Hopefully you already know that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Battle of Puebla and not Mexican Independence Day.  Having said that- you can ask virtually any native Mexican what they think of the American celebration- and I’m pretty sure they’ll laugh.  They don’t know why we’ve made such a huge holiday around it, but they are happy for the celebration of their culture.  Latinos are cool like that.  I think we are known for needing little to no reason to celebrate.  And I’m a prime example.

This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday, so if you want to ensure you have a place to hang your sombrero- reservations and tickets are recommended.  Here are 5 venues celebrating Cinco de Mayo this week in Chicago.

SEE, MARCH & DANCE –> Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo Festival & Parade  (May 4-5)
The festival starts May4th in Douglas Park.  The Parade will be held on May 6th at noon. It runs through the heart of Pilsen on Cermak Rd. from Wood to Marshall Blvd.

HISTORY, CULTURE & NEIGHBORHOOD –>  Pilsen Cultural Tour & Fiesta  (May 5 @ 6pm)
Take a private one-hour cultural walking tour of Pilsen led by expert guide followed by Mexican dinner buffet and dessert at Cuernavaca.  Keep the party going with a shuttle to Dos Diablos in River North.

DOG FRIENDLY –> Cinco de Snoots  (May 5 @ 5pm)
Secondhand Snoots Rescue will be hosting thier second anniversary party and fundraiser at Chicago Party Animals at 1133 W Fulton Market in Chicago.

UNIQUE & ARTSY –> LUCHA VaVOOM:  (May 5 @ 9:30)
Continuing their 10-year tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo in grand fashion, LUCHA VaVOOM returns to Chicago this year, Saturday, May 5. The mind-blowing, gloriously unhinged and acclaimed Mexican masked wrestling/burlesque/comedy ensemble–known for delivering The Most Outrageous Show on Earth–will also have a simultaneous Cinco de Hollywood performance, too.

HEART HEALTHY –> Cinco de Miler  (May 6 @ 9:30am)
Take it easy on the late-night celebration to wake up for your 5-miles run.  The run starts at Montrose Harbor, Chicago.

The boats hold up to 10 people and at $150 per hour- you see how splitting the price can be very affordable.  Don’t forget the picnic and camera.

What else do you think is a “must do” in Chicago?

http://www.chicagoelectricboats.com/

I am nerdily excited to learn from some of the people that are actually setting the trends and direction in social media and business.  I think this conference would be incredibly useful for anyone in business because social media is here to stay.  And if you don’t know who these guys are- you should head over to Amazon and add one of their titles to your Kindle.  Or just take my word for it.  These speakers are real smarty-pants.

I also like learning events/conventions like this because of the invaluable opportunities I get to network with people that have the BBH.  (Brains, balls and heart)  The whole place is crawling with them.  Exciting, passionate people rock.

So- if you have the opportunity to join us on Tuesday, I guarantee you will not regret it.  Events like this really are priceless, especially when you really ”Show up and Follow up”.    (That second part is harder for me, but I’m working on it.)

I hope to see you there.  Keep learning!

Leave a comment if you have any questions.

http://www.theartof.com/marketing-chicago-2012

Preferred pricing code – DM22 – to save $50 per single ticket or $100 per ticket on groups of 3 or more.

**Disclosure: I received a free conference ticket  for this post. 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway:  I’m not huge into sport car racing, BUT if I get the chance to see the Indy500, in real life- you can bet I’m up for it.  I can already envision cheering for a red car while eating a hotdog at the 103-year-old race track.  It’s kinda like Wrigley Field in Chicago.  You gotta see it even if you’re not a baseball fan.

Turkey Run State Park:  I love to be wowed by nature, so a visit to Turkey Run has to be included in this list.  You can go fishin’, swimmin’, boatin’, hikin’- and have a scenic picnic when you work up your appetite.  Being out in nature is one of the best ways I’ve found to unwind and connect with what is importnat in life.  Don’t forget to take your camera.

Bed & Breakfast in Madison:  I’m already tired thinking about all the fun I’m going to have in Indiana- but the fun doesn’t stop there.  Some of the most adorable Bed & Breakfasts can be found along the Ohio River along Main Street.  Many of these historic homes are nothing short of mansions with a dedicated team ready to help you slip into a simpler time and… relax.

What are your favorite travel destinations in Indiana?  What are you favorite weekend road trips from Chicago?

After all, the resurrection of Christ Jesus is the reason for the Easter celebration.  After Jesus was crucified (Good Friday) he was buried in a tomb.  Three days later, when the tomb was reopened, his body had been resurrected.  If you want to know more, LeadingTheWay.org has some fantastic videos and resources about Christ’s ministry.  Expect a larger than usual crowd at church.  Easter is always the most attended day of church each year.

If you live in or are traveling to Chicago, USAChurch.com and Yelp.com  have links to a variety of church services.

GO SEE THE EASTER BUNNY

Sure- it’s not eggsactly what the celebration is all about, but it’s fun and one of my favorite childhood memories.  And if you aren’t going to volunteer to don the FULL BODY bunny costume (not just the cute little ears), take the kids- or be a kid and see where the Easter Bunny is hopping around in your city.

If you live in or are traveling to Chicago, Peter Cottontail is paying a special visit to the Maxwell Street Market from 10:30 – 1:30!  Don’t forget your camera!

GO TO BRUNCH

You won’t go wrong with a fancy hotel Easter brunch- or any brunch with mimosas, for that matter.  And when you want to take it easy, and make sure you have quality conversations that are not interrupted by the kitchen timer, a good old-fashioned stuff-your-belly brunch could be just the thing.  Don’t forget to overtip today.  Your servers would rather be relaxing on Easter too- and it’s just the cool thing to do on holidays.

If you live in or are traveling to Chicago, OpenTable.com has a slew of Easter brunches for your to compare.

PLAY OUTSIDE

Spring has sprung and as long as it’s not storming- today is the perfect day to run around outside hiding and finding Easter eggs.  Growing up in Texas, Easter was always a warm day of running around in my grandparent’s yard searching for eggs and planning my next cascarones victim.  God, I miss confetti eggs.  I’m sure there’s some “game” on tv, but how about instead- we all go outside and get our game on.  You dig?

If you live in or are traveling to Chicago you can’t beat a walk from Navy Pier to Millennium Park along Lake Michigan.  Take a picnic or get ice cream and snacks along the trail.

TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE THAT YOU DO

If you forgot to mail a card- it probably won’t get there in time for Easter.  BUT you can still send a ‘happy spring’ card, or a ‘thinking of you’ card… or any kind of card, really.  Don’t we all love “happy mail”?  USPS is old school and that’s what makes a colorful piece of mail all the more special.  You can similarly send an e-card from Hallmark or JibJab- just make sure you personalize it.  I’m gonna Skype my family since I wont be there.  If you haven’t tried video chatting with people you love- Sunday’s a good day to get on it.  At a minimum- call.  If you are short on time, just say, “I don’t really have time to talk, but I just wanna say that I love you and Happy Easter.”  It really is the thought that counts.

Ta-dah!  Of course there are ton more ways to share the spirit of hope and spring, and I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.

Happy Easter!

Here are 5 compelling reasons we should be planning our next vacation, now…

1. HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO:  It gives you something to look forward to and we all need that.  We all need a little light at the end of the tunnel.  Something we can go to that excites us and reminds us who we are and what we care about.  Live your life intentionally by going after the things in life that you want and the experiences you want to have.  Studies have repeatedly shown that travel is good for your mind, mood, relationships and health.
2. HAVE SOMETHING INTERESTING TO TALK ABOUT:  Once you start doing a little research on your next adventure, the wheels in your head will be set in motion.  You’ll be surprised how many time relatable topics now come up in conversation.  You’re passion and interest for your travel itinerary can open up the conversation to all kinds of interesting tangents.  And if you ask me- hopeful talking about sandy beaches, safaris and snow-skiing beats hearing the lastest atrocity you just heard on the news.
3. EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND COMFORT ZONE:  There are so many powerful quotes on travel and the ones that seem to move me the most have to do with the spiritual aspects of meeting people from different cultures.  Even if you aren’t going that far, one of the truths about travel is that you are mostly out there exposed.  You don’t know these people.  They don’t know you.  And you’re on their turf.  I think a certain level of humility sets in when you’re hungry and on foreign soil.  Even if that soil is Disney World.
4. NOW IS THE TIME:  I hear the voices in my head tell me that it’s too early to plan for this or that vacation because it costs too much, or I’d need shots or some other realistic, yet lame excuse for why it’s too early to even start.  It’s not too early.  I will see breathtaking views of deep blue lagoons in Costa Rica.  I will go an Africa safari.  I will go Down Under.  And it’s not too early to start planning.  I think sometimes we think that things are too far out of our grasp, but it is only our thinking that makes it so.  Start doing the research on your dream destination.  Now is the time.
5. TRAVELING COMES AT ALMOST ANY PRICE POINT:  Everything seems to come down to money these days and that has been reflected in both the decrease in travel over the past years and the increase we’ve seen in 2011.  With all of the discount services like Groupon Getaways or Travelzoo, you can find great deals at a great price.  If you’re really adventurous, you could go couch-surfing or even rent a room on Ashton Kutcher’s favorite, Airbnb.  Of course, you could drop it all and teach English as a second language oversees.  I’m just saying… you have options.

So there are my 5 reasons, what are yours?  Where are you planning to visit next?!  Let me know in the comments below and I may use it in another #TravelTalk post.

Thanks for being here.

Tickets may be purchased at the door for $20.  Ticket includes 2 cocktails, appetizers and $10 going to The Auxiliary Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Location: Nellcote, 833 W Randolph
Date: Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 from 5:30 – 9PM

Executive Hosts: Monica Canellis, Kim Lichtenstein, Nadia Wetzel, Betsy Striltschuk, Megan Richards Martin, Katy Wilson and Marissa Rudman

Guest Hosts: Lou Canellis, Sports Anchor for Fox Chicago News at 9pm; Eric Ferguson, of WTMX-FM, the Eric and Kathy Show; Ryan Chiviarini, Host of Windy City Live; Pete McMurray, The Pete McMurray Show on WLUP 97.9 and Co-Host of 24/7; Jane Monzures, The Pete McMurray Show on WLUP 97.9 and Host of Living Healthy Chicago; The Auxiliary Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Katie Jackson-Meara; Cameron Croft; Nick Scafiezzo; Sarah Vargo;  Sarah Mulder; Brittanie S. Chin; and Christine Perkins

We don’t have time to read pages and pages of facts and statistics about anything unless we are getting paid to read it… and even then.  We want the meat and potatoes of the story and we want it now.

That’s where the following infographic comes in.  If you don’t already know, infographics are the cool new online trend because they combine really powerful text and statistics with visually appealing graphics.  When we are moved visually, we have a better chance of evoking a feeling.  Thus, we combine the two.

What do I want you to come away with after looking at this infographic?  That video is a moving train and you better get on board?  Exactly.

How are you using video?  For personal?  Business?  Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Video is gaining in momentum, technology and popularity. Now is the time for businesses, brand and artists to make sure they have video sources online.  Video is no easy task, but it can be done quickly and efficiently if you have the right video production team helping you.  If you need help, contact me here.

VIDEO FACTS:
Video results appear in about 70% of the top 100 listings, the type of content most often displayed in universal or blended search results. (Marketingweek, 2011)

With proper optimization, video increases the chance of a front-page Google result by 53x. (Forrester, January 2010)

Video traffic on mobile networks rose 10 percentage points over a one-year period and is now 50% of on traffic on wireless networks. (ByteMobile, 2012)

93% of smartphone users use their devices in the home, and almost 50% of users watch videos on their smartphones. 90% of smartphone searches result in an action such as a purchase or a visit to a business. (Google Blog, April 2011)

The majority of QR code scans are to access product information, and 25% of QR code scansare to access video content. (Loyalty360, 2011)

Affluent consumers prefer video and search to other digital advertising formats, as 41% of affluent online shoppers reported to eMarketer that they took an action after seeing one of these two ad formats. (eMarketer, August 2011)

You’re invited to the Women’s Dream Conference!
Friday, April 12, 2012
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CT)

Centered Chef
177 N. Ada Street
Chicago, IL 60607

The Women’s Dream Conference will take place on April 13, 2012 in the West Loop of Chicago at the Centered Chef (177 N. Ada Street). Along with 22 other women, I will be a speaker at this event.  This women’s conference is for business professionals, bloggers, aspiring career seekers and those needing a rejuvenating change to help them create their dream life. We can all use a little insight these days in getting ahead in business, understanding the impact and success of social media as well as developing our own personal brands and health.

Networking and coaching events like the Women’s Dream Conference provide these insights. Combining forums and interactive workshops on Career & Social Media Development, Personal Confidence & Relationships, and Healthy Mind & Body sessions is sure to be inspirational and impact on those who attend. The Women’s Dream Conference brings all aspects of life together for a blended, revitalizing weekend in Chicago.

Meet amazing women and network with other career minded, social media driven, healthy conscious professionals assembling together for this inaugural event in Chicago.

The schedule and speaker list can be found at www.womensdreamconference.com

Tickets available at http://www.womensdreamconference.eventbrite.com
Enter promo code SPEAKERS to receive $40 off General Public Ticket

Be part of the Dream.

Andrea Metcalf, Inc., JMP Global, WomensForum.com