ATLANTA:  The Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) has expanded its in-house catering team—CulinAero by Proof of the Pudding—with the addition of four members. Howard Hickman will serve as the new food service general manager and brings more than three decades of experience working in hotels, restaurants and convention centers. Charmaine Dixson-Lane joins the team as the director of catering sales, not only working directly with clients to execute events, but also to develop new business opportunities. Matt Finley was announced as executive chef alongside Blake White, who will serve as the executive sous chef. Finley previously worked as the first executive chef of Atlanta United Football Club and White brings 15 years of experience, including education from Le Cordon Bleu College for Culinary Arts, with him.

CHICAGO: Chicago Family Cruises is hosting a Family Easter Cruise on April 16 where parents and children will be welcomed aboard a 140-foot luxury yacht to hop around the dance floor with the Easter Bunny, participate in egg coloring and enjoy views of the Chicago skyline. The three-story yacht will cruise around Lake Michigan from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Attendees are to meet at Anita Dee II Boarding at Dusable Harbor, and boarding will begin 45 minutes prior to cruise time. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and start at $20.

LOS ANGELES: Nashville-based creative agency and event production company Fireplay is opening its first-ever office in Los Angeles and has announced veteran event producer Carrie Sims as the head of operations and events. Sims joins Fireplay’s team with more than 20 years of experience in the events industry. She has been named one of Special Events magazine’s “25 Young Event Pros to Watch” and was recognized as an “Event Professional of the Year” by the International Live Events Association in 2012.

NASHVILLE: Night Visions at Nashville Zoo debuted on April 15 and, until July 17, will be putting on an immersive after-hours light show. During the one-hour-and-45-minute walk-thru, which was created by Philadelphia-based Klip Collective, light projections will dance up and down trees, shimmer across bodies of water and illuminate the zoo’s scenery. Event times vary due to sunset and tickets start at $19 for children 2-12 and are $23 for adults and teens over 12.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO) has announced that a wedding officiant certification course offered by the American Marriage Ministries (AMM) has become the first IAPWO Accredited™ wedding officiant training program. The accreditation aims to raise the profile of wedding officiants and create more personalized wedding ceremonies that speaks to couples’ individual values and beliefs. The IAPWO is an online, membership-based organization for officiants, where they will receive education on professional and ethical standards, increase their industry knowledge and build a positive network.