Millennials are unexpected fans of a once-mocked brand: La-Z-Boy.

The brand that became the butt of jokes in the 80’s and 90’s has made a comeback. An image restructure after the 2008 recession has grown a new generation of brand fans. Instead of focusing on their (in)famous recliners, La-Z-Boy now offers bedroom, kitchen, and outdoor furniture. The recliner is now viewed as the embodiment of relaxation.

Yuengling and Hershey’s have come together to brew up an unlikely combination.

The two brands both have Pennsylvania roots, and decided to create a Chocolate Porter to celebrate their shared histories. The limited release brew bets on Millennial drinkers’ preference for low-alcohol beverages that give them an experience, rather than just a buzz. Plus, Yuengling could see a boost in brand love from teaming up with one of young consumers favorite candies.

Birkenstock has introduced cork-based skincare.

The brand known for its funky sandals is taking advantage of their resurgence in popularity by launching a line of products that include shampoo, anti-aging creams, oils, and more. Birkenstock is betting that the next big skincare ingredient is cork oak bark.

A new generation has discovered Friends, thanks to NetFlix.

Beans and mugs straight out of Central Perk are available for purchase in Coffee Bean stores and on the coffee chain’s website, while baristas are ready to prep a line of beverages based on what each characters might actually order—like a flat white for Ross.

Paying People to Stop Smoking?

A large, new meta-analysis of 33 studies (21,000 people) from the very stringent Cochrane Reviews found that paying people to stop smoking is very effective. Not only were people receiving financial rewards for kicking the habit more likely to quit, they were also more likely to remain smoke-free. The amount was irrelevant: It was just as effective to pay $100 as more than $700.

Game On!

Commercial property owners are courting young gamers by constructing esports arcades, lounges and stadiums in hotels, malls and other properties. Some developers are remodeling convention centers to include high-speed connectivity and LED video walls, while others are building esports stadiums to host gaming tournaments.

Danny DeVito – Social Media Extraordinaire

Danny DeVito has become a social media darling. @DannyDeVito! Check it out.

Music festivals and concerts are raking in profits from (once again) experience-seeking young consumers.

One prediction is that the live music industry will balloon to $30 billion by 2022, and Millennials are driving that growth. Nearly three in ten Millennials went to a music festival in 2017, according to Eventbrite—a 17% jump from 2014. Two major reasons: to escape daily realities and to connect with a community.

Interesting statistic!

Millennials spend less than 1% of their phone time using news apps. The Reuters Institute and Flamingo Group found that 18-35-year-olds in the U.K. and U.S. spend about six total hours on their phones each day but less than 1% of that time on news apps. Interestingly, many are using social media to get their news.

Generation Wanderlust?

Young adults love for experiential travel is fueling interest in the camping and travel sectors. Personally, we’d prefer “glamping” (as in The Ritz-Carlton!).

Sustainable since day one – that’s the tagline of shoe brand Rothy’s.

In three years, the company has taken over 30 million plastic bottles destined for landfills and repurposed them into timeless, durable flats. It certainly didn’t hurt sales when Megan Markle donned a pair for her post-wedding after party!

Houseplants, seltzer, and several other sectors are booming because of Millennials.

While the young adult demo has been blamed for killing golf, paper napkins, and much more—other industries are benefiting from their spending, like wellness, fitness, and skincare.

Rent-A-Wardrobe

September is Fashion Month, where the latest new creations hit runways in NYC, London, Paris and Milan. But as new consumer awareness about the destructive environmental impact of “all those new clothes” hits a boiling point, the real headlines are the surge in people buying used fashion online or renting their wardrobes. There’s so much action, from the rise of DePop, the resale app millennials are wild for, to many more big-name clothing retailers now jumping into the rental model. Used and rented…is the new “new.”

Say Cheese!

Photo opportunities for social media were the top reason one-fifth of millennials gave for choosing a vacation spot in a recent survey. Two-thirds of those polled by JetCost said they wouldn’t travel to a destination without photogenic appeal.

House Wine and Cheez-Its

are coming together in one glorious picnic-ready box for 21-plus Millennials’ outdoor boozing needs. The unexpected collaboration is available in several pairing options like White Cheddar and Rosé or Cheddar Jack and Cabernet Sauvignon. The marketing stunt also helps to cross-pollinate brand fans, giving Cheez-It lovers a chance to try House Wine, and vice versa.

A Striking Stat:

Fifty-eight percent of Gen Z (oldest now aged 24) choose a brand’s purpose, values and mission as its most important trait.

The Healthiest Place in the World Is in Panama

The world’s healthiest place to live is a small valley near Volcán in Panama. Why? Beautiful scenery, a low cost of living, and a significantly longer life expectancy are due in part to a warm climate, an active social scene, healthy food, and a slower pace of life that makes for less daily stress.

Don’t Bug Me

DEET is a safe bug repellent to use, according to Consumer Reports, as long as it is used properly. How? Use the right concentration, apply it properly (not near your eyes or mouth), and put only on exposed skin. To be safe, wash the repellent off your skin when you come back indoors for the day or before bedtime.

National Animal of Scotland? Unicorn!

The unicorn has played an integral role in Scotland’s history, just like the infamous Loch Ness Monster, and has recently been declared the country’s national animal.

Space Smells Like Seared Steak

What does space smell like? According to some former astronauts, space has a distinct odor—like hot metal or a searing steak–that hangs around when they come back into the mother ship after a spacewalk.

Airlines Ban Puppies and Kittens

United and Delta airlines no longer accept emotional support kittens or puppies (emotional support animals) on flights longer than 8 hours. This measure was taken to crack down on soiled cabins and biting incidents.

Grey’s Anatomy’s biggest fans were toddlers when the show first aired, and that’s why it’s the longest-running medical drama ever.

After 332 episodes and 14 years, Grey’s Anatomy is still ABC’s biggest hit among under-50-year-olds and the second most popular drama across all networks, only falling behind This Us. An ABC exec thinks that the Netflix effect is helping teens discover “Grey’s for the very first time,” and after binging the series, they tune in to cable to keep up. (Vulture)

Gen Z thinks mental health issues are the biggest problem they face.

About 70% of 13-17-year-olds told the Pew Research Center that anxiety and depression were major issues among people their age, with only a small portion saying they’re not a problem. The generation also ranked these mental health issues ahead of bullying, drug addiction, drinking alcohol, teen pregnancy, and other problems that plague young people. (The Economist)

Millennials are shirking beer for spiked seltzer, sparkling wine, and spirits.

American beer giants are (still) struggling, with Bud Light, Coors Lite, and Miller Liter all seeing a steady decline in sales, according to IRI and Euromonitor International data. The blame is being cast on the youngest generation of drinkers whose beverage preferences are spiking sales of spirits like mezcal, sparkling wine, spiked seltzer, and craft beer. Young demos are also drinking less in general, with more hoping to avoid hangovers that hinder their active lives. (Bloomberg).

Millennials Can Buy These Avocado Toast Sneakers Instead of Homes

Saucony’s avocado toast-inspired sneaker is peak Millennial—or at least peak Millennial cliché. The shoe brand just dropped a limited-release run of their “Shadow 6000 Avocado Toast” sneakers, which Grub Street reports even include red specks to represent the red pepper flakes that adorn many high-end avocado toasts. The shoe will set buyers back $130, another reason Millennials won’t be buying a home anytime soon (ahem, sarcasm). The sneaker has already sold out though, and this isn’t the first time Saucony created an unexpected shoe proved popular. They also debuted a pair of Brandom-coveted Dunkin’-themed kicks that played on the franchise’s catch phrase, “America Runs On Dunkin’,” and according to Saucony, (as reported by USA Today) another food-themed shoe will be hitting the shelves this August.

Virtual Eyeglasses

Warby Parker’s latest app update lets users virtually try on glasses. The company is looking to the future and following in the footsteps of home décor brands like Ikea and Wayfair by leveraging augmented reality. Using Apple’s Face ID mapping technology, the new feature scales glasses to the unique shape, size, and depth of a user’s face for what the company calls “a lifelike fitting room experience.”

New Social Media Influencer – Barbie

Barbie has become a social media influencer. The doll’s @barbiestyle account has nearly two million, mostly-Millennial followers who like and comment on trendy posts full of fiddle leaf fig plants, custom-created designer outfits, matcha lattes, and more. Barbie attends events like art gallery openings, Fashion Week, and ComplexCon. The doll has even teamed up with the likes of Levi’s for sponsored posts.

To Edit or Not to Edit

Parents are opting to fine-tune their children’s “flaws” using Photoshop packages from school and family photographers. The trend coincides with the rise in popularity of editing apps like Facetune, and perfect pics could hurt kids’ and teens’ already-fragile self-esteem. However, backlash is building against advertising that does the same, with brands like Aerie and CVS Beauty leading the charge with un-edited campaigns.

Podcasts on the Rise

Spotify just acquired two podcast startups, Gimlet Media and Anchor, and announced plans to spend $500 million more this year. Their CEO thinks that listening to podcasts will one day make up 20% of all usage on Spotify, as they race to create original content and catch up to the industry leader: Apple Podcasts. Young users are sure to tune in, because Ypulse data shows that 42% of 18-35-year-olds listen to podcasts.

Vacation Days or Paying off Student Loans?

According to Bloomberg, Unum is letting their employees choose between vacation days and payments toward their student loans. The company provides 28 vacation days that most employees don’t use in full, so many are interested in cashing out their unused days. In fact, Unum expects about 30% of their U.S. workforce to take advantage of the benefit.

Upcycled Caddy Bibs

Today’s sign is tomorrow’s backpack. Bags given away at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am were upcycled caddy bibs. Materials and signage from this year’s event will be upcycled into backpacks and given to local students.

More teens are using social media than ever, and yes, Snapchat is their top platform.

Common Sense found that the percentage of teens that use social media multiple times a day doubled from 34% to 70% in the past five years, and smartphone ownership skyrocketed from 41% to 89%. Facebook was the main platform for 68% in 2012, but only 15% rank it as their go-to today. Teens were much more likely to say Snapchat is their main social media tool, followed by Instagram.

Greeting Cards Going Strong

Interesting, greeting cards are thriving in a digital world—and Millennials are their biggest fans. According to the Greeting Card Association, American families buy an average of 30 greeting cards a year, and Millennials are “the largest age group of greeting card buyers.” Nostalgia and the desire for something more lasting and tactile than a Facebook greeting are likely reasons for their popularity.

Top Five Golf Communities

Where are the best places for golfers to buy and make their second homes? HPR client Private Communities, Inc. uncovered five top golf relocation destinations: https://www.privatecommunities.com/second-home-buying/5-best-cities-for-golfers.htm

Pedialyte is an unlikely cult brand, thanks to organic hype.

Their packaging is child-like and medicinal, but a few years ago the brand decided to target (hungover) Millennials thanks to online buzz. Now, the drink is earning tons of free media from influencers, celebrities, and hungover twenty-somethings—some of whom are part of #TeamPedialyte, brand ambassadors that receive freebies for posts. The strategy is working: parent company Abbot Labs said that adults account for “at least half” of Pedialyte sales.

More Millennials are buying art, and they’re changing the old-school industry.

According to the U.S. Trust, Millennials make up 8% of all art buyers and are the fastest-growing demo. But it should come as no surprise that the digitally-savvy generation is taking buying out of the auction room. One auction house exec said, “Now a full auction room might only be 50 people in the room, but you might have 500 to 600 people participating on the phone or on the computer.”

The first patients to be treated for video game addiction are as young as 12

Following the World Health Organization’s official inclusion of video game addiction as a mental disorder, the NHS has identified potential patients that range in age from 12-to-20-years-old. They’ve demonstrated that their personal lives and relationships are impacted.

The New York Public Library is posting full novels to Instagram

Young readers will be able to read classic books in their entirety on NYPL’s Instagram Stories, starting with Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The books will live in the highlights section of their profile, “creating a digital bookshelf.” NYPL’s chief branch library officer hopes that the innovative storytelling format will change young consumers’ perceptions.

Happy Halloween!

In South Carolina, where HPR’s east coast office is based, Skittles are preferred over all other Halloween candy, according to CandyStore.com. At HPR, we prefer anything in the chocolate family!

Brand Loyal

Nearly eight in ten 13-34-year-olds consider themselves loyal to one or more brands and explored what that loyalty looks like—from the categories in which they feel brand names matter to what would make them switch brands, and more. Young consumers today are loyal-ish: they’ll stick to brands but doing the right things will keep them coming back, and some are more loyal than others. Being a trusted brand is part of that formula, and while it’s difficult for brands to gain young consumers’ trust, it’s not impossible. Over half of 13-34-year-olds say they believe brands can be trustworthy experts and when shoppers trust a brand, they can buy it without thinking twice. What brands have managed to earn their trust? Think Nike, Oreo, Hershey’s, M&M’s, and Amazon.

Why Wait to Retire?

Some people are taking “mini retirements” throughout their careers instead of waiting to retire, according to Business Insider. Everyone from fresh college grads to Millennial parents are taking mid-life breaks lasting from months to years. A 24-year-old explains that her 12-18-month hiatus through New Zealand and Asia as being "about slowing down, experiencing the world, getting to know myself and finding what I love while I'm still young." One parent had slightly different motivations: "Since I'm not retiring early any time soon, a mini-retirement seemed like a great way to spend quality time and have a great new experience as a family."

The Sporting Life

Bleacher Reports’ House of Highlights is creating ads that rank among its most-viewed content. The “sports-centric” channel gets 1.5 to 2 million views per Instagram story, and their most-popular story ever is a branded video from 5-Hour Energy that racked up over 6 million impressions. In fact, branded stories are receiving 5-10% more engagement than unbranded creations on their channel. What’s the winning strategy? Skipping premium, polished content in favor of personal stories.

Pop Up?

Sephora is hosting a two-day beauty convention called “Sephoria.” Beauty is having a moment with young consumers who are increasingly spending on self-care, and the success of Beautycon suggests there’s room for more in-person experiences in the sector. Over 50 brands will be available to test out at the LA-based event, and Sephora promises there will be “physical and digital beauty experiences” that allow attendees to “live out all of their beauty fantasies.”

Deep Freeze

Frozen food revenues are up, and companies can thank single Millennials for the spike. Volume of frozen foods sold rose for the first time in five years according to an analyst, and Nielsen estimates annual U.S. sales will hit $53 billion. Delaying marriage could be a factor of why Millennials are buying single-serve, long-lasting items. They are seeking frozen veggies, Lean Cuisines, and other healthy options, helping the sales surge.

Like Mother, Like Daughter?

When teens are watching traditional TV, their top go-to shows are surprisingly similar to their parents. Nielsen looked at what shows rate highest with teens and found the two highest-rated shows were Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football, which illustrates that people tend to watch live and with others. Yes, that could mean that the days of families gathering around the tube aren’t completely over. The Good Doctor and This is Us also made the top five for 12-17-year-olds, and Riverdale came in at number ten—a divergence from older demos.

Dinner Anyone?

Meal kits companies like Blue Apron, Plated, HelloFresh, and others are now stocked at select grocery store chains, according to Ypulse. Data shows that 18% of Millennials have tried meal kits, retention rates are low: Blue Apron’s is 15% year-over-year while HelloFresh’s is just 11%. Meal kits were meant to be the solution to grocery shopping, but it turns out many customers still want to buy items in-store.

Cheers!

Kool-Aid is rolling out a La Croix-like beverage for older kids and teens. Kool-Aid Sparklers are a low-sugar, sparkling canned drink, that comes with a marketing campaign meant to reach on social media. Fifteen-second spots, lenses, filters, and gifs feature the iconic red man relaxing in a massage chair and doing other chill activities.

Generation Wanderlust

Considering 96% of Millennials and Gen Z are interested in travel, it’s no wonder they’re changing the rules when it comes to where to go, what to see, when to plan, and how to budget. Immersing themselves in local culture is certainly a top priority, but hotels and resorts continue to be trusted for finding deals, feeling safe, and all-in-one perks. This generation wants to visit far off destinations and continually explore new places. The average Millennial will take more than three trips this year.

Boys vs Girls…Scouts?

The Boy Scouts went after female recruits, so the Girl Scouts are fighting back with a new campaign. Both organizations have faced declining membership in recent years, but while the Boy Scouts decided to up their numbers by blurring gender lines, Girl Scouts are continuing to push a female-focused message. The new campaign highlights famous past scouts and emphasizes that the organization is about more than just cookies.

Who Wields Influence?

Luxury hotels are dealing with a barrage of emails from Instagram influencers asking for free stays. While a post from an established influencer with a loyal fan base is a good marketing move, it’s hard to determine who’s legitimate. One hotel executive explains that “Everyone with a Facebook these days is an influencer.” “Influencer wannabes” are hurting the business prospects of real influencers and the hotels that would want to collaborate with them.

Rihanna As Retail Influencer

The Millennial-loved celebrity’s makeup line went viral, her new lingerie line is selling out and the success of her collaboration with Puma has been remarkable. How does she do it? According to Billboard Magazine, she appeals to The Diversity Tipping Point generation with inclusive make-up shades and her body positive size range in her lingerie line. Smartly, she also opts for lower price points, and making her merchandise more affordable has actually upped her average consumer spend above lines like Kylie Cosmetics.

How Often Should You Change Your Golf Balls?

It’s a question we get asked all the time: At what point in your round should you change your golf balls? If you’re a PGA Tour pro, you might swap out every few holes because, well, you get your pellets for free. But what about for those of us that pay for our spheres? According to Frederick Waddell, Titleist's senior manager of golf ball product management, play it until you lose it. Coming from a guy whose living depends on selling golf balls, that speaks volumes. According to Waddell, as long as the ball looks good to your eye, it’s ready for the next tee. You’re not going to wear the ball out by playing it round after round, and you won't decrease its ball speed or lower its spin rate.

Make Me a Pie – Pizza Pie!

It’s never been hard to get young people to eat pizza, and Millennials and Gen Z are no exception. Three quarters of 13-35-year-olds tell Ypulse they order pizza takeout, the majority eat it for dinner on a typical weeknight, and around four in 10 are regularly eating it for lunch. Young diners love pizza so much that the New York Post published an article aptly titled “Millennials are choosing pizza, push-ups and video games over church,” which found that young consumers are replacing typical religious rituals with exercise, multiplayer video games, and—yes—group outings to eat pizza.

It’s the Summer of Mango!

At least, according to Omni Hotels & Resorts' food and beverage teams who beyond the traditional tiki-cocktail and used their culinary creativity to come up with inventive dishes, especially satisfying on a hot summer day. Besides being refreshing and revitalizing to the palate, the appeal of mango has an incredibly favorable nutrition profile 100 percent vitamin C, excellent source of vitamin A, abundant in phyto-nutrients and science-based health benefits (heart health, diabetes).

Colors of Travel

The 2018 Colors of Travel Study, conducted by HireInfluence, identifies trending colors used in inspirational travel photos across social media and the color psychology that inform these themes. This year’s trending Colors of Travel include: PANTONE 14-4620 Island Paradise, a cleansing aqua; PANTONE 14-1323 Salmon, a coral-infused pink; PANTONE 19-6050 Eden, a lush and verdant forest green shade; and PANTONE 16-1340 Brandied Melon, an earthy, russet hue.

Summer Treats?

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy simple summer pleasures. Real Simple recommends a checklist of experiences sure to stir up happy memories. Among the warm-weather wonders: Walk on a boardwalk, eat a lobster with your hands, catch a movie at a drive-in, catch fireflies at night, blow bubbles.

Digital Nomads

Remember tune in, turn on, and drop out? These days, the turning on refers to our devices with many workers—especially Boomers still in the work force—taking longer breaks while staying in tune and in touch digitally. These “working sabbaticals” are taking telecommuting to the next level, reports Huffington Post, with travelers outsourcing their talents internationally and doing so by renting short-term apartments wherever their skills are needed.

Healthy Holidays

Nearly a million Americans traveled outside the U.S. last year for medical treatment, according to Patients Beyond Borders. That number is only likely to grow as Boomers get older and health insurance gets iffier. Also helping the trend are international doctors getting their training in America then returning home to practice, particularly in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Panama, and Colombia, all of which offer first-rate care for pennies on the dollar.

Obstacles To Fitness

No, not things to get in your way but ways to get healthier. Seems obstacle-style races are a trendy new way to get fit and have fun. According to Activebeat, obstacle races offer a cardio and endurance workout, while dealing with the obstacles themselves requires strength, flexibility, and often teamwork. One of the most popular races is called Tough Mudder (great name!), which is also one of the most difficult because it’s based on military training exercises.

Brain Boosters

Besieged by “brain fog”? Stressed out by stress? Nootropics (Greek for “mind change”) supplements are seeing serious investment, says Well+Good Council. According to Research and Markets, brain health was a $2.3 billion business in 2015 and projected to grow to more than $11.5 billion by 2024. Among the recipients of big brain bucks are Nootrobox, Trubrain, and Neurohack Collective.

Tree of Hope

Looking for the next super food? Check out moringa, which comes from south of the equator and is said to be a better inflammation fighter than turmeric. Scientists call moringa “the world’s most useful tree,” well known in India, Chile, and Africa for its healing abilities but a stranger to North America. So far. Among its professed qualities are twice the protein of spinach and three times as much as iron, plus lots of calcium, potassium, and Vitamin A.

Avocados – so much more than yummy

If you needed another reason to dip your chip (or better yet, a crisp veggie) into a bowl of yummy guacamole, a new comprehensive research review has offered a good one. The review, published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, evaluated the results of 129 studies to determine the effects of the avocados on various aspects of Metabolic syndrome, which is a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The review concluded that the vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and certain phytochemicals (natural plant chemicals that help fight and prevent disease) in avocado may help combat blood pressure, diabetes and other components of Metabolic syndrome and provide a natural alternative to other forms of treatment.

The rich and creamy Haas variety is the most popular type of avocado in the United States, and 95% of all avocados grown in the United States are produced in California, original home of the Haas variety. They are generally available throughout the year, they are the most abundant and at their best during the spring and summer in California and in October in Florida. During the fall and winter months you can find Fuerto, Zutano and Bacon varieties. While avocados are technically fruits, we have categorized them here as vegetables since this is how they are usually considered from a culinary perspective.

Getting Boozy

Lyft is getting boozy by creating its own craft beer. The brand hopes to reel in young consumers (who tell Ypulse craft beer is one of their favorite alcoholic beverages) in the Chicago metro area by offering a 60% discount on their next ride to anyone who buys Lyft’s original Five Star Lager (made in partnership with a local brewery) at bars. What’s the connection between on-demand taxis and craft beer? One Chicago Lyft exec explains they hope that the unexpected marketing will “encourage more Chicagoans to travel responsibly when they’re out on the town.”

Breathwork, Mindfulness and Meditation

With stress and anxiety more prevalent among millennials, breath work, mindfulness and meditation are all sought as ways to alleviate these mental health maladies. Don’t be surprised to hear more of your friends investing in mindfulness apps, meditation classes and more.

Sleep is a Thing

Sleeping is a real concern for many Americans, and the market is taking notice, providing us with more and more ways to “revolutionize” the way we sleep with fancy new products. Whether it’s a new mattress, sheets, lighting, supplements or sound machines, getting high-quality sleep is a big priority.

All Natural, All the Time

Natural skincare and beauty products are becoming more mainstream and, following the trend, all-natural beauty products not only feed your skin, but they’re becoming better at what they do, providing more coverage and color without sacrificing your skin’s health, according to Trazee Travel.

Human Interaction vs. Automation

In a world that's increasing its degree of automation every day, the value of human interaction is greater than ever, according to American Express. That's why having strong customer service skills is important—and why improving those skills can be a valuable goal for the new year. Those who excel at customer service may differ in their level, role and industry, but they typically have these five competencies in common. 1. Business Knowledge 2. Empathy 3. Self-Control 4. Conflict Resolution 5. Diplomacy

Kombucha Craze

Kombucha, once reserved for yogis, fitness nuts and otherwise “crunchy” people, is becoming more mainstream, according to Trazee Travel, while also becoming more like a craft beer in a way. While craft beer enthusiasts find the latest and greatest small batches of their favorite brews, more of us are doing the same with kombucha and more local makers are stepping up to the plate and selling their own.

The Eyes Have It!

Maintaining eye contact when someone is talking will help build trust because it shows genuine interest, but that’s hard to do if you keep glancing at your phone or scanning around the room. “Listen with your eyes,” says Paul Zak, PhD, author of Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High Performance Companies. “It says, ‘I don’t want to look at emails—you’re important.’ Building stronger human ties makes it easier to trust people and know more about them.” Check out the 40+ most trusted brands in America, from a new Reader’s Digest survey.

Self-Care

A frequent buzzword around the internet and social media recently is “self-care.” If you’ve been in the dark, it’s the simple idea that, to get anything done or help anyone in today’s world, you have to take care of yourself first. According to Trazee Travel, whether it’s just taking a breather at the end of each day, or carving out a few hours each week to focus on your own needs and wants, self-care is a staple in the mental and physical health routines of many.

Myths of multitasking

You know people who think they’re great at multitasking; who knows, you may be one of them! But recent studies show that 98 percent of the population doesn’t multitask very well. Turns out that shifting back and forth from one task to the other — email, conference calls, surfing the ’net, etc. —actually wastes productivity because each time we do it, it takes our brain time to refocus and we never are fully engaged for any of the activities we’re undertaking.

South Korea goes for speed

The XXIII Winter Olympics will take place Feb. 9-25, 2018, in PyeongChang, South Korea, and attendees can expect a much quicker rail trip to the site of the Games from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. What had traditionally been a 2½-hour trip will now take just 69 minutes on the soon-to-debut bullet train that will travel up to 184 mph. South Korea is hoping that this improved infrastructure, and staging the Winter Olympics, will increase its popularity as a winter destination with tourists.

Best time to buy an airline ticket?

Some may have been in on the “secret” that the best time to buy an airline ticket was late Tuesday night after airlines had updated their computer systems and unsold inventory showed up. Recently, however, travel expert Peter Greenberg writes, “you can now throw the Tuesday night idea away” because airlines are updating their computers every night. His latest “best time” theory — about 45 days out from one’s desired departure date, and another window about ten days out, on a Sunday as that’s when the most unsold inventory surfaces.
 

Weekends Go the Distance

Travelzoo’s global travel deals Summer 2017 Travel Trends survey found that Americans aren't afraid to go the distance and plan to take a long weekend trip this summer. A majority are willing to travel three or more hours from home for their long weekend and travel by car is the favorite mode of transportation.
 

Boomers and Bucket Lists

AARP Travel research says that for Boomers, Bucket List trips are the most popular motivation for an international travel, while domestic trips are a combination of summer vacations, multi-generational trips, weekend getaways, and holiday travel.
 

Sustainable Travel’s Growing Popularity

When it comes to U.S. travelers and ecotourism, the most popular months to travel are May, August, and September, and the most popular places to go are Costa Rica, Iceland, and Galapagos Islands, according to Lodging Magazine.
 

Selfie Stick Alert

Overuse bordering on the absurd is forcing more museums, amusement parks, and public areas to prohibit selfie sticks, which may lead to distracted tourism associated injuries, and even death. Preoccupation with photo-taking can result in missteps like walking out in traffic, backing up over cliffs, and even falling into manholes.
 

Complimentary WiFi

The availability of complimentary WiFi largely influences where Millennials and Gen Z will stay. Digital connection is more important to them as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and other social media platforms provide instantaneous connectivity to their circles of friends and family.
 

Warp Speed

The largest generation in history, Millennials differ from Baby Boomers in that they are unable to leave internet behind. They need and want reliable, fast-speed, and complimentary internet. They like themed-events and cruises that cater to their interests. Fast casual is particularly appealing to Millennials.
 

Desired Destinations

Cuba, Canada, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, America’s numerous National Parks and stunning Alaska are high on travelers’ priority lists this year. Increased safety concerns, favorable exchange rates, and closer-to-home destinations are key motivators.
 

Maternity Millennials

More than a million Millennials are becoming moms yearly. According to recently released data from The National Center for Health Statistics, 1.3 million 19-35-year-old women gave birth for the first time in 2015, bringing the total number of Millennial moms in the U.S. to more than 16 million. Compared to prior generations, the age group is behind in starting families—but not due to lack of interest. According to a recent Ypulse survey, 78% of 18-34-year-olds say raising a family is an important goal to them (Pew Research Center).
 

River cruises jump in popularity

Cultural immersions, specialized itineraries, and smaller numbers attract active travelers. Lines now include bicycles on board cruise ships for the biking savvy to have in-depth explorations of the towns and villages where ships dock.
 

#Hashtag This!

While only a quarter of Millennials say they trust content created by brands, almost half say they trust user-generated content. Brands should be looking into the “use of authentic content in ads and marketing to build trust and create a more meaningful dialogue with their customers,” according to Olapic. They also suggest the use of branded hashtags to aid the 54% of Millennials who say they use them because they want friends and brands to know they like the product. (Adweek).
 

Wanna Race?

If the thrill of competition is what motivates you in the New Year, check out the NASTAR race course at Wintergreen Resort. Open to the general public, the modified Giant Slalom format electronically times racers and posts real time results on the Internet. Available Saturday and Sunday afternoons 12-2 p.m. weather permitting, cost is $7 for two timed runs, $15 for unlimited runs. Medals are awarded to racers qualifying with times compared to the day’s pacesetters.
 

Show Me, Alexa

The superstar of CES® 2017 was not a car, or a robot, or even a TV; it was Alexa Voice Service (AVS), the software that allows you to control compatible devices with your voice. Various reports estimated there were 700–1,100 Alexa-controllable products at the show.
 

Social Media Ranks High on Summer To Do List

Not surprisingly, wherever millennials are traveling this summer, they won’t stray far from their social media accounts. What are millennials’ favorite apps when traveling? Forbes lists them in order: • Facebook • Instagram • TripAdvisor • What’s App • Twitter Facebook is overwhelmingly the most popular go-to app of the quintet.
 

Top 10 Summer Destinations

According to TripAdvisor, here are the Top 10 destinations for U.S. travelers this summer: 1. Las Vegas 2. Cancun, Mexico 3. Orlando, Fla. 4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 5. Myrtle Beach, S.D. 6. New York City 7. London 8. Destin, Fla. 9. Paris 10. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
 

Olympics Begin Today!

When the Summer Olympics begins today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it will mark the first time in Olympic history that a South American country has hosted the Games. Had Rio not won the bid, we might instead be looking at the Summer Olympics being hosted by Madrid, Tokyo or even Chicago.
 

Golf and Rugby – Back To The Olympics!

Two sports are returning to the Olympics after very long absences. Golf is back for the first time since 1904! Rugby returns, too, with its last entry in 1924 when the U.S. won the gold medal in the 15-person version of the game. For the 2016 Olympics, the rugby matchups will be seven-a-side, games will last only 15 minutes, and countries will field both men’s and women’s teams.
 

National Parks – Top of the Family Vacation List

Not surprisingly, Las Vegas isn’t to be found among the destinations families are choosing this summer. For the families yearning to get out into nature, Yellowstone and Utah’s national parks top the list, while amusement seekers will head to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The top cities for families? Chicago, Paris, San Francisco and San Diego are grabbing the most attention.
 

Philly and Cleveland

Philadelphia and Cleveland are two proud American cities on the rebound and continually polishing their images. They’re also witnessing dramatic population growth among millennials, whether they’re moving there for college or work. In fact, Philly’s millennial population is increasing fastest among the 10 largest U.S. cities. According to one study, Cleveland is attracting millennials at the same rate as Seattle and Miami. What else do Philadelphia and Cleveland have in common? The two cities this summer will host the Democratic and Republican national conventions, respectively, which expect to provide a further boost in positive exposure.
 

British Open

Also for the ninth time, the British Open returns to Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland. The last time the tournament was played at Royal Troon it produced one of the more unusual major champions of all time: Todd Hamilton. After his first and only major win, Hamilton missed the cut in 111 of his 187 subsequent Tour starts, and recorded just three Top 10 finishes.
 

2016 Summer Olympics

Does this make you feel old? The 2016 Summer Games will be the first Olympics to feature athletes born in the year 2000. Expect the youngest competitors to be from diving and gymnastics.
 

U.S. Open Championship

For the ninth time, the U.S. Open returns to Oakmont Country Club, located 13 miles outside of Pittsburgh. The course produced one of the tournament’s most memorable moments — Johnny Miller’s final-round, eight-under 63 in 1973. It remains the only 8-under-par round in U.S. Open history. Miller started Sunday’s round in 12th place, six strokes behind four co-leaders, including Arnold Palmer. One more note to ponder, especially in light of today’s major payouts: The win earned Miller $35,000.
 

Scrub Away

Adding salt to food may not be good in our diets, but salt has made an impact in the world of spa treatments. Salt scrubs are a popular way to stimulate skin circulation and get rid of dry, dead skin cells. Therapists value the cleansing properties of scrubs and often use these treatments to prepare the skin for other services such as massage or hydrotherapy.
 

Bzzzzz!

At HPR, we’re always on the lookout for spa and wellness trends. Keep your eyes open for the buzz about honey – in spa treatments, on menus, and in unexpected places!
 

Leave the Parents at Home

Multi-generational travel is on the rise as baby boomers age and their grandchildren get old enough to travel while leaving the parents at home.
 

Family Focus

Business travelers are adding more leisure to their business trips, extending stays and bringing along family and friends. As a result, business-oriented hotels need more programs for children and couples, and airlines will need faster and better Wi-Fi service to keep travelers connected.
 

Fare Wars?

We hope this is true: Cheapflights.com predicts the big airlines will start getting cheap to compete.
 

No More Selfies

One possible big loser this year? Selfies. Thanks to companies such as Flytographer (which lets travelers book a photographer in more than 160 vacation spots) and El Camino (a tour company that brings a professional photographer on every trip), travelers can put down their phones and enjoy authentic experiences.
 

Face-to-Face

According to Yahoo Travel, 2016 will see even less human interaction. Contacting “customer service” won’t necessarily mean talking to an actual person, with the option of never dealing with real people if we don’t want to. At HPR, we like to deal with real people and we ARE real…
 

Declutter – Everything!

But don’t just declutter overflowing closets and messy catch-all drawers. Declutter your mind.

Silent "pt"

If you plan to invite your company’s comptroller to the office party, just know his/her title is pronounced “controller.”  Yet another one of those English language quirks as the “pt” is silent..

Southwest Still Baggage Fee Free

Southwest Airlines recently announced it has no plans to bag its bags-fly-free policy (max. 2 pieces of luggage).  All other major airlines, including JetBlue as the most recent, have jumped aboard the cash cow: consider in 2014, airlines earned $3.5 billion in revenue from checked bag fees and $864 million in just the first three months of 2015.

Real Monopoly Money?

Courtesy of our friends at MentalFloss.com, the very first Monopoly game was based on real streets and locations around Atlantic City, N.J.

2015 Presidents Cup

Jack Nicklaus captained the United States Team to back-to-back Presidents Cup victories over the International Team in 2005 and 2007. Even though the U.S. team will be on foreign soil when the 2015 Presidents Cup is played in October, there will still be a distinct Nicklaus flavor to the event. Hosting this year’s event is the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea. The U.S. is 6-0-1 in the past seven President Cup events.

Throw Away Culture

The Disposable Film Festival in Lynchburg, Va. features movies created with disposable equipment such as iPhones, webcams, pocket cameras and the creativity of imaginative filmmakers.

Vineyard Trend

The Virginia vineyard trend isn’t about cabernet or chardonnay it’s keeping pests at bay with vine-yard dogs.  Some vineyards employ a corps of canine cops to shoo away hungry deer and fowl from pilfering the fruited vines.  Some wine pooches even serve as public relations and label stars.

Medical Tourism

Medical tourism anyone? May sound scary but it could save money as well as lives. Researchers are considering the impact of comparison shopping for equally acceptable medical services with decreased costs that have the potential to increase the patient’s Social Security benefit payout.

Are Carbs Really So Bad?

Current diet trends trend away from carbs believed by many to be the culprits of weight gain, bloating and various GI maladies. Nutritionists are weighing in with some clear cut advice. “Carbs aren’t the enemy. Overconsumption of anything is the enemy.”

When Overwhelmed

Feeling stretched? “The process of falling into a black hole – getting more and more stretched out – is known as spaghettification.” Another cool space thing.

In A Hurry?

“If you drilled a tunnel through Earth and jumped in, you would reach the other side in 42 minutes and 12 seconds, and your top speed would be 17,670 mph,” according to Astronomy Magazine’s new list of “The 500 Coolest Things About Space.”

Say Cheese

Is there a better cold-weather comfort food than a grilled cheese sandwich?  We don't have the expertise to tell you where to find the country’s best grilled cheese, but we can let you in on a little secret. The next time you’re in Los Angeles, don’t miss Heywood Gourmet Grilled Cheese Shoppe on Sunset Boulevard. One of the most interesting selections is “Bill Clinton’s Epiphany” – the vegan option for $14. According to the menu, it features, “Vegan cheddar cheese, roasted red peppers and avocado melted into a multi-grain bread that would have been the sandwich that helped our 42nd president be okay with becoming a vegan, had we been open then and through serendipity, he was passing by our shop.” Got it, we think. And if you’re not a vegan? You might order the $13 “Peking Pig,” which comes with prosciutto and maple bacon between two slices of brioche. Add a bowl of tomato soup and, well, life is good.

Move Over Rover

The heck with what people are naming their newborn sons and daughters. We’re here to tell what folks are naming their dogs in 2014. Top 10 male names: Ace, Bailey, Boomer, Charlie, Finn, Gus, Max, Buddy, Sam and Trapper. Top 10 female names: Bella, Coco, Daisy, Katie, Lexi, Maggie, Molly, Penny, Stella and Zoey.

Tennis + Ski = Golf

31.9% of all tennis players are also golfers. 29.5% of all skiers are also golfers. 30.7% of golfers play tennis and/or ski.

Do the Swiss Create the Best Watches?

In 2013, Switzerland exported 28.1 million timepieces at an average price of $830.

Soccer Without The Cup?

How big is soccer without the World Cup? England’s Premier League is broadcast on TV into 212 territories (countries and other political divisions), reaching 643 million homes.

A true fan

If you’re someone who wants to witness in person this year’s must-see sporting events around the globe, here’s a list to get you started:
• U.S. Open Championship | Pinehurst, NC | June 12-15
• FIFA World Cup | Rio, Brazil | June 12-July 13
• Tour de France | France | July 5-27
• Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, Scotland | July 23-Aug. 3
Note: Don’t think we’re PR geeks or anything, but can we add that the 2014 World Public Relations Forum is scheduled for Sept. 21-23 in Madrid, Spain? We just didn’t want you to run out of options after the Commonwealth Games.

Nearly 4 years on your phone

A recent study reveals that the average person now spends 90 minutes a day on their mobile phone, which tallies up to 23 days a year and 3.9 years during an average person’s life. The sixth most used function of that mobile phone? Yep, it’s calling people. Topping the list is browsing the web, closely followed by time spent on apps.

And, as people turn to their smartphones for more and more uses, traditional devices are slowly becoming obsolete. Three such examples: an alarm clock, a wristwatch and the home phone line.

Fitness fads for ’14

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), here are the top 10 fitness trends predicted for the upcoming year:

1. High-Intensity Interval Training
2. Body Weight Training
3. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals
4. Strength Training
5. Exercise and Weight Loss
6. Personal Training
7. Fitness Programs for Older Adults
8. Functional Fitness
9. Group Personal Training
10. Yoga

Crazy Halloween Economy

Halloween is a spending frenzy! Consumers spend $2 billion in candy, $300 million in pet costumes, and $1.67 billion in decorations.

Cookie Month

Oreos, Chocolate Chip, Thin Mints…pick your favorite flavor because October is National Cookie Month!

Woman Power

Crain's 50 Most Powerful Women in New York Celebratory Luncheon, October 1, recognizes what it means to command incredible power in this city. The 2013 honorees are driven, smart and passionate, and have risen through the ranks with the support of organizations and companies that have been a catalyst to their success. Among the 2013 honorees are Jenna Lyons, President and Executive Creative Director, J.Crew; Virginia Rometty, Chairwoman, President & CEO, IBM Corp.; Diane von Furstenberg, Chairman and Founder, Diane von Furstenberg Studio and Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue

Pound: Rockout, Workout

Pound: Rockout, Workout classes turn your entire body into a rhythm instrument. Pound combines rhythm and weighted drumsticks called Ripstix into a full body cardio jam session. Pound is a fusion of cardio, pilates, plyometrics, isometrics movements and poses into a full-body 45 minute class that can burn 600-900 calories per hour!

OM!

Roll out the mat, strike a warrior pose, September is National Yoga Awareness Month! The Huffington Post reported in July the number of Americans practicing yoga has shot up by nearly 30 percent in the past four years, according to the latest Yoga in America study, produced by Yoga Journal. Their 2008 survey accounted for 15.8 million yoga practitioners, but the latest figure shows that 20.4 million Americans are now practicing — about 8.7 percent of U.S. adults. More than three-quarters, or 78.3 percent, said they were motivated to improve flexibility; overall conditioning, stress relief, improved general health and fitness level were other popular factors.

DIRTY HARRY

Who knew August is National Dirty Harry Month? Certainly Carmel-by-the-Sea is celebrating and hopefully its former mayor Clint Eastwood is, too. HPR is pleased to represent charming Carmel-by-the-Sea to the world every month of the year!

JUST PEACHY

August is National Peach Month and nowhere is the fuzzy fruit more celebrated than in Georgia, the Peach State. HPR celebrates another Georgia favorite, client Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee with five championship golf courses, water sports, nature adventures, and succulent Southern cuisine just 80 miles east of Atlanta.

MOTHER'S DAY…'TIS THE SEASON?

Anna Jarvis was the driving force behind the advent of Mother’s Day as she wanted to honor her deceased mother. Young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers.” At Anna’s urging, Congress in 1914 designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Nearly a century later, Mother’s Day has become the most popular day for families to dine out, a staggering 140 million greeting cards are exchanged, it is the second most popular holiday for gift-giving behind Christmas, and phone lines are burning up from coast to coast.

GREEN WITH ENVY

Just how did the tradition of the “Green Jacket” at The Masters golf tournament take flight? Augusta National Golf Club members first began wearing green jackets in 1939 as a way for patrons to recognize them if they needed help or had questions about the tournament or the golf course. The tradition of awarding the tournament winner a green jacket, however, did not begin until 10 years later. The first Green Jacket recipient? Sam Snead.

IF APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS…

… then it begs the question, “What does March bring?” Well, if you asked college basketball fans, the answer would be “March Madness.” Here’s how the venerable Sports Illustrated columnist, Frank Deford, analyzes the popularity of the tournament: “In a nation that prides itself on second chances, there are none. No we'll get ’em tomorrow back home. No interminable seven-game series. The finality of the NCAAs is as vicarious for us watching as it is terminal for the losers.”

SUNNY FORECAST

According to a study released by the Cactus League Baseball Association, spring training baseball in 2012 generated $422 in economic impact to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area economy. A total of 67 percent of the visitors to Arizona in the month of March are there to see Cactus League baseball. Spending by those visitors included car rentals, hotels, restaurants, retail, entertainment and golf.

OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

If he were still alive today, Theodor Geisel would turn 99 on March 2, 2013. Most of us know Mr. Geisel better by his middle name of “Seuss.” Indeed, Dr. Seuss, who was born in Springfield, MA in 1904, now has his birthday commemorated along with “Read Across America Day,” sponsored by the National Education Association to inspire children to read. Besides all the joy he brought to millions with his books, along the way he won two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

I’LL TAKE ‘TICK, TOCK’ FOR $500, ALEX

The Answer Is: Hawaii and Arizona.
“Which are the only two states in the U.S. that don’t observe Daylight Saving Time?”
P.S. It’s officially Daylight Saving – not Savings – Time, and this year it will be observed beginning March 10.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

The colors pink and deep purple have been added to the weather map of Australia to represent temperatures above 122 degrees.

DON’T BE A SUGAR DADDY

An Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds. There are likely more than a few husbands in the Gem State who have used that as an excuse when they’ve come empty-handed on February 14.

EN-‘LIGHT’-ENING

Thomas Edison enjoyed sailing (“the sport which demands the least energy”), but shunned any recreational activity that required mental agility, such as Scrabble. “When I get through with work, I don't want anything that requires the working of the mind,” he once told The New York Times.

A GAME CHANGER

Among the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary new word entries for last year: mash-up, aha moment, cloud computing, man cave, underwater, bucket list, game changer and systemic risk. And two more, for better or worse: sexting and F-Bomb. What words will be new for 2013?

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN

Farmers’ Almanac predicts it “will be a winter of contraries, as if Old Man Winter were cutting the country in half.” It says the eastern half of the country’s 2013 winter will feature plenty of cold weather and snow, while the western half will be warm and dry.

A DIZZYING DIFFERENCE

From groundbreaking to opening day in July 1955, Disneyland was built in just 365 days at a cost of $17 million. Its recent remodeling of Disney California Adventure, next door to Disneyland, took 5 years and cost $1.1 billion.

RAINING CATS & DOGS

It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress and have fewer heart attacks.

TIME MARCHES ON

Newsweek magazine, which recently announced it would abandon its print publication altogether, debuted in February 1933 as News-Week. It sold for 10 cents per copy, or $4 for a one-year subscription.

Bouquet Takes on a New Meaning….

The new Notes of Wine Collection from Kelly & Jones (kellyandjones.com) are fine fragrances that capture the essence of the vineyard. One of the owners feels that her perfume mingled perfectly with the wine scent found in a tasting room. She selected her five favorite varietals and created a brand new concept in fine fragrance – scents that enhance the nuances of both wine and perfume. There are five scents: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay as Eau de Parfum or Rollettes. Sample flights are also available. Hmm…

SOUTHPAW SLANT

For what’s it worth, the United States has had eight left-handed presidents: James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Conversely, only 3 of the 52 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom have been lefties: Winston Churchill, James Callaghan and current PM David Cameron.

TGIF

To relieve stress and anxiety while filming “Argo,” Ben Affleck tackled The New York Times crossword puzzle. The director/actor reports he can finish Friday’s crossword with no problem, can’t complete Saturday’s and can only fill out Sunday’s puzzle if it’s early in the month.

IN THE BAG

In 2011, airline passengers paid $22.6 billion in baggage fees and other extra costs

PREPARED TO TRAVEL

As of this year, 35% of Americans have passports. While that’s significantly lower that most other countries— such as New Zealand (95%), Germany (90%), Britain (80%), Canada (60%), and Australia (50%)—it’s a significant improvement from 1989 when only 3% of Americans were prepared to travel abroad.

COCONUT OIL

Is virgin coconut oil the new magic elixir? It's popping up everywhere as the latest and greatest way to treat common skin ailments from eczema to athlete's foot when applied topically, and is said to lessen the symptoms of Alzheimer's and Autism when ingested internally. You can cook with it and even use it to remove your eye makeup. Who doesn't want to smell like they just returned from a Caribbean vacation?

STORE IT

There are 50,000 storage facilities in the US and one in 10 American families stores stuff in them.

LEFT IS BEST

Do you have a good side? Researchers from Wake Forest University would put money on the fact that you'd say it's your left. According to a study published in the journal "Experimental Brain Research," people almost universally prefer looking at the left side of a human face. Artists tend to agree, since historically most portraits are depicted from the left. So next time you pose for the camera, go gauche and make sure you showcase that beautiful left cheek!
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/24/which-side-is-your-good-side-here-comes-the-science/

TRAVEL TIME

According to Google Travel there are 5 stages of Travel:

  • Dreaming: 68% of business travelers watch travel-related online videos. Among them, 68% are thinking about a trip
  • Planning: The average traveler visits ~22 travel related sites during 9.5 research sessions prior to booking
  • Booking: 37% of leisure travelers report that the internet prompted them to book, up from 28% two years ago
  • Experiencing: 70% of business travelers check into their flights/hotel with their mobile device. Almost 1 in 4 hotel queries come from a mobile phone
  • Sharing: About 1 in 3 business travelers have posted reviews online of places they’ve been

SINGLES

Half of the adults in the US are unmarried, up from 22% in 1950. And nearly 15% of them live by themselves, up from 4%.

CHICKENS

Sign seen at the Columbia (NY) County Fair