A Tasty Trend Forecast

Effective branding is all about forecasting. What will be passé by next season? What will be up and coming? What will come full circle for the nostalgia factor? Thinking about the evolution of trends coming and going is the key to marketing yourself in a timeless yet trendsetting light. To keep our trend spotting skills well-honed, we decided to make our predictions on everyone’s favorite category: food and drink!

1.     Plant-Sourced Water

While coconut water is well past its peak, we’re seeing maple water and birch water booming to the top. We can’t wait to see what other fruit and tree-sourced waters will be hitting the shelves of Whole Foods.

2.     Canned Wine

Thank millennials and their love of wine and convenience for this one. Easy to chill, perfect to picnic with, canned wine may sound anything but chic, but trust us to not judge a book by its cover, or a wine by its can.

3.     Funky Proteins

Lentils and tofu? Been there, done that. It’s time to say hello to grasshoppers and crickets. While we’re skeptical, we might be convinced to try the Chapulines grasshopper tacos at Oyamel. If anyone can do insects, José Andrés can.

4.     Frosty Treats

No, we don’t mean a froyo renaissance. Keep your eyes peeled for frozen custards, artisan popsicles, and deluxe milkshakes to make waves at your favorite restaurants. Hey, any of those sound good right now in this heat!

So...which trend are you most excited for?

Best Spots for Drinking the Olympics

source: telegraph.co.uk

source: telegraph.co.uk

Bar Rouge
Aug. 5-21, happy hour: 3-10:30pm
Custom Olympic drinks are the name of the game at Bar Rouge in DC. The Stick It, crafted by lead bartender Naderia Wynn and inspired by both host country Brazil and the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team, features Novo Fogo cachaça with green tea, lime, strawberry, and orgeat, $14. Additionally, each day that Team USA takes home a gold medal guests can enjoy $1 Jell-O shots throughout the night.

Commissary
Aug. 5-21, happy hour: 3-7pm
This bar is showing the Games on a projection screen in its dining room and has three Olympic cachaça cocktails for the duration of the Games, $9. Our favorite is the Gold Medal: a tantalizing blend of whiskey, cachaça, mint, lime, and sugar cane juice. Enjoy great pub food including house-made desserts and all-day breakfast while going for the Gold. They are also offering Team USA swag straight from the Games. 

ENO Wine Bar
Aug. 5-21
Celebrate the twenty-eight Olympians hailing from the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area! ENO Wine Bar in Georgetown has created the Road to Rio cheese flight, $14, and The Local Olympian wine flight, $20, to showcase the delicious, creamy cheeses and top-notch wines that are locally made in the DMV.

Tap House
Aug. 5-19, happy hour: 3-7pm
Get as close to Olympic glory as possible without a plane ticket to Rio! At City Tap House in Penn Quarter, happy hour begins two hours early for the Games. Cheer on your favorite athletes while sipping on a pint from their huge selection of craft beers. Specials include $5 select draft beers and $6 glasses of house wines.

Topaz Bar
Aug. 5-21, happy hour: 5-8pm
Go for gold and get a discount while you’re at it! The Topaz Bar at the Kimpton Topaz Hotel in Dupont Circle gives you the perfect place to cheer on Team USA. Happy hour has been extended an hour to give you the extra time to enjoy specials on draft beer, house wines, cocktails as well as great bar food like pretzels with beer cheese and burgers. Bonus: each day the US wins a gold medal, customers receive ten percent off their bill.

Hot Trends in Promo Swag

From the deluxe vacation-including Oscars gift bag to charming mini champagne bottles at weddings, there are few things more fun than free swag at a party. Luckily, there’s no need to feel limited to coffee mugs and tote bags - there are thousands of chic, trendy, and unusual promo materials just waiting for your logo or name. Here are our top picks for impressing every guest at your next event:

1. EOS Lip Balm

These little lip balms come in sleek, minimalist packaging and a variety of bright colors, drawing guests in instantly. Not only are they darling, they also feature high-quality lip balm inside, making them useful and a must-have for your clients.

2. S’well Water Bottle

It’s time to step up your water bottle game! S’well bottles are trendy due to their ability to keep liquids hot or cold for up to 24 hours, as well as their chic exterior designs and patterns. Featuring S’well bottles is a great way to brand your event as chic, trendy, and smart.

 

3. Power Bank

A modern classic for a reason! Until iPhones get stronger batteries or we end our Instagram addictions once and for all, we will be constantly trying to save every percentage of battery. Power banks offer a simple solution to a consistent problem, helping to brand yourself as smart, efficient, and problem-solving.

 

4. Moscow Mule Mug

Who needs coffee mugs when there are Moscow mule mugs? Everyone’s favorite ginger beer cocktail is best served in a beautiful, chilled copper mug. These mugs are elegant, sophisticated, and unique - perfect for an annual gala or holiday party.

 

5. KeepCup

Say hello to the travel mug’s chic older sister, the KeepCup. These charming cups are the first of their kind to come in barrista standard sizes, making them Starbucks-friendly. KeepCups also come in hundreds of color combinations, so it’s easy to find the perfect option for your business.

Woofstock DC 2016

source: bestofpicture.com

source: bestofpicture.com

As event planners, we love seeing new ideas taking form in the industry! Dogs are a big part of our lives, so we love seeing events centered around our canine companions. The latest addition to this furry friend trend is Woofstock, a DC festival all about dogs!

You and your dog are welcome to join in the festivities this Saturday, August 5 from 3pm to 7pm at the DC Pavilion. The event is presented by Barkly and The Big Bad Woof, in partnership with the Washington Humane Society. Tickets are free but be sure to reserve them in advance in case this popular event sells out! 60s-inspired t-shirts are available for purchase as well.

Taking cues from the original Woodstock, they bill the event as “a day of music, food, beer, and of course, dogs.” Food trucks, live music, craft beer, and adoptable puppies are all part of this fantastic way to spend a summer day. Your furry friends will have time to eat, play, and even make new friends all while you do the same! Exhibitors include Little Angels Service Dogs, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Nulo Pet Food. Smoking Kow BBQ and Rock Creek Food Company will be on-hand for dinner, with Captain Cookie providing delicious treats for dessert. Hot local bands will be sure to entertain. It’s a dog-friendly party that only happens once a year, so you won’t want to miss out!


For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/526732224191528/