NATIONAL: Events Industry Council has announced its 2020 Hall of Leaders inductees as well as its Social Impact Award recipients, all of whom will be honored at a virtual celebration on March 25. The inductees are ASAE's John H. Graham, Pires Destinations & Events Intelligence's Anita Pires and Howe & Hutton Ltd.'s Jonathan Howe, while award winners include Latoya Lewis from EnventU, The Above and Beyond Foundation, and more people and organizations that excel in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. 

City of Hope's Music, Film and Entertainment Industry's Future Hope Committee is hosting a virtual benefit on Feb. 23. The event will include a live speaker series with Loud Records founder Steve Rifkind, moderated by Damien Smith of Full Stop. Access is free, but a $25 donation is suggested to help fund City of Hope's mission to eliminate cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

LOS ANGELES: Natural Products Expo West has canceled its in-person event for the second year; it was slated to take place at the Anaheim Convention Center. Instead, Informa Markets' New Hope Network will host a virtual event from May 24-27, complete with digital stalls, a sampling program and more. Organizers hope to host an enhanced in-person event for both east and west customers in Philadelphia from Sept. 22-25.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The 22nd annual South Florida Garlic Festival is slated to take place in Wellington Green Park from March 6-7. The event will include interactive activities for kids and adults including live performances from local musicians and exhibitors from all over the country. Strict COVID-19 guidelines will be in place throughout the event, including mandatory face masks and hand-washing stations.

PALO ALTO, CALIF: El Prado, formerly known as the Garden Court Hotel, is slated to open in downtown Palo Alto this summer. The new, 62-room hotel will feature 6,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor meeting space, including a library with boardroom-style tables and a courtyard with a large fireplace. There will also be a two-floor glass solarium.

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