The Erie Canal is turning 200. New York is throwing a summer-long party.
In 1995, Tammee Poinan Grimes's parents purchased a 60-foot-long tour boat to use for sightseeing cruises along the Erie Canal. The expense of shipping the boat from San Francisco to Upstate New York was prohibitive, so they came up with a different solution. Over the course of seven weeks, the family helmed the vessel south through the Pacific Ocean, northwest across the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean Sea, then north via the Atlantic Ocean and into the Hudson River at New York City, before connecting with the Erie Canal in Albany.
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Travel + Leisure
44 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
New Balance Loafers Are This Season's 'It' Shoe—Shop 13 Similar Comfy Pairs We're Eyeing, Up to 50% Off
Many shoe trends are often controversial. Our closets are full of comfy, polarizing styles, from Crocs clogs to ballet sneakers. Summer's biggest shoe trend is chock-full of love-it-or-hate-it charm, and it's comfortable enough to serve as your go-to travel shoe. Introducing: the sneaker loafer. The 'snoafer' craze started with New Balance's 1906L Sneaker-loafer, a play off the brand's beloved 1906R sneaker. We've been spotting the sporty trend all over NYC, and now, Vionic, Converse, Tory Burch, and more top brands have designed similar styles. Keep reading to shop the best travel-friendly styles we've found, starting at just $33. Here's the sneaker loafer that started it all. This shoe has the sporty look of a traditional New Balance shoe, plus the silhouette of a penny loafer. It's beloved by fashion enthusiasts for its comfy feel and everyday style that can take you from the airport to the streets of Paris in style. While the shoes are no longer available directly from New Balance, they're still fully stocked at StockX. Prices range from $118 to $267. This low-profile iteration of the sneaker-loafer is sleeker than the New Balance style, aligned with the minimal sneaker trend that's also been everywhere this year. These Chucks have a suede upper, wide fit, and cushy insole to keep you comfy on long travel days. We love the bold black star imprint on the beige colorway, but if you prefer a monochromatic look, choose the black or white options. $169 at Nordstrom $169 at Vivaia makes some of the comfiest flats around, and now the brand is treating shoppers to sneaker loafers that reviewers call 'unbelievably comfortable.' They have removable insoles, generous cushioning, and plenty of arch support. Plus, the water-repellant upper makes them durable enough to handle whatever your vacation has in store. $130 at Nordstrom $130 at Zappos These are some of the most stylish sneaker loafers we've spotted, and they come from a podiatrist-approved shoe brand that even Oprah loves. They're designed to provide optimal arch support, and one reviewer even calls them 'Vionic's best walking shoes yet.' We'd pair these snoafers with wide-leg trousers or pleated shorts. These Toms espadrille sneakers are the epitome of summer. They blend various styles with the upper of a loafer, woven detail of an espadrille, and rubber sole of a sneaker. Thanks to an orthopedic footbed, one reviewer says they're 'easy to walk in and extremely comfortable.' Plus, they're so easy to style for summer; they'll look beautiful with linen pants, summer dresses, and more. If you're looking for a loafer that makes a statement, consider the Puma Loafyrs. They feature a super chunky sole with plenty of height, so fans of platform shoes love them. The thick rubber outsole is inspired by trail shoes, meant to provide plenty of traction and stability. Style these snoafers with athletic, casual, or even professional outfits—they're versatile enough for any occasion. With the code PUMAFNF, you can get 40 percent off of these right now, too. $130 at Amazon $140 $135 at Zappos The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker. With a sneaker-like rubber outsole, they're comfy enough for all-day wear, while bridging the gap between business and casual. We love that these Dr. Scholl's sneakers can be worn to the office or just to run errands. They feature a sleek faux leather exterior and cushiony insole. Reviewers rave about them, touting that they're ideal for summer, easy to slip on and off, and comfy enough to stand in all day. The Dream Pairs Loafers look so much like the Vionic Uptown Loafers, but they're a fraction of the price thanks to a faux leather composition, as opposed to Vionic's genuine leather shoes. Only $33 at Amazon today, the lugged sole offers plenty of stability, though this shoe still has a lightweight feel, according to reviewers. Plus, one reviewer says they're 'great for travel' since they 'slip on and off easily at airport security.' If you're looking for an investment pair, we love this option from Tory Burch. They feature a flexible rubber sole and elevated suede upper. Reviewers rave about the comfort they offer, with one shopper adding that these shoes pack well for travel. These snoafers are ideal for summer. According to the brand, they offer impressive ventilation and moisture-wicking abilities, so they'll keep you comfortable on summer trips. They have a knit upper and rubber outsole that's complemented by leather detailing reminiscent of a traditional penny loafer design. Snag them in navy or black—they're both on sale today. Shopping for something bold? These metallic penny loafers fit the bill. With a white rubber outsole, they put a sporty spin on the traditional loafer. According to the brand, they have plenty of cushioning for all-day comfort. Snag them in this statement-making silver shade, or opt for navy, beige, or black options. These loafers can easily be styled for business or casual wear, so they're versatile enough to complement any travel capsule wardrobe. They have a sporty, white rubber sole, and one reviewer said they're 'comfortable straight out of the box.' Thanks to the perforated upper, these shoes are super breathable, too, making them ideal for summer trips. Clarks' shoes are beloved for their comfort, which is why many people who struggle with foot health reach for the brand. These look similar to traditional penny loafers, but have a rubber outsole designed to offer enhanced support for all-day wear. According to the brand, they're easy to slip on and off and have a breathable lining. In other words, these are ideal for long days of summer travel. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Fast Company
13 hours ago
- Fast Company
‘I want to take you to a workout class': Influencers are turning brand trips into exclusive real-life fan experiences
Rather than sitting at home watching your favorite influencer unbox gifts from their all-expenses-paid brand trip, now the rest of us have a chance to feel like an influencer for a day. Last week, Brandon Edelman, the same TikTok creator who recently went viral for sharing his $768,000-a-year salary, launched his very own 'Bran Trip,' his version of the ubiquitous influencer brand trip. Attendees were chosen via video application using the hashtag #thebrantrip. Three of Edelman's lucky followers and their plus-ones were then transported to their own suites at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia for the weekend. The trip included tickets to a Phillies game, facials, and an IV lounge for recovery from the night before. @bran__flakezz I AM SO EXCITED #thebrantrip @Lindsay Anderson @carter @Tierra Mo'ney @Jocelyn Vargas @Drink Poppi @Beis Travel @GarnierUSA @Ferko's Fine Jewelry @Shark Beauty @Coastal Caviar @EVRY JEWELS @@KIND Snacks @TOPICALS ♬ original sound – bran_flakezz Of course, it wouldn't be an influencer-hosted trip without gifting from 30 different brands. This included gifted outfits from Abercrombie & Fitch, initial necklaces from Ferko's (a Westchester-based fine jewelry company), a $349 CryoGlow LED mask from Shark, and Béis luggage to get their goodies back home, Edelman told Glossy. @bran__flakezz #thebrantrip DAY ONE SETUP!! @UrInternetBF @Lindsay Anderson @Eli Rallo @corinna carter @Tierra Mo'ney @tykiadee @Jocelyn Vargas @Alexandria @Olivia Palacio #philly #philadelphia ♬ original sound – Penny B Hollywood While influencer fan meetups are nothing new, these events have evolved from the thousands-strong gatherings of the 2010s, where excited fans queued for hours for a quick hug and a selfie with their favorite influencer. Now, influencers are inviting followers in and building community in intimate settings that align with their personal brands. 'Just like some influencers have been taking their followers out for dinner, I want to take you to a workout class,' New York-based influencer Danielle Pheloung posted in April. The next month, Pheloung hosted 25 girls at the heated workout studio Fuze House in Tribeca. The event was on-brand for Pheloung, with early morning workouts a staple in her videos. After the free class, each attendee left with a bag full of items gifted by some of Pheloung's favorite brands including Smart Sweets, Lancôme, and Ouai. @daniellephe Such a special day! Cant wait to do more of these🥹🤍 ♬ evergreen – favsoundds These fan meetups are part of a larger shift in the creator economy and beyond, from online to offline. 'For years, creators chased virality online, but these days, influence is about access, not scale,' Casey Lewis, writer of After School, a newsletter about youth consumer trends, wrote in a recent Substack post. 'Follower count matters less than who actually shows up.' Often dubbed the 'loneliest generation,' Gen Z has figured out that the secret to making friends is organizing their own third spaces and meetups. According to a new study from Eventbrite, 95% of Gen Z and Millennials are interested in turning online interests into real-world interactions. Brands are noticing this shift, and platforms are stepping in to help facilitate meaningful community marketing opportunities. Last month, the youth research firm dcdx launched Offline, a platform connecting brands with real-life communities to co-host and sponsor events ranging from micro-community activations for dozens to meetups of hundreds. As Offline founder Andrew Roth told Forbes: 'Just as the Influencer rose to fame, so will the Host.'
Skift
16 hours ago
- Skift
Amex GBT, Amadeus: AI Usage is Getting Cheaper, Voice May Be a Gamechanger
Generative AI is becoming more accessible in several ways: At large businesses, costs per transaction are falling, and voice-to-voice interactions may provide an ease of use that brings AI to the masses. While building cutting-edge AI models remains an expensive proposition, the actual cost to use them is nosediving. That's the view of Rodrigo Acuna Agost, head of research and the AI Center of Excellence at Amadeus. "In 18 months, I think it's decreased ... 240 times less," Acuna Agost said, referring to the cost per token in GPT-4. He estimated the cost of using "voice-to-voice and phone" is roughly $1 per conversation. Marilyn Markham, vice president, AI strategy and automation at Amex GBT, agreed that the "cost per transaction is decreasing ... it's actually quite inexpensive," but pointed to other factors that need to be considered in the financial equation. "But the investment to transform the systems still needs an ROI," Markham said. "So because of that, it doesn't automatically decrease the price of service because of all it takes to actually get to that point and maintain it. And all of that is done by people, so it's kind of displacing where the cost actually is for servicing our customers." The two discuss these trends during an on-stage discussion at the Skift Data + AI Summit in New York Wednesday. Here are some other takeaways from the session. AI May Be More Useful in Leisure Than In Business Travel "I think business travel restricts us in using the full power of AI unless we decide to do more bleisure," Amex GBT's Markham said. She said leisure travel is more collaborative — you plan trips with your friends — than business travel, which has strict rules and policies. "So applying rules ... going to Gen AI for that is not going to be your best bet," Markham said. The Effort to Get Employees to Adopt AI Markham said sometimes when the company onboards generative AI, "the rumble in the room is there goes my job." It takes "a lot of human labor," including team meetings and town halls, "to bring people along," she said. "Sometimes just giving them a taste of the drug and getting them a little addicted, and going like this is amazing, it helps me in my work." Voice to Voice Interactions Could Be the Next Big Thing Acuna Agost of Amadeus said voice-to-voice interactions — talking to an AI agent and listening to its answer — may democratize AI because writing skills are not required. His research team is experimenting with voice-to-voice in multiple languages. "We switch from Spanish to French to English, and you get the response in natural language," Acuna Agost said. "So imagine all people, different nationalities, all will have access to AI." Data for Personalization 'Is Not Fully Exploited' Business travel is not taking advantage of the data it already has to enhance personalization. "You're not the only person who travels for this project," Markham said. "I have your data, and I have the data of all your colleagues who go back and forth. If we could extract and use that data, you would find that we can leap forward in personalization and get something that's pertinent, even if it's your first time traveling to the New York office. Others have done it. We know how it works. We can recommend. So I think there's this data. It's not fully exploited yet."
