Fast Company Recommended Events: December-January 2008

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photograph by Steve Pyke

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fri, january 23
Eat
National Pie Day

We're not judging. But who in the world thought it was a good idea to put National Pie Day less than a month after the binge that is Christmas? Turns out it was originally tied to the birthday of the founder of the American Pie Council, which claims that the occasion gives pie sales a needed post-holiday boost. We think that's the sugar talking, but pies are a $700-million-a-year business. Lately, apple has slipped; just 19% of American pie eaters rated it their fave, down from 25% in 2004, though it's still No. 1. Pecan has shot up to 12%, quadrupling its 2004 showing. And another pie product that has risen in popularity: packaged single slices, available in a range of flavors including pathetic and sad. -- ACL

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wed, january 28
Hobnob
World Economic Forum
Davos, Switzerland

With a name like that, there isn't much the forum could focus on this year other than world economic turmoil. But the economy has stayed pretty buoyant in Davos, the WEF's ski-town host. Researchers at the University of St. Gallen calculated that last year's meeting injected some 33 million Swiss francs ($29 million) into Davos's economy, up about 50% over the past six years. This miniboom is, perversely, the silver lining to another 21st-century cloud. After 9/11, "the number of security personnel needed increased," says WEF COO André Schneider. "With more people comes more food and more lodging." -- SL

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fri, january 30
Deck the Halls
Christmasworld
Frankfurt

We're not a month late -- we're 11 months early! Last year's tree may have barely hit the chipper, but already the über-efficient Germans are planning Christmas 2009. This festive-decor fair, which draws 100,000 retailers and window dressers, will showcase the latest in lights, baubles, and gyrating snowmen. According to Christmasworld's trend-spotting elves, it's time to say auf Wiedersehen to red and green: Next Yule's coolest trimmings will come in violet, steel gray, and turquoise. -- TB

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