The Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show is an annual event that is highly anticipated by travel enthusiasts looking for inspiration and great deals. Part of the excitement includes the access to travel celebrities but also presentations and panels hosted by different countries. This year, fresh off the closing of the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Government of Japan exhibited at the show and showcased the legacy of TOKYO 2020 by organizing a large booths pace up front and center on the show floor and hosting a stage talk with two gold medalists: Jessica Long, U.S. Paralympics Swimming, and Yuto Horigome, Japanese Olympics Skateboard Team. 

Las Vegas is known for its shows, some more famous than others, but it’s a known fact that if you are headed to the Strip then that’s a top priority. Over the years I have watched a few shows during my visits including the Blue Man Group, a few Cirque de Soleil shows and then some. So I was plenty thrilled to be invited to a media preview of a performance by Xavier Mortimer, previously with Cirque but now a Las Vegas Strip headlining magician!

The Heart Series – a conference designed to propel businesses toward greater global impact – was held over the weekend in the EL Camp co-working space in El Segundo, California. Attendees were in for a learning experience involving connecting with leaders from game changing companies through talks, panels, and workshops. Speakers included founders of Thrive Market and Soko, CEOs of Common and Glass Ladder Group, and many more as they shared how their companies and actions/efforts are helping to make a change in the way business is done today. Sponsors and partners for the event included Suja, Yoobi, Sweetgreen, Bare and more. Co-founded by Gail Cayetano and Meg Sette, entrepreneurs with heart and heading businesses in the area, the event was sold out and had standing room only at some of the breakout sessions. 

The Los Angeles Times The Taste happened this past weekend at the Paramount Pictures Studios. I was told it was a highly anticipated weekend event but had no clue the crowd that would turn up! The studios were turned into a day and night festive venue – barely recognizable…and the number of participants and attendees was simply unbelievable.

Celebrated Japanese art creator Kohei Nawa visited The Broad recently for a limited engagement Spring preview and artist talk at the Oculus Hall arranged by Japan House LA. The place was packed and I can see why! Nawa’s artwork be it paintings, sculptures, performance-inspired pieces or others, go beyond the recognized Japanese themes of manga and anime to offer a new perspective altogether on contemporary art.

While Chinese New Year is celebrated on the 28th this year, the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills set the ball rolling with a fantastic performance by artists from the Charming Beijing Variety Show. The theater itself is a renowned venue and the show has gathered appreciation over the last few years with locals and the community. If you don’t believe me, you should have seen the long lines ahead of the show at the entrance!

At the invitation of a dear friend in the wellness tourism arena, I had the opportunity to visit the International Spa Association's media meet and greet event held at the Montage Beverly Hills and was blown away by the fact that the spa industry even had such an event. Well, guess what, they have a full blown conference annually to talk all things spa! Shouldn't surprise me - every industry these days has conferences but this was my first such interaction directly with spa professionals where I wasn't simply getting a treatment but actually meeting and speaking with them about their workplace, offerings, products, trends, and more! In my enthusiasm, being a complete newbie, I ran around talking to all the spas represented and simply didn't think to take any images at the event itself. The gallery here features some of the products from the event though and the spas that presented those wellness products to attendees. Hope to do a better job if I get invited back next year! Meanwhile, enjoy the images here - watch out for product reviews as I try out some of these fabulous skin and wellness care goodies. For more information, check out their website and try to attend.