OUR LATEST IDEAS

BITE OF HAPPINESS

MIAMIBrittany Berger, Giselle Orentas, Kelly Blanco

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

EAST Miami's "Bite of Happiness" event explored how mindfulness, intention, and energy can play a positive role in the way we approach food. Led by Kelly Blanco, Brittany Berger and Giselle Orentas shared their learnings on being present, showing ourselves kindness, and how these habits can help us foster a healthier relationship with food.

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"Whatever you're eating, do it with mindfulness and intention, and always lead with love. Everything you're bringing into your body is energy so you have to make conscious choices about what you eat or what you surround yourself with. It's always about the energy. Be open and curious about everything, try something new and flow with whatever you feel in that moment."

Brittany Berger

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"Food is medicine. Food is gasoline. Food is energy. There's no good or bad food. We need to stop eating ourselves up over every little thing. This is what you feel right now, so eat it with joy and pleasure and that's the energy you put into your body."

Giselle Orentas

HONG KONGCheman Cheung, Benita Chick, and Gloria Chung

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

At our "Bite of Happiness" talk at EAST Hong Kong, Cheman Cheung, Benita Chick, and Gloria Chung delved into the multi-layered meaning of good food. From nutritious and sustainable choices to comforting classics to dishes that evoke memories, they inspired us to expand our understanding of what good food can be and offered small everyday changes to the way we consume that can lead to a more balanced and planet-friendly lifestyle.

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"Good food is fresh, simple, and made from nature. But beyond that, it's about whatever puts you in a mentally and physically good state where you can do whatever you like to. I have cheat days too, and that's something you need from time to time, but normally I like to keep disciplined with a balanced approach to food that gets me ready for work, hobbies, and life."

Cheman Cheung

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"Taro balls bring out sweet memories of my grandma. She makes them every year during Chinese New Year and we celebrate with the whole family. Taro balls are extremely hard to make but I think the yearly tradition of making them and enjoying them together is about more than the taro balls themselves. It's about coming together every Chinese New Year and celebrating our family's love and bond."

Benita Chick

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"For me, nothing's more comforting than Mum's food. Nothing's more comforting than going home and having a bowl of dumpling noodles. We go out and we eat a lot, so sometimes the simplest food makes you feel good."

Gloria Chung

BeijingJazz Li, Coco, Claire Du

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

During EAST Beijing's "Bite of Happiness" conversation, Jazz Li, Coco, and Claire Du recounted stories of how they formed meaningful bonds through sharing their love for delicious eats and vibrant flavours. Their insights higlighted the value of community and the power of food to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging.

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

“When I first went abroad, I didn't have any friends, but I discovered that music, sports, and food connected us across cultures. One day, I cooked Chinese dishes for my classmates, and they loved it so much that they brought their friends to try it too. Through food, a social community was born.Why can’t we integrate art into our life?”

Jazz Li

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"During a trip to Ireland, I introduced my Yunnan special dip to my friends when I brought it out in the middle of a meal. They were amazed by the taste so now they always ask, "Coco, did you bring your Yunnan dip today?" Good food is the food you get to enjoy with friends and which brings you happiness together."

Coco

Good Food, Good MoodMarch 2023

"Eating together and who you eat with is more important than the flavours and style of the meal itself."

Claire Du

MIAMIChris Nikic, Nik Nikic, and Kelly Blanco

Changemakers of InclusionNovember 2022

Inspiring conversation earlier with Chris Nikic about his transformation to an athlete and the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN® competition, with the support and encouragement from his father Nik, during our latest #IdeasToWakeUpTo event in collaboration with Special Olympics Florida.

Changemakers of InclusionNovember 2022

Chris Nikic shared that inclusion is a big step for our community to see the potential of people with disabilities and why “1% Better” is possible if you just keep doing it every day to achieve your goal.

Changemakers of InclusionNovember 2022

Nik Nikic shared that what we need from the community is to think a little differently. He saw that Chris’ potential was enormous, but it only blossomed when he changed the focus from “Chris has a disability” to “he has a disability.”
He encourages the community to believe in people with disabilities, help them to get started, invite them into your party, just give them a chance…you will be amazed by how much they can contribute.

Full Video

MIAMIDr. Shireen Rahimi, Merle Liivand, and Ombretta Agró Andruff

Sheroes of the OceanAugust 2022

"Sheroes of the Ocean" is an informal conversation with two inspiring Ocean Warriors who are using their powerful skills in filmmaking and athletic powers to share with the public at large the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems and the impact of human behavior on them.

Sheroes of the OceanAugust 2022

Through stunning above and below water images and evocative storytelling, Dr. Shireen Rahimi uses her camera to enhance our emotional connection to the wonder of the natural world, often highlighting some of the threats that endanger its very existence.

Dr. Shireen Rahimi
Iranian/American filmmaker, marine scientist, freediving cinematographer

Sheroes of the OceanAugust 2022

Estonian swimming champion and real-life mermaid, Merle Liivand, uses her powerful stroke and mermaid tail to bring attention to how plastic is destroying our oceans and shorelines and the flora and fauna that inhabits them.

Merle Liivand
Estonian national competitive swimmer, model, aquapreneur

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HONG KONGAngela Wong, Anniqa Law and Mark Percy

Sustainable Development ConversationsJune 28, 2022

In Sustainable Development Conversations led by Angela Wong from Lever Foundation, Anniqa Law from The Nature Conservancy and Mark Percy from EAST Hong Kong (member of Swire Properties' Male Allies), they are bringing inspirational insights to build a sustainable future.

On Animal WelfareJune 28, 2022

“Let's rethink the way we treat these farm animals, whilst ensuring food sustainability.”

Angela Wong from Lever Foundation shared on how inhumanely caged hens are treated in battery cages and the benefits of using cage-free eggs. Angela also stressed that the cage-free egg market has started growing in Asia, including Hong Kong, China and Thailand.

On Oyster Reef RestorationOctober 6, 2021

“Oyster reefs are the most endangered marine habitat in the world, but the awareness on it is extremely low.”

Anniqa Law from The Nature Conservancy shared the importance of oyster reefs to coastal protection & marine ecosystems as well as the difficulties in shell collection.

On Diversity & InclusionJune 28, 2022

“Sustainability is also about managing people's wellness and that's where Diversity and Inclusion comes in.”

According to findings from The Women’s Foundation 2019, 50% employers are not willing to hire women with children and only 13.9% of directors on HSI-listed companies in Hong Kong are women. As a member of Swire Properties’ Male Allies, Mark Percy, the Director of Restaurant & Bar/Executive Chef of EAST Hong Kong, emphasised the importance of do more action than just talking to narrow the gender gap.

BEIJINGQinmin Liu and Yuan Fuca

Beyond art - Kicking off a creative empireDecember 8, 2021

Artist/aspiring business mogul – does one have to choose only one of these identities? Qinmin Liu, artist, founder and CEO of ANGELHAHA, proves there are no such limits. Joined by moderator Yuan Fuca, artistic director and curator at Macalline Art Center, Qinmin shared how art and creativity can combine with business, along with secret tips for inspiration.

Beyond art - Kicking off a creative empireDecember 8, 2021

“Why can’t we integrate art into our life?”

Qinmin Liu
Artist, Founder & CEO of ANGELHAHA

Beyond art - Kicking off a creative empireDecember 8, 2021

Inherently, people have regarded art as an independent form and placed for appreciation. Qinmin shared her daring aspiration to break boundaries between creativity and business when she created the world's first artist airline. She aspires to bring art out of galleries and make it not just an aesthetic experience but integrated into people’s daily lives.

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MIAMITam Gryn

Crypto, retail and more – New ways for creators to get paidNovember 30, 2021

The Director of Fine Arts at Rally.io and Head Curator at SHOWFIELDS, Tam Gryn, is a pioneer of new economic models for the creative community. She shared her personal experience on bridging art and retail, and her insights on the brave new world of crypto and the powerful new possibilities it offers for creators.

Crypto, retail and more – New ways for creators to get paidNovember 30, 2021

“What goes down in the history books is art that reflects society.”

Tam Gryn
Director of Fine Arts at Rally.io and Head Curator at SHOWFIELDS

Crypto, retail and more – New ways for creators to get paidNovember 30, 2021

What is art? It’s the art world’s biggest question and perhaps it’s never been more fiercely debated than now… because how can crypto art be art? Tam tackled this along with other criticisms of the emerging NFT market as she touched on the perpetual resistance to new forms of art throughout history, and the critique of crypto art as a “get-rich-quick” scheme.

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HONG KONGClaudia Chanhoi and Olivia Cotes-James

On Empowering FemininityOctober 6, 2021

Both freshly named in this year's Tatler GenT list of leaders of tomorrow, artist Claudia Chanhoi and LUÜNA founder Olivia Cotes-James are pioneering their own paths as female entrepreneurs. Sharing pragmatic tips on the entrepreneurship experience, topics ran from how not to underprice yourself to the importance of mental health.

On Empowering FemininityOctober 6, 2021

“Never wait for things to happen to you, you always have to make your own luck.”

Claudia Chanhoi
Artist

On Empowering FemininityOctober 6, 2021

Claudia Chanhoi discussed the life of an artist as an entrepreneur and freelancer. And while chasing your dreams means always hustling for business opportunities, Claudia also stressed the importance of mental health – from taking a step back from our culture of overwork and realizing that you don’t need to know everything because you’ll learn along the journey.

On Empowering FemininityOctober 6, 2021

"How comfortable are you talking about periods? Which three words would you use to describe your period? And what even goes into menstrual products anyways?"

Olivia Cotes-James
LUÜNA Founder

On Empowering FemininityOctober 6, 2021

Looking to shift taboos around menstruation, they were also the basis of her foundational research as Olivia started her company, finding that over 81% of women in Asia describe a negative relationship with their period and 85% hide their period care in the workplace.

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