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McQueen Kalligan Insurance Services Joins AmeriLife & AIMCOR Group as First Affiliate Under New Joint Venture

AmeriLife

AIMCOR Consolidated LLC (“ICON”), a joint venture between AIMCOR Group, LLC (“AIMCOR”) and AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has acquired brokerage general agency McQueen Kalligan Insurance Services, Inc. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We’re very excited to officially join ICON and formalize our partnership with AmeriLife, which will help accelerate our goal of providing best-in-class insurance solutions to our brokers and their clients,” said Tim McQueen, president and CEO of McQueen Kalligan. “This new platform offers us a wide selection of product, technology, and back office support, and will allow us to grow the business while maintaining the service excellence our brokers and advisors have become accustomed to." Founded in 1982 with offices in California and Oregon, McQueen Kalligan started as a small Transamerica general agency and has since evolved into a multi-carrier brokerage general agency (BGA), offering its affiliated agents and advisors a diverse portfolio of life, long-term care, disability, and annuities products from top carriers. McQueen Kalligan is a founding member of AIMCOR Group, and now – under ICON and as an affiliate of AmeriLife – joins a best-in-class distribution network that will help it further its growth goals and expand its reach. With the closing of this deal, Tim McQueen also becomes a principal in ICON and will continue to oversee his affiliated office locations alongside his existing leadership team. In a joint statement, Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer of AmeriLife, and John C. Ziambras, president and CEO of AIMCOR Group, said: “The addition of McQueen Kalligan to ICON represents the start of a fresh, new approach to insurance distribution. We’re thrilled to welcome Tim and his team, and equally as excited to get to work together to help power the next era of the firm’s growth.” “We’re honored to announce McQueen Kalligan Insurance Services as ICON’s inaugural affiliate. Tim McQueen and his team truly epitomize our collective mission and fully embrace our long-term strategy and value proposition,” added Marc Verbos, president of ICON. “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Tim and his team for the past eight years, and I know the passion and commitment that they have for supporting their agents and advisors to better protect their clients’ financial futures.” ### About McQueen Kalligan McQueen Kalligan Insurance Services, Inc. is a brokerage general agency (BGA) offering several lines of individual insurance protection. The original agency began in Torrance, Calif., in 1982, and now has locations in San Diego, La Palma, and in Bend, Oregon. McQueen Kalligan’s team members are dedicated to top quality service and problem solving for the financial professionals they work with to provide solutions for business owners, families and estates. For more information, visit MKISInc.com. About ICON ICON (“AIMCOR Consolidated LLC”) is a joint venture between AIMCOR Group, LLC and AmeriLife Group, LLC. By combining the power of a premier national marketing organization (“NMO”) with capital resources, innovative technology, a multi-product platform and a robust suite of centralized shared services, ICON offers brokerage general agencies (BGAs) a different way to stay competitive and evolve their business. ICON helps its partners focus on long-term sustainability by helping reduce risk, gain access to capital, and empower their ability to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, all while supporting their producers so that they can better scale their business, protect their legacy, and enhance their service offerings. Contact Details AmeriLife Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com ICON Mike English +1 866-428-0180 mike.english@aimcorgroup.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com

November 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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RIPKEN BASEBALL WINS ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARDS IN MARYLAND AND FLORIDA

Ripken Baseball

Ripken Baseball®, the leader in youth sports events, announced it has been named 2022 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management. The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen and the Ripken Select Tournament at Publix Sports Park in Panama City Beach, Fla., received the honor from the leading publication in sports tourism. The Ripken Experience ® Aberdeen is where it all started for Ripken Baseball nearly 20 years ago. Following the addition of two new state-of-the-art MLB replica fields in April, the 2022 baseball season in Aberdeen was the biggest in the complex’s history. Ripken Baseball brought over $47 million in economic impact to Maryland’s Harford County during their 2022 season. In partnership with Visit Harford, The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen provided a Big-League experience for over 20,000 participants and welcomed more than 90,000 visitors through 38 tournaments. As part of its continuous growth in youth sports, Ripken Baseball took its Ripken Select Tournaments to Panama City Beach, Fla., from June 5-10, 2022. In partnership with Visit Panama City Beach, Ripken Baseball provided a Big-League experience at the Publix Sports Park for 50 teams and more than 700 participants. The one-week economic impact totaled over $2.7 million. Based on the popularity of the first-time event, the tournament will return to Panama City Beach in June 2023. “This recognition is a credit to our incredible staff and local partners in Aberdeen and Panama City Beach,” said Mike Kenney, Executive Vice President of Ripken Baseball. “From our Ripken Select Tournaments to our Ripken Experiences nationwide, the 2022 season was record-breaking across all our properties. We are looking forward to building on this success in 2023.” Sports Destination Management recognized award winners in a special feature published in the November/December 2022 issue. The entire article with full details on the winners can be found HERE. About Ripken Baseball Ripken Baseball brings teammates, coaches, and families together through its Big-League Experiences, while teaching the values of the game, and how to play it the right way – the Ripken Way. Recently expanding the best experience in youth sports to satellite locations through Ripken Select Tournaments, Ripken Baseball continues to innovate the game through tournaments, camps, clinics, and spring training at their state-of-the-art baseball and softball facilities – The Ripken Experience® Aberdeen (Maryland), The Ripken Experience® Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), The Ripken Experience® Pigeon Forge (Tennessee), and The Ripken Experience® Elizabethtown (Kentucky). About Sports Destination Management Sports Destination Management is written for the largest audience of sports event managers and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and maintains a focus on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management. With content from experts and thought leaders, SDM provides in-depth coverage of sports event planning and execution through incisive and relevant articles as well as insightful, real-world case studies showcasing best practices and successful event production. In addition to the publication, SDM offers extensive digital resources through www.sportsdestinations.com and the e-newsletter SDM Blitz, both providing decision support tools for organizers to ensure successful events at all levels of play. About Due North Media A market leader for more than two decades, Due North Media, a division of Due North Consulting, Inc., is a niche business-to-business publisher providing media services to executives within specialized vertical markets impacting economic development including corporate site selection, business development, market-to-market events and sports tourism via publications, digital media, qualified list marketing and custom publishing. Founded in 2001, Due North Consulting, Inc. has helped niche marketers obtain their goals for a decade and a half. The principals of the company have over 40 years of business-to-business advertising and marketing experience. It has been their mission to serve readers, clients and employees with integrity, humility and a continuing quest for the achievement of excellence. Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://ripkenbaseball.com/

November 10, 2022 08:37 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The NIH Has Given BioRestorative Therapies A Stamp Of Approval

BioRestorative Therapies, Inc.

BioRestorative Therapies Inc. (NASDAQ: BRTX) is working on products that may be solutions to conditions that affect millions of Americans with lower back pain and diabetes. BioRestorative’s novel drug BRTX-100, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enter Phase 2 clinical trials, targets damaged and degenerating discs. The Company is well into its trial, a 99-patient prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study, the gold standard of its kind. BRTX-100 is an autologous stem cell product that uses the patient’s own stem cells, which are harvested, cultured, combined with their own autologous platelet lysate and then injected directly into the affected disc to initiate the healing and repair process. Previous human investigator-initiated studies using a similar product to BRTX-100 (but arguably less potent) have shown a reduction in pain and increase in function in excess of the stated primary endpoints in BioRestorative’s phase 2 protocol. This fascinating opportunity presents a study that is highly suggestive of the potential outcomes for which they are currently processing. In addition, the treatment is anticipated to be safer, cheaper and more effective with a single treatment. BioRestorative’s other product — ThermoStem — has highly promising results in the treatment of obesity and related diseases. Obesity affects over 40% of Americans, and BioRestorative is developing a novel stem-cell population — brown adipose tissue — that shows signs of regulating metabolic activity and reducing excess fat. BioRestorative Therapies Has Joined The Leagues Of 23andMe, Qualcomm and Naviscan In September 2021, BioRestorative was awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) phase I grant for $256,000. The project seeks to evaluate the therapeutic effects on the company’s hypoxic cultured bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BRTX-100) after encapsulation with a PEG-peptide hydrogel. The work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Lori Setton, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. SBIR is a federal program coordinated by the Small Business Administration that funds research and development. STTR is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) sister program. The programs are one of the largest sources of funding for early-stage companies. Big-name companies like 23andMe Holding Co. (NASDAQ: ME), Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Naviscan Inc. were awarded SBIR and STTR funding, which helped them become the companies they are today. SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive programs that foster and encourage small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for product commercialization. Through this highly competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. SBIR and STTR are like gold mines for smaller companies. Borrowing from a bank is often difficult for new, innovative businesses because they lack collateral and revenue to help secure loans. While venture capital often fills the gap, it’s not always available and companies can lose autonomy if a venture capital firm wants to have a heavier hand in decisions. With the SBIR and STTR programs, funding is stable and predictable as it is an award, not a loan. Small businesses retain intellectual property rights. Additionally, the National Institute of Health (NIH), which oversees the programs, provides recognition, validation and visibility to early-stage companies that they might not otherwise have with either a loan from a bank or venture capital. Receiving an SBIR and STTR award can also help attract more funding because of the prestige associated with the programs. SBIR and STTR programs have supported the development of 99 drugs from 1996-2020. Of these drugs, 16% of all treatments made a “significant” advance over available medicines. Companies that receive SBIR and STTR awards are put on the map and can credibly say they were backed by the NIH. With the recent grants BioRestorative Therapies has received, the NIH has given the company a stamp of approval. To learn more about BioRestorative Therapies, visit its website. BioRestorative Therapies was founded by scientists and researchers committed to developing stem cell therapies to address unmet needs in patients with highly prevalent conditions.Our advances in stem cell biology and delivery protocols harbor great promise in conditioning our bodies’ own regenerative potential to treat major diseases more effectively than current interventions.Today, BioRestorative is actively developing programs that aim to dramatically increase quality of care for both (i) chronic back pain caused by disc degeneration, as well as (ii) metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Investor Relations ir@biorestorative.com Company Website https://www.biorestorative.com/

November 10, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Airly secures new $5.5M funding round to fight air pollution and save lives

Airly

Air pollution is the most-pressing environmental health crisis of our time with approximately nine in 10 people around the world breathing unclean air. Helping to spotlight this existential threat, cleantech startup Airly is today announcing a $5.5M series A funding round as it targets cleaning the air by understanding the exact sources based on sensor data and comprehensive actionable insights. The funding round was led by firstminute capital and Pi Labs with participation from existing investors including. Sir Richard Branson Family Office, AENU, Untitled and new investors including Slack co-founder Cal Henderson, Snowflake co-founder Marcin Zukowski as well as institutional investors Semapa Next and TO Ventures. With this funding round, Airly has raised $8.8M from investors since March 2021, as it now scales to realize the potential of its complete air quality monitoring platform and supporting local governments determined to fight for clean air with an end-to-end solution. The Airly platform provides solutions for air quality monitoring to local governments, companies and local communities in over 40 countries. They use sensors to observe data and now Airly will be able to provide a complete dashboard enabling users to go one step further. They will be able to monitor the data and obtain actionable insights that will translate into effective actions to improve air quality and understand their impact on health and well-being. The dashboard will offer multiple features including a report generator, insights, impact tracker and the city ranking. Wiktor Warchałowski, CEO and co-founder of Airly commented: “With the funding round we are going deeper with our users. Monitoring with our sensors has helped bring the issue to the surface and now with our dashboard offering actionable insights and nudges, we believe this will be the catalyst that helps move measures and policies into place to repair the air we breathe.” Recently, Airly launched the largest air quality monitoring network in a European city by installing 165 sensors in Warsaw. Similarly large networks have also been launched in the UK (Birmingham and the London boroughs of Lambeth, Haringey and soon Southwark) and Indonesia (Jakarta). Airly has also strategic partnerships with the likes of JCDecaux, NHS, NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research) and is a key partner in the European Union’s Horizon 2020 funded DivAirCity project. Airly impact studies have proven that cities with a dense network of air quality sensors are achieving faster reduction in air pollution. Since 2019, four cities from the C40 group (a global network of cities taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis) with dense monitoring networks (Jakarta, Lisbon, London and Warsaw) have improved their overall air quality by 16% (compared to 5% improvement made by cities without dense networks). “ Trailblazers in London are showing how real-time local air quality data is the catalyst for taking action to make our urban spaces healthier and more sustainable. I expect many cities and local authorities to follow their leadership, starting with more precise and local data. Airly is at the forefront of building this data infrastructure and our fight against air pollution, and we’re very proud to continue our support by co-leading their Series A” - says Brent Hoberman, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Founders Forum and firstminute capital. More than 10 million people die each year from air pollution. Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke, dementia, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, with children particularly vulnerable. Last year, the World Health Organization tightened up on safe levels of air pollutants. Airly is the first platform worldwide to include the new index in its analytical tools and free-to-use community tools (incl. mobile app and web application). Stefania Ponzo, Partner at Pi Labs, commented: “ The ways in which towns and cities contribute to our health and wellbeing will shape how we live for years to come – and air quality plays a huge part in that. We believe Airly’s solution will become an essential tool in cities around the world, helping to improve liveability standards, reduce emissions, and ultimately, getting us closer to sustainability and wellness goals. We are excited at the prospect of partnering with a team that can truly go global with its impact.” About Airly Airly offers a comprehensive SaaS solution for air quality monitoring and control. It is possible by a proprietary low-cost distributed sensor network delivering hyper-local real-time air quality data. Airly provides governments, enterprises and communities decision-ready data on air quality. Airly enables organisations to monitor air quality, analyse trends and sources, develop targeted initiatives to combat pollution, and track improvements. Thanks to that, they’re supporting organisations in their journey to eliminate pollution, improve air quality and protect public health. Airly recently won a number of landmark public tenders such as London’s Borough Lambeth, Birmingham and one of Europe’s largest contracts with the City of Warsaw. Airly can build on a significant and ever growing customer base comprising over 600 local authorities. The company also cooperates with global brands such as JC Decaux, Bolt, E-on, Philips, Skanska and Veolia. For more information visit www.airly.org Contact Details Airly Marcin Gnat +48 507 416 727 m.gnat@airly.org Company Website https://airly.org/en/

November 10, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Travis Kelce Launches Health and Wellness Endowment as Gift to UC Student-Athletes

Full Scope PR

Kansas City Chief and former Cincinnati Bearcat, Travis Kelce has announced that his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation will make a substantial contribution to the university’s athletic department of sports psychology and counseling aiding all 450 student-athletes. Kelce’s endowment to his alma mater’s health and wellness division will directly impact the university’s athletic bureau and further expand the staff and personnel of the Director of Sports Psychology, Lenecia Nickell. The grant ensures that all student-athletes of the university will have permanent access to facilities that provide care and services needed to be mentally and physically strong, confident, and resilient. Kelce is a dedicated philanthropist who is passionate about helping the lives of youth who are facing adversity. He founded Eighty-Seven & Running in 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization aims to help underserved youth strive to become produ3ctive citizens by creating motivating mentor programs that aid in exploring and developing their abilities while learning critical life skills. “During my time at UC I developed a solid infrastructure of people around to help me navigate through daily life as a student-athlete. The transition from high school to college was a difficult one; it was an emotional rollercoaster at times dealing with my academic responsibilities and holding my own on the field. There was little to no room for error in the classroom and on the field. Being able to have that support system in place is part of the reason why I decided to start this Endowment and give back to my alma mater and its athletic department. I’m at a place in my career where I’m able to share my experiences and lend resources to provide the university’s student-athletes with the assistance they need to become the best versions of themselves they can be” says Travis Kelce, Tight End of the Kansas City Chiefs and Former Cincinnati Bearcat. “Nurturing mental and physical health is crucial in developing successful futures for student athletes. The University has constructed an incredible foundation to aid the physical needs of student-athletes, which is just as important as supporting their mental health as both are vital in optimizing wellbeing and excellence with performance in the classroom, on the field, and their life beyond sports.” Says André Eanes, Travis’ business Manager, and former Cincinnati Bearcat. “We are honored to have Travis Kelce launch this transformational endowment for our studentathletes,” UC Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. “This is a really special gift from Travis because it comes from a former student-athlete for current and future student-athletes, but also because it will impact student-athletes for years to come. “Travis is a tremendous ambassador for the University of Cincinnati, and we are grateful for his continued support for our athletes and our athletic department. Mental health is a crucial component of college athletics. Travis’ gift will ensure that Cincinnati remains on the forefront of support for all UC athletes.” UC Foundation President Peter Landgren said. Those interested in donating to the Eighty-Seven & Running Endowment can learn more here. https://87running.org/donate-2/ About Eighty-Seven & Running Eighty-Seven & Running helps underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills. Founded in 2015, we have remained dedicated to providing resources and enrichment opportunities for youth and their communities through fundraising, athletic programs, mentoring, and outreach initiatives. Our mission is to empower disadvantaged youth to achieve success by providing resources and support to their communities and cultivating their talent in the areas of education, business, athletics, STEM, and the arts. We seek to change the outcomes of underserved youth in communities across the U.S. by creating access to opportunities, enrichment, and advancement. Contact Details Pia Malihi pia@fullscopepr.com

November 10, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Tim Hortons guests can now pay faster with the new Scan & Pay feature in the Tims app – pay, earn and redeem Tims Reward points with just one scan

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons guests across Canada and the United States can now pay for their orders faster when using the new Scan & Pay feature in the Tims app, which allows Tims Rewards members to pay for orders, earn points and redeem rewards with a single scan. “Tims restaurant owners and their team members pride themselves on delivering an exceptional guest experience – and that includes quick and friendly service day in and day out,” said Markus Sturm, Senior Vice President of Consumer Goods, Digital and Loyalty at Tim Hortons. “We’re making that experience quicker with the speed and convenience of Scan & Pay, which can make their trips to Tims even better.” To use Scan & Pay, Tims Rewards members simply need to link a credit card or Tim Card® in the Tim Hortons app (by tapping the Scan tab and adding a payment method) and then turn on the Scan & Pay button. It takes just a single scan for guests to pay for orders with their pre-selected payment method, earn points and redeem rewards. Multiple payment methods can be securely stored in the app and it’s easy for guests to toggle between their payment methods. All transactions made using Scan & Pay are secure and encrypted. “If you imagine the time it takes to scan for Tims Rewards, then pull out your wallet, find your preferred card to pay with or the right amount of cash for your order – and potentially get change back – that’s all time that you’re saving with Scan & Pay. And when other guests are using Scan & Pay too it can make everyone’s experience at Tims so much faster,” said Sturm. To encourage guests to try Scan & Pay, Tim Hortons is offering bonus point incentives over the next few months. Check the Tims App for local offers and offer terms and conditions. For more information visit www.timhortons.com or follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @TimHortonsUS and Facebook at www.facebook.com/timhortonsus. About Tim Hortons® Tim Hortons® is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of guest tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, teas and our famous Iced Capp® beverages), fresh baked goods, hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast snacking items, and other food products. Tim Hortons has more than 4,800 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and around the world. More information about the company is available at www.timhortons.com. Contact Details Alison Brod Marketing + Communications Adrianna Lauricella +1 212-230-1800 tims@abmc-us.com Company Website https://www.timhortons.com/

November 10, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The Culinary Institute of America Announces New Trustees

The Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) named two new trustees—both of whom are CIA alumni—to its board during its October annual meeting. Maneet Chauhan is a celebrated award-winning chef, author, television personality, and a founding partner and the president of Morph Hospitality Group in Nashville, TN. Originally born in Punjab, India, Chauhan, after working in some of India’s finest hotels, relocated to U.S. to study at the CIA and has since been an active supporter of the CIA. She has been lauded for her work as an executive chef in New York, Chicago, and Nashville where she is currently based. She is also co-founder of Hop Springs, the largest craft brewery in Tennessee. Among her many accolades, she received the 2012 James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award for her work as a judge on Food Network’s “Chopped.” She has also been repeatedly honored for her role as a leader within the Nashville community and has been named one of the Nashville Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” and as one of Nashville Lifestyles’ “Women in Business.” Chauhan is dedicated to supporting others in the restaurant industry founding Hospitality Strong in March of 2020 to support hospitality workers struggling through COVID-19 and is an advisory board member for Nashville’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Also a gifted competitor in the kitchen, Chauhan won Guy Fieri's “Tournament of Champions II,” and was given the opportunity to donate the $40,000 winnings to aid different restaurants that needed support during the pandemic. Most recently, Chauhan was honored at the CIA’s 2022 Leadership Awards as one of the “Champions of Global Cuisine.” Bridget McCall is a culinary innovator and strategist and a founding member and the CEO of The Seasoned Carte, a direct to consumer food business and subsidiary of Mitsui USA. She has spent her career fostering growth and innovation within the culinary industry from a variety of positions as an executive, director of sales and marketing, and business development manager. McCall delivered the school’s 2019 commencement address, advising the graduates to “Believe in yourselves,” because, “This is an industry where you can do anything you want to do. But it comes (from) inside, and it comes from you.” McCall also serves on the college’s Advancement Committee, which helps enrich the college community. McCall also earned a BS in Business and Communications from St. John’s University and attended continuing education classes at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. She previously served as a Board Member of Women Chefs and Restauranteurs and on the Executive Board of the American Culinary Federation Long Island Chapter. Her recognitions include the ACF Northeast Presidential Medallion, The President’s Award from Lackmann Culinary Services, and Top Sales Achiever at Reichenbach & Associates. “It is an honor to welcome back two such distinguished alumni to our Board of Trustees,” said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “Maneet’s and Bridget’s work since graduating the CIA represents the best of us. Both not only have been personally successful but also have sought to share their gifts with the culinary community, including our students. Joining the board will be an extension of that work and will help steer the college into the future.” The CIA’s Board of Trustees consists of 22 highly respected leaders in the foodservice industry and business world. They provide expert governance and guidance for the not-for-profit college and are not compensated for their services. About The Culinary Institute of America Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu. Contact Details Amanda Secor +1 845-451-1457 amanda.secor@culinary.edu Company Website http://www.ciachef.edu/

November 09, 2022 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pros and Cons of Custom Jewelry

Benzinga

Most industries change over time, and the jewelry industry is no exception. In the past, people would walk into a jewelry store and select a piece for themselves or as a gift. But today’s consumers are asking to be a part of the design process by commissioning jewelers to create custom jewelry. There's all sorts of options from custom earrings, custom bracelets, custom pendants, and many more. So what are the pros and cons of custom-made jewelry? Take a look at this exciting trend so you can decide whether it’s right for you. What is Custom Jewelry? Custom jewelry is specifically designed for someone. Custom pieces are one-of-a-kind and are tailored to fit the style and needs of the wearer. For instance, someone may decide they love their great-grandmother’s engagement ring diamond, but they don’t like the ring's design. They can take the diamond and use it to create a custom-designed engagement ring for themselves. Also, a vital piece of advice: remember to protect it! How Long Does Custom Jewelry Last? Every piece of custom jewelry is different so there is no one answer to how long it will last. For instance, if your custom jewelry is gold-filled, it will typically last 30 years or longer. But if you use a lesser-quality material, your jewelry won’t last as long. Proper care for your custom piece is essential when it comes to how long it will last. Speak to the jeweler when creating your piece to determine the best way to care for it. Should You Get Jewelry Insurance on Custom Pieces? Any time you purchase a fine piece of jewelry, especially one that you designed yourself and can’t replace, you should insure it with jewelry insurance. This type of insurance will ensure that if something happens to your custom piece, the insurance company will reimburse you for your loss. Once your piece is designed, be sure to contact a jewelry insurance company, get a quote, and make sure you’re covered in case of a loss or theft. Advantages of Custom-Designed Jewelry As you can imagine, there are several advantages to creating your own jewelry design. Here are a few to consider. You’re Involved in the Entire Creation Process When you build a house, you want to be involved in every aspect of the process. You want to ensure that the floors, windows and colors are all to your liking. It should be no different with your jewelry. When you design your custom piece, you will be involved in the process as you work with the jewelry designers to create your dream piece. This will give you the opportunity to make sure that, once the piece is completed, you love every detail of it. Opportunity to Add Personalized Sentimentality Jewelry should be personal, and when you have the chance to customize it, it will mean more to you. You can add sentimentality to your custom jewelry by tucking special engravings on the inner circle of wedding bands or the back of a custom watch, by using a stone from another piece of jewelry or by adding other materials or colorful stones to your jewelry. Create One-of-a-Kind Pieces If you love the idea of wearing a piece of custom jewelry that no one else has, custom jewelry might be the ideal thing for you. When you design your own jewelry, you will never see your bracelet on another woman’s wrist. And because the piece is custom, it will likely attract the admiration and comments of a lot of people who see you wearing it. Disadvantages of Custom-Designed Jewelry Along with all of the advantages, there are some disadvantages of custom jewelry. Higher Price Points Because the jewelry you are designing is custom, you can expect to pay a higher price than you would if you choose a ready-made piece off the shelf. But if you want a one-of-a-kind custom piece, the higher price tag is likely worth it. Without Proper Collaboration, Mistakes May Happen When you are working with a jeweler to design a custom piece, it’s important that you closely collaborate with them. If you don’t, it’s possible that the jeweler will misunderstand your wants and create a piece that misses the mark. Longer Process from Start to Finish If you want a special piece of fine jewelry to wear for an event the upcoming weekend, custom jewelry is not the right choice. When designing a custom piece, you must have patience because the process is deliberate and thoughtful. Timing may vary depending on the complexity of a piece. For example, simple diamond pendants take less time to design than a more intricate piece like a graduated tennis necklace. Before you begin the design process, speak to the jeweler and get a time estimate for the process — and then make sure you are willing to commit to it. Create a Stunning Piece of Jewelry That Sets You Apart Wearing jewelry is a great way to enhance an outfit and express your style, but sometimes, you want a piece that no one has or has ever seen. That’s where custom jewelry comes in. If you decide you want to create your one-of-a-kind piece, speak to a jewelry insurer to protect it. After all, it would be a shame to create a beautiful custom piece only to lose it and have no way to recoup your investment. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 08, 2022 01:20 PM Eastern Standard Time

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AmeriLife To Acquire TruChoice Financial Group from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire TruChoice Financial Group (“TruChoice”) and its affiliate Inforce Solutions, LLC (“Inforce”), from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (“Allianz Life”). Headquartered in Minneapolis, TruChoice is one of the largest field marketing organizations (FMO) in the financial services industry. The company partners with life and annuities agencies to provide them with best-in-class marketing, business support and financial solutions in an ever-changing industry. Inforce, an affiliate of TruChoice, is a national brokerage general agency (BGA) focused in the life insurance market. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The addition of TruChoice provides significant opportunity for AmeriLife to expand its annuities production, as well as increase its reach in the fast-growing life insurance market and forge a closer relationship with Allianz Life. “Today’s announcement brings together two incredible companies that not only share similar values, but also a deep, unwavering commitment to empowering agents and advisors to help their clients live more financially secure lives,” said Scott R. Perry, chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. “We’re excited to welcome Brian Peterson and the talented teams at TruChoice and Inforce to the AmeriLife family and its best-in-class distribution.” Under the AmeriLife umbrella, TruChoice and Inforce will gain access to a wealth of industry-leading resources, new products, and solutions to expand opportunities for their more than 4,000 financial professionals. Like AmeriLife, TruChoice will continue to maintain its strong relationship with Allianz Life as a non-affiliated FMO as the latter moves to consolidate its focus around its core business of creating innovative products that help clients manage their risk in retirement. “This is a great move for TruChoice that puts us on a path to significant growth going forward,” said Brian Peterson, president and CEO of TruChoice Financial Group and Inforce. “I couldn’t be more excited for our employees and the financial professionals we serve. I’m convinced AmeriLife is the perfect new partner to help us drive this exciting expansion.” “This sale supports Allianz Life’s ability to further focus on our core strengths of providing our independent distribution partners with innovative risk management and retirement solutions for their clients,” said Jasmine Jirele, president and CEO of Allianz Life. “I am also excited that this move will allow TruChoice to accelerate its growth as an independent distributor. We look forward to continuing to partner with TruChoice and expanding our relationship with the AmeriLife group of companies.” Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to TruChoice Financial Group and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in connection with the transaction, which is expected to close on November 30, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. ### About TruChoice Financial Group TruChoice is a dynamic sales and marketing organization and one of the largest distributors of financial services products in the insurance industry, functioning as a foundation for the success of the independent financial professionals they serve. For additional information, visit TruChoiceFinancial.com, and follow TruChoice on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2021, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.6 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, registered index-linked annuities and fixed index universal life insurance, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with approximately 150,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details AmeriLife | Media Relations Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com AmeriLife | Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com TruChoice Financial Group Chris Cowan +1 678-718-1951 mediarelations@truchoicefinancial.com Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Brett Weinberg +1 763-765-7160 brett.weinberg@allianzlife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

November 07, 2022 03:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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