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The Way We Travel Now: Airbnb Looking Ahead, Looking Back

YourUpdateTV

As summer winds down and the seasons begin to change, now is the time to look back at how Americans spent their summer traveling and what they are looking forward to experiencing in the fall. Recently, Communications Leads for North America at Airbnb, Liz DeBold Fusco, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to share the most recent travel trends. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/aBehaUcamIE Not surprisingly, outdoor escapes with the family were the top summer travel trend, and as we come to the end of the summer, longer trips and reunions have become a go to. One of the biggest trends was the great escape to rural, with destinations near national and state parks among the top places to stay. Few weeks ago, Airbnb reached their biggest night ever in the US with more than 4 million guests using the platform. This has created a lot of opportunities for the Airbnb host community. This past summer, US Hosts on Airbnb collectively earned more than $1.3 billion – with some hosting while they were away to pay for their vacation to some offering one-of-a-kind unique stays, like treehouses and yurts. With the remote work trend continuing into fall, so does the increase in trips extending beyond just a weekend. Longer weekend trips with families lasting three to four days are up 70 percent, with weekday stays increasing from 63 to 65 percent. Guests’ rising and diversified interest in mid-sized cities extends beyond the weekend and is focused on fall scenery. Searches for stays in large and mid-sized cities make up about a third of searches each for fall, compared to more than half for stays in just large cities in fall 2019. Big events are also coming back, and more guests are eager to head back to stands and seats once again. In fact, a number of those top trending destinations for Labor Day Weekend and beyond are large and mid-sized cities. This is due to welcome-back iconic competitions and major music festivals, like the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia and Astroworld in Houston. You can always go to airbnb.com to find places to stay, Online Experiences to try. Or, if you are looking to share your space this fall or ahead of a big event, you can become a host at Airbnb.com/host. About Liz DeBold Fusco: Liz DeBold Fusco is a Communications Leads for North America for Airbnb. Prior to that, she was a Vice President at SKDKnickerbocker, a national public affairs firm, where she provided strategic communications guidance to organizations ranging from the NAACP and Demos to The Rockefeller Foundation and AT&T. Liz has also worked for Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray as well as the New York State Attorney General. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 08, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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REALTORS®’ Guidance on Current Renovation Trends That Boost Home Value

YourUpdateTV

Any homeowner or hopeful homebuyer knows it can be confusing to determine which renovations are worth their time and money and which ones are best left undone. How do you boost the return on investment of a house? How much will it cost? What should you focus on? The complexities and uncertainties surrounding these questions highlight the need to work alongside a local real estate expert. Americans spend $400 billion annually remodeling their homes, but many find the idea of taking on a remodeling project themselves too overwhelming. In fact, 35% of U.S. homeowners would rather move to another home than remodel their current home. How do real estate agents help home buyers/sellers? Community – Know local, county, and state property taxes; decipher public property information. Financial – Coordinate with lenders; research mortgage rates and terms; schedule appraisals and inspections Legal – Manage attorney reviews; navigate all require stated and federal forms; handle closing documents Expert real estate agents save home buyers time and help take stress out of the process. In fact, 91% of home buyers say they would engage their real estate agent again or recommend them to others. To learn more about REALTORS® and to find a real estate agent – www.realtor.com For tips and ideas on home renovations - https://www.houselogic.com/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 08, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast Business Supports CORE Electric Cooperative’s Goal of Delivering Low-Cost, Reliable Electricity

Comcast Colorado

Comcast Business today announced that CORE Electric Cooperative — a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that serves more than 170,000 customers along Colorado’s Front Range region — has selected Comcast Business to provide two 1 Gig Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) connections for its offices, as well as a 1 Gig Ethernet Private Line (EPL) for its main data center. The solutions will provide CORE employees with reliable connectivity to its sites, thus furthering its goal of providing reliable, cost-friendly electricity services to the communities it serves. CORE is the largest electric distribution cooperative in Colorado and one of the largest in the U.S. Its 5,000-square-mile service territory includes portions of 10 counties to the east, west and south of Denver. As a customer-owned cooperative, CORE operates on a nonprofit basis. Any earnings exceeding its expenses are invested back into the facilities used to provide electric service and are booked as member equity. Some of this equity is returned to members each year. “Our mandate is to provide reliable electricity at the lowest cost, and network uptime and reliability are key to ensuring the success of our operations,” said Josh Liss, public affairs director for CORE. “We can count on Comcast Business to provide reliable connectivity. As a result, we are truly set up for success now and in the future, even as we continue to grow and add customers to our network.” CORE’s EDI connections from Comcast Business are a cost-effective solution for the cooperative to power its networks, helping its employees stay connected and able to quickly respond to customer needs. Meanwhile, CORE’s EPL ensures redundancy at its data center site in Bennett, as well as 24/7 priority network support and monitoring from the Comcast Business team. In the future, these solutions will help CORE provide quality service to customers as it expands its focus into renewable energy. “Electricity services are an essential for all households, regardless of income, but they are not always turnkey to deliver to customers,” said Robert Thompson, vice president of Comcast Business for the company’s Mountain West Region. “We are proud to partner with CORE and help support their mission to bring affordable utilities to residents of the Front Range region.” For more information, please visit https://business.comcast.com/. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About CORE Electric Cooperative CORE Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative that serves more than 170,000 customers inside a 5,000-square-mile service territory along Colorado’s Front Range. Its headquarters is in Sedalia, and district offices are in Bennett, Conifer and Woodland Park. # # # Media Contacts: Chloe Huard Finn Partners chloe.huard@finnpartners.com About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. Contact Details Comcast Business Chloe Huard chloe.huard@finnpartners.com Company Website https://business.comcast.com/

September 08, 2021 09:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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FantasyStand, A Unique ‘Beat The Threshold-Style’ Fantasy Game, Officially Launches

FantasyStand

FantasyStand, a new desktop beat-the-threshold style fantasy game, has officially launched for the 2021 NFL season. Users can immediately create an account and start playing football contests at https://fantasystand.com/. FantasyStand blends an against-the-house and beat-the-threshold style game with the traditional elements of building a team through a salary cap. At the beginning of each contest Fantasy Stand will let users know what the point threshold is for that week. If the users’ team beats the point threshold set by FantasyStand, they win. “Traditional fantasy sports can be extremely frustrating. A user could form an amazing line-up, outscore thousands of users and still not win. Every week the goalposts are hidden and that was a problem I wanted to solve,” said Joe Brown, founder of FantasyStand. “We feel that our against-the-house and beat-the-threshold model provides a level of transparency in an industry where users are building fantasy teams blindly, not knowing what they need to achieve to win. By giving our users the point threshold ahead of our contests, they can confidently build their strongest team to win and ultimately have a great time doing so.” Fantasy Stand features include: Multiple contests will be offered weekly with buy-ins starting at $5 and going up to $500. Users play against the house, not each other. If you beat the given threshold, you win. (ex. Bet $100, Win $100) Additional prizes may include 10% of the total contest pot for the highest scoring user in that contest. Currently the NFL is the only sport available on the platform. FantasyStand has plans to launch basketball contests for the upcoming 2021-2022 NBA season. FantasyStand is available for desktop and mobile use via the website. An app is in development for launch in 2022 to enhance the mobile experience. Following the launch of the platform, FantasyStand will be raising a Friends and Family round of funding. The round will be used to invest in marketing, technology development and additional state licensing. FantasyStand currently operates in 25 states and will continue to add new states to its roster in 2022. For more information to create a FantasyStand account please visit: https://fantasystand.com/ ABOUT FANTASYSTAND Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur and founder Joe Brown, FantasyStand is bringing fun and transparency back to fantasy sports. FantasyStand blends an against-the-house and beat-the-threshold style game with the traditional elements of building a team through a salary cap. By blending the best of both worlds, FantasyStand is providing users a new, fun and entertaining fantasy experience. For more information to create a FantasyStand account please visit: https://fantasystand.com/ Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://fantasystand.com/

September 08, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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ECI Development, Community Build Announce 400-Key Sustainable Tourism Village in El Salvador

ECI Development

ECI Development, a leading provider of responsibly developed properties in Central and South America, and The Community Build, a US-based non-profit that serves communities in El Salvador, today announced plans to develop a sustainable tourism village in El Salvador. The village will provide authentic tourist experiences that celebrate and conserve local heritage and culture and will grace the Pacific coast of El Salvador near the town of El Zonte, nicknamed “Bitcoin Beach,” known for its world-class surf beaches and Bitcoin economic ecosystem. The Community Build’s 40-acre property located near El Zante, and ECI Development’s village design, engineering, marketing, and construction, as well as property and rental management post-completion, will produce a tourism village that serves equally Salvadorians and North Americans. “There is currently a shortage of hotel rooms and homes for sale along the El Salvadorian coast. The residences we will develop will serve the Salvadorian and North American marketplace for both ownership and rentals,” said Michael Cobb, CEO of ECI Development. “Because of the central location along the best surf beaches in El Salvador, and the close proximity to the town of El Zonte, the property is perfect for the development of a sustainable eco-tourism village.” The eco-sustainable village will have 400-450 addresses with multiple price points and models for both rent and ownership, offering luxury condos, affordable condos, and tiny homes ranging from $150,000 to $1 million. El Salvador is the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender with a law that takes effect today, September 7. In light of this world first, ECI Development will offer property discounts when buyers use Bitcoin as opposed to fiat currency or financing. “We expect the tourism village to create sustainable jobs for young people in the city and surrounding area, helping boost the local economy and preventing migration to San Salvador, the capital and the country's most populous city,” said Mike Peterson, the founder and President of Missionsake, of which The Community Build is an initiative. “We also want to become the standard-bearer for Bitcoin transactions in real estate for this country and the world, ushering in a new level of comfort for the broader society to utilize Bitcoin in their daily lives.” About ECI Development ECI Development is a real estate development company that has been responsibly developing properties within communities in Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and Argentina for more than 20 years. Visit www.ecidevelopment.com for more information. About The Community Build The Community Build is a non-profit organization born in 2017 designed to help foster the growth and education of the youth in El Zonte, El Salvador. The Community Build is an initiative of Missionsake. Missionsake exists to help develop the spiritual, mental, physical, and relational health of the missionary community in El Salvador and also of the local communities in which they serve. Visit thecommunitybuild.com for more information. Contact Details Razor Sharp PR Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.ecidevelopment.com/

September 07, 2021 02:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Meningitis Vaccines: What Parents of Adolescents Should Know

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/OpbXUBrzUA4 According to the CDC, COVID-19 disrupted routine well-child visits for many children over the last year. As a result, too many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines – and that includes adolescents and young adults. If young adults are not receiving these recommended vaccinations, they are now vulnerable to infectious, potentially deadly diseases. So are the campuses and communities they live in. One vaccine that often gets left behind is Meningitis B, which is recommended for adolescents 16-23 years old. There are two types of meningitis vaccines – MenACWY and MenB. Few have received the MenB vaccine, yet it’s responsible for 100% of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks on college campuses since 2011. One issue? A lack of communication from pediatricians and family physicians. A recent study found that 49% of pediatricians and 69% of family physicians did not discuss the MenB vaccine during routine visits for 16-18-year-olds. That’s one reason why research shows that nearly 80% of parents did not know about the MenB vaccine, and why more than 78.2% of 17-year-olds have not received at least one dose of the Meningitis B vaccine. As kids head back to school, it’s important that parents take the time to check what vaccinations their teens and young adults have received and proactively talk to their healthcare provider about what other vaccines they need – including both the MenACWY and MenB meningitis vaccines. For more information visit: https://meningitisbactionproject.org/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 02, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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President Zelensky of Ukraine pays tribute to the Babyn Yar massacre victims at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center

Today President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine honored the victims of the Babyn Yar massacre of World War II during his visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. “Victims of the Holocaust were at least six million Jews. Among them - one and a half million, one in four from Ukraine," said President Zelensky and shared the story of his own family members who died in the Holocaust. "There were four brothers. Three of them, as well as their parents, wives, children, and all relatives, were shot by the German occupiers who invaded Ukraine. The fourth brother was at the front lines at the time. He went through World War II, contributed to the victory over Nazism and returned home four years later. Two years later he had a son, 31 years later - a grandson, and 40 years later his grandson became president of Ukraine. Now he is in front of you," the head of state said. President Zelensky visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum alongside prominent leaders of major Jewish organizations in the United States. "Over two days on 29-30 of September 1941, the Nazis killed nearly 34,000 people in Babyn Yar. Over the next two years, according to various estimates, up to 200,000 people. It is our undisputed duty to honor their memory. Unfortunately, for a long time, this was not obvious. In Soviet times, a sports complex and shooting range were built there. And since 1991, Babyn Yar has become not a place of memory, but a place of oblivion. We have been actively changing this for the last two years. At the end of 2020, I signed the Decree "On measures for the further development of the National Historical and Memorial Reserve 'Babyn Yar.'" This memorial complex is a cure for historical complexes." "Conceptually new objects have already been created there, which tell the story of the tragedy in the modern language of modern technologies for modern generations,” shared President Zelensky. Babyn Yar has become a powerful symbol of the 'Holocaust by Bullets,' the estimated 2.5 million Jews who were murdered near their homes in similar Nazi mass shootings across Eastern Europe, 1.5 million of them in Ukraine alone. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre. Human rights activist Natan Sharansky, Chair of the supervisory board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, stated, “ Now is the time to right the historic wrong of Babyn Yar, for the sake of Ukraine, the Jewish communities and the world. The untold stories of these victims must be shared, and this year we will honor their memories to ensure history is not repeated.” Commemorations will culminate in a formal event including global leaders on Oct. 6, 2021, at the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. About the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center is a non-governmental charity whose purpose is to preserve and cultivate the memory of the Holocaust and the Babyn Yar tragedy in Ukraine by turning the Babyn Yar area into a place of remembrance. The Foundation's mission is to worthily honor the memory of the victims of the tragedy and to contribute to the humanization of society through preserving and studying the history of the Holocaust. Contact Details Priya Ramanathan +1 312-368-7537 pramanathan@apcoworldwide.com Company Website https://babynyar.org/en

September 01, 2021 04:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pet Insurance and the Pandemic

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/9KdDYhsia2A Amid the pandemic last year, more than 2 million dogs and cats were adopted from shelters. Now, as employees across the U.S. anticipate a potential return to in-person work, pet parents have some concerns about how the transition may impact both their animals’ and their own well-being. In fact, MetLife’s new Pet Parent Pulse Survey found that three in four (74 percent) working pet parents are considering how pet care during this time may impact their finances, while nearly all (95 percent) anticipate that a possible transition back to the office will cause a change in their pet’s health or routine. If you are a working pet parent, what do you need to know and prepare for during this time? “It may be as simple as making some changes at home, like introducing a crate or a gate to keep your pet safe and healthy. Alternatively, maybe pet care or ‘doggy daycare’ services make sense for you,” said Katie Blakeley, vice president and head of pet insurance, MetLife. “Many pet parents are also leaning on their employers to help them navigate the return to office and how it may effect their furry family members. For example, introducing pet health insurance into a voluntary benefit plan is becoming a popular option for many working pet parents.” For more information visit: metlife.com/insurance/pet-insurance About MetLife: MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com. YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 01, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Finalists Announced for 21st Annual March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards

March of Dimes

March of Dimes has announced the finalists for its 21 st Annual Heroines of Washington Awards. The Heroines of Washington Awards, presented by Peraton, recognize and honor professional women in the D.C. Metro area for their dedication to community service. The March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards gala will take place in person on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 6:00–9:00 pm at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. This year’s finalists represent a diverse group of women who continued their commitments to volunteerism in addition to their successful careers during a year with tremendous challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The women nominated and awarded come from a variety of industries including healthcare, real estate, the public sector, and more. 2021 Heroines of Washington Finalists: Hilah Zia, Children’s National Hospital Lydia Russo, Lydia Real Estate Daniela Fiore, Carahsoft Stephanie Kinsey, Cognosante Sarah Kinling, The MITRE Corporation Sandy L. Chung, Health Connect IPA Beth Robertson, NFP Julia Fantacone, Altarum Carly Mitchell, Guidehouse Kerry-Ann Hamilton, KAH Consulting Group Shaza Andersen, Trustar Bank Debbi Jarvis, Howard University Nicole Monteforte, Booz Allen Hamilton Meredith Mark, PwC Liz Jones, Northampton School District Irma Becerra, Marymount University Selvi Clark, Booz Allen Hamilton Nancy Bossard, Long and Foster Lisa Benjamin, Newmark Knight Frank Chaise Schmidt, Cushman & Wakefield Kymber Lovett-Menkiti, Keller Williams Capital Properties Dr. May Kinnard-Brown, The MITRE Corporation Ashley Irwin, SolarWinds Judy Douglas, Peraton Michele Bolos, NT Concepts, Inc. “Every year I continue to be amazed by the professional women in the DMV who continue to go above and beyond to support our community,” said Jennifer Felix, ASRC Federal president and CEO. “In a year fraught with extremely difficult circumstances, volunteers were truly a shining light, and the March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Awards is one of the few opportunities for us to celebrate their incredible work.” This year’s awards mark a return to the Heroines of Washington's in-person gala. All finalists will be honored, and winners will be announced during the gala event on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. Along with the awards presentation at the gala, there will be a dinner and silent auction. Guests will include directors, CEOS and other high-level individuals and leaders from local organizations, businesses and government. Event sponsors include Peraton, ASRC Federal, M&T Bank, PwC, ManTech, KPMG, and Carahsoft. All funds raised by the Heroines of Washington Awards help support March of Dimes programs, research, community services, education and advocacy to advance research that supports the health of all moms and babies. Since 2001, March of Dimes has honored over 126 “Heroines” and raised more than $3.6 million to support the March of Dimes mission. For tickets or to learn more about the awards gala, please visit: marchofdimes.org/heroines. About March of Dimes March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Contact Details Emily Ergas (Sage Communications) +1 972-261-4306 eergas@aboutsage.com Bevan Bello (March of Dimes) +1 571-257-2300 bbello@marchofdimes.org Company Website http://www.marchofdimes.org/marylandmetrodc

September 01, 2021 09:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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