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EBY - the Authority in Seamless Underwear - Welcomes Rosario Dawson As Latest Investor

EBY

Women’s empowerment & tech apparel company EBY welcomes actress & entrepreneur Rosario Dawson as the brand’s latest investor. In September, EBY announced that they raised $6M in Series A funding, led by Dallas based investment firm Colt Ventures. The brand is pleased to complete their Series A financing with Dawson, joining past investors like venture capitalist firm Azure Capital (which boasts a portfolio that comprises of Native Deodorants, Bouqs and Sleep 8), Robert DiRomualdo (Chairman of Ulta Beauty), Ken Goldman (former CFO of Yahoo), Duncan Neiderauer (former CEO of the New York Stock Exchange) and Venus Williams. An entrepreneur herself, Rosario Dawson’s commitment to EBY is not her first venture into the lifestyle space - she is also the Co-Founder of female-artisan-produced, CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative-winning fashion brand Studio189. EBY Co-Founder Renata M. Black and Dawson have been friends for years, establishing a resilient bond over their life-long unwavering dedication to the empowerment of women, and being fellow co-owners of Latinx founded businesses. EBY and Studio 189 have also partnered in the past in a product capacity - collaborating on a limited-edition release of special Studio 189 prints on EBY’s signature seamless undies. "I’ve long admired Renata’s strength as an innovative leader and very much believe in her mission of empowering women through microfinance. I’m excited to now be a part of this brand’s incredible growth and help Renata’s vision come to life.”- Rosario Dawson. EBY is utilizing the funding to introduce innovative products and adding real value at every touch point of the customer journey - continuing to honor the brand’s foundational mission of the empowerment of women through microfinance, small loans that enable an underprivileged woman to start or grow her own business. In turn, the woman becomes self-sufficient, breaking the cycle of poverty for herself and her children. By the end of 2022, EBY will have empowered 40,000 women and children out of poverty and into impact with close to 2 million dollars in microfinance funding. EBY repositions underwear as a tool for empowerment rather than one of seduction - as represented in their latest marketing campaign, ‘Feels Like This.’ The ‘Feels Like This’ Campaign is a post-pandemic social movement to ‘stop the scroll’ with a breath of emotion. ‘Feels Like This’ presents the sentiment people are scrolling for - encouraging them to embrace their ‘naked’emotions, enabling themselves to be ‘intimate’ again. The campaign features EBY’s innovative new Invisible Cotton 2.0 Collection - the first ever truly seamless cotton underwear that’s unlike any underwear on the market. The collection features cotton panties & bralettes that utilize EBY’s uniquely applied, no-slip-grip flocking technology. An upgraded fabric category for the brand, EBY spent the last year finding, testing and developing the best cotton blend fabric that they could apply their signature flocking to, in order to re-launch truly Invisible Cotton - an almost impossible feat for the fabric. EBY cotton seamless undies have a clean finish edge with no elastic, allowing for a seamless finish with no digging and no panty lines. The unique cotton-blend stretches with the wearer and never loses its shape. In addition to the Seamless Cotton Collection, EBY is launching additional premium collections, a period underwear, and a mesh collection throughout the rest of next year. “Throughout the years, Rosario and I have been in lock-step with our relentless and unapologetic pursuit of leaving this world better because we were here. What is so special about now, is that our paths have crossed - making us that much stronger and that much more unstoppable. I have had the fortune of calling her a friend, and have witnessed first-hand that she is a ride or die kind of lady. From the roles she plays, to the epic mother and entrepreneur she has become, everything she does has a transformative impact. With EBY it is no different. I am beyond thrilled to have her on side.” - Renata M. Black, Co-Founder Prices for the Seamless Cotton Collection range from $15-$45 For more information on EBY, please visit https://shop.join-eby.com. Co-founded by entrepreneur Renata M. Black in 2018, EBY is the ‘authority in seamless underwear’ - utilizing uniquely applied, no-slip-grip flocking technology to their seamless panties and bralettes. Body-inclusive EBY offers seamless underwear in sizes XS-4XL, servicing over 100 million plus-size customers who cannot shop at some of the largest retail stores in the U.S. EBY’s membership program also offers consumers an underwear subscription box with exclusive product and members-only pricing. The direct-to-consumer company’s core mission is female empowerment - not only through their offerings to their loyal subscribers and shoppers, but also by supporting women in poverty through the power of microfinance. 10% of proceeds from EBY underwear sales go to the Seven Bar Foundation to empower women through microfinance: small business loans to women in poverty that lead to incredible outcomes. By the end 2021, EBY will have impacted over 15,000 women and children out of poverty into business. Contact Details OGAKI Amber Cardullo acardullo@ogakidigital.com Company Website https://shop.join-eby.com

February 01, 2022 10:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

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iTradeNetwork Introduces Next-Gen Freight Solution for a Smarter, Faster, Fresher Supply Chain

iTradeNetwork

iTradeNetwork, the industry’s largest perishables network with over 8,000 food and beverage trading partners, proudly announces its next-generation transportation solution Freight —a streamlined way to combat the chaos of the present landscape, improve delivery performance, and maximize margins on every order moving through the supply chain. The pandemic radically altered consumer food spending habits, with an extraordinary rise in e-commerce sales and omni-channel experiences. This demand shock, combined with labor and equipment shocks in the logistics sector, has left fresh suppliers, buyers, and carriers reeling from unprecedented capacity and rate pressures when moving food across the supply chain. For consumers, this has resulted in empty shelves and substitutions. With 33 percent more consumers cooking more at home, pressure on buyers to prevent out-of-stock situations will only grow and companies that plan procurement and freight together have an advantage over those looking at them separately. Meeting demand and maintaining customer loyalty starts with building smarter supply chains and solutions that help businesses make smarter decisions, like iTradeNetwork’s new Freight solution. Freight is designed to help growers, shippers and buyers make the best margin-saving decisions in a chaotic environment by providing complete route planning, cost visibility, load building and load optimization prior to sending a purchase order so logistics can be a part of the overall purchasing decision. Its intuitive look and feel powers a simplified experience that makes decision-making easier, faster and smarter. With Freight: Build more profitable loads: combine purchase orders to optimize loads with automatic recommendations and safeguards to prevent costly product loss, using a best-in-class, intuitive look and feel. Build loads faster: smarter optimization–predictive loads, automatic recommendations for the best carriers, and real-time updates. Maintain constant visibility: leverage Freight’s bird’s eye view of every aspect of a product’s journey. “In today’s environment, Wayne Gretzky’s advice comes to mind: ‘Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.’ We believe a lesson companies in the food supply chain can take from the pandemic is that logistics needs to be as proactive and strategic as possible instead of reactive. Our Freight solution moves it in that direction. Built on our industry-leading procurement platform, it simplifies combining purchase orders into loads, recommends optimal loads, and helps procurement and freight planners make the best decisions possible to secure the maximum margin on every purchase order,” said Nathan Romney, chief product officer for iTradeNetwork. To learn more about Freight, visit itradenetwork.com/itradefreight/ or contact sales@itradnetwork.com. ABOUT ITRADENETWORK iTradeNetwork, Inc. (ITN) is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry. Built upon deep industry expertise, a rich data foundation and the industry’s most extensive trading partner network, iTradeNetwork’s collaborative solutions allow distributors, manufacturers, operators, retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers of all sizes to reduce cost, grow revenue and strengthen trading partner relationships. Today, iTradeNetwork’s growing customer list includes thousands of global companies. For more information, visit: www.itradenetwork.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 itn@landispr.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com/

February 01, 2022 06:02 AM Pacific Standard Time

NO DOGS LEFT BEHIND ASSISTS IN THE HISTORIC EVACUATION OF OVER 300 ANIMALS LEFT BEHIND FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN

No Dogs Left Behind

No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB) Founder, Jeffrey Beri, heeded the call for help from an international coalition of rescues working tirelessly over the past five months to arrange for the safe passage of 171 dogs and 146 cats from Kabul, Afghanistan to Canada. These animals were left behind when U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan back in August. Despite numerous attempts to secure a cargo plane to take the dogs to safety prior to the August 31st deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops, no plane ever arrived. But that has all changed and these dogs and cats, who have been in the care of Kabul Small Animal Rescue, are now in a private cargo plane heading to Canada where they will begin their lives of freedom. Beri’s expertise in emergency response made him a clear choice to assist in this perilous mission. “This mission was a departure from No Dogs Left Behind’s work in East Asia to end the dog meat trade and it was extremely dangerous,” said NDLB Board Member, Jacqueline Finnegan. “But Jeff did not think twice about going when asked.” Beri packed up his bags and headed to Afghanistan to help in this historic transport. “No Dog Left Behind’s mission extends beyond borders. We fight on the front lines in emergency response to help animals in need regardless of where they are. That’s what we do,” notes Beri. Over the past two weeks, Beri has been on the ground in Afghanistan working with Derick Stone and the team from Kabul Small Animal Rescue to assess and prepare the dogs and cats for travel and ensure the requisite paperwork for the transport was in order. The team then loaded the dogs and cats into the private cargo plane for the three-day journey to Vancouver, Canada and Beri and Stone are traveling with them to ensure their comfort and safety during the transport. "We are so grateful for the support No Dogs Left Behind’s Founder, Jeffrey Beri, has given us by traveling to Afghanistan to accompany these dogs and cats on this historic flight,” said Lori Kalef, Director of Programs at SPCA International. "After doing everything in our power to make this evacuation a reality, we're excited to finally welcome these animals to the shelter we've eagerly prepared alongside Marley’s Mutts, RainCoast Dog Rescue Society and Thank DOG I Am Out." Once the animals land safely in Canada, they will be available for adoption through these rescue groups. No Dogs Left Behind will be taking 19 of the Kabul dogs into its care and bringing them back to the NDLB Safe House in Toronto. After health checks and allowing the dogs time to decompress from their long journey, NDLB will begin accepting applications to find them loving, forever homes. For more information, please visit NDLB’s website. If you would like to donate toward NDLB’s care of these 19 dogs, please click here. “Our work doesn’t end here,” Beri said. “We will keep fighting the good fight on the front lines until every animal is safe from harm.” About No Dogs Left Behind: No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB) operates boots on the ground in East Asia, fighting on the frontlines to rescue dogs from the illegal dogmeat trade. NDLB works hands-on with local activists through emergency response, pulling dogs directly from slaughterhouses, dogmeat trucks, wet markets and traffickers. NDLB’s mission extends beyond borders, advocating for the creation and enforcement of animal welfare laws, and raising awareness for a cruelty-free, sustainable world in which no animal is violated, exploited, tortured or slaughtered for commercial goods or profit. With nearly 500 survivors in its care, No Dogs Left Behind operates sanctuaries in Dayi and Gongyi in East Asia and Toronto, Canada. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok. Contact Details No Dogs Left Behind Sherry Sung +1 855-665-0888 sherry@nodogsleftbehind.com Company Website http://www.nodogsleftbehind.com

January 31, 2022 07:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Winter Park, FL Celebrates 25 Years and Shares Secrets to Longevity and Growth

Minuteman Press International Inc

In 1996, Linda Sang decided to leave the corporate world and join the Minuteman Press franchise family, and she is now celebrating 25 years in business. Linda’s daughter Darcy has been along for the ride, saying in a recent newsletter, “It was a world that none of us knew anything about, but would quickly learn as every available hand was recruited to answer phones, hand collate and staple jobs and market the business for our intrepid leader. And we have been doing it ever since.” Being in business for over 25 years, Linda shares her biggest keys to longevity and growth. She says, “We keep pushing to get new customers in various methods. The pandemic initially cut down on the door-to-door marketing that has always been successful in the past for us. We currently do more social media, thanks to my daughter, Darcy, and some direct mail campaigns targeting local businesses and new businesses.” Linda continues, “We are also very attentive to our customers, keeping them informed and helping them find solutions/options for their needs. We respond to emails almost instantly and turn quotes around as quickly as possible, generally the same day if there isn’t a lot of research involved. When we make deliveries, each customer gets a ‘goody bag’ with notepads and other branded items. Many customers get excited about our deliveries, sometimes even more so for our giveaways rather than their finished jobs.” Over the past two years, Linda and her team have utilized various digital and print marketing tools available to them. She says, “We have gotten more into social media than in the past and have worked on getting high Google ratings, as customers do look at reviews. We do find that we are getting a lot of requests from Google and the Minuteman Press Internet Marketing program. We also test out the suggested methods from Minuteman Press corporate (such as the lumpy mailer and direct mail campaigns) and see what works best for us and our customer base. Otherwise, we are simply doing what we have always done through the years… provide solid customer relations.” What’s next for Minuteman Press in Winter Park? Linda says, “We hope to grow this year by reaching out to new prospective customers and generate more referrals.” Lastly, Linda reflects on the family business and says, “In our case, Darcy and I work together well and have the same goals and work ethic. My husband, Kelly, is semi-retired and helps out when we need him. When you have this situation, you don’t have to worry about someone showing up to work or leaving for other opportunities. There is always loyalty. We also find it key to treat our employees as if they are family as well. Not only does it create a pleasant working environment, but loyalty builds as well. We work lean and mean, which makes for some long days, but when you trust your employees and family, it is truly a joy.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Winter Park, FL, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/fl/winter-park. For Minuteman Press products and services, visit https://minuteman.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

January 31, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Bluberi Launches Reels of Steel™ in new Big Mech™ Cabinet

Bluberi

Bluberi or (the “Company”) today announced the launch of its new game Reels of Steel™, the first game on the larger-than-life Big Mech™ cabinet. Reels of Steel was the centerpiece of the Company’s exhibit at the Global Gaming Expo in October of 2021, generating interest and anticipation from customers around the country. “Yaamava’ Resort and Casino is a great location for the world premiere of this game,” said Casey Whalen, Bluberi’s Chief Commercial Officer, “The Yaamava’ team is as excited to have the game on their floor as we are, and the customers that frequent that casino will enjoy the unique experience the game brings. The Southern California market, in general, is very important to Bluberi, and we are glad to have such a great partner in Yaamava’ to help introduce Reels of Steel to those players.” Reels of Steel is housed in Bluberi’s new Big Mech cabinet which stands over 9 feet tall. The game itself is a traditional 3-reel, 1-line mechanical slot game, full of wilds, multipliers, free games, and an exciting top award chase. Paired with the animations on the LCD screens hidden behind the etched metal reels, though, Reels of Steel delivers an experience that is anything but traditional. “ Reels of Steel is the first in a series of unique and disruptive games that we plan to bring to casino floors,” said Mike Brennan, Bluberi’s Chief Product Officer. “We are looking forward to seeing player reactions at Yaamava’, and to future installs around the country.” About Bluberi Backed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Bluberi is an inventive company that is dedicated to developing and delivering the highest quality casino gaming experience to players and operators. Our team is comprised of seasoned, multi-talented innovators who are focused on bringing gaming to life with entertaining games and high-performing cabinets. Our products are designed to add vitality to gambling and transport players to an energetic world of winning. We are the risk-taking spirit of gambling and we add imagination and innovation to everything we create. Learn more at bluberi.com. Contact Details Bluberi Media Contact Lesley Hodges, Sr. Director of Marketing Lesley.hodges@bluberi.com

January 27, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

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2021 In Numbers: Mass. Cannabis Industry Testing Statistics

MCR Labs

Following another year of unpredictability, change, and challenges for the Massachusetts cannabis industry, MCR Labs is releasing data that may provide insight into the industry’s continued development. Here are MCR Labs’ most notable stats from Jan. 1, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022: The Lab saw a 19% increase in samples submitted for testing, in comparison to 2020’s 38% increase. While flower sample submissions decreased by 8%, concentrate and vape submissions grew by 22%. The decrease in flower samples can be reasonably attributed to a regulatory change in batch size enacted in March. Solventless extract sample submission increased by 85%, and can most likely be attributed to the rising popularity of Hash Rosin. Hash Rosin submissions increased by 700%. Samples submitted to MCR in 2021 had a 92.3% pass rate for safety screens, up from 91.2% in 2020. For concentrate and vape samples, the pass rate decreased from 93.5% in 2020 to 91.8% in 2021, which can be attributed mostly to an increase in residual solvent failures. “As more and more facilities come online and employ hydrocarbon extraction techniques, we expect failures to remain the same or increase due to the extremely low regulatory limits,” said Jonathan Wani, Vice President of Business Development at MCR Labs. MCR Labs is licensed as an independent testing laboratory in both the Medical and Adult Use Marijuana programs, both overseen by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). The statistics provided here account for product samples submitted for compliance testing by cultivators and product manufacturers from the medical and adult-use programs, as well as home growers, patients, researchers, or curious consumers. About MCR Labs: MCR Labs is one of the longest operational cannabis testing laboratories on the East coast with facilities operating in several legal cannabis markets. We are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited providers of analytical cannabis product testing and R&D services committed to assisting licensed marijuana establishments, patients, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates. Our team of chemists and pharmaceutical scientists are dedicated to advancing public health and safety through leading-edge chemical analysis of cannabis products and offering unparalleled guidance and support for partners, regulators, and the communities we serve. For more information visit http://mcrlabs.com. Contact Details MCR Labs Alexandra Gomes +1 508-782-9772 alexandra@mcrlabs.com Company Website http://mcrlabs.com

January 27, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Save the Redwoods League Debuts Season Two of its “I’ll Go If You Go” Podcast

Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League today launches the second season of its groundbreaking podcast, “ I’ll Go If You Go,” taking listeners on an audio adventure tour through California’s iconic coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Created to highlight diverse voices and build community in the outdoors, the podcast introduces a new host in its second season: Emily Harwitz, a multimedia science writer and photographer who tells stories that foster community, provoke curiosity and inspire a deeper connection with the world around us. Season two includes six episodes that will be released on the fourth Thursday of each month from now through June 2022. Harwitz will forage for mushrooms with farmer Arthur Lee of Mazu Mushrooms, go forest bathing with certified guide Juan Lazo Bautista, go birding with nature artist Clay Anderson, take a canoe tour with a Yurok guide, and skateboard with skate industry veteran Kim Woozy and friends of Skate Like a Girl. All episodes can be streamed on the League’s website and all major podcast streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, Google Podcasts and Pocket Casts. “There are just as many ways to connect with nature as there are people,” said Harwitz. “This season is really all about getting outside in the redwoods and experiencing new things—while learning about different perspectives and having fun.” Save the Redwoods League launched “I’ll Go If You Go” in 2021 as part of a larger effort to uncover stories of people from communities of color, which have been historically excluded from the wonders of the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Through conversations with emerging outdoor leaders, the League illuminates how Californians of all backgrounds think about and experience nature and conservation—in the redwoods and beyond. “While ‘I’ll Go If You Go’ is made for all of our community members to find joy and inspiration, we wanted to create something that showcases members of underrepresented communities engaging with these incredible natural places that have been protected by and for all of us,” said Leslie Parra, the League’s outreach program manager and creator of the podcast. “It all circles back to the name of the podcast—if people see themselves in others who are spending time doing fun things in the redwoods, they’ll be more likely to feel welcome giving it a try.” Parra, who hosted the podcast’s first season, now passes the microphone to Harwitz, a multiracial Asian American based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Harwitz’s work has been published in “Hakai Magazine,” “The San Jose Mercury News,” “Bay Nature” and elsewhere. In addition to chemistry and ecology, Harwitz is interested in Indigenizing science, plant communication and wildlife, as well as playing her flute and enjoying tea. To schedule an interview, contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or redwoods@landispr.com. Save the Redwoods League One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. The nonprofit’s 29,000 members have enabled the organization to protect more than 216,000 acres of irreplaceable forest in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 redwoods@landispr.com Company Website https://www.savetheredwoods.org/

January 27, 2022 05:35 AM Pacific Standard Time

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ECI Development, Marriott Break Ground on New 202-Key Oceanfront Hotel & Residences in Ambergris Caye, Belize

ECI Development

ECI Development today announced that it broke ground on a new Marriott branded hotel and residences on the island. Designed for travelers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle, the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will be built on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island known for its world-class scuba diving, fishing, water sports and white sandy beaches. “Now that we’ve seen an uptick in travel, we’re excited to begin building the new Marriott branded hotel and residences ECI Development is bringing to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites,” said Michael K. Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI Development. “ECI has been creating inspired lifestyles for adventurous souls across Latin America for more than two decades, but we are particularly focused on this project and the opportunity to deliver a top-quality hotel and residence option from a treasured global brand.” The hotel, along with the Marriott Hotels-branded residential component, saw the first shovels of dirt turned January 14. The project will fuse old-world British charm and modern amenities while keeping an eye towards the heritage and history of Belize. ECI plans as many as 70 privately-owned branded residences as a part of the 202-key oceanfront resort. “We are excited to welcome the first Marriott Hotel to the beautiful shores of Belize,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. “The Belize Marriott Resort and Residences of Ambergris Caye will be a stand out and attract travelers from around the world. As we continue to grow in Latin America, what a stunning location along this beautiful stretch of beach on Ambergris Caye to plant the Marriott Hotels brand flag.” "We welcome the Belize Marriott Residences of Ambergris Caye to the increasing number of new and modern brand name hotels in Belize. We are confident that the Belize Marriott Residences will be a partner in our sustainable brand of hospitality and sustainable tourism development. It is in partial fulfillment of our Plan Belize agenda, and testament to our promise that Belize is Open for Business," said Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable John Briceño. "I have every confidence that the Marriott will be a tremendous success in Belize." “Now available to this incredibly diverse and expansive market, Belize’s rich culture and unique attractions will be marketed to a discerning audience seeking both the thrill of a new place and the comforts of the familiar,” said Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism at the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). “Employees will also benefit through training and developing skill sets that will allow them to undertake a greater variety of work. There is always room for improvement and learning, and with specific goals and requirements under a brand, their abilities and skills will flourish.” Guests will have access to first-class restaurants, a rooftop lounge, conference and event space, a spa, fitness center and retail outlets. Amenities will also include a dive shop to cater to the island’s many visitors who come to explore the Belize Barrier Reef – the largest reef system in the northern hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. “As Belize continues to emerge as a top tourist and business destination for world travelers, the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will contribute to the positive evolution of one of the jewels of Central America,” said Brian J. King, President, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. “All of the best things seasoned travelers have come to expect from Marriott destinations around the globe will be brought to serve our guests on Ambergris Caye. That’s why we’re very excited to welcome this new hotel into Marriott International’s family of resorts as well as our Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program that boasts more than 160 million members worldwide.” With tourism accounting for 33.2% of Belize’s GDP, and approximately 40,000 jobs – or 30.1% of total employment, the positive economic impact of tourism from a trusted hotel brand like Marriott extends well-beyond the jobs created at the property. “The construction of the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences is a welcome respite to the Belize tourism industry after the devastation the pandemic has wrought worldwide. An anticipated 100+ jobs will be required during construction, and upon completion, close to 300 full-time employees will be needed for the oceanfront hotel. What’s more, the economic benefits will reach far beyond the hotel property as owners and guests participate in water sports like diving and snorkeling, explore Mayan ruins and shop for art, woodcrafts, and other souvenirs,” said Briceño. “From the farmers deep in the western villages providing fresh produce, to souvenir artists across the country, to the families who receive remittances from direct tourism service providers, the financial benefit to Belizeans will be immeasurable.” ECI Co-Founder and Chairman of Caye International Bank, Joel Nagel built upon Prime Minister Briceño’s comments stating that the hotel planned to work with local farmers, manufacturers, and craftsmen to supply much of the initial construction and ongoing supply needs for the hotel. “Our company has been a solid corporate citizen in San Pedro for nearly 30 years. We constantly strive to engage the local community in business, philanthropy, and all types of community service and engagement, including the creation and founding of the San Pedro Rotary Club,” said Nagel. “We believe that all ships rise with the high tide and we want the Marriott hotel to be another important engine for economic development and growth for San Pedro and for all of Belize.” In addition to the many economic benefits this project will bring, corporate social responsibility has been a priority for ECI from its founding. The company works tirelessly to ensure that the communities surrounding each project receive direct support through a variety of initiatives and partnerships. Since 2021, ECI has been directly involved with ACES Wildlife Rescue on Ambergris Caye, championing the wildlife organization’s efforts in the conservation and protection of Belize’s native wildlife and their habitats. Education Directors and Wildlife Rehabilitators Chris Summers and Christina Manzi can often be found rescuing animals, even the tamanuas, as well as rehabilitating mangroves along the coastline. “In 2021, the mangrove reforestation along stretches of beach and lagoon waters became a priority, as mangroves are critical for marine wildlife. That’s why ECI Development and Marriott International will continue full support of these critical habitat efforts long into the future,” said Ricardo Calo, Area Vice President, Marriott International, who will directly oversee the new hotel and residences. ***Hotel renderings and photos of the groundbreaking event available upon request.*** # # # About ECI Development ECI Development is a real estate developer working in Central and Latin America creating inspired lifestyles for adventurous souls. We create value through socially responsible development within our communities in Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rica, Argentina, El Salvador, and Panama. More info is available at www.belizebrandedresidences.com. The Belize Marriott Residences Ambergris Caye Resort are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott Worldwide Corporation or its affiliates (Marriott). Grand Baymen Villas, LLC and Exotic Caye Beach Resort Limited use the Marriott marks under a license from Marriott, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.ecidevelopment.com/

January 27, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Say Hello to Amazon Glow: Technology That Keeps Families Connected

YourUpdateTV

Families who live or spend time far from each other have long understood how technology can help keep people connected. Over the last two years, the need to stay connected has been more important than ever. Recently, Lifestyle Expert Bethany Braun-Silva teamed with Amazon on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss tips on connecting with family, keeping kids engaged, and how the new Amazon Glow can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/7Saw2MonRxg Connecting with distant family is especially important for kids – there is something so special about the smile’s kids bring to our lives, especially when they are shared with extended family and relatives. From playing games and drawing to reading and solving puzzles, the fun families and loved ones have together is so important. It is so hard to replicate these experiences when not in person together, but we try our best because we know these relationships can be so impactful. While video chatting has been a great tool over the last few years, how many times have we jumped on a call with relatives, only for our child to quickly get bored and wander off? The key to staying connected is keeping everyone engaged and visible, making virtual visits feel much more like being in person together. Amazon Glow is a new device that really makes it easy and fun for kids to spend time with remote grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends. It’s really a new way to create bonds across generations, even when distance is a barrier. During video calls on Amazon Glow, kids read stories, play games, use physical objects and can even create art using the touch-sensitive projected virtual space. At the same time, loved ones far away can engage with the same content on their tablet or smartphone using the free Glow App. Pick from thousands of children’s books to read together, draw pictures, or play early literacy games like ABC Bubbles or classics like Chess and Checkers. Activities on Glow create engaging sensory experiences with audio, video, and tactile elements similar to in-person fun. Children have access to books, games and art activities and can experience all of these in a whole new way with remote family and friends. It’s a great resource for parents looking to provide opportunities for their children to actively use their senses while simultaneously building new family memories and connections. For more information, visit Amazon.com/Glow About Bethany Braun-Silva: Bethany Braun-Silva is the former editor at Parenting.com, one of the most trusted resources for parents online! She received her Bachelor's Degree at New York University, where she studied theater arts and creative writing. She then received an M.F.A. from Pace University at the Actors Studio Drama School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2010 where she began her career in journalism. It was a particular Broadcast Journalism class at UCLA that confirmed her passion for telling stories and being of service to the community. She worked at various media companies before landing her first job as a parenting editor. It was there that she knew she could blend her love for writing with her love of being a mom—she had just welcomed her first son Eli! Since then, Bethany has worked for Understood.org, Big Apple Parent Magazine, CafeMom, RedTri, Mommy Poppins, OK! Magazine, Hollywood Life and various other parenting publications. She can often be seen interviewing celebrity parents and of course at her local playground with her two boys. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 26, 2022 05:01 PM Eastern Standard Time

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