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“VASP Licensing Regime & Industry Best Practices” exclusive event hosted by ChainUp & Alibaba Cloud - Hong Kong

ChainUp

Hong Kong – 16 th June 2023 – ChainUp a global blockchain technology service provider & Alibaba Cloud hosted an exclusive event on latest Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licensing Regime & industry best practices in Hong Kong. Amidst the growing significance of regulatory compliance within the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry, the event offered attendees valuable and comprehensive insights into effectively tackling the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities encountered by VASPs operating not only in Hong Kong but also in global markets. The event took place on 16 th June 2023 at Time Square - Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Industry experts, leaders and regulatory authorities discussed key topics and shared their insights to navigate the evolving landscape of virtual asset services. Mr. Michael Gao, ChainUp – HK CEO & Head of Sales (Global) spoke about “The Technological Bridge to Regulated Virtual Assets Exchange in Hong Kong”. He highlighted on the recent Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission’s new licensing regime which came into effect from 1 st June 2023 and requirements for centralized virtual asset trading platforms (VA trading platforms) to trade non-security tokens. He said “In traditional finance, banks use KYC (Know Your Customer) to verify the identity of customers. But in blockchain network we need to understand whether a particular token has any risk. Hence KYT (Know Your Transaction) is used to monitor and analyse digital asset transactions to identify potential risks and comply with regulations. We see there's a strong demand on this and we help our customers by integrating the required compliant solutions into the exchanges built” The event covered various aspects of the VASP Licensing Regime, including: Regulatory framework overview in Hong Kong Key requirements for obtaining a VASP license Best practices for compliance, security and risk management ChainUp, a global provider of comprehensive blockchain technology solutions help customers build efficient and compliant digital asset solutions that align with the latest industry standards. With ChainUp’s extensive suite of services, empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of digital asset landscape and build robust solutions. Aligned with latest licensing regime of Hong Kong, the implementation of KYT/AML solutions becomes imperative for digital asset transactions. ChainUp's product "ChainEyes KYT" focusing on blockchain risk control and compliance services offers a comprehensive solution to address these regulatory requirements effectively. About ChainUp Group Founded in 2017, ChainUp is a leading end-to-end blockchain technology solutions provider covering infrastructure development and ecosystem support. Built on the mission to empower businesses through blockchain technology, ChainUp’s innovative and all-around compliant solutions include digital asset exchange systems, NFT trading systems, wallet solutions, liquidity solutions, and digital assets custody and management. Headquartered in Singapore and with offices around the world, the company has served more than 1,000 clients in 30 countries, reaching over 60 million end-users. For more information, please visit: www.chainup.com. Contact Details ChainUp Media Team pressrelease@chainup.com Company Website https://www.chainup.com/

June 19, 2023 10:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Thailand emphasized "Open Data" are Anti-Corruption Weaponry in Digital Age

Integrity Way

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach - 14 June 2023 - Mr. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), delivered a lecture on "Open Data: Anti-Corruption Weaponry in Digital Age" at the PPTV FORUM 2023, on May 25, 2023. Taking up the theme of Open Government: Game Changer in Fight against Corruption, the event was held at Movenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok. Kasemmongkol said that the promotion of transparency and open government data are the core of good governance or good public management. Both the United Nations and the World Bank have recognized this promotion as key to successful development efforts in many nations around the world. Such principles are also enshrined in Sections 76 and 164 of Thailand's Constitution. Section 76 stipulates that the state must promote the development of morality and transparency in accordance with the principles of good public management among all types of state organizations so as to deliver maximum benefits to people via state functions and services that uphold equality, quality, efficiency and transparency. People therefore are direct beneficiaries. Section 164, meanwhile, states that the government must ensure and arrange for good public management. Therefore, the promotion of transparency via open government data and ethical state operations have had utmost importance. Good governance or good public management has six pillars namely 1) Rule of Law; 2) Transparency & Data Disclosure that is being discussed today; 3) Morality; 4) Public Participation in State Operations; 5) Responsibility; and 6) Cost-efficient & Time-Efficient State Operations. Regarding the NACC Board's and the government's policies on the promotion of good governance and anti-corruption in the public sector, multidimensional guidelines have been laid down as follows: 1. The promotion is enshrined in the constitution; 2. The promotion is enshrined in the Anti-Corruption Act and many laws on the administration of state affairs; and 3. The promotion is a part of national strategies, master plans, and action plans of each government agency. The NACC Board and the government have issued many measures to enhance the integrity of state officials. Nowadays, state officials' corruption risk is significantly lower than in the past. Even if corrupt practices are undetected in the beginning, investigations can be launched retroactively. One of the anti-corruption measures used by the NACC and the government is the promotion of transparency. There are many tools for the promotion such as information laws and legislations that upgrade digital-government operations. Kasemmongkol said that people needed to physically go to government agencies to receive their services in the past. Officials also had the right to call in people and have face-to-face meetings involved talks. Negotiations for bribes may emerge during such meetings. So, if our bureaucratic system has reduced face-to-face meetings between people and state officials, or if we use other means of contacts, the risk of bribery talks will be lower. The new way of contacts can also save state budget as well as people's money. Several countries have already developed digital systems to facilitate state operations or digitalized state services. The development of digital-government operations starts by integrating systems for enhanced efficiency or service delivery in the way that reduces the exercising of state officials' judgements, curbs the risk of corruption, and promotes greater government-data disclosure for better transparency. The NACC, in collaboration with the government, has already pushed for several relevant laws for the development of state operations and good governance. Moreover, the NACC has launched the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) as a key tool. On laws related to the promotion of transparency and good governance in the public sector, the Act on Management of State Affairs by Electronic Means B.E. 2565 stipulates that to seek an approval, a permit, a tax refund, a certificate, a registration, a construction permit or the likes, people no longer have to queue up physically at government agencies. They can just file requests electronically. After this act came into force and related systems sprang into operations, people can just contact authorities online. They do not have to travel to government agencies. Such approach saves people's time in contacting government agencies. There is no need for face-to-face contact, which may lead to negotiations for bribes. Several other laws have also been introduced to increase bureaucracy's efficiency and to prevent bribery. For example, the Licensing Facilitation Act B.E. 2558 requires that each government agency specify clearly how long it will take to respond to each request. In the past, people had waited really long to get response because there was no clear timeframe. Traders, entrepreneurs, and people who wanted fast results thus ended up paying bribes to shorten the period of government agency's request review. However, with the Licensing Facilitation Act in place, agencies of all ministries and departments must release a manual detailing how long it will take for them to complete each task. If they fail to comply with the timeframe, a person contacting them may file a complaint. This is just one of many laws that country have introduced to curb corruption risks. Regarding the promotion of open data, the NACC Board and the government have worked together in preparing several measures. One of them is ITA. Everyone wants to see transparency in the public sector and comprehensive data disclosure so, currently basic data that are useful to both the people's sector and the private sector; government agencies' performance data, and importantly data related to budgets and procurements are open data that all government agencies must release to the public. They must be held accountable and ready to provide explanations to the public. Such data had not been treated as the government's confidential information anymore. The principles behind such data disclosure have applied to NACC's ITA model. All government agencies therefore have to embrace these principles as they seek to comply with ITA criteria. Kasemmongkol thought that many of people must be quite familiar with ITA and that some of them may have doubts or misunderstandings about it. Therefore, he provided clarification about ITA and its objectives. He said ITA is not mainly designed as an assessment of corrupt practices. In essence, it is about assessing good governance in regard to management and tools used for the implementation of anti-corruption projects / activities. It is therefore a tool for state agencies to improve their operations or e-services, and importantly to disclose data in line with laws and strategies, paving the way for these agencies to have good governance and lower corruption or abuse-of-authority risks. Based on its indicators and assessment topics, ITA gives 95 points to the management and implementation of projects / activities and five points to the awareness of corruption issues among personnel. To make it easier to understand, he compared ITA to a basic health check. With this check, we will be able to identify abnormalities in one's body or if any body function is below standard. Upon learning about the abnormalities or the function that fails to meet proper standard, patients need to adjust their behaviors. He emphasized that ITA is not a medicine. It cannot provide recovery. But patients can recover or regain good health, if they change their behaviors ( for example by improving their operations and management). Family members must also help by creating a proper environment (for example by issuing supportive legal measures and state supervision). If patients follow such guidelines, they can become stronger. But if they do not change or ignore problems, cancer may develop. In the end, their illness may worsen to the point of a crisis and the NACC will have to use legal actions to remove those cancerous problems. Kasemmongkol said that during the past many years, changes have been happening with the digitalization of state operations. Data disclosure has increased in a tangible manner in compliance with laws. Here are some tangible examples of open-data changes and digital public services. The NACC Board and the government have used the aforementioned measures and framework to improve state operations and deter state officials' wayward behaviors. If all sides have followed these measures and framework on a continual basis, all civil servants and state officials will become familiar with such practices. Over time, their conscience and attitude will change in line with such standards. They will behave accordingly, regardless of these measures and framework. Civil servants and state officials will in the end be accustomed to serving people, ensuring public convenience, and refraining from corruption or abuse of authority. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is a constitutional independent organization and supervised by nine commissioners selected from various professions. It is authorized to undertake work on the prevention and suppression of malfeasance, particularly in government agencies, on assets investigations, as well as on the monitoring of ethics and virtues of political position holders. It has the authority to file charges in court as well as support and build up awareness of the penalties for committing corruption. The NACC is supervised by the NACC Board and has the Office of the NACC as its administrative agency. Since 1997, Thai Courts have ruled against and punished politicians, former ministers, high-ranking government officials as well as executives of the private sector in the thousands of cases submitted by the NACC. Contact Details Media Contact Parith Iampongpaiboon mailparith@gmail.com

June 14, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Former DHS Chief Procurement Officer, Soraya Correa, Joins as Executive Director of NCMA Contract Management Institute

National Contract Management Association

National Contract Management Association (NCMA) today announced the reinstatement of the Contract Management Institute (CMI) with the appointment of Contract Management veteran, Soraya Correa as the new Executive Director. Ms. Correa, former Chief Procurement Officer and Senior Procurement Executive of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lead the CMI into a new era of excellence and innovation in contract management. The reinstatement of the Contract Management Institute marks a significant milestone for the industry, as professionals and organizations can once again benefit from a dedicated hub of knowledge, resources, and collaboration opportunities. As the field of contract management continues to evolve and become increasingly critical in today's complex business environment, the reinvigorated CMI will serve as a vital platform for professionals to stay at the forefront of profession trends and best practices. Soraya Correa's appointment as the Executive Director of CMI is a testament to her outstanding leadership and remarkable achievements in procurement and contract management. During her tenure at DHS, Ms. Correa spearheaded numerous initiatives – including the Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL), Reverse Industry Days, and the Education, Development, Growth, and Excellence (EDGE) mentoring program – that revolutionized procurement practices and enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of contract management within the agency. Her strategic vision, combined with her deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of the field, made her the ideal choice to steer the CMI toward new heights. "I am honored to lead the Contract Management Institute as its Executive Director," said Soraya Correa. "Contract management is pivotal to mission delivery and successful business outcomes. I am committed to providing today and tomorrow’s contracting professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles. I look forward to collaborating with federal state and local government, industry leaders, academia, and others to drive innovation, promote excellence, and elevate the contract management profession." Kraig Conrad, CEO of the National Contract Management Association, expressed his support stating, "We are thrilled to see the Contract Management Institute restored. With Soraya Correa at the helm, we are confident that CMI will provide valuable resources for positive impact on our profession." The Contract Management Institute aims to be the premier resource for contract management professionals, offering a wide range of programs and research initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on the official launch of the Contract Management Institute's website and social media pages. About the Contract Management Institute (CMI): The Contract Management Institute (CMI) is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of contract management. With a mission to drive innovation, promote excellence, and enhance the role of the contracting professional, CMI provides valuable resources including networking opportunities for individuals and organizations involved in contract management across government, industry, and academia. The Institute serves as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development, enabling contract management professionals to navigate the complexities of the profession successfully. The CMI mission and vision are aligned with its Parent, NCMA. CMI is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For inquiries, paper submissions, and donations, please contact Soraya Correa at soraya.correa@ncmahq.org. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world's leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details NCMA Holly Dehesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

June 14, 2023 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Save the Redwoods League Urges State Legislators to Deliver Urgent Funding for California State Parks via a Climate Bond in 2024

Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League today released a new report, daylighting critical funding needs across the California State Parks system. It urges state legislators to make necessary investments statewide through a 2024 climate bond measure or the annual budget process. Recent wildfire and storm damage add to more than $1 billion in deferred park maintenance and more than a decade without an active land acquisition program. Together, these accumulating costs demonstrate that California State Parks does not have the sufficient funding and resources it needs to continue providing equitable outdoor access for all, preserving the state’s biodiversity and bolstering the state’s climate resilience. “California’s unrivaled state park system was built on a backbone of old-growth redwood parks. In fact, California State Parks is the largest public redwood forest manager, which means the health of the redwood forests depends on a healthy California State Parks system,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “Our longtime park partners are doing an amazing job in light of significant resource challenges, growing visitation and climate impacts. To continue providing unique and inspirational park experiences for millions of visitors every year and investing in our climate resilience, state legislators need to uphold California’s legacy of conservation leadership and deliver adequate funding for California State Parks.” Save the Redwoods League calls on legislators to make investments in land acquisition and deferred maintenance and to provide at least $500 million for park improvement projects and $200 million for natural resources management in a 2024 climate bond. Report highlights: Why California State Parks needs increased and sustained support With 280 park units, the California State Parks System protects the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency. This includes 140,000 acres of coast redwood forests (40% of the world’s protected redwoods), 340 miles of coastline, 5,200 miles of trails and 15,000 campsites. Across all park units, there is a $1.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog. There are 49 coast redwood and giant sequoia state parks (17.5% of California’s state parks), and they carry $324 million (27%) of the deferred maintenance projects. Recent storms wreaked havoc throughout the state, causing an additional $72 million in damage in December 2022 and January 2023. Of that, $10 million (13.9%) in damage occurred in redwood and sequoia parks. This damage, along with that from recent fires and other emergencies, are identified as projects to be only partially funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency by as much as 75% of the costs. More than 68 million visitors from around the world travel to California’s 280 park units every year with 14 million (20.6%) visiting the redwood and sequoia parks annually. Without an active and robust land acquisition program for the last 14 years and with inconsistent funding for facilities maintenance, park improvements, staffing and more, California State Parks cannot keep pace with growing visitation while continuing to provide equitable outdoor recreation experiences. The success of California State Parks is vital to several high-priority state initiatives. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Outdoors for All initiative promises access to California’s prized landscapes for everyone, regardless of background or location. The state’s bold plan for climate leadership through California’s 30x30 Initiative and the California Climate Adaptation Strategy call for accelerating land conservation and for investing in nature-based solutions to climate change. California’s state parks serve as the ideal foundation for climate leadership, offering climate-resilient landscapes, carbon sinks, equitable park access and a restoration and stewardship economy. California State Parks’ budget must reflect its leadership role in advancing the state’s climate plans, and State Parks must be recognized as a vital partner in ensuring a resilient future for California. The unpredictable pattern of funding over the last few decades is unsustainable and is taking a toll on this world-class state park system. *** To schedule an interview, contact Liza Batallones at 415-766-0846 or redwoods@landispr.com. Save the Redwoods League One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 400,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Liza Batallones +1 415-766-0846 redwoods@landispr.com Company Website https://www.savetheredwoods.org/

June 14, 2023 12:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press in Nashville, TN Completes Exterior Full-Wrap Rebranding of the Iconic Grand Ole Opry House Music Venue

Minuteman Press International Inc

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grand Ole Opry House, owned by Ryman Hospitality Partners, is one of the most legendary music venues in the USA. Thanks to Minuteman Press franchise owner John Taylor and his team at Minuteman Press in Nashville, the face of the Grand Ole Opry House now looks as good on the outside as the music sounds on the inside. What started out as a sales call and business cards order ten years ago has evolved into a trusted branding partnership between Minuteman Press in Nashville and Ryman Hospitality, and the result of that partnership includes incredible projects like this one – the full-wrap exterior rebranding of the Grand Ole Opry House. Minuteman Press in Nashville is located at 415 Spence Lane, Nashville, TN 37210. John Taylor has owned the business since January of 2014 and is a member of the President’s Club for top performers across the Minuteman Press franchise system. John shares key details on working to complete this huge project on such an iconic venue. How did the project with the Grand Ole Opry come about? John Taylor: “We acquired them as a client about ten years ago. It originated with a sales call at the original The Ryman Auditorium, in downtown Nashville. The first order was a few sets of business cards. Their parent company is Ryman Hospitality. Working inward through the marketing department at Ryman Hospitality, a relationship developed. They have a lot of printers, but we stayed in touch, cross-selling where possible. Ultimately, we set them up on an online portal ordering system for their printed collateral and admin items for their various brands. We make it a habit to deliver all prospects our "Portfolio Thumb-drive". It is branded Minuteman Press and goes to them pre-loaded with our most impressive projects in categorized folders. That led to us becoming one of their trusted branding partners, I would like to say their preferred branding partner. We've done projects from Nashville to New York City for them as they open new venues.” What specifically did you do for this project? John Taylor: “We have done multiple projects at the Grand Ole Opry House. Regarding this project: It is an extraordinary surface, in that it is stamped concrete. It is made to look like a ‘rough-cut cedar’ wooden surface, with deep woodgrain and over a half-inch depth difference between the faux planks. There are two installation processes in this type of project. One is to install and register the panels together (58" wide panels). The second process is to heat and press the vinyl into the grain and contours with a heat gun/torch and foam hand roller, roughly 4" at a time. We measured, scaled and templated the whole project. We printed the vinyl on an HP 360 Latex printer, then laminated the vinyl on a GBC roll laminator (3M IJ-480 Vinyl with 3M 8520 Matte Overlaminate). We used our 55' boom truck and a rented 45' boom lift to install. The first team and truck would hang and register the vinyl. The second lift would have a heat gun, a torch, and roller to get into the grain, and a single installer with very tired arms. We blocked off an area to work every morning so tours could still safely operate every 30-60 minutes. We installed in close coordination with the security team every day and evening to avoid periodic live shows in the evenings altogether." What was the timetable / what did it take to complete the project? John Taylor: “The exterior, as all large branding projects do, began with an intense set of measurements and a write-up of all inclusions and challenges with the surface(s). We then created an Illustrator template for their art department, advising best practices and highlighting any areas to which they should pay special attention during design. The timetable was roughly 7 weeks, synopsized below: We surveyed the first week and provided them a template for artwork technicals and construction. It took them 2-3 weeks to develop art, get the individual artists' approvals, and the necessary internal management approvals. We removed the old banners and aluminum hardware, as well as prepped/cleaned the building during that period. I asked for 7-10 days to produce the vinyl. It took about a week to print, laminate and cut. We should have been able to install it in roughly one week with a crew of three. It ended up taking two weeks since the Grand Ole Opry has shows every couple of days, which limited our time (we had to be packed up and out of the way by 3 pm). The weather was also a factor." TIME LAPSE VIDEO: Full-wrap rebranding of the face of the Grand Ole Opry House – Spring 2023 – Minuteman Press, Nashville: How happy are you with the completed project? What has been the feedback you’ve received? John Taylor: “I'm extremely happy with it. I really am humbled and honored to be given the opportunity. Now, for the less-than-humble perspective; it was an intense scope of work... and we got the job done! We've had only positive feedback about this installation and people are loving the new face of the Grand Ole Opry House. My favorite reaction was from a security guard that said, ‘I haven't seen this many people stop and have their pictures taken in front of the building in years and years!’. He's been there over 15 years, so that was so gratifying to hear him say that.” John concludes, “To have our hard work appreciated, especially on such a large-scale project, it’s just a great feeling of accomplishment.” For Minuteman Press products and services and to find your local Minuteman Press, visit https://minuteman.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 12, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SFAA Annual Meeting Highlights 2022 Accomplishments and Initiatives; Membership Elects Board

SFAA

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry, held its annual meeting last week in Washington, D.C. with more than 185 members and guests attending. Bob Murray, SFAA Chair, Executive Committee Member, Head of Surety, Zurich North America, and Lee Covington, SFAA President and CEO, presided over the event, providing updates on SFAA’s accomplishments from the past year and ongoing initiatives. Murray opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of having everyone from the industry together to reflect on all the work over the last year and thanked all SFAA’s members for their continued leadership and support to the association. The SFAA Membership then elected the Board of Directors and Executive Committee adding two new members to the Board: John Guglielmo, Head of Surety at Intact Insurance, and Sharon Sims, Senior Vice President at Sompo International. Board and Executive Committee Members Bob Murray, Head of Surety, Zurich North America Robert Raney, Senior Vice President, Construction Services, Travelers Companies, Inc. John F. Welch, Executive Committee Member, and President & CEO, CNA Surety Group Rick Ciullo, Chief Operating Officer, The Hartford Insurance Group Michael Keimig, President & CEO, Markel Surety Corporation Timothy Mikolajewski, President, Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Group Stephen Ruschak, Executive Vice President Surety, Arch Insurance Group Lee Covington, President & CEO, SFAA Other Board Members Antonio C. Albanese, Head of Surety, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Ken Bearley, President, Bond Division, Great American Insurance Companies Ken Chapman, Executive Vice President, Surety, IAT Insurance Group John Guglielmo, Head of Surety, North America, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions Stephen M. Haney, Division President, North America Surety & CUO, Global Surety, Chubb James Kawiecki, President of Surety, Hanover Insurance Group Matt Lubin, President, Surety Division, Crum & Forster Alan Pavlic, President/COO, Old Republic Surety Group Sharon Sims, Senior Vice President, Sompo International Gary Stumper, National Surety Leader, Westfield Group Larry Taylor, President, Merchants Bonding Company Group Covington provided updates on SFAA’s advocacy accomplishments and goals, SFAA PAC, SFAA Foundation and SFAA’s Strategic Priorities. In addition, Covington provided an update on the launch of SFAA’s Surety Protects campaign in 10 states and on Capitol Hill to targeted legislators, regulators, and public construction leaders, leveraging the data and findings from the landmark EY study The Economic Value of Surety Bonds. A “Year in Review” video celebrating SFAA’s accomplishments throughout 2022 was shared, which highlighted the introduction of WIFIA legislation from Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Troy Balderson (R-OH) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA). This legislation would require water infrastructure projects financed by WIFIA loans to have the same bond protections as other federally funded projects. The video also included an update on the SFAA Foundation’s Intern and Scholarship Program for underrepresented college students, highlighting the 15 scholarships awarded totaling $75,000. The 2022 Surety Industry Awards winners were announced via another celebratory video. Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of non-partisan The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, one of the top political journalists in Washington, D.C., took the stage and delivered an impactful keynote presentation, captivating the audience with her objective and thoughtful political analysis of the current political landscape in Washington, D.C. and across the country. To close the meeting, two leading political and policy experts, Scott Riplinger of CGCN Group and Kichelle Webster from Stewart Strategies, participated in a robust "Inside the Beltway” panel discussion moderated by SFAA’s Director of Government Affairs Patrick Russell. The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association of more than 425 insurance companies that write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. Through advocacy, outreach, promotion and education, SFAA promotes the value of surety and fidelity bonding and its vital protections. SFAA is licensed as a rating or advisory organization in all states. State insurance departments have designated it as a statistical agent for reporting fidelity and surety data. www.surety.org Contact Details Peter Roth +1 703-401-0676 proth@surety.org Company Website https://surety.org/

June 07, 2023 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Lotis Blue Consulting Announces Partner Promotions to Strengthen Advisory Teams Across Key Practices as the Firm Fosters a “Grow from Within” Culture

Lotis Blue Consulting

Lotis Blue Consulting (LBC) is pleased to announce several Partner promotions which will result in significant advancements in the firm’s team structure. As a leading management consultancy, Lotis Blue offers a unique combination of data and behavioral science to assist clients in achieving business growth and transformation. These recent leadership moves reflect the company’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and fostering stronger client relationships. Lotis Blue has consciously undertaken a deliberate restructuring of its business model, focusing on its core competencies in Organization Effectiveness, Leadership & Talent, Strategy Execution, and Change Management. “By aligning and strengthening our resources and efforts within these key areas, we aim to enhance our ability to provide exceptional services and deliver optimal outcomes for clients,” says CEO Garrett Sheridan. “These promotions are a testament to the exceptional dedication and performance of Holly Feldman, Erica Grant and John King, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment and competence. Our promotion of these individuals to Partnership reinforces the company’s commitment to our evolved, streamlined business strategy, as their skills and expertise will allow Lotis Blue to excel in these specialized domains during these volatile times.” Having rebranded in 2022, Lotis Blue Consulting has initiated a new chapter, reflecting its dedication to redefining its identity and aligning it with future goals. LBC’s rebranding signaled a pivotal moment for the company, affording Lotis Blue the opportunity to establish a unique presence in the market. These newly announced Partner promotions demonstrate the firm’s determination to cultivate talented teams that will play a vital role in its transformative journey and solidify its position as a premier management consulting firm. Lotis Blue's strong emphasis on recognizing and nurturing the potential of its own employees through internal promotions aligns with the company's long-term goal of fostering a growth-from-within culture. This approach ensures ample opportunities for growth and advancement of its employees, providing them with a clear path to Partnership and enabling them to actively contribute to the firm's success. The recent appointment of these new Partners further enriches LBC with diverse perspectives, expertise, and experience, complementing the firm's existing capabilities. Lotis Blue Consulting is proud to announce the following Partner promotions: Holly Feldman is a leader in the Organization Services division and is entering her 10th year with the firm. Holly brings exceptional analytical skills to assist clients across diverse industries. She expertly assesses the economic and operational implications of business decisions, identifies and overcomes risks and roadblocks, and drives long-term improvements in client performance. Holly earned her MBA at Washington University with a concentration in strategy consulting. Erica Grant is an expert in the Leadership & Talent services division who has been with Lotis Blue for 11 years. With her deep knowledge and experience, Erica partners with senior leaders to design pragmatic personnel strategies that unlock the potential of their organization, leaders, and workforce and drive competitive advantage and sustainable growth. She is passionate about combining research-based methodology, behavioral science and practical business savvy to design solutions that deliver real, sustained results with an eye to human experience. Erica earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. John King is a seasoned consultant with 15 years of industry experience, including tenure at McKinsey & Company. John leads client engagements in the Operating Model division tackling complex and interrelated challenges in business and people processes, organization design, operating models, and supporting tools and systems. His expertise enables clients to overcome barriers to desired growth and execution challenges and maximize their ability to deliver exceptional customer and shareholder value. John earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in analytic finance, econometrics and statistics, and international business. These Partner promotions highlight Lotis Blue’s long-term commitment to deliver high-quality services to its clients while fostering an empowering environment for its employees. With its expertise in combining data-driven insights with behavioral science, the company is well-positioned to help clients navigate complex business issues, drive growth, and achieve their transformational goals in challenging times. At the intersection of growth and transformation, you’ll find Lotis Blue Consulting. We dig deep with personal attention and analytical rigor to uncover, define, and implement the smartest path forward for your organization. In doing so, we transform your most ambitious visions into a clear and sustainable reality. Contact Details MKPR Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.lotisblueconsulting.com

June 07, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Gastonia, NC Has Grand Opening for New Father-Son Team Tony & David Marder

Minuteman Press International Inc

Tony and David Marder are the new owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Gastonia, NC. In January of 2023, Tony and David purchased Minuteman Press in Gastonia from retiring owners Pam and Bill Joles, who owned the business for nearly 32 years since July of 1991. On Thursday, May 25, 2023, Tony and David held their official Grand Opening at their shop located at 495 East Long Avenue in Gastonia. The event was sponsored by the Gaston Business Association and had a fiesta theme that included margaritas, festive appetizers, a food truck, and a mariachi band. There were also plenty of raffles as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony that served as a celebration of Tony and David’s new venture while Pam and Bill were also in attendance to help pass the torch. In the below interview, Tony shares how he and David originally came into contact with Pam and Bill, and how that relationship grew to the point of purchasing the business. Tony also shares how he’s been building his business since the purchase and why print is so vital today. You purchased the business after working in the shop for a couple of years. What were your roles/experiences as employees and what drove you to buy the business? Tony Marder: “Interestingly, even before working in the shop, Pam and Bill Joles were previous coaching clients. We met via our local BNI and Chamber memberships. At the time, I focused my business coaching with family-owned businesses and Pam and Bill engaged me to assist. I noticed how they were avid readers and spent focused time on goal-setting and systemization. Just before and during the pandemic closures, I asked if they needed someone very part time for deliveries or light finishing work to fill some of my open schedule. At some point in early 2021, I asked Bill ‘how he intended to land this thing’ and he said, “Why? You want to buy a business?” My answer was, “Absolutely not!” But an hour later I mentioned that I felt this may be a good fit for me and my son David, whom I know to be very adept and resourceful with machines and computers and technology in general. David joined the team as print production specialist in May of 2021 specifically to learn the finishing work. Having a bit of a graphics background didn’t hurt either and he quickly added pre-print typesetting and other aspects of pre-print work to his overview. Knowing this was a good fit and having almost two years of on-the-Job experience with Pam and Bill made it a much easier decision for us to move forward.” What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Tony Marder: “Having experience with franchise teams, I expected the support system to be there. I was especially impressed with the FLEX software and the strength of the training and process protocols. The local team made the transition easy and the Home Office training team is concise and thorough. Every call or need is quickly handled and everyone jumps in to help with urgency as needed.” How do you describe your business and capabilities to potential clients? Tony Marder: “We can produce anything that can be printed or find someone in our organization that can; we will produce and deliver quickly high quality work that helps them run or grow their business or organization.” What are the high-demand products and key growth areas? Tony Marder: “Our most requested items are business cards, forms, labels, stickers, letterhead and envelopes, booklets, manuals, newsletters and mailings. We would like to feature more mailings, interior signage, posters, decals and graphic design.” What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business since taking over in January of 2023? Tony Marder: “Relationship marketing via phone and face to face direct marketing to existing and past clients, as well as SEO/SEM Marketing, active membership in the local chamber and Rotary. Planning now for future postcard mailings featuring postcard mailing as well as special promotions.” How would you best describe your community? Tony Marder: “We have a small but dedicated and loyal community. We are a volunteer and philanthropic community of diverse folks raising families and enjoying our corner of the world. We have a lot of natural resources that draws a wide range of individuals to the area spanning entrepreneurs, professionals, service-related businesses and manufacturers. We enjoy the closeness of the Charlotte, NC Metro area without the cumbersome things that make larger cities less attractive. Around here we say that ‘we don’t tell anybody about it, but if they find it on their own then it’s perfectly okay with us.’” Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Tony Marder: “Print is everywhere. I can’t go anywhere without seeing print in action. Every business or organization uses print at some level; either to run or grow their business. I feel email and social media marketing has its place but lacks a personal touch or relationship that could be developed. Print solidifies other marketing sources and cements brand recognition. People read, so giving them something to read is the best way to keep them engaged.” What are the biggest rewards of owning your business? Tony Marder: “This is a cashflow business with a lot of upside potential. Cash is certainly king when it comes to owning your business and this one is no different. Personally, I’m in it to help my son secure a future and continue to provide inspiration for the team. I’d like to see us increase what we can give back to our community and find more ways to engage the public.” What advice would you give to other business owners right now? Tony Marder: “Attract and hire people smarter than you, then get out of their way and give them room to shine. Find a mentor who has documented experience with the legal, financial and accounting arenas and do not resist being pushed closer to the fire. Get in there and get it done.” For more information about Minuteman Press in Gastonia, NC, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nc/gastonia/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 02, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Morey Creative Studios Rebrands as Hypha Development, Unveils Expanded HubSpot Services

Hypha Development

In response to evolving industry trends and societal shifts, Morey Creative Studios, a leading HubSpot Partner Agency, is thrilled to announce its strategic rebranding to Hypha Development. Today’s transformation includes the addition of three innovative service offerings aimed at reshaping the company’s trajectory for the coming decade and beyond. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen three distinct trends begin to reshape the landscape around us: the increasing importance of alignment across a company’s tech stack, greater awareness around non-financial metrics as a measure of corporate success, and the rise and improved utility of artificial intelligence (AI),” said Jed Morey, Founder and CEO of Morey Creative Studios, now known as Hypha Development. “As a company guided by its ‘Grow For Good™’ motto, the changes we are announcing today—including three key new offerings—reflect our view that these trends are going to reshape the business world as we know it over the next decade and beyond,” he added. “They also position us to play a fundamental role in helping our clients to survive and thrive in this emerging environment.” Integrations & Implementations Stemming from its close partnership with HubSpot, Hypha Development is capitalizing on the platform‘s move toward the enterprise sector, creating the opportunity for the agency to increase its responsibility, handling everything from client services to implementations and integrations. Having developed an in-house integrations and implementation service, Hypha is now able to manage most HubSpot-related projects independently. “For the past couple of years, we’ve seen more and more companies struggle to extract maximum value from their tech stacks,” explained Jon Sasala, President of Hypha Development. “With an ever-expanding suite of services available both across the HubSpot ecosystem and beyond, we’re delighted to be able to offer the ability to seamlessly connect existing disparate systems, alongside the expertise to offer recommendations on current and future setups for our clients.” Social Impact Reporting Hypha Development recognizes the rising demand for ESG metrics, impact investing, and conscious capitalism, both from businesses and consumers. With deep-rooted expertise in content and narrative crafting, Hypha is launching a social impact reporting service to help clients tell their impact stories, a strategy it sees as the next evolution in content marketing. To support that effort, this week the company released its inaugural social impact report, which examines ways in which it is trying to make a difference in the world, better support its team members, and help other mission-driven organizations succeed. AI & The Future of Marketing The emergence of generative AI tools has reshaped user interaction with technology. Hypha is leaning into this trend by developing a product offering centered around AI for a seamless website experience. Hypha’s vision is to harness closed-loop AI systems that can answer user questions based on specialized, client-specific information produced by its in-house content experts. “We’re building toward a world where consumers expect to interact as fluidly with a website as they would with a customer service or sales rep,” continued Sasala. “While the shifts in human interaction with technology will redefine much of our industry, the need to feed those AI models with informative, expert content represents a massive opportunity for us to leverage our established content marketing expertise in an entirely new way.” Rebranding Announcement Rebranding as Hypha Development represents a natural transition for the organization, which previously changed its name to Morey Creative Studios in 2018. The new corporate identity, combined with its mission to effectuate positive change, will enable the company to help clients succeed in an ever-evolving digital landscape and strategically embrace new technologies. This includes a refreshed brand name, site, and messaging—all unveiled today. The Hypha Development team is looking forward to entering this exciting new chapter, continuing to push boundaries and exceed client expectations. Hypha Development is a purpose-driven, New York-based HubSpot Partner Agency specializing in engineering custom solutions to help B2B organizations big and small generate more leads, increase revenue, and achieve sustainable growth. Contact Details Hypha Development Phil Stott pstott@hyphadev.io Company Website https://www.hyphadev.io/

June 01, 2023 03:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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