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Hong Kong Baptist University to host QS APPLE 2021 Conference to explore emerging trends in higher education in the Asia Pacific

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 26 October 2021 - Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will host the QS Asia-Pacific Professional Leaders in Education (QS APPLE) 2021 Conference with the theme “ Future Rebalance: Emerging trends and workforce in the Asia Pacific ” from 1 to 3 November. HKBU will host the QS APPLE 2021 Conference with the theme “Future Rebalance: Emerging trends and workforce in the Asia Pacific” from 1 to 3 November. Organised by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), an international higher education network specialising in the analysis of higher education institutions around the world, and with the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand as the co-host, the conference will gather renowned leaders and experts from the higher education sector, and they will exchange their thoughts and shed light on the upcoming development trends for higher education and the strategies for nurturing talent in the region. Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said that it is an important time for higher education in the region, as the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration to address many of the world’s grand challenges. “HKBU is proud to host the QS APPLE 2021 Conference, as the theme and topics resonate strongly with our focus on the importance of cultivating transdisciplinary education and research to meet the needs of tomorrow,” he said. Mr Anton John Crace, Editor & Programme Designer of QS, commented: “As we continue to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we champion the crucial role which higher education institutions play in enabling the knowledge exchange which is needed to enact change on a global scale. In the Asia Pacific region, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, there is already a huge momentum for growth and development in higher education. We have already seen rapid change in research output, collaboration and impact over the past decade.” “QS are proud partners to the higher education sector - working together with world-class universities and employers to understand and navigate future trends and what they mean for individual institutions. I look forward to hearing the range of experiences and perspectives from the incredible panel of experts who we are proud to have brought together for this year’s QS APPLE Conference,” he said. The three-day virtual conference will feature keynotes, debates, panel discussions, and case studies spread across five tracks: (1) Crossing disciplinary divides (research innovation), (2) Thriving through collaborations (partnerships), (3) Cultivating great minds (innovation in pedagogy), (4) Finding the next big thing (strategic planning) and (5) Student flows during a pandemic (student insights). A Presidents Panel on the theme “Building resilient universities for tomorrow: An Asian perspective” will be held on 1 November, with Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Professor Lily Kong, President of the Singapore Management University; Professor Joonki Paik, Provost and Executive Vice President of Research of the Chung-Ang University in Korea; Professor Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University in mainland China; and Professor T.G. Sitharam, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, as the panellists; and Mr Anton John Crace as the moderator. The conference will also present roundtable and panel discussions on specific topics including art-tech, wellness, as well as artificial intelligence and ethics, university partnerships, and innovative pedagogies. Please visit the official website of the conference ( https://qsapple.org/ ) for the full agenda and other information about the event. Media representatives who would like to join the virtual conference can register free of charge via QS APPLE 2021’s designated webpage ( https://qsapple.org/registration?promo=PRESS ). The quota for free media registrations is limited and applications will be entertained on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact Details Hong Kong Baptist University Kevin Lau from the Communication and Public Relations Office +852 3411 7964 kevinkflau@hkbu.edu.hk Company Website https://www.hkbu.edu.hk/

October 26, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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National Guard Veteran Darin Overstreet Transitions to Owning Minuteman Press Franchise in Aurora, Colorado

Minuteman Press International Inc

Darin Overstreet, co-owner of the Minuteman Press franchise located at 14190 E. Jewell Ave., Suite 1, has retired from the Colorado National Guard where he served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Task Force - Centennial. Today, Darin, who also served in the U.S. Air Force, runs Minuteman Press in Aurora along with his wife Anne. Together, Darin and Anne provide local businesses and non-profits with design, printing, marketing, and mailing services. During his time of service, Darin was an integral part of several missions both at home and abroad. He shares, “We (the National Guard) did both federal and state missions that could take us anywhere from The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to El Salvador to right here in Colorado. In 2013, one mission that particularly hit home was the Colorado floods. The flood ripped through a dozen counties, and I was part of the Colorado National Guard’s Joint Staff. We coordinated everything from sandbagging and evacuations to helping people in flooded areas. After the floods, our team was brought in to help rebuild the highway that leads to Estes Park, Colorado. We were able to get the roads paved and, during the rebuild, I coordinated with the media including interviews, public relations, photography, video, and writing articles.” Darin continues, “I am most proud of the fact that I was part of team that truly made a difference and helped people when they needed us most. Over 15 years, our Public Affairs team received 75 National Military awards. I really enjoyed community relations, which is something I am still doing today in a different capacity with Minuteman Press, our Veteran-owned family business in Aurora.” Applying Military Skills to Business Ownership With Minuteman Press in Aurora, Darin has found the perfect opportunity to apply the skills he acquired during his years of military service. He says, “There are so many lessons and experiences I have taken with me – community relations, messaging, public relations, photography, and building relationships with so many different types of people. As the Director of Community Outreach, I was already connecting people who may not otherwise meet and I learned the value of simply helping others by providing service.” Darin adds, “90 percent of our clients are other local business owners like me. If I see that they can benefit from one another, I make meaningful connections and I see working with my clients as a two-way street. I love working with them on all of their marketing promotions and social media, and just building relationships. I want to serve and strengthen my community just as I did when I was in the National Guard.” One other benefit that Darin sees in the transition to business ownership is his ability to endorse and promote businesses, which was not the mission of the National Guard. He says, “Now, I can promote other businesses and help them, and I love being an active part of the Aurora community in this way. For example, during the pandemic I’ve been working to promote local artists. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photo/Video, and so I’ve been art-adjacent all my life. With Minuteman Press, I am able to help these incredible artists print on demand and promote their stories.” Buying the Business During the Pandemic and Operating as an Essential Business Darin and Anne bought their business in June 2020 and have remained open and operating throughout the pandemic as an essential business. They have seen high demand for a wide variety of products as businesses continue to ramp up their marketing efforts. Darin says, “We’ve seen high demand for direct mail and Every Door Direct Mail. We help businesses reach out to targeted geographic and demographic areas so they can tell their customers about operations changes, new guidelines, and of course, special offers.” He continues, “Throughout the pandemic, popular items have included large format printing (banners, posters, and signage), updated restaurant menus, stickers, and dye sublimation (face masks and apparel). We’ve also helped clients come up with special offers for subscription boxes featuring relevant printed and promotional items that their customers will appreciate and remember.” When asked why he chose Minuteman Press, Darin answers, “I looked at other franchises but I’ve always been interested in printing. I have a passion for art, photo and video, and with this business I feel like I can help others bring their visions and branding to life. When I visited Minuteman Press at the Denver Franchise Expo, they were very professional and straightforward. They told me about how the franchise model worked including their training, ongoing support, and capped royalties. I also found the startup costs reasonable and felt they had the knowledge and resources to really help us operate this business.” Darin also credits the local support team in Colorado for being there every step of the way. “Regional Vice President Jack Panzer and Area Manager Todd Golberg are there for us whenever we need them and it is a tremendous benefit to us to have their continued guidance and reassurance.” Minuteman Press in Aurora is located at 14190 East Jewell Avenue, Unit 1, Aurora, CO 80012. Contact Darin and Anne Overstreet at 303-751-5007 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/co/aurora21 Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Franchise Business Review has also named Minuteman Press International a Top Franchise for Veterans. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

October 25, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NCMA Announces Public Meeting of the Standards Consensus Body

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), the leading resource for professionals in contract management and acquisition will hold a public meeting of the Standards Consensus Body (SCB) on November 18, 2021, from 5 – 7pm EDT. The SCB leads NCMA standards-setting activities and oversees the Contract Management Standard (CMS)™, an ANSI-approved standard that has been adopted by industry and agencies, including the US Department of Defense as the basis for their contract management competency framework. “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new work of reaffirming the Contract Management Standard TM (CMS™) as an American National Standard (ANS) ANSI/NCMA ASD 1-2019 and to hold a formal vote to accept, reject, or modify the new work,” said Kraig Conrad, CEO. “This is a great opportunity to unite as a community to advance adoption of the CMS TM for more user categories.” In 2018 NCMA was designated as an Accredited Standards Developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), an internationally recognized third party entity, solidifying NCMA as the foremost standards development organization for the contract management profession. Shortly thereafter, NCMA created the SCB to serve as the heart of its standards program, providing expertise to maintain ANSI accreditation. ANSI’s third-party accreditation provides additional confidence and trust in the CMS™ and its ability to create efficiency and stability to contract management. To become an approved ANS, the CMS endured rigorous processes for: A consensus-based standard; Public review and comment on draft standards; Response to comments; Incorporation of approved changes; and Right to appeal. The same processes will be used in the reaffirmation process. All interested parties (both members and nonmembers) can register for the public meeting here, For additional information, please contact NCMA at Standards@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 Jennifer Knowlton +1 571-382-1127 jennifer.knowlton@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

October 22, 2021 01:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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AmeriLife Appoints Ford Stokes Senior Vice President, Annuity Marketing

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing annuity, life, and health insurance solutions, today announced that it has hired Ford Stokes as senior vice president, Annuity Marketing. Stokes, reporting to AmeriLife Chief Marketing Officer Ovi Vitas, is charged with providing expert marketing strategies and implementation to AmeriLife affiliates, with the goal of helping financial advisors grow their advisory, insurance and annuities business. Most recently, Stokes served as an advisor to AmeriLife affiliate V2 Financial Group, where he implemented an aggressive, strategic marketing approach that helped grow V2’s profit 113.78% year over year in 2021. At AmeriLife, Stokes will, among other responsibilities, help define AmeriLife’s annuity marketing value proposition across its distribution network; help affiliates better activate cross-selling opportunities for annuities and retirement planning solutions; and drive third-party credibility of appointed advisors through exclusive thought leadership programs. "I can't wait to get started supporting AmeriLife’s affiliates and their advisors,” said Stokes. “Our affiliates work hard to protect and grow the hard-earned and hard-saved assets of their clients, while also ensuring they can help generate critical income for their clients’ retirement futures. We will work just as hard to help them help more Americans build a sound, successful retirement.” "Ford brings to AmeriLife a significant amount of consumer and financial industry expertise, business knowledge, and strategic acumen,” added Vitas. “I couldn’t be more excited to have Ford join the team, and I would encourage any financial advisor or insurance agent to get appointed with one of our affiliates to take advantage of the incredible expertise and qualified prospects that Ford and our team can provide.” Prior to joining AmeriLife, Stokes served as the chief marketing officer with a $2B independent marketing organization and was a former minority owner of a $3.4B registered investment advisor. He will continue to maintain his private wealth management practice based in Atlanta. Stokes earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Auburn University; holds a Series 65 Securities license; and is a licensed life and health insurance agent in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas and North Carolina. Stokes resides in Atlanta with his wife Diana and their twin girls, Grace and Madison. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. By putting its mission into practice, AmeriLife has become recognized as a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees. For 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with the nation’s leading insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 250,000 insurance agents and advisors, over 40 marketing organizations, and nearly 50 insurance agency locations. Visit www.AmeriLife.com and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn for more information. Contact Details Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

October 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Tykes, Inc. Selects BEASY’s NFT Management Platform to Power New Tykeland Marketplace

Beasy, LLC

Blockchain Made Easy, LLC (dba BEASY) announced today it has signed a multi-year enterprise licensing agreement with Tykes, Inc., a leading provider of digital likeness artwork to professional and college athletes as well as university sports and recruiting programs. Through the licensing agreement, Tykes will adopt Blockchain Made Easy’s private-labelable core blockchain platform called BEASY Authentication ™ to NFT-enable Tykeland, Tykes soon-to-be released online marketplace. Using BEASY’s technology, Tykeland plans to offer limited edition Tykes designs for use by Tykes customers as NFTs, including sovereign digital names and identities for use on any blockchain-based marketplace. In addition to Tykes use of BEASY’s technology, BEASY is using Tykes designs as player avatars within BEASY’s flagship sports and entertainment application called AthleteChain™. “We’re thrilled to be working with Tykes,” says Bob Kramich, Founder and CEO of BEASY. “By transforming the Tykes they already trust and love into sovereign digital identity avatars, universities and athletes can jumpstart NFT collaboration and revenue generation with trust.” Designed specifically for the sports and entertainment industry, AthleteChain ™makes it easy for players, universities, teams, and sponsors to generate NFTs directly from their own computers, then sell and track them on any website or NFT marketplace. The first of its kind in sports, BEASY AthleteChain ™ is a multi-party consensus network (MPCN), designed to verify and maintain the true state of asset ownership across all permissioned users, while also enabling users to buy, sell, trade or transfer intellectual property rights for physical and digital goods directly with one another. “Through BEASY’s solution, our customers can use their existing Tykes to jumpstart new revenue streams while also learning about blockchain, NIL, and NFTs in a way that’s already aligned with how they recruit and operate today,” says Jason Woullard, CEO and Founder of Tykes, Inc. “Offering blockchain-authenticated Tykes to our valued customers is a natural extension of the work we are already doing for them,” Jason adds. # # # About BEASY ™ Blockchain Made Easy ™, LLC is a Massachusetts-based technology and professional services company empowering retail and business customers with the ability to deploy customized blockchain-based strategies through easy-to-use blockchain software products. The company’s core product, BEASY Authentication ™, is a permissioned blockchain platform and associated wallet solution allowing users to seamlessly create, sell, and track digital goods in addition to a broad range of other applications such as digital identity management, fractional and whole digital asset ownership, royalties management, contract-to-smart contract management and more. BEASY is committed to making blockchain adoption easy. For more information, go to www.BEASY1.com. About BEASY AthleteChain ™ BEASY AthleteChain ™ is a turnkey SaaS software product enabling users in sports to create and manage NFTs directly from their personal computers and sell on any NFT marketplace or Shopify-enabled website using both credit cards as well as cryptocurrencies. A comprehensive yet extremely easy-to-use blockchain enablement platform, AthleteChain™ benefits aspiring athlete entrepreneurs with business benefits such as personal brand trademarking and proof-of-use, quality-at-the-source contract-to-smart contract creation and control, business partner and friend network administration, perpetual revenue tracking, contract compliance verification, and more. For more information go to https://beasy1.com/athletechain About Tykes, Inc. Founded in 2014, Tykes is a design-centered messaging company which creates ‘art that articulates’ for professional and college athletes, universities and global brands. Tykes digital avatars and designs enable everyone from individuals and entrepreneurs, to Fortune 500 enterprises to break through marketing clutter and connect with target audiences in relevant, intelligent and timely ways. Tykes branded designs are proven to increase customer engagement, brand loyalty and revenues. Connect with Beasy Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeasyInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beasy-blockchain-made-easy-llc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beasy1859/ Connect with Tykes https://www.mytyke.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tykeland Twitter: https://twitter.com/tykeland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytyke/ Contact Details Beasy, LLC. David Kaupp info@beasy1.com Tykes Jason Woullard, CEO info@mytyke.com Company Website https://www.beasy1.com

October 21, 2021 04:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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TEKEVER AR5 UAV successfully deployed using SES's Governmental Pooling and Sharing System

Get SAT

Tekever, a global aerospace and defence company, announced the successful deployment of the Tekever UAV AR5 over Portugal’s west coast, using satellite communications services developed in the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) programme aimed at developing Pooling and Sharing systems. Known as PACIS-1, the project was deployed by the consortium led by SES’s wholly owned subsidiary SES Techcom. SES Techcom’s ISR demonstration in Portugal was enabled by the company’s high-performance managed satellite communications service which seamlessly integrated the ecosystem partners’ capabilities. As part of the demo, Get SAT’s innovative multi-orbit terminal supported the mission requirements needed at a low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) to complete the mission. Once airborne, the terminal was activated for the Beyond Radio Line of Sight mission, with SES’s ubiquitous coverage via satcom providing connectivity for the flight. Tekever’s AR5 UAV live streamed HD video and collected data from the Maritime Moving Target Indicator (MMTI), video footage, and electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR). “As part of the PACIS-1 project with ESA, we brought together an ecosystem of partners to develop the Pooling and Sharing System that benefits governmental and institutional end users, giving them access to top of the range defence and civil capabilities in the most efficient way, anytime they need it,” said Alan Kuresevic, Managing Director at SES Techcom. “The demonstration we held in Portugal showcased a seamless high-performance ISR service that integrates partner capabilities and that is enabled via a satellite communications network. Through access to SES’s multi-orbit fleet, more of secure and resilient communications on the move can be enabled, ensuring reach for all types of critical operations, whether in the air, at sea or on land.” “We are very glad to take part of the multiple end user satellite service demonstrations conducted during this project and contribute to showcase the benefits of Pooling and Sharing systems”, said Ricardo Mendes, Tekever CEO. “They truly enhance Tekever AR5 performance and address the needs of European governments for simple and easy access to secure satellite communications that can leverage their existing operational capabilities in areas such as civil protection and maritime surveillance”. “We were pleased with the resiliency and beam switching demonstrated during this deployment”, said Kfir Benjamin, CEO at Get SAT. “During the course of the mission the Get SAT terminal provided the necessary throughput and demonstrated its multiple-satellite support capabilities”. The PACIS-1 project led by SES Techcom is intended to provide Governments and Institutions with secure services over different governmental and commercial satellites and across several frequency bands. Once fully operational, the PACIS-1 project will offer users guaranteed service access, so they can quickly communicate anytime, anywhere. Get SAT offers compact, all-in-one, innovative, multi-band SATCOM solutions that are deployable on platforms across sea, land and airborne operational environments. Get SAT units operate on both GEO and MEO satellite constellations and support seamless data transfer over satellite links. For the demo in Portugal, the Get SAT Milli SAT H LW KU band with 55W BUC terminal secured a link within three minutes. About TEKEVER TEKEVER offers a revolutionary UAS-based surveillance-as-a-service solution, delivering actionable real-time intelligence across ultra-wide areas. With absolute focus on gathering intelligence to support the most demanding missions, TEKEVER’s UAS product-line is designed and engineered to deliver the most advanced technical and operational capabilities, with extreme ease of use, and a business model that makes easily available at a global scale. TEKEVER has Engineering and Production facilities in the United Kingdom and Portugal, and works closely with a global partner network to provide local support to customers worldwide. The PACIS-1 project dovetails with Tekever’s European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) contract to establish Europe’s first unmanned commercial maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring services, which could be worth as much as EUR 77 million. The solution is being used to monitor trafficking, illegal migration, and IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing. POC: Filipa Martins filipa.martins@tekever.com About SES Techcom SES Techcom is a wholly owned subsidiary of SES that develops and delivers innovative and tailored end-to-end satellite-enabled solutions and services to governmental, institutional and supranational partners and customers. Leveraging its expertise in managing complex system integration projects, the company is a longstanding partner for institutional customers such as the European Commission and ESA on quantum communication infrastructure, navigation, defence & security, humanitarian and disaster response initiatives. Further information is available at: www.ses-techcom.com PACIS-1 PACIS-1 is part of the ESA programme aimed at developing Pooling and Sharing Systems (artes.esa.int/4s-govsatcom-precursor) and the first step in demonstrating how the European space industry can support the European Union’s GOVSATCOM initiative and leverage governmental and commercial satellite services to provide secure access to satellite communications for a wide range of governmental applications. The project led by SES’s fully owned affiliate SES Techcom, was designed to put in place the architecture and service concept of PACIS-1, leveraging the space assets and ground infrastructure of the stakeholders involved in the project. Other industrial partners that have joined the consortium included Redu Space Services, GovSat, ST Engineering iDirect (Europe), QinetiQ and Tekever, and provided specific technological contributions, including engineering, satellite capacity, commercial, project management and other services. About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries over 8,650 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. About Get SAT Get SAT is the leading provider of Micronized Satellite Terminals. The InterFlat is the latest breakthrough in antenna panel technology, providing the world’s highest efficiency performance in the smallest package. Combining the InterFlat with our state-of-the-art control and tracking mechanism, creates the most powerful and fully contained satellite terminal system. The InterFlat is a leap forward in capability and SWaP, enabling us to provide truly portable, full duplex, wide-band satellite communications. GetSAT customers include top tier defence, commercial and technology companies. The Get SAT team is composed of industry leading experts with multi-disciplinary skills, dedicated to providing an exceptional, agile and affordable customer experience. Further information is available at: www.getsat.com Get SAT CONTACT: Ayala Pinhasi +972-76-5300700 info@getsat.com About ESA The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. European Space Agency (esa.int) TIA The Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Directorate (TIA) supports innovation to boost the competitiveness of European industry in the global space market. This involves a wide range of activities, from space-based technology, systems, product for telecommunications development to the down-to-Earth application of space-based services. It also calls for engagement with a wide range of industrial, academic and institutional partners. Contact Details Ayala Pinhasi info@getsat.com Company Website https://www.getsat.com/

October 21, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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New Plant Nutrient Analysis at MCR Labs Can Help Growers Save Money and Improve Yield

MCR Labs

MCR Labs is now offering a Plant Nutrient Analysis to home growers and commercial cannabis cultivators. The test provides cannabis growers with a detailed breakdown of the presence and concentration of 11 micro and macronutrients found within the tissue of submitted plant samples. MCR Labs is a licensed independent testing lab providing compliance testing to marijuana establishments, but Plant Nutrient Analysis is an optional screen not required for compliance testing of legal cannabis products. This test is designed to help growers improve plant health and productivity, optimize cultivation practices, and cut costs related to supplemental nutrient feeding. “Nutrient analysis offers a lot of beneficial data that could fundamentally change how growers assess and maintain healthy plants,” said Michael Kahn, MCR Labs founder and CEO. “Seeing trends and correcting imbalances early could mean bigger yields and better quality output.” By launching testing services beyond their state’s compliance scope, MCR Labs hopes to strengthen their role as a partner to growers and cannabis businesses looking to get the most out of their plants. “The goal in developing this test was to give our clients access to insights about nutritional deficiencies or excesses that can save them time, effort, and money spent on keeping their plants happy,” said Julie Martellini, MCR Labs scientific operations manager. MCR Labs has begun accepting samples for Plant Nutrient Analysis at their Massachusetts facility. They plan to offer this service at all of their facilities by the end of the year. About MCR Labs: MCR Labs is one of the longest operational cannabis testing laboratories on the East coast with facilities operating in several legal cannabis markets. We are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited providers of analytical cannabis product testing and R&D services committed to assisting licensed marijuana establishments, patients, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates. Our team of chemists and pharmaceutical scientists are dedicated to advancing public health and safety through leading-edge chemical analysis of cannabis products and offering unparalleled guidance and support for partners, regulators, and the communities we serve. For more information visit http://mcrlabs.com. Contact Details MCR Labs Joe Crinkley +1 857-230-0839 joe@mcrlabs.com Company Website http://mcrlabs.com

October 20, 2021 12:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Save Highlands Committee Seeks Justice Through the Legal System

Save Highlands

A group of homeowners working to protect the people whose livelihoods depend on travel and tourism, the personal rights already vested in individual property owners, and inclusivity in the Town of Highlands have taken legal steps to protect their neighbors and their rights. Asheville, North Carolina, law firm Allen Stahl + Kilbourne has filed a legal complaint on behalf of Save Highlands against the Town for its decision on August 24, 2021, to ban all vacation rentals in R1, effective January 3, 2022. “We are happy to give a voice to so many local workers, homeowners, and businesses who are adversely affected by this impetuous decision,” said Kristy Jones Favalli, a member of the Save Highlands group. “It’s unfortunate that we’re in this position and that no conciliatory efforts have been made on behalf of the Town. Simply put, this is a matter of due process – we truly believe the law is on our side and that justice will prevail.” The Town of Highlands has allowed vacation rentals for decades and has permitted many property owners to make substantial investments based on that policy. In order to protect property rights and the economic welfare of the community, Save Highlands is seeking declaratory relief from the Court to prevent the Town of Highlands from discriminating against property owners’ ability to use their property as they see fit, while providing favorable treatment to other property owners. They do not seek monetary damages from the Town of Highlands. The members of Save Highlands recently sent the following letter to Town residents regarding the issue: Fellow Lovers of Highlands, As you are all well aware, Highlands is an inclusive family of year-round residents, seasonal homeowners, visitors, restaurateurs, artists, landscapers, retailers, housekeepers, entrepreneurs, builders, realtors, plumbers, electricians, and many others. All these groups are inter-woven into the fabric that makes this town so special, and while some may not realize it, all of these groups benefit from vacation rentals. For four decades the Town of Highlands communicated to countless property owners and visitors that there were no restrictions on vacation rentals. The Town has happily accepted rental tax revenue and welcomed renters for decades. That changed this summer when a small but vocal HOA voted to bring legal action against the Town of Highlands. On August 19 th, the Town meeting opened with the statement “this is the beginning of a long discussion on vacation rentals,” and less than a week later the Board voted to ban them. The people and the businesses of Highlands were blindsided. In response, Save Highlands was created. Sadly, we are being positioned as faceless investors. The truth is that we have been part of the community for decades and many of us are full-time residents. One member has had property and family rooted in the town since the 1920s, another since the 1880s. We are not a group of faceless investors. We are your neighbors and, just like you, we want what’s best for this Town. On October 13, the Save Highlands group of homeowners took the first legal step to retain personal property rights in the Town of Highlands. To be clear, this is not an action we wanted to take. The Town Commission simply has no legal authority to ban all vacation rentals in R1. Unfortunately, neither Mayor Taylor nor anyone from the Town of Highlands have come to the table with negotiations or made any attempt to find common ground. In effect, all remaining options for cordially protecting the rights of property owners and saving Highlands have been exhausted. We firmly believe the law is on our side regarding this issue. Banning rentals will not only have a crippling financial effect on Highlands, but also fracture its people unnecessarily. In fact, it’s already happening. This action has created an artificial divide between neighbors when together we could address the issue thoughtfully, taking the entire community’s input into consideration. A vacation rental ban will have a substantial negative effect on tax and business revenue and lead to a devastating loss of income for countless Highlands residents. Banning rentals could mean an annual loss of 19.3 million dollars in direct income on Main Street and a 115-million-dollar total economic loss for the Town. These financial implications are far reaching and affect us all. While the Town is currently booming - fueled by the travel dynamics of the pandemic and a recovering economy - the financial effects of a vacation rental ban will be felt this winter and exponentially when the economic climate isn’t so strong. We want balance. Vacation rentals are a complicated subject for any town, which is why they were specifically addressed in the Draft Community Plan. And while loud voices have stated that vacation rentals are “simply against the law,” that is simply false. The Town of Highlands Use Regulations do not even mention vacation rentals. Even the State of North Carolina defines vacation rentals as “residential use.” But more than that, we feel that who we invite into our homes should be in our hands as the property owners – not the decision of the government. We love this town and its people. And we believe if we come together as a community, we can create an inclusive, well-planned future to save Highlands for generations to come. Sincerely, The Save Highlands Committee To read the legal filing in its entirety, visit www.savehighlands.net Contact Details Save Highlands Jill Lieberman, Adapt Public Relations +1 828-399-1588 jill@adaptpublicrelations.com Company Website https://www.savehighlands.net

October 19, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Enhanced Benchmarking Capabilities Added to SullivanCotter’s Provider Performance Management Technology™

SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter, the nation’s leading independent consulting firm in the assessment and development of total rewards programs, workforce solutions, and technology and data products for the health care industry and not-for-profit sector, announces significant benchmarking enhancements to its growing Provider Performance Management Technology TM (PPMT™) platform. PPMT is an industry-first, cloud-based product that engages clinicians and informs leaders through transparent performance-based compensation administration, contract management, and analytical and reporting capabilities. PPMT’s fall product release includes new configurability options for its already powerful benchmarking capabilities, including the ability to select months for productivity benchmarks and identify and benchmark physicians who specialize in multiple service areas. “Our latest enhancement allows users to remove abnormally low productivity months, particularly like we’ve seen with COVID-19, to make the data set more relevant. This can also be beneficial when clinicians take a leave of absence and more,” said Shelly Slowiak, Director, Product Support, PPMT, SullivanCotter. PPMT’s current functionality enables clients to view both individual and collective physician performance relative to their own custom organizational benchmarks. This allows physicians and leaders to monitor real-time productivity and compare to the organization’s key compensation productivity thresholds. In addition to displaying wRVU productivity, users may compare total cash compensation (TCC) and metrics to external and internal benchmarks for both full-time and split clinical roles. Designed to address a spectrum of physician, leadership and other key stakeholder needs, PPMT combines years of health care compensation insight and expertise with an intuitive and automated technology platform to help drive provider performance and support the transition from volume- to value-based care. “Based on the evolving needs of our clients, SullivanCotter continues to invest in and improve our technology products. Alongside Benchmarks360™, which enables clients to analyze and visualize compensation, clinical productivity, and workforce perceptions, we continue to offer our clients additional ways to benchmark pay and productivity,” said David Schwietz, Chief Information Officer, SullivanCotter. For more information on these enhancements or our entire suite of Provider Performance Management Technology™, visit www.sullivancotter.com/PPMT or contact us at 888.739.7039. About SullivanCotter SullivanCotter partners with health care and other not-for-profit organizations to understand what drives performance and improve outcomes through the development and implementation of integrated workforce strategies. Using our time-tested methodologies and industry-leading research and information, we provide data-driven insights, expertise, data and technology products to help organizations align business strategy and performance objectives – enabling our clients to deliver on their mission, vision and values. Contact Details Becky Lorentz +1 314-414-3719 beckylorentz@sullivancotter.com Company Website https://sullivancotter.com

October 19, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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