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Miller Proposes Major Increase in Texas State Guard Funding

Media Kamp, LLC.

On the eve of what could be a historic Texas primary election, candidate for Lt. Governor Daniel Miller is proposing tougher measures to protect the Texas border. The first plank of Miller’s “Stop the Invasion” border security plan is the complete militarizing of the Texas State Guard (TSG). According to the office of Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, Texas Adjutant General, the proposed funding for the TSG for biennium fiscal 2022-2023 as recommended by the Texas Senate is to be $211,972,936. This would be a reduction in military spending from the current biennium fiscal of $234,396,109 – a funding reduction of $22,423,173. Daniel Miller finds this to be a move in the wrong direction for the safety of Texans. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have boasted of their funding for border security of $2 billion dollars – which is.008% of on-the-books Texas government spending. Such a paltry appropriation for border security clearly indicates that current Texas government has no intention of securing the border with Mexico, in spite of the tough rhetoric that is currently thrown into the messaging echo chamber. A statement from Daniel Miller: “The Bible teaches us that where you put your money is where your heart is. At these funding levels for our Texas military, it’s obvious that Mr. Abbott, Mr. Patrick, and the Texas Legislature do not possess the heart or desire to secure our international border with Mexico. “That’s why today, on the eve of Texas Primary Election Day, and just two days from Texas Independence Day, I’m proposing exceeding the appropriated $2 billion dollars by Abbott and Patrick for border security with an appropriation of $4 billion dollars to our Texas State Guard within the next approved budget of the 2023 regular session. Those funds will be allocated toward the beginning stages of fully equipping our Texas State Guard for the mission of stopping the Texas border invasion. “Just last week, our campaign manager had a lengthy conversation with a chaplain of the TSG. He told our CM, ‘It would be nice if we could just get body armor, and our appropriations on time’. Mr. Abbott, Mr. Patrick, and the Texas Legislature are neglecting and disrespecting our Texas men and women that wear our uniform, and misusing them in a time of crisis.” The Texas State Guard is the sovereign military of Texas, which unlike the Texas National Guard, cannot be federalized. It is a volunteer force in which members are obligated to purchase their own uniforms. They are currently being used essentially as a Red Cross in camouflage that’s called into action for humanitarian missions. Miller believes they should be deployed to the Rio Grande with the primary role of defending the Texas international border from the current unceasing invasion of illegal citizens from other global nations. Segments of the Texas State Guard are currently deployed to the border region in exclusively support roles at the rear of the struggle. After being properly equipped, Miller’s “Stop the Invasion” border security plan would reassign them frontline duties with aggressive rules of engagement. Contact Details Sharon Macasil Sharon@mediakamp.com

February 28, 2022 06:28 PM Eastern Standard Time

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The Ultimate Customer Engagement Exhibition in Las Vegas

Call & Contact Center Expo

Fortem International is set to launch The Call and Contact Center Expo on March16 &17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This event is 100% Free-To-Attend and will provide unparalleled coverage to companies, organizations and professionals that work within the customer engagement, IT, and telecommunications industries. The expo will showcase all the latest tools, products and solutions for the customer experience and support industry professionals and business owners alike. The Call and Contact Center Expo will have over 5,000 unique industry executives including CEOS, Directors of Product Management, Senior UX Designers, VP of customer experience and more. The expo features over 200 speakers, 300 leading suppliers and 200 seminars. Learn from Zoom, Google Chrome, Facebook, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Google Chrome, as they speak on topics such as customer engagement, best strategy for product management, and home grown machine learning. Head of Data Science from Goldman Sachs, Brennan Lodge said,”Through my experience of managing data science teams in both cyber security and the business, we'll discuss fundamental implementations to building a home-grown machine learning capability. I am elated to engage with experts, suppliers and professionals at such an amazing event. The Call Center and Contact Expo has done an amazing job bringing the best and brightest together. I am honored to be a keynote speaker.” Attendees will have the opportunity to visit the VIP lounge sponsored by SingleComm. This will be the premiere influencer destination for all trying to elevate their customer experience to the next level. Visitors can connect with invaluable new business contacts, communicate with CX industry pioneers and discuss tomorrow’s next innovation that can transform the fundamentals of customer support and satisfaction. Companies and professionals will have a chance to engage their business with the latest masterclass courses. These hands-on courses are designed to give practical knowledge that can be applied to business methods for optimal customer engagement, inbound and outbound calls, and overall customer support and satisfaction. The show will highlight and cover multiple parts of customer engagement, contact and support. All in one show transformative solutions and technology will be on full display. Darren Prine, Co-Founder of Cloud Tech Gurus, said he is “Super excited about the expo and sees it as a next gen disruptive customer engagement contact solutions show.” As thousands of customer experience professionals and businesses convene to this free event in Las Vegas on March 16 & 17 2022, this is a golden opportunity to build relationships and bring together all leading experts in the customer engagement and solutions field. Contact Details Laren Fernandez +1 702-707-7627 laren.fernandez@fortem-international.com

February 28, 2022 02:28 PM Eastern Standard Time

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International Association of Political Consultants Condemns Russia Invasion of Democratic Ukraine

International Association of Political Consultants

Matthew Klink, President of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) released the following statement in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We join the global community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine. The fledgling Ukrainian democracy is the victim of an unprovoked action by Russia. They should cease this destructive action and immediately restore the democratically elected government and illegally seized territory.” “For over 54 years IAPC members have promoted democracy around the world. We are distressed to see an authoritarian government, in this case Russia, attempt to depose the democratically elected government of Ukraine.” “Democratic governments around the world need to come to the aid of a fellow democracy. We are witnessing increasing attacks on democracy around the world, and Russia’s actions only act as encouragement for other dictators and despots. The free and democratic nations of the world need to stand up to such a brazen assault on democracy.” “The IAPC stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and offer their support for the restoration of the democratically elected government of President Volodymyr Zelensky.” Established in 1968, The International Association of Political Consultants is committed to fostering democracy and the democratic process throughout the world. Members span a variety of political backgrounds and activities fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consulting as well as the practical aspects of democratic elections. Please note: Members of the IAPC are available for commentary on the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. Contact Details President - IAPC Matt Klink +1 310-283-6267 matt@klinkcampaigns.com Vice President - Communications IAPC Marcel Wieder +1 416-907-2126 marcel@aurorastrategy.com Company Website https://www.iapc.org

February 25, 2022 04:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

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BNZSA Appoints Johan Olberding as Chief Operating Officer to Help Transition the Company to the Next Level and Maintain Its Stellar Growth

BNZSA

Olberding re-joins BNZSA at a critical period of growth and transformation and has proven track record of driving strategic business improvements, executing cost efficiencies, business process redesign and resource optimization Leading European B2B marketing agency, BNZSA has appointed its former Business Development Director, Johan Olberding as Chief Operating Officer (COO), to oversee a crucial period of growth and transition for the company. Specialising in data, account based marketing (ABM) and lead generation, BNZSA has been growing exponentially in recent years and has made some significant investments in both technology and people to help underpin its growth. Last year it has increased its head count 250% to 350 and in Q1 2022 has already further increased its head count by 14% to 400 employees. It is also looking to add a further 250 hires to its teams that comprise of 45 nationalities and speak 25 different languages. As well as key hires in management, it is also actively recruiting data science professionals to underpin its new digital and programmatic offerings as well as more Business Development Representatives (BDRs) to validate data, garner consent and generate high quality opportunities such as the trademarked Warm Handover TM for its existing and prospective clients. The company has also invested in new 5500m2 campus facility in Las Rozas, one of Madrid’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, to accommodate its rapidly expanding workforce. Speaking about the appointment, CEO and Founder of BNZSA, Brahim Samhoud said: “When you experience a tsunami of growth, companies can quickly drown under the torrent of new things you have to put in place whilst juggling business as usual activity. “This year we have an aggressive road map of new hires, data services, connected workflows, CRM and Marketing Automation Platform roll outs, as well as the logistical challenges of moving into bigger premises whilst maintaining flexible and remote working practices. “And when transitioning from an agile start-up to a mid-size enterprise, this is where a lot of companies struggle because they haven’t put the right processes and planning in place to evolve. “By bringing Johan back into the business we have someone that has a not only has a proven track record in managing change and transition, he has the skills to ensure BNZSA can surf the tsunami of change. He also has an intimate knowledge of our business in previous roles with the company and has been a key figure in getting us to where we are today,” Samhoud said. Olberding joins BNZSA from Rubix, where he was the EMEA key accounts director. He was also formerly the Managing Director of Mobility Mix. Speaking about his appointment, Olberding said: “It’s great to be back at a company where I started on the phones as what is internally called ‘a Rocker’.” “It’s also a great time to re-join the company and help in its growth trajectory and maintain its overall vision. Growth is exciting and reflects the hard work being put in by all the employees of that company. But without business resource planning and procedural structure it is very easy for companies to get overwhelmed by their own success. “I am looking forward to working with a tremendous team that is constantly looking to go the extra mile on behalf of our clients.” Olberding said. By Soniya Ganvir, Chief Marketing Officer About BNZSA BNZSA is a leading sales & marketing agency specialising in data and tele-based demand generation with a team of 400 who are experts in delivering qualified, sales-ready leads. It was established in 2013 and has grown rapidly over eight years. BNZSA is privately-owned, has never relied on third-party funding, and has been profitable since day one. The company is based in Madrid, Spain, and has offices in the UK, France, and Morocco. It invests heavily in its agents who are all native language speakers and deliver client campaigns in languages globally. In addition to the uniquely human and personal dimension of the company, BNZSA is a leader in the application of technology to underpin its value proposition. It built its own bespoke CRM platform, and is a pioneer in the use of AI, NLP and ML technologies. Contact Details For more information contact: Soniya Ganvir, Chief Marketing Officer soniya@bnzsa.com

February 24, 2022 06:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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amika Taps Assembly to Lead Integrated Media Program Aimed at Growing Its Passionate Communities of Haircare Enthusiasts

Assembly

Global omnichannel agency, Assembly, has been chosen by prestige haircare brand, amika, to lead its integrated media program, with an emphasis on driving sustained awareness and building brand equity. amika has emerged as a go-to haircare brand through its ‘ all hair is welcome ’ positioning, which represents 10 unique collections of haircare for every hair type, texture, and style. amika has called on global data-driven agency, Assembly, as its partner in expanding its community of brand enthusiasts through its distinct, disruptive, and impactful messaging connected to purpose and inclusivity. “amika is a brand that has authentically lived its core values of kindness and inclusivity while doing good for the planet far before it was ‘cool’ or even an expectation from consumers,” said Kim Davis, Vice President at Assembly. “This is one of those best of both world partnerships where we get to bring the latest in media innovation to a brand that’s as committed as we are to nurturing people and the planet. We’re looking forward to developing an out-of-the-box channel strategy that maximizes brand awareness for amika.” amika was built with purpose at its heart by creatives, stylists, and product enthusiasts alike, and encourages a diverse and creative culture that’s fueled by radical thinking. In placing people and the planet at its core, the brand has maintained its mission of bringing progress to the beauty industry. “The name ‘amika’ means friend—to hair, hairstylists, the planet, our communities, and each other—and it’s truly embedded into everything we do. We want our customers to know us for not only our high-quality products, but our commitment to making a positive impact on people and the planet," said Chelsea Riggs, amika’s Brand President. “We were impressed by Assembly’s integrated approach across the funnel to help accomplish our goals and we were immediately aligned in our vision.” This year marks a strategic shift in digital media investment for amika, with an increased focus on driving awareness and new customer acquisition. Assembly will partner with amika to develop a full-funnel multi-channel strategy to achieve these goals. The team’s focus for the year includes strengthening paid social investment, a renewed focus on paid media influencer integrations, and continued momentum in search and display. Assembly and amika will also work together to introduce new high-impact channels to amika’s mix, including CTV, TikTok and localized OOH. “We’re flexible and agile, which gives us an opportunity to test and learn in new channels and platforms where we know our customers are spending their time. We have some big brand and product moments coming up this year, and we’re also excited to see how measurement helps support all of the work we’re doing in increasing the focus on brand awareness and consideration,” said Kelley Martin, amika’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. About Assembly: Assembly is made of the ingredients of the modern agency, bringing together data, talent, and technology to deliver a connected set of solutions for media + more to the best brands on the planet. We’re home to more than 1,500 of the industry’s top talent, who bring unmatched global omnichannel media expertise + data, technology, and business consulting capabilities that help brands find the change that fuels growth. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information. About amika: A friend to hair, hairstylists, to her, him, them and you. The name amika means friend in the language Esperanto & represents our belief in the power of community and the beauty of diversity. Straight out of Brooklyn, where creativity and hustle are a way of life, we’re a collective of creatives, hairstylists, chemists, and product enthusiasts. We only make products that make us proud. 10 collections for every hair type, texture and style. Visit www.loveamika.com for more information, and follow @amika on Instagram. Contact Details Assembly Sara Pollack, VP of Marketing +1 917-438-4922 sara.pollack@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

February 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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35-Year Printing Business SprintPrint Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Madison, Wisconsin

Minuteman Press International Inc

For 35 years, Phil Van Kampen and his wife Liz built their family-owned independent printing business SprintPrint into a multimillion dollar company by doing what they’ve always done for their customers. “We make printing easy,” says Phil. With the business doing well and retirement on the horizon, Phil has decided to sell the business to the Kenney family: Chrispin, Lynn, and their son CJ. Moving forward, SprintPrint will be rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison as part of the Minuteman Press Conversion Program. The business will remain at their location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road. The Kenney family also owns a Minuteman Press franchise in Waunakee, which they have owned since 2013. Selling the Business As Phil approached retirement and was looking to sell the business, he wanted to make sure that there would be minimal disruption for both his clients and his employees that helped make SprintPrint a success. Phil says, “We had 12 employees, with at least half of them being with us for over 20 years. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of even after I sold the business.” Phil continues, “Originally, we were approached by another company but all they wanted was to buy our customer list. We were also contacted by a business broker and found that their commission rate was expensive. They also seemed to have no sense of urgency as if we wouldn’t be a priority, and so we decided not to go forward with them.” Eventually, Phil found the right partner to sell his business in Minuteman Press International. Phil explains, “After we decided not to use the business broker, Liz came home with a flyer from Minuteman Press that we received in the mail. I called Steve Szymanski, who is the Midwest Regional VP, and we talked for over an hour. I simply trusted him, liked what he had to say, and so we moved forward.” “The Minuteman Press Conversion Program was exactly what we needed to sell our business. There was no charge, no commission, and no broker fees. I also liked the fact that Minuteman Press would aid the new owner in running the business, and that I could retire without worrying about my customers and employees. In fact, my wife Liz is staying on to work with them because she isn’t ready to retire and loves her job. Steve Szymanski helped coordinate the sale and made it work, and it has been an easy transition for all involved.” -Phil Van Kampen, Retired Owner, SprintPrint, Madison, Wisconsin Meet the New Owners Lynn Kenney is the majority owner of the newly acquired business that is being rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison. Lynn shares, “For the last 17 years, I’ve been working for the post office as a rural carrier. I also have a background in accounting and payroll in my early career working at Excalibur in Las Vegas.” For the Kenney family, the acquisition of SprintPrint simply made sense. Lynn explains, “My husband, Chrispin, was interested in expanding our current business while also building the business with our son CJ. We look forward to offering the same quality and experience customers have relied on in the past. In addition, we will be offering expanded products and services to existing and future customers.” “I believe good communication, accountability, education, and execution are the keys to running a successful family business. After 9 years of building our first location, we are looking forward to building another successful Minuteman Press franchise with our son CJ and creating great relationships in the Madison community.” -Lynn Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin CJ Kenney graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2021 with a degree in Communication Arts. After graduating, CJ knew that he wanted to take the next step forward with the family business. “I’ve been working with my parents at their center in Waunakee for eight years, since I was in high school. I did whatever they needed me to do. I ran deliveries, I helped with in-house apparel and production, and I loved going to BNI meetings and customer calls with my dad.” CJ continues, “I love talking to people, and I learned a lot from my dad. It always seems like he knows what to say and how to build relationships. I love this business because we can meet so many people that become friends in addition to working with them as clients. I just felt like this was the right track to take for my career and for the family business.” “With SprintPrint, we saw some tremendous expanding points for our business. Phil and Liz built a fantastic business over 35 years that will help us grow our in-house wide format printing services for the production of banners, signs, and posters. They also have a fantastic staff and clients I am excited to work with them as we begin this new chapter as Minuteman Press in Madison.” -CJ Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin History of the Business Before opening SprintPrint in 1987, Phil worked for another large printing chain based in Madison for 10 years. He says, “I decided to leave and start my own business. I knew what I wanted to do, and I decided I wanted to work for myself. We started the business and I made sure we differentiated ourselves as a quick printer focused on B2B clients rather than walk-ins.” Like many other business owners, Phil grew SprintPrint by building long-term relationships and becoming the face of the business. He also provided products that made sense and helped him stand out. Phil says, “One thing that set us apart early on is that we got into the mailing side of the business, invested in the equipment and the expertise, and became a one-stop source for in-house printing and direct mail.” After six years in business, SprintPrint moved to a 6,000 sq. ft. facility, then added onto the facility in 1997. “This is the same location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road that Minuteman Press is taking over, which I am very excited about because it makes for an even easier transition.” Over the past ten years, SprintPrint has continued to evolve and grow. “The biggest change over the past decade was getting into large format printing, which has been a huge benefit to our clients. During the pandemic, we experienced growth in large format, and direct mail held steady. We always try to make printing easy, and the past few years have been no different.” During the pandemic, SprintPrint continued to operate as an essential business and meet the needs of their clients. Phil says, “We have many long-term customers for 30 years or more with well-established businesses. They were able to weather the storm and continue marketing, and we were there to help them adapt and pivot as needed.” Retirement and Advice for Others Now that the sale is complete, Phil is looking forward to his well-earned retirement. “I’ve taken up woodworking as a hobby, and it is very relaxing to be able to enjoy each day.” Phil summarizes his experience with Minuteman Press and shares his advice for others who are looking to sell their printing business: “As owners of SprintPrint, my wife Liz and I had decided in the last year that, after 35 years, it was time to sell our business. It was of utmost importance that our employees were taken care of – we were looking for someone who would run the business in place and retain our staff. We originally explored selling it ourselves or working with a broker, which was not working out for various reasons. We then contacted Steve Szymanski, Regional Vice President of Minuteman Press International, to explore our options with their firm. We found their system to be very attractive as there was no cost to us to market our company for sale, and we could exit the business entirely upon sale. Minuteman Press was able to find a buyer that was the best fit for how we wanted to leave the industry. We could not be more pleased with the whole process. We would highly recommend working with them to any print shop owner looking to sell their business.” Learn more about Minuteman Press in Madison, WI by visiting their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/wi/fitchburg. For more information on how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International’s Conversion Program, call 1-800-645-3006 or visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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TRUST & WILL RELEASES FINDINGS FROM SECOND ANNUAL ESTATE PLANNING STUDY OF 20,000 MILLENNIALS

Trust & Will

Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S., today released the findings of its second annual millennial estate planning study, providing insight from more than 20,000 millennials on end-of-life planning preferences. As the U.S. enters into another year of living in a pandemic, estate planning continues to see an uptick as Millennials overtake Baby Boomers as the largest generation caring for young children and their aging parents, entering into what is known as the ‘Sandwich Generation.’ “Millennials are building their own families while also caring for their aging parents amid a global health crisis, prompting more caregivers to plan for the future,” said Cody Barbo, Founder and CEO of Trust & Will. “Even though millennials are taking the lead on writing wills and establishing trusts to set up their families’ financial health, the majority of American adults still do not have any plan in place. We hope that by making digital estate planning as accessible as possible, more families will create a plan for their unique needs and situations.” Key findings from this year’s report, “Millennial Estate Planning Continues in a Pandemic” include: 34% report that having a child prompted them to create an estate plan 22% are part of the Sandwich Generation, caring for both their children and their parents 77% of pet owners designated a specific pet guardian within their plan 57% only want to receive end-of-life care if benefits outweigh the burdens 81% elected to donate their organs According to the study, most millennials (75%) chose to complete a will-based estate plan, enabling them to appoint guardians for minor children, along with pets, and make decisions about healthcare wishes and final arrangements. Only 19% opted for a trust, which helps those with more complex estates manage and distribute assets during their lifetime and after death. The study explored the top reasons millennials create estate plans. Consistent with last year’s results, the birth of a child continues to be the leading reason, followed by the death of a family member (11%) and buying a home (9%). The pandemic and work-from-home policies spurred many families across the nation to add a pet to their families. More than half of the millennials in the cohort have a pet, with three-fourths of pet owners designating someone to act as a pet guardian. The data shows that it’s clear that millennials are flouting certain traditional family norms. The study indicated that Millennials are steering away from tradition to create modern, personalized legacies. On average, millennials now list seven people in their estate plans. Their closest circle might not necessarily include blood relatives. Nearly one in four of those surveyed said they chose a non-family member as a guardian for their kids or pets or to act as an executor, trustee, or beneficiary. The study also revealed trends in end-of-life planning. Nearly 40% of the cohorts completed their health documents, including a HIPAA Authorization form, and the majority (57%) elected to receive care only if benefits outweigh the burdens. In terms of end-of-life preferences, nearly half of the cohort (48%) chose to have their body cremated, with only one in four choosing a conventional burial. Eight percent wanted their body to be donated to science. These numbers suggest that millennials are moving away from traditional end-of-life arrangements. The millennial generation is passionate about causes that matter to them and donating to non-profit organizations. Like last year, the top charities for bequests included St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Planned Parenthood, and Girl Scouts. This year, there was an increase in planned gifts to The Trevor Project, which provides crisis support for LGBTQ+ teens. For the full findings and to download a copy of the report, visit https://trustandwill.com/learn/millennial-estate-planning-study-2022. Methodology Trust & Will analyzed data from 22,850 individuals aged 25 to 44 in a proprietary study to explore specific insights and behaviors of the millennial generation when it comes to estate planning. Additionally, Trust & Will surveyed 323 individuals aged 25 to 44 to ask them about the process of creating their Estate Plans. Trust & Will plans to revisit this data each year to see how trends and behaviors among millennials continue to change over time. ABOUT TRUST & WILL Trust & Will is a modern approach to digital estate planning, offering legally valid documents designed and approved by estate planning attorneys to adhere to individual state guidelines. Since 2017, more than 300,000 Trust & Will members have created an online estate plan to set up their family legacy. We make estate planning simple, affordable, and accessible by providing a secure way to set up a plan online in minutes, using bank-level encryption that protects customer data and complies with the highest security standards, including SOC2. Trust & Will is the official estate planning benefit provider for AARP members and is a proud partner of several leading financial institutions, including Northwestern Mutual and Haven Life. To learn more, visit www.trustandwill.com. Contact Details Trust & Will Danielle Nuzzo +1 631-807-7772 danielle@trustandwill.com Company Website https://trustandwill.com

February 22, 2022 07:16 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Inspiring Exchanges Between Leaders in the Arts: Qatar America Introduces an American Delegation to Qatar’s Cultural Landscape

Qatar America Institute for Culture

From 10-15 January, 2022, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) hosted museum and cultural leaders from institutions across the United States as part of an immersive cultural delegation to Qatar. Over the course of five days, the delegates had the opportunity to visit various art, historical and culturally significant sites across Doha, meet with several high-level cultural leaders, and experience first-hand the rich heritage and traditions of the region, all in an effort to encourage future cross-cultural exchanges between the United States and Qatar. The delegation was comprised of a diverse group of individuals whose unique interests in Qatar allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the nation’s artistic and cultural offerings. Many of these executives have participated in QAIC’s 2021 Museum Series program or are planning to join in this year’s program. The members included: Lina Ali, Deputy Executive Director of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures (IMMC); Dr. Orianna Cacchione, Curator of Global Contemporary Art at the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago; Dr. Mohannad Ghawanmeh, Executive Director of Al-Bustan Seeds of Change; Kate Haw, Executive Officer for Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs at the National Gallery of Art; Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, Vice President for Global Artistic Programs at Asia Society and Director of Asia Society Museum; Tibor Waldner, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery; and Dr. Manuela Well-Off-Man, Chief Curator at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. In addition to various site visits, the delegates met with H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and member of QAIC’s Honorary Board of Trustees as well as Natalie A. Baker, the Deputy Chief of Mission and acting-Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Doha. Variety of topics were discussed such as the recently concluded Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, an initiative of Qatar Museums, and upcoming opportunities for cultural exchange in celebration of the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Qatar. The delegation received tours in various museums and institutions such as the National Museum of Qatar, Msheireb Museums’ Bin Jelmood House and Radwani House, the Christian Dior exhibition at M7, Jeff Koons’ “Lost in America” exhibition, the soon-to-open 321 Olympic & Sports Museum, and Virgil Abloh’s final exhibition, “Figures of Speech,” at Fire Station. Furthermore, the delegates visited Qatar Foundation headquarters located at Education City complex and its many organizations, including the Al Shaqab equestrian center, Qatar National Library, and the Minaretein building which houses both the highly modern Education City Mosque and the Qatar Faculty for Islamic Studies as part of the Hamad-Bin-Khalifa University. The group also visited the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the newly opened M.F. Husain exhibition “Seeroo fi al ardh,” and lastly, the headquarters of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the organization responsible for the execution of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. At the Katara Cultural Village, the group visited many cultural engagements available on the grounds, including the falconry center, planetarium, and its open-air amphitheater. The delegation concluded the week at the 31 st Doha International Book Fair to peruse the assortment of books from around the world (including the U.S.) and to witness QAIC Executive Director, Fatima Al-Dosari, speak on a panel titled “Qatari-U.S. Relations: Cultural Exchange for Building a Strategic Alliance.” QAIC’s own 2021 A2Q Digest made a special appearance at this year’s book fair thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Qatar. In addition to the numerous visits to the art and cultural institutions scattered throughout Doha, the delegates were able to embrace the more quotidian aspects of Qatari life, whether browsing the many merchant stalls at Doha’s Souq Waqif or sampling some of the deliciously decadent regional cuisines. With each delegate hailing from their own unique background and perspective, all were able to find aspects of the trip that were intriguing and inspiring to them on both a professional and personal level. “I think the whole group has been very surprised at the sophistication of everything we have seen at the museums and cultural centers in Doha,” commented delegate Lina Ali. “The programming is incredibly immersive and very focused on […] accessibility and inclusion of everybody in the society.” For delegate Dr. Mohannad Ghawanmeh who had last visited Doha ten years prior, “based on my own experience of Gulf societies, I was exceedingly impressed with the number of women … that are in positions of […] authority and cultural influence. It’s obvious to me … that women have taken lead roles in this society to chart cultural life in Qatar’s present and in its future.” According to delegate Tibor Waldner, “one of the most intriguing parts of the trip for me personally was the architecture […] and experiencing just how passionate and proud the people of Qatar are featuring new technologies, developing their city, putting emphasis on cultural development, and providing access and education.” Some of the delegates, like Dr. Manuela Well-Off-Man, were excited to apply some of the newly acquired observations from the trip to some of their future pursuits. “The Institute of American Indian Arts is about to develop a new research center,” commented Dr. Well-Off-Man, “and I will definitely share some of the ideas I saw at the Qatar National Library, for example, the innovation stations that really foster collaboration and engagement and creativity.” “I am really excited that during our visit [to Mathaf] we learned that the museum has an online encyclopedia of modern and contemporary Arab artists so that I can continue my research when I am back in the States,” said delegate Dr. Orianna Cacchione. Some of the delegates were very interested in how continued cultural exchange with Qatar will further impact and influence the arts. “What I think most excited me about possible collaborations with other institutions here in Qatar is having the ability to show the rich history and innovation of Qatar’s arts and contemporary artists to the greater world,” remarked delegate Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe. Following the conclusion of this delegation, QAIC’s focus is now turned to extending the momentum generated by these visits. In providing both the delegates and the visited institutions with the necessary connections and resources, QAIC hopes that these leaders will pursue their newfound interest and understanding of Qatar’s cultural and arts landscape to cultivate the next series of collaborations between the United States and Qatar. The Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) is a Washington, DC-based independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates, curates, and executes programs and research that amplify the prominence of all forms of art and culture from the United States, Qatar, and the larger Arab and Islamic worlds. Contact Details For more information, please contact Cedric Craig cedric.craig@qataramerica.org

February 17, 2022 11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Velocity Global integrates Contractor Payments to its Global Work Platform

Velocity Global

Increased demand for a simple hiring solution as number of independent workers wanting to work from anywhere is on the rise Velocity Global makes hiring and managing independent contractors easy with consolidated invoicing, automated, seamless payments, and locally compliant contracts Manage all talent in one place, including contractors and employees Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, today announced the integration of its Contractor Payments solution into its Global Work Platform ™ as the latest solution for businesses and talent to work with anyone, anywhere, anyhow. “Contractor management and payments are traditionally a cluttered time suck for both businesses and talent, but now the Velocity Global platform removes this friction,” said Eric Schroeder, Velocity Global chief operating officer. “In today’s virtual workplace, companies want to engage the best talent in any country, which adds more complexity. Our platform simplifies the process from onboarding to payments for contractors around the world. This now creates one single location for managers and talent to connect, contractors and employees alike, freeing them to focus on the task at hand - delivering results.” Businesses are increasingly turning to independent workers, a rising classification of knowledge workers. The number of full-time, part-time and occasional independent workers in the U.S. increased by 34% over just two years to 51.1 million in 2021, according to the State of Independence in America survey, and spending by businesses on contingent talent rose by 23%. “We are in a new era of work in which talent takes more control over their time, location, and how they choose to engage with their employers,” said Schroeder. “With this shift in talent comes a shift in investment from businesses to meet talent where it is. The world of work is changing quickly and we offer all of the tools for businesses and talent to engage with each other in a single, accessible platform.” Currently, most contractors face archaic onboarding processes and payment confusion, while companies face the administrative complexity of managing a distributed workforce. Velocity Global’s new Contractor Payments solution provides locally compliant contracts, consolidated invoicing, automated and seamless payments, and mobile access to solve these issues for both sides. Velocity Global’s Contractor Payments solution is now available in the company's Global Work Platform. Learn more at https://velocityglobal.com/platform/contractor-payments/ About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work Platform™ simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. With talent solutions in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States, the platform combines global Employer of Record and Contractor Management to onboard, manage, and pay talent worldwide. More than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

February 17, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

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