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Deck the Doorstep with DoorDash’s 12 Days of Deals

YourUpdateTV

The holidays are here and whether you are shopping for loved ones, traveling, or planning to host a holiday celebration, there is plenty for us to be thinking about over the next few weeks. Recently, Lifestyle Expert Carmen Ordoñez teamed with DoorDash on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss gifts, hosting, and staying on budget. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/-q_mouSQ7JA This year, Deck the Doorstep with DoorDash’s amazing offers through their 12 Days of Deals from December 1st - 12th. Their Holiday Hub is a one-stop shop for everything you will need the next few weeks. While most people think of food delivery when they hear DoorDash, it’s also an excellent resource for gifts, with exclusive offers from local businesses and national favorites. The best part? You can have gifts delivered to you or a loved one’s doorstep in under an hour on average. For mom this year, pamper her with hand creams and bath products. You can save 50% on other beauty gifts when you order from Harmon Face Values® and LUSH on DoorDash. For dad, you can save 50% on orders from DICK’s Sporting Goods, so it’s the perfect time to pick up some new fitness gear, golf balls, or accessories. Hosting a holiday celebration can be stressful. Between grocery shopping, cooking, and entertaining guests, it can be easy to lose track of what is most important this time of year – quality time with family and friends. So, before you host a holiday party, make sure to put in a DoorDash order to handle some of the basics that you know you will need. They have huge savings on things like groceries, alcohol, convenience items, and if you’re in a pinch, even meals themselves. Haven’t even gotten around to decorating yet? You can also get your tree and other holiday decor from Big Lots or Bed Bath & Beyond®, with 50% off orders on DoorDash. See some deals from top retailers on DoorDash below: Enjoy 50% off top retailers this holiday season and get up to $50 off if you’re a DashPass member, $40 for all other DoorDash users, plus $0 delivery and service fees! ● Big Lots: 50% off orders ● buybuyBABY®: 50% off ● Bed Bath & Beyond®: 50% off ● DICK’S Sporting Goods: 50% off orders ● Flowers: 50% off orders ● Harmon Face Values®: 50% off ● LUSH: 50% off your order ● PetSmart: 50% off A DashPass membership is the gift that keeps on giving and can provide year-round savings. If you purchase an annual plan for $59 during DoorDash’s 12 Days of Deals, you and your loved ones can save an average of $5 on every eligible order. For more information, check out https://www.doordash.com/DeckTheDoorstep or download the DoorDash app. About Carmen Ordoñez Carmen Ordoñez is a TV Host, on-air lifestyle expert and founder of Viva Fashion and AndyO Organics. She's been featured in numerous media outlets including The New York Times, The Today Show, People Magazine and CNN to name a few. In 2015, she lost her 34 year-old to Stage 4 stomach cancer leaving her a widow at the age of 31 with a 2 year-old son. Today her goal is to empower other widows and widowers to live a life on purpose. Carmen is newly remarried and resides in Surfside, Florida along with her husband, son and baby girl. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 02, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Holiday Feast To Go from Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

500NewsWire

CHARLOTTE, N.C. December 1, 2022 ( 500NewsWire )– Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is making the holidays easy this year with its complete Holiday Feast available for pre-order through Saturday, Dec. 17. Meals will be scheduled for pick up on Friday, Dec. 23 or Saturday, Dec. 24. Firebirds will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25. The award-winning contemporary polished restaurant is offering a Prime Rib Holiday Feast at participating restaurants and while supplies last. The Holiday Feast is generously portioned and serves up to six people. “While Firebirds is closed on Christmas Day so our staff can enjoy the holiday, we have prepared a ToGo prime rib feast with sides, dessert and other selections that will make your holiday meal a memorable one,” said Chef Steve Sturm, senior vice president food and beverage at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Orders can be easily made at firebirdsrestaurants.com or taken over the phone. Firebirds makes curbside pick-up quick and convenient on Friday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill locations. Delivery is unavailable for this limited time offering. Additional specialty side items are available with the purchase of a Holiday Feast, and cooking instructions are included with each order. In addition, Firebirds is offering a holiday gift card promotion. For every $100 in gift cards purchased in-store or online, guests will receive $20 in “bonus cards.” For more information visit firebirdsrestaurants.com/gift-cards/. This special offer is available now through December 31 st and “bonus cards” are valid for redemption from January 1 – February 9, 2023. Firebirds’ Holiday Feast serves up to six people, priced at $199.95, and includes the following (while supplies last): Holiday Feast · Prime Rib with au jus & horseradish sauce · Parmesan Mashed Potatoes · Salad (choice of Mixed Greens, BLT or Caesar) · Asparagus with Roasted Garlic Thyme Butter · Bread and whipped Butter · Pineapple Brown Sugar Cake Add On Side Items (for an additional charge, with the purchase of a Holiday Feast) · Family Size Killer Mac and Cheese · Family Size Lobster Mac and Cheese · Chicken Tenders Tray · Pineapple Brown Sugar Cake · Baked French Toast with Fresh Berries About Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a polished casual American restaurant, is an energetic twist on the traditional grill featuring a boldly flavored menu in a stylish, fire-centric atmosphere. Signature menu items include hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood filleted in-house and seared over locally sourced hickory, oak, or pecan wood on Firebirds’ exposed wood-fired grill. Complementing its inviting dining room, a patio with seasonal comforts and the award-winning FIREBAR ® are additional gathering spaces inside the restaurant. Firebirds has been named one of ten ‘Breakout Brands’ by Nation’s Restaurant News, and the 2022 Diners’ Choice Winner awarded by OpenTable. Firebirds supports sustainability efforts and partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and surpassed $3 million raised for childhood cancer research through the sale of fresh-squeezed lemonade. To become a member of Firebirds Inner Circle, order ToGo online or to make a reservation visit firebirdsrestaurants.com. Contact: Lesley Gamwell 404-309-6915 lgamwell@rountreegroup.com Contact Details Dominic Jonas +1 618-328-3245 media@500newswire.com Company Website https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/

December 01, 2022 02:14 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Turn family moments into cherished memories

YourUpdateTV

This holiday season, whether you’re looking for gifts for your children, grandkids, friends or yourself, Nintendo Switch has gifts for all ages — and incredible games and experiences the entire family can enjoy. With Nintendo’s vast library of games, there is a game for everyone on the Nintendo Switch system. This includes fun multiplayer titles that the whole family can play together, in addition to incredible games and experiences you can only find on Nintendo Switch. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/wWekFk-Mcik With the Nintendo Switch family of systems, everyone has the choice of a system that best fits their needs and play styles. The Nintendo Switch system can be played on the TV, in Tabletop mode or taken on the go for portable play. The Nintendo Switch Lite system is a dedicated handheld gaming system great for those who love playing in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model system is similar in overall size to the Nintendo Switch system, but features a larger, vibrant 7-inch OLED screen with vivid colors and crisp contrast. Here are some of the Nintendo Switch games people are talking about this year: The Splatoon 3 game is the newest addition to the Splatoon series, where players splash vivid ink everywhere using colorful, over-the-top weapons. The battlegrounds include new and returning stages for heated multiplayer Turf War* battles, where two teams attempt to cover the most ground with their ink color in three-minutes. Players can also pick a side and battle it out in three-team Splatfests**, compete for rankings in thrilling Anarchy Battles or swim solo in the new single-player Story Mode, “Return of the Mammalians.” Gameplay is fun for both parents and kids, who can play together across multiple Nintendo Switch systems or online including co-op modes like Salmon Run*. Families can get moving together with the Nintendo Switch Sports game, as they team up to play Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton, and Chambara (swordplay) using Joy-Con controllers. Plus, in late November, Nintendo released a new update that adds Golf to the lineup. Controls are intuitive, so it’s easy to jump in and get started. With controlled motions you can curve your bowling ball, add spin to a tennis shot or even use a Joy-Con with the included Leg Strap accessory to kick the ball in Soccer. Family and friends can join in on the fun on the same system (additional accessories may be required; sold separately) or online**. In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet embark on a new, open-world Pokémon adventure through the rich and expansive Paldea region. Weave freely through three grand stories: Take on Gyms in Victory Road, battle Titan Pokémon in Path of Legends and challenge Team Star in Starfall Street. Ride a form-changing Legendary Pokémon to traverse the land, seas and skies of the Paldea Region. Parents that grew up with the original Pokémon games can now experience the game in a whole new way with the little trainers in their family. Plus, several Nintendo Switch games and DLC*** are sure to bring family fun this holiday, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Just Dance 2023 Edition, Sonic Frontiers in addition to a library of classic Nintendo 64 titles available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. For more information, visit https://www.nintendo.com/store/holiday-gifts/. *Additional games, systems and/or Nintendo Switch Online membership required for multiplayer mode. Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online. Games, systems and Nintendo Switch Online memberships sold separately. **Any Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online ***Full version of game required to use DLC for that game. Sold separately. About Lilliana Vasquez: Emmy-winning host and TV personality Lilliana Vazquez is a trailblazing interviewer, style expert, and producer. With roles in front of and behind the camera, she's built an inspiring career watched by millions across numerous platforms. At barely five feet tall, Vazquez brings a larger than life presence to everything she does - her upbeat personality and approachable style combined with her natural ability to connect with audiences have made her a household name. Most recently, Vazquez was the host of E! Entertainment's daily morning shows E! News and Pop of the Morning, the first and only Latina to hold the role in the show's 30 year history. Previously, Vazquez was a contributor on TODAY where she shared her experiences and expertise covering the latest in technology, business, travel, entertainment, and lifestyle. She currently contributes to select programs like CBS Mornings and Amazon Live, while focusing on her newest role as a founding partner at Curated Productions. For more exclusive content and access to Lilliana's world, be sure to check out The LV Guide. About Nintendo: Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has created franchises that have become household names worldwide, including Mario ™, Donkey Kong ™, The Legend of Zelda ™, Metroid ™, Pokémon ™, Animal Crossing ™, Pikmin ™ and Splatoon ™, through its integrated hardware and software products. Nintendo aims to deliver unique, intuitive entertainment experiences for everyone, manufacturing and marketing video game devices such as the Nintendo Switch ™ family of systems, developing and operating applications for smart devices, and collaborating with partners on a range of other entertainment initiatives like visual content and theme parks. Nintendo has sold more than 5.4 billion video games and over 800 million hardware units globally. From the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System ™ more than 30 years ago, through today and into the future, Nintendo’s continuing mission is to create unique entertainment that puts smiles on the faces of people all over the world. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nintendo.com/. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 01, 2022 01:10 PM Eastern Standard Time

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15 Best Secret Santa Apps: Gift Exchange Generator Tools For Memorable Christmas

Halvorson Media Group

Choosing The Best Secret Santa Organizer For A Truly Special Christmas Looking for ways to breathe life into the Christmas gift exchange? Try setting up the good old Secret Santa game. Whether you will be exchanging presents with your colleagues or in a close family circle, this lovely ritual will help to ensure everyone feels valued and included. And with our selection of the 15 best Secret Santa generator services, you can find a tool that will help to get things organized. So pick an app of your liking, invite your friends, and get prepared for a truly memorable Christmas! To save you time and effort, we have carefully scanned dozens of gift exchange generator services and apps available in the market today. Here are our top 3 recommendations. Our #1 recommendation is My Santa, a versatile Secret Santa app that has all the features necessary to organize an outstanding Christmas event. What Is Secret Santa and Why Do You Need An App for It? [ How To Do A Secret Santa ] Secret Santa is a simple and enjoyable game that allows saving some money and ensures each person in a group gets the present. So, here is how it works: A group of colleagues, roommates, friends, relatives, or whoever else, agrees to participate in the game. They write their names on a piece of paper and put them into a container. Each person draws a name from the container to find out who they shall prepare a gift for. The participants can set the basic rules such as the date, by which the presents must be ready, and the budget. They might provide wishlists or even agree upon a particular gift type such as digital only, gifts with meaning, or charitable donations. The game begins and everyone tries to find the best possible gift for the assigned person. By the due date, each participant must receive their secret present. Set Up Your Perfect Secret Santa Event with My Santa Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? But what if the participants want to play remotely? Or what if you need to send a digital present such as a subscription but do not know the email of the assigned person? A Secret Santa organizer service takes care of minor issues like this and ensures they do not spoil the whole fun. These services allow you to invite participants through social media, create a Secret Santa list with emails and phone numbers, add wishlists, and much more. Simply put, Secret Santa name randomizer services — at least, those from our top 15 selection — let you enjoy the best part of the gift exchange ritual without being distracted by organizational matters. 5 Features of the Best Online Secret Santa Generator But how, you may wonder, do we know the services on our list are the top ones? Well, here are the four criteria we have kept in mind while compiling this selection. Maybe, they’ll come in handy when you are choosing your best Secret Santa app. Price Setting up a gift exchange game is, among all else, about saving some money so the best Secret Santa generator should be free. Or, it might have paid plans but, in that case, it must have a free one, too. And the latter should offer a decent feature set so that you only pay if you want some exclusive pro perks. Feature set The best gift exchange generator is the one that helps you get things organized. With this in mind, we expect it to have a basic set of options such as setting up the due date and the budget as well as some advanced features such as wishlists and personalized gift recommendations. Access My Santa’s Free Advanced Features To Plan An Idea Event Interface What’s the use of advanced app features if you don’t understand how they work? The best Secret Santa app should, thus, have a simple user-friendly interface that feels intuitive and will appeal to different age groups. Visual design Christmas is probably the loveliest holiday in the year with a whole host of heart-warming symbols. In addition to being functional, the best online Secret Santa generator must have an eye-pleasing visual design for you to feel the magic vibe of Christmas time. 8 Awesome Secret Santa Organizer Services Worth Trying #1 My Santa — Best Secret Santa gift exchange generator overall💖 When it comes to functionality, My Santa is the absolute leader on our list. Besides the standard due date, budget, and name drawing, it has a whole set of advanced features including three modes of gift exchange: in-person, virtual, or mixed; real-time reports to track the progress of each present exchange; wishlists, where you upload links to particular items; personalized gift recommendations for each participant and hints where these gifts can be bought. The best part of it is that it only takes you a few seconds to set up an account and start the game. And if your group is 10 people or fewer, you can enjoy the service for free. For bigger companies, the price will vary between $9-$19, which is not expensive either. Add to this a charming winter-themed interface, user-friendly design, and prompt customer service, and you get a perfect organizer tool to make your Christmas unforgettable. Find Out More About My Santa’s Plans And Pro Features We especially love two currencies (euro and dollars) for budget settings; an opportunity to manage several games at a time; participants can be invited via Whatsapp and Facebook; secret chats to exchange messages; progress reports to keep an eye on how it is going; playful design and intuitive interface. We wish they made the service totally free; added the feature to prevent certain pairings. #2 Elfster — Best feature set for a free Secret Santa organizer ✨ Another great Secret Santa gift exchange generator on our list, Elfster is a beautifully designed platform that offers all features necessary for a successful gift exchange game. In addition to classic options such as spending limit, due date, and wishlists, Elfster allows setting up draw restrictions and the exchange type (by mail or at a party). Besides the great functionality, the platform is perfect for drawing inspiration. Elfster’s shop has all sorts of lovely gifts which you can buy as a present or add directly to your wishlist. Overall, Elfster offers the best feature set you can get from a Secret Santa gift exchange generator for free today. Best suited for those who seek maximum functionality free of charge #3 Pikkado — Best old-school Secret Santa name randomizer 🎉 Pikkado is a unique Secret Santa list generator that brings together fairly good functionality and a very simple, somewhat old-fashioned design. Thus, its group creation form looks like one of those you could see at the onset of the Internet era. In the meantime, when setting up an event, you, all of a sudden, discover the service has all the necessary features in place. It allows you to determine the budget, specify the due date, and set up all sorts of draw restrictions. In addition, Pikkado enables you to set up and manage several events at a time and write anonymous emails to participants. The latter is especially helpful if you need to find out important details about a person without disclosing yourself. All in all, it is a good free service that will appeal to people of different ages with its smart and simple design. Best suited for families and mixed-age groups #4 SecretSanta.com — Best variety of gift exchange games Powered by Elfster, the service provides all features and functions you might expect from the best Secret Santa generator: prevent same pairings, set pairing exclusion rules, assign several recipients to each participant, and much more. All features are free and easy to use. What makes the platform stand out from other Secret Santa apps on our list is that it offers different gift exchange formats. Besides the classic Kris Kringle game, you may likewise enjoy Yankee Swap and White Elephant. This should appeal to those who are not new to the gift exchange ritual and would love to add more fun and novelty to it. There is also a great blog with Christmas history, facts, and inspirational ideas. Best suited for those who want to recharge the classic gift exchange game #5 Sneaky Santa — Best source of inspiration and cool gift ideas Another beautifully-designed platform on our list, Sneaky Santa is the best gift exchange generator for those who seek good functionality coupled with inspirational ideas and recommendations. Adding wishlists, contacting one another via a chat, drawing names, and preventing certain pairings — all this and a lot more is available for free here. Whereas great functionality is what every best Secret Santa app on our list features, there is something that makes Sneaky Santa stand out. Thus, we particularly adore this site for its heart-warming blog with cool gift ideas such as 10 Gift Ideas for Homeowners or Gifts Under $25 For A Virtual Office Christmas Party. They are even present on Zazzle with cute Christmas souvenirs such as mugs and cards. Best suited for those who seek inspiration and great gift ideas #6 Secret Santa Organizer — Best for a simple design & lovely interface We choose this organizer because it has a good design, plenty of features, and is simply lovely. There is some unique charm about this platform that will make you choose it again and again. Setting up an event here is super simple and free. All you need to do is to fill in a simple form with the date, location, budget, participants, and their emails. You can also add a personal message to greet the participants. With all its simplicity, the organizer has as many as 12 interface languages available. It also has some advanced features such as excluding certain combinations, unlimited amount of participants allowed, and the opportunity to reuse your wishlist for new events. The service is, thus, a perfect fit for anyone who wants it simple, effective, and, meanwhile, atmospheric. Best suited for those who want a mixture of simplicity and effectiveness #7 Giftster — Best for shopping your family’s and friends’ wishlists This Secret Santa list organizer is, first and foremost, about ensuring your presents are meaningful and wanted rather than organizing the gift exchange as such. The service is primarily focused on the wishlist feature. Once you’ve started a group and added at least one participant there, you can start shopping for the person’s wishlist. Gifster will show you which items have been already bought so that there is no risk two people will buy the same present. The service is, thus, an ideal solution for those who want guarantees their presents will be appreciated. The interface is cute and the overall design is simple and intuitive. And because there are no due dates or budget limits, Gifster is a great way to make the process of shopping for gifts more enjoyable and stress-free. Best suited for choosing meaningful and wanted presents #8 My Wishlist — Best for cool wishlists for all occasions As the name implies, the service specializes in generating and sharing wishlists. You can add items from any webshop, create a wishlist for any occasion, and reserve items on your friend’s Secret Santa list, to ensure there will be no double gifts in your company. You can also use the platform as a simple Secret Santa name generator without email. You won’t find any advanced event setting features here but you can still use it to draw names and manage exclusions. The platform is very simple to use and free of charge. Best suited for sharing all sorts of wishlists More Downloadable Secret Santa Apps That Might Be of Help For those looking for downloadable Secret Santa apps that allow you to manage the gift exchange on the go, we have compiled a selection of seven great Secret Santa organizer tools. Check the table below to find your best Secret Santa generator! Contact Details Edward +1 929-491-3157 edward@halvorsonmediagroup.com Company Website https://halvorsonmediagroup.com/

December 01, 2022 12:47 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Sara Wingate Bako Honored by University of South Carolina College of HRSM with 2022 Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College Award

YourUpdateTV

Sara Wingate Bako earned her degree in retailing from the University of South Carolina in 2004. Today she serves as president of London Times, a division of Maggy London Group. Four University of South Carolina alumni have been recognized by the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management for their leadership and accomplishments in their field. The College of HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College Awards are presented annually and celebrate industry professionals, organizations and friends of the college who are making an impact on the industry or who are helping to advance the College of HRSM’s education excellence. Congratulations to Sara Wingate Bako, 2022 College of HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College award winner. Sara Wingate Bako earned her degree in retailing from the University of South Carolina in 2004. Today she serves as president of London Times, a division of Maggy London Group – a women’s designer apparel brand specializing in dresses. Throughout her distinguished career, Bako has remained engaged with her alma mater – providing mentorship and career development opportunities for students and serving on the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Retailing. Career Highlights Prior to joining Maggy London in 2022, Bako spearheaded the launch and oversaw management of three brands; Cupio, Cupio Blush, and Adyson Parker. Bako has held numerous executive positions with companies such as Takeout Inc., HMS Productions, and NYC Alliance. Her retailing career started in 2005 in the executive training program with Macy’s where she went on to become a buyer before moving to New York City to pursue wholesale and merchandising. She is a member of two exclusive leadership groups, Chief and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. HRSM Distinguished Friend of the College Award: Contemporary Services Corporation Established in 1967, Contemporary Services Corporation, CSC is the world leader in crowd management and event security. CSC’s esteemed clientele base includes more than 180 stadiums, arenas, and theaters, over 110 universities and scholastic institutions, nearly 50 convention centers, and numerous clients within the professional ranks of MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NASCAR. CSC has also provided services for the world’s most prestigious special events, including Collegiate Bowl Games, NCAA Final Four Tournaments, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Derby, 32 Super Bowls, 10 Olympic Games, 5 Presidential Inaugurations, 4 Papal Visits, and 2 FIFA World Cups. CSC operates 49 branch locations throughout the United States and Canada and has a long-standing partnership with the University of South Carolina. Numerous South Carolina graduates are currently working in various managerial positions with CSC. CSC provides South Carolina students with unique opportunities to gain event experience at the largest sporting events, including the Super Bowl, MLB All-Star Events, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Players Championship, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Derby and many more. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 01, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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HIBBETT BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAMED TOP 20 FINALIST FOR 2022 NACD DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION AWARDS

Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, Inc. announced today that their Board of Directors is one of four finalists in the category of public company small cap 2022 for the NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards. The awards recognize boards that have improved their governance and created long-term value for stakeholders by implementing forward-thinking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) practices. “We are honored and grateful to receive this recognition from NACD amongst such an impressive group of fellow finalists,” said Tony Crudele, Chairman of the Board, Hibbett, Inc. “Our team believes that leading with inclusiveness is critical at all levels to cultivate an authentic representation of our communities and to create a competitive advantage. In building the team, our approach is simple; hire the most qualified candidate that brings a unique skill set and perspective.” “Hibbett has worked to achieve great strides in creating an equitable boardroom,” said NACD president and CEO Peter Gleason. “NACD is proud to honor Hibbett for advancing DE&I in their boardroom and throughout their organization." Hibbett has strategically repositioned the company while prioritizing diversification of the Board. Since 2018, Hibbett, Inc. has undergone a significant transformation of its Management and Board of Directors composition. The company is currently represented by a Board of Directors with 80% who self-identify as diverse. Hibbett’s Board sets the tone for the inclusive culture of ​the company. Hibbett has taken important steps to integrate DE&I into many aspects of the company to positively impact both associates and customers including: Creation of Hibbett MVPs – Mission-Vision-Position Principles to celebrate individuality and self-expression Implementation of Human Capital Management System (HCM) to impact diversity of employees and leaders, increase employee engagement and prioritize pay equity Creation of “ Ignite ”-our employee resource group to empower emerging female leaders Recruiting at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Sole School® community giveback programs to support underserved schools and athletic programs Support Her Sole™ program to highlight successful women in sports and business and support millennial and Gen Z women Celebrating Heritage Months and Identity Recognitions Winners will be announced at the NACD DE&I Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Visit the NACD DE&I Awards site to learn more about the gala and sponsorship opportunities. For more information on NACD’s commitment to the advancement of DE&I at the board level, and for further insights, trends, and perspectives on this issue, please visit the NACD Center for Inclusive Governance™ and the NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resource Center. About Hibbett, Inc. Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1,117 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 36 states nationwide. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. About NACD The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the premier membership organization for board directors who want to expand their knowledge, grow their network, and maximize their potential. As the unmatched authority in corporate governance, NACD sets the standards of excellence through its research and community-driven director education, programming, and publications. Directors trust NACD to arm them with the relevant insights to make high-quality decisions on the most pressing and strategic issues facing their businesses today. NACD also prepares leaders to meet tomorrow’s biggest challenges. The NACD Directorship Certification® is the leading director credential in the United States. It sets a new standard for director education, positions directors to meet boardroom challenges, and includes an ongoing education requirement that prepares directors for what is next. With an ever-expanding community of more than 23,000 members and a nationwide chapter network, our impact is both local and global. NACD members are driven by a common purpose: to be trusted catalysts of economic opportunity and positive change—in business and in the communities we serve. To learn more about NACD, visit www.nacdonline.org. Contact Details Wendy Yellin pr@hibbett.com NACD Shannon Bernauer sbernauer@nacdonline.org Company Website https://www.Hibbett.com

December 01, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Crowdfunding 2.0 May Attract Larger, More Profitable Companies

ACFN Franchised Inc.

In April 2012, President Barack Obama signed the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups), also known as “the crowdfunding bill,” into law. The JOBS Act aimed to lessen regulatory burdens on small businesses and legalized equity crowdfunding, including removing the ban on a general solicitation that prevented entrepreneurs from publicizing that they were raising money. In practical terms, the JOBS act allowed businesses and investors to connect earlier in the development cycle enabling private investors to gain benefits previously reserved only for wealthy investors and Venture Capitalists (“VCs”). The initial bill imposed a maximum of $1,070,000 on the amount raised. Indiegogo and Kickstarter developed as two of the most popular crowdfunding platforms where entrepreneurs, startups and people with creative projects could raise capital to fund development. This appealed to a particular sector of business development but left out a lot of larger, more profitable quality businesses with larger capital needs. Crowdfunding 2.0 – building on the initial success of Crowdfunding and to expand the addressable market that can benefit from this relatively new method of raising capital, on November 2, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commissions (“SEC”) announced new rules for equity Crowdfunding. Those new rules went into effect on March 15th, 2021. Key Takeaways: Regulation Crowdfunding annual limits increased from ~$1 million to $5 million Some other improvements made it easier to raise via equity crowdfunding Crowdfunding Market to Grow by USD 196.36 Billion during 2021-2025 With these new rules in place, will equity crowdfunding finally live up to its promise of disrupting early-stage financing? With the higher limit of $5,000,000, some companies like ACFN Franchised Inc. (“ACFN”) took note and are taking action. Crowdfunding platform Republic is one of the largest and most successful SEC-approved platforms facilitating Crowdfunding offerings with more than $1 Billion raised. ACFN decided to conduct its Crowdfunding campaign on Republic “They seemed very organized and had a corporate approach to the process that was a good fit for ACFN,” said Jeffrey D. Kerr, Founder and CEO of ACFN. “They have a due diligence process that both limits and qualifies the offerings on their platform resulting in higher quality offerings for their community of investors,” said Mr. Kerr. With audited financials reflecting revenue of $12,225,000 and a net profit of $613,000 in 2021, ACFN is a larger, more profitable company compared to the typical company raising capital with Crowdfunding. “We had no interest in Crowdfunding when the limit was only $1,070,000. There are simpler and quicker ways to raise capital at that rate as we did when we raised $2.25 million to help fund acquisitions in 2018 and then again in 2020,” said Jeffrey D. Kerr, Founder and CEO of ACFN. “When the limit was increased to $5 million, that was a game changer for ACFN and other companies like us,” said Mr. Kerr, that expects other larger, more profitable companies to enter the space as platforms and other support systems and services continue to develop. Of the 102 live opportunities listed on Republic, as of November 21 st, 2022 ACFN is the largest company by annual revenue and the only company with annual revenue above $10 million with ACFN revenue in the most recent 12 months reaching $14.5 million. “We are Crowdfunding to raise capital for current and specific acquisitions opportunities that will grow revenue substantially and profits exponentially,” said Jeffrey D. Kerr Founder and CEO of ACFN. “Crowdfunding is a great way for good companies with real growth opportunities to connect with investors directly, creating the opportunity for greater returns,” said Mr. Kerr. Both Founders and Investors are embracing Crowdfunding and billions of dollars have already been raised through SEC approval and regulated portals. Crowdfunding is connecting investors and companies directly and earlier in the growth cycle, creating mutually beneficial opportunities. Learn more about ACFN and other Crowdfunding opportunities on Republic Founded in 1996 and franchised in 2003, ACFN Franchised Inc. (“ACFN”) provides services to 2,700+ businesses in 46 states in collaboration with our network of 220+ franchise owners.Since inception, ACFN has provided a cumulative $5,000,000,000 of spending power to support and increase sales for our partner businesses. In just the last 12 months a total of $367,566,000 was dispensed through our network, generating more than $14,500,000 in fee revenue for ACFN. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Jeffrey Kerr Investor-Relations@acfn-solutions.com Company Website https://acfn-solutions.com/

November 30, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CORRECTION: Expansion of Pipeline to Mental Health

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Nearly half of U.S. psychologists in a new survey say they cannot meet the growing demand for services and three-quarters say they have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. “This new survey confirms what we have already heard from patients: people are having a hard time accessing the mental health services they need,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “It is critical now more than ever to expand the pipeline for mental health professionals and promote integrated behavioral health into primary care.” The 2022 COVID-19 Practitioner Impact Survey of almost 2,300 psychologists by the American Psychological Association found that demand for treatment of anxiety and depression remained high for the third consecutive year, along with increased demand for treatment of stressor-related disorders, and substance use disorders. Six in 10 practitioners said they had no more openings for new patients, nearly half (46%) said they had been unable to meet treatment demand and nearly three quarters (72%) have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. On average, psychologists reported being contacted by more than 15 potential new patients seeking care per month. Nearly eight in 10 psychologists (79%) said they had seen an increase in the number of patients with anxiety disorders since the start of the pandemic, and 66% had seen an increase in the demand for treatment for depression. Almost half (47%) said they had seen an increase in demand for substance use treatment (compared to 43% last year) and 64% had seen an increase in demand for trauma treatment (compared to 62% last year). 2021). Additionally, two-thirds of psychologists reported seeing an increase in symptom severity among patients in 2022. “The social, emotional, and economic effects of a pandemic are still with us and will be for quite some time. In addition, the stressors associated with inflation, social and racial inequities, political upheaval, and international tensions are creating an unsettled nation. At a time when mental health services are needed the most, we are struggling the most to meet those needs,” said Dr. Nealon. “Policy makers have to make a bigger investment in financial and programmatic support to ensure that everyone who seeks psychological services can find a professional who can understand and help them.” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a non-profit majority minority institution, educating 6,000 students at seven campuses in major metro areas around the national. Two of three identify as students of color, including a significant number of first-generation college students. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu

November 29, 2022 06:18 PM Eastern Standard Time

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‘Hybrid’ Sports Tourism and Community Recreation Facility Development Increases 33% -- Signaling Major Transformation for Future of Parks & Recreation

Sports Facilities Companies

The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a national consultancy, developer, and operator of sports, recreation, and events properties, predict that the $39.7 billion youth and amateur travel sports and the $218 billion parks and recreation industries are colliding, signaling a major transformation in the operations of local government. This prediction is based on SFC's analysis of 2,000 communities over the last 20 years, including analyzing parks and recreation budgets, sport and recreation funding mechanisms, political pressures, the rise of sports mega-complexes to drive tourism, and the budget constraints of municipal government. SFC predicts that assets traditionally operated by local government through their parks department will require new types of operating and management models to keep pace with private sector demands and to ensure local citizen activation. Numerous factors are impacting the way parks and recreation departments are structured, operated and how they deliver services to communities. What has gone unchanged is the popularity and significance of parks in the political landscape at the local level and as a proven amenity that impacts the quality of life, health and social outcomes, community engagement, and revenues for the cities where parks and recreation are prioritized. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) 82% of U.S. adults agree that parks and recreation is essential and 72% of U.S. adults are more likely to vote for local political leaders who make park and recreation funding a priority. “What many community leaders don’t realize is that this shift is already underway. Now is the time to get strategic with your sports, parks, and tourism assets – or get left behind,” said Mike Kelly, former CEO of the Chicago Park District and NRPA chair, now Executive-Vice President of Community Development for SFC. “In my thirty-year tenure serving the City of Chicago, we chose to privatize twenty-plus properties – particularly those with an emphasis on sports, tourism, or those where driving revenue was an important factor.” According to SFC Partner Evan Eleff, who oversees the firms’ planning and advisory services, evidence of this shift is clear during the pre-development phase. Eleff’s team, which performs 150+ studies each year, reports a 33% increase in studies for facilities from municipal clients that combine multiple tourism, recreation, and events components since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Community leaders are challenged with meeting the needs of their cities and growing consumer expectations around sports and events, balancing the multitude of municipal infrastructure needs, and driving economic growth,” says Eleff. “With the rising cost of construction and materials, it means the average project cost is upwards of $30 million. For parks and recreation, which have been traditionally heavily subsidized, this means more pressure on revenue generation and cost recovery. This is a paradigm shift for most parks departments.” The rise of sports tourism since the early 2010’s has been a major contributing factor to this impending shift. According to a 2015 Industry Report by the Sports Events and Travel association (now called SportsETA), the youth and amateur sports tourism industry was valued at $9.45b. In their latest report from 2021, that figure is now $39.7 billion, a 320% increase in six years. That growth has predicted to continue to rise and reach $77.5 billion in 2026, according to Wintergreen Research, Inc. New hybrid facilities are being developed and opened in cities large and small. The City of Albertville, AL (population ~22,000) opened their $58 million Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater in 2021 with a mission to serve both local residents with camps, clinics, and leagues and to drive economic development through sports tourism by hosting large sports tournaments and live entertainment. With two new hotels opened or under development, big-name quick service restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Beef O’Brady’s, and $23.2 in direct economic impact, the venue, operated by SFC, is outperforming original forecasts and driving economic development. “It’s tough for the traditional government approach to work in this dynamic environment. Developing and operating such diverse assets with such high expectations is not something with which most municipalities have experience,” said Jason Clement, CEO and co-founder of Sports Facilities Companies. “It’s why we purpose-built our team over the last twenty years to serve public entities. Our mission, to improve the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve, lives most vibrantly when we balance the competing needs of social equity and access, revenue generation, tourism development, emotional, physical, and mental health, and combatting the obesity epidemic. These are key elements of a flourishing community and operating partnerships with professional management firms are the way to maximize those results.” There may be no better example of this transformation than in Hoover, AL with the Hoover Met Complex. Forward-thinking leaders in Hoover re-imagined their existing AA (double-A) baseball stadium, former home to the Birmingham Barons and current host of the SEC baseball tournament, into a sports and recreation mecca. In 2017, the City opened the 155,000 square-foot indoor sport and event facility, the Finley Center and expanded RV Park. In 2019, the second phase of the project opened including an accessible playground, splash pad, outdoor baseball fields, rectangle fields, and tennis center. The operation has provided more than 10,000 hours of free community access annually, hosted premier tournaments like Perfect Game Baseball and community events including Market Noel and Vintage Market Days while providing financially for additional programming and capital investment projects. Additionally, the complex generated $68 million in economic impact in 2021 alone supporting the residential and commercial real estate development surrounding the Hoover Met Complex property. The City of Hoover oversees the SFC team, who manages daily operations and partners closely with City parks leadership to collaborate, not compete, with well-established programs and team members. “It’s examples like Hoover and Albertville demonstrating that not only can communities balance the multitude of outcomes demanded by residents, but they don’t have to do it alone,” said Kelly. “Communities of all sizes – as large as the City of Chicago and as small as twenty-thousand – have the opportunity to adapt now. The proverbial train has left the station. Change is coming. Now is the time to re-think old models and embrace what is next.” ### The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) are the Nation’s leading resources for the management and development of sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. As a turn-key solution for community leaders and developers alike, SFC services span the gamut of sports and recreation needs from sports tourism & recreation master planning, program planning, and feasibility through professional facility management services. Our 30+ managed venues and 1500+ team members, represented by the SF Network, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce over $250 million in economic impact each year. To learn more, please visit SportsFacilities.com and theSFnetwork.com. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://sportsfacilities.com/

November 29, 2022 08:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

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