Illustration by Pixelgarten
February
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ||||||
| 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |
| 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Sweeten
International Sweets and Biscuits Fair
Cologne, Germany
More than 1,600 confectioners show their sugary wares at an event that would make any kid lose his sweet mind. In a bold, contrarian attempt to convince the world that candy isn't totally unhealthy, this year's expo will feature sessions on good-for-you organic treats. We suspect those will be less popular than, say, the free samples of awesomely artificial Nuclear Sludge Bar (from Indiana's Candy Dynamics) or Love Hearts (from Swizzels Matlow of Britain). -- Theunis Bates
Arise
Mike Duke Becomes CEO of Wal-Mart
Bentonville, Arkansas
With America saturated by smiley faces, the $215 billion retailer is beefing up its global presence. No surprise then that Duke, head of its international division, is succeeding H. Lee Scott Jr. as CEO. Overseas sales have been strong; Wal-Mart said in November that non-U.S. quarterly sales were up 11% over 2007 (versus 6% in the U.S.). The company has more big targets in its sights: It next plans to open stores in India. -- Kate Rockwood
Play Football
Super Bowl XLIII
Tampa, Florida
After tickets to the big game are parceled out to the NFL teams, the media, and corporate sponsors, just 1% are left for everyone else -- that is, the general public, or at least the portion of it that can pay up to $1,000 (face value) per ticket. Most of us content ourselves with watching the game on TV: The Super Bowl is the No. 1 at-home party event of the year, leaving even New Year's Eve trailing. That's a bonanza for sales of beer, chips, salsa, and avocados. This year's halftime headliners, Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band, hope the Super Bowl effect will extend to their latest album, Working on a Dream, which is -- coincidentally, we're sure -- coming out five days before the game. -- Sara D. Anderson
Share
TED2009
Long Beach, California
This ideas fest is bringing back some of its best speakers for its 25th birthday, themed "The Great Unveiling." This slogan refers to the innovations TED promises to premiere, and to its huge new home, the Long Beach Convention Center. The "great" could also be a nod to TED's price tag -- $6,000 per person for the chance to network with the likes of Bill Clinton and Sergey Brin. Too steep? $3,750 buys entrée into a simulcast "satellite" meet in Palm Springs. That's right: $3,750 to mingle with the B-list. -- Anne C. Lee
Build
World of Concrete
Las Vegas
Concrete is the world's most widely used man- made substance. (Throw in natural ones, and it's No. 2, behind only water.) More than 6 billion tons -- a ton for each person on the planet -- is produced every year. World of Concrete will show why, with 80,000 attendees and 900,000 square feet of exhibits. Don't think for a second that this industry is -- oh, we can't resist -- set in concrete. There will be seminars on new decorative techniques for the hard stuff and storm-water-proof concrete. "People are always finding creative new ways to utilize it," says WOC director Tom Cindric, "and make it stronger." -- SDA
Email
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Buzz Up!
LinkedIn
