasterCard in 130 cities around the world, São Paulo was the third most visited destination in Latin America with 2.4 million foreign travelers, who spent US$2.9 billion in 2013 (the highest among the cities in the region). Some of the most relevant annual events include the Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo Fashion Week and the ATP Brazil Open, as well as the largest gay pride parade in the country, which draws over one million visitors every year. Ibirapuera Auditorium TOCA Events, with offices in Miami and Rio de Janeiro, boasts a comprehensive team of expert curators, tour guides, planners and fixers in bustling Sao Paulo, who bring you up-to-date insight into the latest developments in this unique city. Knowing the city and its inhabitants so well, TOCA Events is poised to be your best all-inclusive provider to organize your next incentive experience in the most cosmopolitan city of one of the most beautiful and emblematic countries on the entire planet. Ibirapuera Park In 2014, CNN ranked nightlife in São Paulo as the fourth best in the world, behind New York, Berlin, and Ibiza. Although we do not know the criteria used by our partners at CNN, we agree that the paulistanos (as the locals are known) are unique, outgoing, sophisticated, and have built a city worthy of our admiration, even in a country with one of the most legendary architectural legacies of the 19th and 20th centuries. Avenida Paulista Starting from the iconic Avenida Paulista, home to the city’s most emblematic monuments, such as the Latin American Memorial, Ibirapuera Park, Museum of Ipiranga, São Paulo Museum of Art, and the Museum of the Portuguese Language, the city radiates towards some of the most relevant business centers that host headquarters of major corporations, banks and financial institutions, organizations whose arms reach the rest of the continent and beyond, including the largest stock market in Latin America. Terracoitalia restaurant One aspect of this fantastic city that seems to escape most history books is the fact that this is one of the most multicultural enclaves in the world, especially in South America. The city holds the largest population of persons of Italian descent in the entire world—more than Rome. Sao Paulo is also home to large Arab and Japanese communities. Mani restaurant Know for a penchant for luxury and excess, Sao Paulo hosts the leading fashion brands and cultural institutions. The Jardins neighborhood is regarded as one of the most sophisticated spaces in town with a broad variety of hotels and restaurants, including the award-winning D.O.M., considered one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants by San Pellegrino and Restaurant Magazine. Morumbi Since the city hosts 75% of the trade fairs and conventions in the country, the TOCA Events team of destination management professionals are consistently engaged in offering the highest level of creativity, quality and service to its growing global clientele. The city has become one of our favorite destinations for sports marketing, business sessions, incentive travel, and evening events produced with special attention to all the logistical details that lead to unforgettable experiences. www.tocaevents.com
Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades start at the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee. In the wet season, the water leaving the lake forms a slow-moving river 60 miles wide and over 100 miles long, flowing southward across a limestone shelf to Florida Bay at the southern tip of the peninsula. Along its journey to Florida Bay, the water from the lake brings life to different environments that conform an intricate labyrinth of interdependent ecosystems including cypress swamps, the estuarine mangrove forests of the Ten Thousand Islands, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine Rockland, and the marine environment of Florida Bay. Each is hauntingly beautiful in its own way: landscapes that cannot be replicated anywhere else. This fascinating corner of the planet is life giving and life affirming, a primordial landscape that should be protected. Pahayokee—Seminole for Everglades—was a pristine environment where the swamps and forests were not obstacles but a natural bounty. Calusa, Tequesta, Miccosukee, Seminole, and later Gladesmen occupied and lived off the land. The Calusa maintained a highly organized society and left behind many traces of their civilization, including large-scale architectural shell works, shell tools, carved wood, and long distance canoe trails. After the native population was exterminated by wars or exotic illnesses, Florida’s land boom promised cheap swamp land for agricultural or community development. That decision doomed the Everglades. In her seminal monograph The Everglades: River of Grass, Marjory Stoneman Douglas attempts to redefine the modern perception of the Everglades from a worthless swamp to a life-giving river. The resilient southern end of this unique ecosystem is what we know today as The Everglades Natural Park. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the park’s mission is to preserve and protect the unique and abundant flora and fauna within its jurisdiction. Everglades National Park covers between 1 and 1.5 million acres. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. hosting an incredibly rich mixture of plant and animal habitats. It is also a beautiful place to visit, an invitation for our children to discover the incredible power of nature, the beauty of a glorious sunset over Flamingo–the southernmost town on the Florida mainland–or the enchantment of endless rainbows during the rainy season. Photo safaris are equally as attractive since many of the species of plants and animals are endemic to the area and cannot be found anywhere else. Feel free to canoe through he haunting cypress swamps observing the broad variety of birds, medium and large mammals like the elusive Florida panther, and, of course, the ubiquitous American alligator and American crocodile. While most of the park is remote and inaccessible, there are plenty of spots within a few minutes from Miami or Naples, where you can get a feel for the “River of Grass”. The Park has three main entrances: Shark Valley, near Miami; Royal Palm in Homestead, and Everglades City in Florida’s West Coast. Each will lead you to a different, unforgettable encounter with nature, something we all need to do more often. The best way to see the park is to take the time to walk the boardwalks and trails along the main park road to join in ranger-led events. Naturalists give talks, and lead hikes, canoe trips, tram tours, and campfire programs, as well as narrated boat tours to explore the pristine Ten Thousand Islands and coastal mangrove. I remember that as a child growing up in Miami, I thought of the Everglades as civilization’s frontier. On one side there was progress, roads, malls, suburbs—our habitat. Beyond the city limits lay myth and lore, a land of monstrous lizards, giant serpents, mystery, and ghosts. I was disconnected from my immediate natural environment and devoid of the fundamental connection and sense of pride and ownership of the place where I lived. This shared belief contributed to the neglect of the glades. In the Everglades, there are not epic vistas or high snow covered peaks. This park is more intimate, more personal, unique, and discreet, but its overwhelming beauty will change your life. If you are not comfortable venturing into the Everglades by yourself, there are several operators that will take care of all your needs and concerns. These include Dragon Flies Expeditions with a comprehensive Everglades Backwater Tour. And if you think the Everglades are only about nature and not art, we invite you to visit Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery located on 13 acres in the middle of the Everglades on Tamiami Trail. Butcher is an award-winning photographer and environmentalist who has produced some of the most iconic images of the river of grass. As it has been since the mid 19th century, the Everglades face continuous challenges. The latest problem is the growing population of invasive species like Burmese pythons, purple swamp hens, Cuban frogs and Australian pines, among others. This is the result of an ill-regulated exotic pet trade. These species compete with native plants and animals for resources and habitat. The expansion of the sugarcane industry, other agricultural endeavors, loss of habitat to real estate development, and supplying clean water to mores than 7 million South Floridians are stress factors that have to be dealt with if we want to protect this environment. Some call the Everglades a fragile ecosystem. We call it the most resilient treasure in the southernmost corner of the United States. www.tocaevents.com
Cienfuegos: Cuba’s Hidden Gem
Perhaps many of our readers have never heard of the city of Cienfuegos in Central Cuba, but it is time to take notice of this beautiful enclave by the sea! The Pearl of the South—as locals affectionally call it—sits by a vast bay and harbor that are ideal for sailing and water sports. Cienfuegos is poised to become one of the main tourist destinations in Cuba forecasting the onslaught of cruise activity that will descend upon the island in the coming years, which could more than triple the number of travelers visiting this beautiful island nation. With that idea in mind, the local government has embarked in a comprehensive tourist expansion plan that should be completed by the year 2030. The ambitious project will revamp the city’s infrastructure to welcome more tourists. The city’s location in the center of the island–and the presence of an international airport–make Cienfuegos the ideal starting place for visiting some of the country’s most beautiful sites. These include the nearby town of Trinidad, founded on 1514 and preserved to retain its Spanish Colonial essence, as well as the Valle de los Ingenios, one of the most important sugar production hubs since the 18th century—both declared UNESCO Heritage Sites. From Cienfuegos, we can visit the Ciénaga de Zapata, the island’s largest swamp and an example of Cuba’s efforts to maintain one of the most pristine ecosystems in the Caribbean. The mountains of the Escambray emerge from the North side of the city and rise to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are multiple caves, rivers, waterfalls, grottos, canyons, natural pools with crystal clear water, and mountains teeming with mariposa—Cuba’s national flower—announcing their presence with a soft and unique fragrance from June to early September. For those looking for the Fountain of Youth, we recommend a visit to the thermal baths at Ciego Montero, Cuba’s most popular spa. The Escambray is home to more that 40 species of orchids and giant, seven-foot ferns endemic to the island. Bird watching, hiking and taking advantage of the lush forests and fresh air are perhaps the main amenities in the Central Cuban Mountains. TOCA Events prides itself in finding unknown destinations for our clients. We take you places where culture and history take priority over more mundane activities. More than exotic, Cienfuegos is a real place, where the locals welcome foreigners with a warm embrace that lasts during the entire trip. Proud of their heritage and magnificent architecture, Cienfuegueros are soulful, lively and musical. And they have plenty of reasons to be proud. The city of about 150,000 inhabitants was founded 1819 by French immigrants from Bordeaux and Louisiana led by Don Louis de Clouet who settled the land known as Fernandina de Jagua on behalf of the Spanish king Ferdinand VII. The name of the settlement was changed in 1880 in honor of the island’s Governor Don José Cienfuegos. The city is considered young by Cuban standards since the main villas on the island were founded in the 16th and 17th centuries. Cienfuegos is very different from other Cuban cities and has a distinct look and feel while retaining many impressive landmarks, including stunning palaces, quaint squares and beautiful theaters. The city has kept its Gaelic heritage with a modern layout and eclectic architecture. We start our periplus visiting some of the city’s most emblematic sites. The bay is lined with a scenic promenade (Malecón) where locals and visitors stroll peacefully at dusk taking in the Caribbean breeze and the glorious, melancholic sunsets. Cienfuegos also boasts the island’s longest tree-lined boulevard. Known as El Paseo del Prado, this strip is the city’s most popular artery and the meeting place for locals who come out everyday to enjoy the shade, socialize and keep their culture alive. Paseo del Prado covers the western part of the city and leads to Punta Gorda, home to some of the most beautiful houses in town, including the iconic Palacio del Valle. The 1913 building—a symbol of the city—displays a series of architectural elements reminiscent of Spanish Moorish art. The builders sought inspiration in myriad styles, including Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Mudejar, a cacophony of influences that resulted in a gorgeous and balanced palace. Although a small city, we encourage you to take a few days to discover and enjoy its parks, plazas, and monuments where you become immersed in a generous display of neoclassical, art nouveau and art deco imagery. The great weather year-round will help and inspire you to walk the lovely streets of the Historic Center, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring the impressive José Martí Park, one of the most beautiful and well preserved in Cuba; the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its asymmetric towers, and the dome of the Government Palace. Also nearby is the historic 19th-century Terry Theater, a revered institution within the Cuban art scene. Towering over te entrance to the bay is Jagua Castle, Cienfuegos’ oldest fortress, built in 1745 to protect the city from corsairs and pirates. One shouldn’t leave Cienfuegos without visiting the Marina and Nautical Club, a stately building by the bay offering sunset cruises, catamaran outings, and access to the best diving in this part of Cuba. Also worth visiting, the vast Botanical Gardens founded in 1901 under the name “Harvard Botanical Station for Tropical Research and Sugar Cane Investigation”. Today, the garden boasts a large collection of exotic plants including endemic orchids, palms, ficus, bamboo and species from other latitudes. Cienfuegos is a gift from the gods. It continues to draw inspiration from its French origins while staying modern and relevant, beautiful and promising. The sea frames the city with a warm embrace and the blue waters that surround it are a true privilege. Cienfuegos is a cultural cluster located between the sea and the mountains. TOCA Events, under its division TOCA Trips, offers curated, personalized trips to Cienfuegos and other Cuban destinations where we share our experiences and knowledge with sophisticated travels looking for exposure to something they may not have experienced before. You
Miami’s Extraordinary Beaches: Something for Everyone
Though South Beach cannot be missed for its flamboyant range of day and nightlife, we at TOCA Events feel it is incumbent upon us to introduce you to some excellent alternatives for basking in the sun. The sandscapes of Miami are many, making it easy to find your perfect place. Whether it’s a private pearly white shore, an action-packed sporting day, or a chance to get rid of your tan lines at a nude beach, we’ve got a few suggestions on how to mix it up when vacationing in South Florida. North Beach offers a wide beach and waters as gorgeous as you’ll find anywhere. There’s a park at the north end, and the old fashioned band shell is a popular music venue where you can hear some great concerts later in the evening. With concessions and showers, beach volleyball nets for impromptu games, and lots of cafes nearby, North Beach is a great place to spend the day. For dining try Cafe Prima Pasta on 414 71st Street with its excellent Italian menu. North Shore Open Space is ideal for its tranquility, with plenty of shade, soft beach grass, and sandy walking trails. After a quiet day, enjoy a delicious Uruguayan meal at El Rey Del Chivito, 6987 Collins Ave. Bal Harbour Beach is north of the main beaches in Miami. Bal Harbor is considered the Rodeo Drive of South Florida, with high-end boutiques, luxury condos, five star hotels, clear waters, and pristine white sand. The mile-long beach has a jetty at the north end and offers a jogging path along the shore. There are many wonderful cafes at the Bal Harbour Shops or in nearby Surfside. We recommend The Grill at Bal Harbour on 9700 Collins Ave Suite 233. Haulover Beach is one and a half miles north of Miami Beach and is famous for its deep blue waters and a stretch of shoreline that is clothing-optional. Have a picnic lunch, enjoy a kite-making workshop, take some time on the nine hole golf course, or play a few sets of tennis on the courts. Visiting the nearby marina and park on Biscayne Bay is an easy walk through the available tunnels that lead to the sites. Our recommendation for dining is the J & Grill 9703 Collins Avenue where they really know how to make a good steak! Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park is perfect for the entire family. Here you’ll find a family amusement center, a nature center, and loads of beach volleyball. Have a picnic lunch, enjoying the on-site grills, and spend the afternoon roaming about the dunes, taking in the mangrove trees, costal hammock and sea grass beds, and the balmy breezes that play with you all day long. The environmental study area, Bear Cut Preserve, is interesting for the local flora and fauna. Take a tour with an experienced guide and then pop over to Cafe Fresh by Juice Zone in the Galleria Shopping Center on 328 C randon Blvd. for a healthy snack or meal. Attention windsurfers! Hobie/Windsurfer Beach in Key Biscayne is the place for you. Hobie is the home for one of the best locally run windsurfing concessions. Take a private or group lesson with a pro and then get out there to test your mettle. When you’re done, have a couple of cold beers on the beach with the locals to recap the day. www.tocaevents.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
Dining Out of Our Comfort Zone
Dining out of our comfort zone often occurs when we’re traveling to places where we are unfamiliar with the language. Trying out foods and flavors on a hunch or recommendation is one of the best ways to discover the nuances of a culture, as well as to test our sense of gustatory adventure. At TOCA Events, we relish these moments in travel where we can give unidentifiable ingredients the chance to expand our palate. In this spirit we would like to offer you a few examples of exotic foods that we’ve tried and loved. The following all began as mysteries and ended up on our list of favorite foods of the world We only had to hear our Japanese friends from Osaka say the word, “okonomiyaki” to have our curiosity aroused. A sizzling omelette was made with spring onions mixed into the batter and then filled with cabbage, eggs, mixed vegetables and a choice of meat or seafood. Cooked in a stock made with dried kelp and flaked bonito, this dish, which is often called ‘Osakan soul food,’ is served with several different sauces that create a tantalizing combination of sweet and salty. One of our favorite dishes in Greece is “melizanosalata,” which is a tangy dip made with roasted eggplant and red peppers, garlic, and fish eggs. Spread on bread or placed on a baked potato, add lemon and olive oil and this Mediterranean delicacy is a wonderful appetizer, especially coupled with a good red wine. If you are planning to travel to Istanbul, you will find an extremely diverse cuisine there, which makes it very exciting to eat out. We love to eat “künefe,” which is a traditional pastry made with unsalted cheese placed in between very thin layers of dough. Soaked in a sweet syrup, it is served warm so that the cheese melts, creating a soft interior inside a perfectly baked crust. Topped with pistachio nuts, the combination of cheese and sugar is euphoric . Poland is famous for its meat and poultry dishes, with the most well known being sausages and dumplings called “perogi.” One of our favorite Polish dishes is “golabki,” which is a white cabbage roll filled with minced pork, onion, mushrooms, and rice. You can have golabki stuffed with mutton or chicken or even vegetarian style. Ghana is a place where you can find some of the most unique street food. Try “red red, ” which is a dish made of red beans cooked in a curry sauce with fish or prawns. Spicy and savory, it is the perfect way to fill a hungry belly! One of South Africa’s staples is “chakalaka.” This dish is made with grated carrots, cabbage, baked beans, chillies, garlic, and a hot curry powder. Covered in a gravy that includes chopped onions and tomatoes., you will almost always find chakalaka at barbecues and at many other types of South African meals. There are many more exotic dishes on our list, and we heartily advise you to create your own. For sure you can find many delicious meals from foreign lands not far from home as our world becomes more diverse and international. www.tocaevents.com