News Hub | News Direct

Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
Article thumbnail News Release

Cloud Conventions Launches Virtual Event Network Solution for Enterprise Business

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions today announced an enterprise virtual event management solution for Fortune 1000 businesses that need to manage both internal and customer facing events on a year-round basis. Cloud Conventions Enterprise Event Network™ is a SaaS platform that manages and delivers multiple virtual or hybrid events with capabilities and engagement features beyond a simple webinar or streaming event. Cloud Conventions Enterprise onboards and manages attendees, controls sessions and content, provides engagement tools and analyzes all attendee interactions. The platform can be administered at a corporate level to support standardized event programming and maintain content libraries and business resources. It can be connected to other internal or external systems for onboarding attendees and data exchange. “Cloud Conventions Enterprise grew out of requirements from large global businesses to needed to control and manage their sales, marketing and technical events on a single virtual event platform or on a series of platforms connected into an event network,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “Cloud Conventions Enterprise is unique in that it integrates easily with other enterprise platforms that hold contact, digital content assets or learning management resources, managing a two-way dataflow of content and videos while monitoring and reporting on attendee engagement.” Cloud Conventions Enterprise is designed for organizations that need a solution for multiple events versus a single tradeshow or conference. The Cloud Conventions member API connects to internal systems to seamlessly add data records of staff or customer attendees and offers single sign-on from an enterprise application. The platform can be connected to marketing cloud solutions, digital content libraries, learning management systems or data analysis engines to deliver assets and receive transactional data from attendance at a virtual or hybrid event or conference. Groups using Zoom or BlueJeans by Verizon can connect their video accounts for use on the platform or can use other video solutions such as Teams, WebEx, GlobalMeet or GoToMeeting. “As a result of the virtualization of the workforce accelerated during the Pandemic, Cloud Conventions Enterprise is built to satisfy a growing need for virtual event options within an enterprise corporate environment,” added Bradfield. “Company meetings, internal or external trade events, user conferences, sales kickoffs, and even investor relations events or live virtual press conferences are all more streamlined with this platform. Using our proprietary Hub & Spoke™ capability, corporations can create a network of event platforms segmented by business unit or geography while still controlling access and brand identity from a centralized and monitored platform.” About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Conventions Enterprise Event Network™, Community™, SafetyNet™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

September 13, 2021 03:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Steve Brunk Continues Track Record of Success in Florida, Grows Minuteman Press Franchise in Port St. Lucie

Minuteman Press International Inc

Minuteman Press in Port St. Lucie is the third Minuteman Press franchise that Steve has owned in Florida. He previously owned the Boca Raton location and still owns the Vero Beach location, which were both built into Million-Dollar centers. Minuteman Press in Port St. Lucie, located at 130 SE Entrada Ave., has remained open and operating during the pandemic. Owner Steve Brunk and his family have worked hard to support local businesses with essential printing, marketing, and mailing services, and have been rewarded for their efforts. In fact, Minuteman Press in Port St. Lucie has doubled their sales through the pandemic from 2019 to 2020, and they are on track to have another record-breaking year in 2021. For Steve Brunk, growing sales for his Minuteman Press printing franchises is nothing new. Steve first joined Minuteman Press in 1995 when he bought the location in Boca Raton. He explains, “After I bought Minuteman Press in Boca Raton, we worked hard and built it up before selling the business. I simply said ‘yes’ to my customers instead of ‘no’ and followed the Minuteman Press system.” Prior to franchising, Steve worked in retail. He says, “I was working for a Hallmark card franchisee in their mall stores where you just wait for holidays to drive business. I knew nothing about printing, but it was something in which I could go outside the store and generate more business. I also loved the concept of reprint orders because it kept the customers coming back.” After selling the Boca Raton location, Steve moved to Vero Beach and took over another Minuteman Press location there. He says, “I bought the Vero Beach location in 2007 and we worked hard to build it into a million-dollar center. We now have a 10,000 sq. ft. building in Vero Beach and a fantastic team of employees who are incredible.” In 2017, Steve expanded further by buying the Minuteman Press location in Port St. Lucie, where he is working to continue his track record of success through community outreach, marketing, and providing vital products and services to local businesses. “I’d like to congratulate Steve Brunk and the team of Minuteman Press in Port St. Lucie for their growth and success. It is a fantastic accomplishment for Steve and his family to build yet another successful center in Port St. Lucie, and I look forward to being there to support their continued growth,” adds Larry Trimble, Minuteman Press Regional Vice President, Florida. Asked about his accomplishments in Boca Raton, Vero Beach, and now Port St. Lucie, Steve simply states, “I love the short reorder cycle of print, especially compared to retail,” he says. “In retail, you sit in the store and wait for customers to come to you, and there are no assurances they will come back. With all three Minuteman Press centers I’ve owned, the business model enables me to go out there and build my business while the reorders keep coming in. You can’t beat that.” Minuteman Press in Port St. Lucie is located at 130 SE Entrada Ave.; Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. For more information, call 772-212-7350 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/fl/port-st-lucie. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

September 13, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Stop Worrying about the Cost of Ransomware with Cyvatar

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has partnered with Cysurance, a next-generation platform delivering cyber insurance as a service to growing businesses, to offer an enhanced service guarantee as a benefit to all customers with a silver membership or higher. Starting today, Cyvatar members can worry less about the high costs associated with ransomware or business email compromise (BEC) attacks, regulatory fines, cyber legal liability, and more. With a Cyvatar Silver, Gold, or Enterprise subscription, members benefit from an exclusive service guarantee that pays for up to $500,000 of breach-related costs. “The partnership with Cysurance gives Cyvatar members a financial safety net in the event of a successful attack,” said Kirsten Bay, Cysurance co-founder and chief executive officer. “The added protection will enable them to manage all types of cyber risk.” Cyvatar already guarantees members of all levels a fully remediated, continuously clean security environment within the first 90 days. Now, that guarantee extends to service disruption costs related to: Ransomware threats Business email compromise Compliance penalties, audit failures, and regulatory fines Cyber legal liability expenses Business Interruption costs “We’re proud to partner with Cysurance and offer our members a one-of-a-kind security experience, one where they can get CyValue fast,” said Cyvatar Co-Founder and CEO Corey White. “As we continue to grow and evolve our revolutionary cybersecurity-as-service (CSaaS) offering, we have the opportunity to add more exciting benefits for our members all for the same fixed subscription price they pay today.” Cyvatar’s enhanced service guarantee comes bundled with all memberships starting at the Silver subscription level. In addition to breach cost assurance, the membership also includes: Click here to learn more about Cyvatar and Cysurance’s new partnership and sign up for Cyvatar’s robust membership offering today. About Cysurance Cysurance is the next-generation cyber solution, protecting small businesses and their partners through affordable cyber risk management. Built on a proprietary platform, our program comes with a complete set of features to safeguard business continuity and insure against loss, protecting both revenue and recovery. For more information, visit www.cysurance.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, or email us at info@cysurance.com. Insurance and 360Protect offered by Cysurance, LLC. NY License #1578397. All products may not be available in all states. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage or protection is subject to the language of the policies and terms as actually issued. Nothing in this communication should be construed as involving the sale, solicitation or negotiation of insurance, the provision or offer of insurance services, or the provision or offer of legal advice or services. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert practitioners, market-leading technologies, and proven best practices to guarantee business results. Our approach is rooted in a proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack prevention, all bundled into a fixed monthly subscription that members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California, with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Cysurance Gray Newhouse +1 917-503-8031 Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

September 13, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Velocity Global adds tech talent acquisition veteran Kokoro Robinson to double its global team

Velocity Global

Robinson joins Velocity Global from Stack Overflow Velocity Global to double its worldwide team of 400 over next year Robinson is a two-time Velocity Global client Velocity Global, the leading provider of global employment solutions, today announced it welcomed Kokoro Robinson as its vice president of Talent Acquisition. Robinson applies 25 years of experience building teams for high-growth technology companies. “We plan to double our team over the next year and Kokoro has spent more than two decades building global teams from Silicon Valley to push midsized companies to their next stage,” said Sarah Fern, Velocity Global chief people officer. “He has been a direct client of Velocity Global in two of his recent positions so he knows firsthand how to build global remote-first teams.” Robinson reports to Fern as the company grows its headcount that now stands at approximately 400 in 27 countries across five continents. “This is not about jobs; I look to hire owner-employees -- people with a passion for what they do and for the collective organization,” said Robinson. “Velocity Global delivers a unique global platform for companies and talent to benefit from a distributed and varied workforce. We look for individuals who want to guide that journey. We literally create the future of how the world works.” The company’s global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, a system backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. Robinson joins Velocity Global from Stack Overflow where he led Talent Acquisition for the world’s pre-imminent question and answer website for developers, touting some 100 million active monthly users. Prior to that, he led talent acquisition for Saba Software (now part of Cornerstone OnDemand NASDAQ: CSOD) where he doubled the size of the organization while cutting in half the time-to-fill and cost-per-hire metrics. Previously he held roles with Good Technology (now part of Blackberry), where he led the charge for their diversity and inclusion. “As a former client of Velocity Global, I know firsthand how we can serve as an example of best practices to grow global, distributed teams,” said Robinson. “The survival of any company going forward relies on hiring and supporting remote global talent. What was a trend for tech companies prior to 2020 is now mainstream in every industry. Along with a talented group at Velocity Global, I get to build the team that supports this model for nearly every company in the world.” Velocity Global is hiring for roles across the organization, particularly on the Technology, Revenue, and Marketing teams. For more information on open positions, interested candidates can visit https://velocityglobal.com/about-us/careers/. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, 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. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. 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 five 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/

September 08, 2021 07:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

BEE Set to Take Stage at SaaStr 2021 Annual Conference to Address Industry Trend of “build-vs-buy”

BEE

BEE, a business unit of Growens and leading digital content design platform, announced today they will be speaking at this year's SaaStr Annual event, the world’s largest non-vendor B2B software conference. BEE has been an active participant of SaaStr sponsored events and this year Mariela Towers, Head of Marketing and Jules Costa, Content Manager will take the stage to talk about "Behind the Scenes of a Build-vs-Buy Decision.” SaaStr is known to be the most inclusive event in SaaS. In the past three years, 60% of speakers were women or multicultural speakers, and they strive to continue this growth through future events. BEE echoes the sentiment of diversity and inclusion and will be represented by two of their own women leaders to speak at the conference. For the first time, Towers and Costa will bring their diverse backgrounds in business and content strategy to the SaaStr conference by joining key industry conversations. "We are looking forward to the event and the opportunity to safely engage and network with fellow SaaStrs in person this year,” said Towers. “We are excited to bring a relevant conversation about leveraging third-party technology for faster speed to market, and of course can't deny that the team at BEE is really proud to participate in the movement to balance out what diversity should look like in technology.” "SaaS products continue to play a huge role in the future of work. We've seen remote collaboration become expected and, at times, crucial to sustaining business,” states Costa. “The 'make or buy' decision is one piece of getting these products to market faster." For more information on this upcoming event check out saastrannual2021.com. BEE can be found at booth 323 where the team will also be highlighting BEE Plugin, the company's embeddable email, landing page and popup builder that is integrated into over 600+ different SaaS applications worldwide. About BEE: BEE provides no-code design tools that empower everyone to quickly create content that resonates. BEE’s visual builders are used to design emails, landing pages, one-page sites, and more. They deliver fantastic design flexibility and a great user experience, combining granular control on design elements with handy features like editing content directly in mobile view. BEE is building on its vision to help democratize content design, with millions of monthly users in over 20 languages and from over 150 countries. BEE’s design tools are available online at beefree.io and embedded in 600+ SaaS applications. BEE will present on Tuesday, September 28 at 12pm PST/3pm EST. Contact Details Jules Costa communications@beefree.io Company Website https://beefree.io/

September 08, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Velocity Global named the presenting sponsor of PGA TOUR University

Velocity Global

Velocity Global has partnered with the PGA TOUR and GOLF Channel to become the presenting sponsor of PGA TOUR University, the PGA TOUR announced Tuesday. Additionally, Velocity Global, which delivers a global work platform for employers to grow compliant distributed workforces in 185 countries and all 50 United States, has been named the Official Global Workforce Solutions Platform of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions as part of the multi-year agreement. Entering its second season, PGA TOUR University presented by Velocity Global rewards elite college players with access to Tours operated under the PGA TOUR umbrella, while upholding the principles and virtues of collegiate athletics. At the end of each college golf season, the top 15 players in the final Velocity Global Ranking earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour or a PGA TOUR international tour. The Class of 2022 Ranking will be finalized May 30 following the conclusion of stroke play at the NCAA D-I Men’s National Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We’re excited to welcome Velocity Global to the PGA TOUR family as the first-ever presenting sponsor of PGA TOUR University,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Velocity Global shares our passion in supporting the top collegiate golfers on their journey to the professional game, and we look forward to their partnership in growing PGA TOUR University together.” As the Official Global Workforce Solutions Platform and Official Professional Employer Organization of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, Velocity Global will have a presence in programming throughout PGA TOUR media properties, align with PGA TOUR players and host customers at PGA TOUR events. “This partnership highlights access to opportunity. The Velocity Global Ranking identifies the top players in college golf and rewards them with access to the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR’s international network of competition, just as we make global work accessible to employers and talent,” said Ben Wright, Velocity Global Founder and CEO. “We’re proud to partner with the PGA TOUR to open doors for these players and support the game’s future stars, as Velocity Global supports the future of work.” Billy Horschel, a six-time PGA TOUR winner and the 2014 FedExCup champion, is a global brand ambassador for Velocity Global and an avid supporter of college golf. During his four-year career at the University of Florida, Horschel was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and a four-time All-American. “Velocity Global is the perfect match to present the top college players in the world of golf because it is the company that drives how work gets done for the next generation,” said Horschel. “They cheer for hard work and success, and that’s exactly what the PGA TOUR University presented by Velocity Global does. It creates access to global opportunities for these players to compete right away which is so important for their development as pros. I look forward to competing against these guys really soon.” In addition to being the presenting sponsor of PGA TOUR University, the agreement also includes a partnership with GOLF Channel. PGA TOUR University and the Velocity Global Ranking will be featured each Wednesday on Golf Today and within weekly live tournament coverage, as well as across GOLF Channel and PGA TOUR digital platforms throughout the season. GOLF Channel’s first college tournament broadcast of the season is next week’s Maridoe Collegiate Invitational (September 13-15). Additionally, GOLF Channel will collaborate with Velocity Global to highlight a new PGA TOUR University charity program to be announced at a future date. “As the television home of college golf, we’re excited to continue the growth and development of PGA TOUR University alongside our partners at the PGA TOUR,” said Tom Knapp, EVP, Partnerships and Programming, NBC Sports. “The addition of an international partner like Velocity Global enhances our ability to cultivate this important platform, and ensure the top collegiate players will be showcased on GOLF Channel as they progress toward competing throughout the professional ranks and ultimately on the PGA TOUR.” The PGA TOUR University Class of 2021 made their marks in their first summers as professionals. Arizona State’s Kevin Yu finished 4th in the 2021 Velocity Global Ranking, and he posted five top-25s and two top-five finishes in eight starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. On the Forme Tour, Arizona’s Trevor Werbylo and SMU’s Mac Meissner both have wins after finishing 9th and 8th, respectively, in last year’s Velocity Global Ranking. With one event remaining this season, Werbylo leads the Order of Merit and Meissner is fifth, and both players are in position to be promoted to the Korn Ferry Tour next season. For more information, please visit www.pgatour.com/university or  velocityglobal.com. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, 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. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. 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 five continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. About PGA TOUR University presented by Velocity Global PGA TOUR University presented by Velocity Global rewards elite college players with access to Tours operated under the PGA TOUR umbrella, while upholding the principles and virtues of collegiate athletics. Introduced in 2020, the program strengthens and elevates the path to the PGA TOUR through the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR international tours. The Velocity Global Ranking will be featured on GOLF Channel each Wednesday on Golf Today and within weekly live tournament coverage, as well as across GOLF Channel and PGA TOUR digital platforms throughout the season. For more information, please visit www.pgatour.com/university and follow PGA TOUR University on Twitter and Instagram (@PGATOURU). Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com PGA TOUR Chris Richards ChrisRichards@pgatourhq.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

September 07, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video Image
Article thumbnail News Release

OPPO partners with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma for Milan Design Week 2021 to create multisensory landmark installation Bamboo (竹) Ring :|| Weaving a Symphony of Lightness and Form

OPPO

MILAN, ITALY – Media OutReach - 6 September 2021 - OPPO the smart device manufacturer and innovator has partnered with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to create Bamboo (竹) Ring:|| Weaving a Symphony of Lightness and Form. The multi-sensory installation works to the theme “Creative Connections” by fusing Architecture with Music, design innovation, technological prowess, and user experience to create a sense of time and space, and will be on display in Milan’s Cortile dei Bagni courtyard for the duration of Milan Design Week, until 19 September. This landmark project is an evolution of Kengo Kuma and OPPO’s Bamboo Ring exhibition which debuted at the 2019 edition of the London Design Festival and explored the harmonious relationship between humans and nature through the envisioning of lightweight yet strong structures made with bamboo and carbon fiber. This year, OPPO’s experiential installation uses pioneering technology to engage all the senses through a series of orchestral scores composed by Japanese violinist Midori Komachi with Musicity. The composition is based on the cycle of seasons and moves through the structure encouraging the public to walk around and be captured by its aural narrative. The changing soundscapes integrate the sound of Midori's violin (built in Milan in 1920 and enhanced with carbon fiber itself) from O Relax, OPPO's digital wellbeing application that offers comforting nature and city sounds to relax your mind taken from locations around the globe including Reykjavik, Beijing, and Tokyo. “OPPO is a human-centric brand, our focus is on innovating for the people. We are delighted to partner with Kengo Kuma again, an architect who is known for seamlessly integrating nature and culture. Together, we demonstrate how we can use technology and design to add value to our daily lives drawing on our philosophy principles of "Technology as an Art Form" and our brand mission "Technology for Mankind, Being Kind to the World.” – Jintong Zhu, Head of OPPO London Design Centre The installation’s woven structure – crafted from rings of bamboo and carbon fiber – becomes a musical instrument as music travels through it via structural sound technologies originating from OPPO London Design Centre's research. Innovative technology including new haptic motors, MEMS speaker strips, and exciters work together to produce an immersive base and higher frequencies which reverberate the bamboo with Violin's vibrato and the effect of a percussion instrument. “When I design architecture, I’m interested in designing the rhythm and the tone rather than the silhouette, and contemporary music gives us many lessons about how to create new rhythms and tones in architecture. This pavilion is one of the explorations into the new rhythms and tones in architecture combining visual and acoustic experiences of the visitors.” – Kengo Kuma, architect After Milan Design Week, OPPO will donate Bamboo Ring to Arte Sella Park in Trentino, Italy, a contemporary art museum with outdoor exhibits made from natural materials and backdropped by the mountainous Sella Valley, where it will find its permanent home. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first smartphone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 4 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Centre in London. OPPO’s more than 40,000 employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. https://www.oppo.com/ @oppo #OPPOMilanDesignWeek About Kengo Kuma Kengo Kuma (b.1954) decided to pursue architecture at a young age, after seeing Kenzo Tange's Yoyogi National Gymnasium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He studied Architecture at The University of Tokyo (completing a Masters in 1979) and established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. As Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture at The University of Tokyo, he set up the Kuma Lab to research new materials and conduct a course in advanced digital design and fabrication. His award-winning firm aims to design architecture which naturally merges with its surroundings, proposing gentle, human-scaled buildings. The office is constantly in search of new materials to replace concrete and steel, and seeks a new approach in a post-industrial society. Contact Details OPPO Joanna Lee lixiaohui@oppo.com OPPO Lucas Yan yansu@oppo.com Company Website http://www.oppo.com/en/

September 06, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

U.S. Treasury Department's CDFI Fund Announces Fiscal Year 2020 NMTC Awards

New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund announced the Calendar Year 2020 New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation awards today. The CDFI Fund awarded $5 billion to 100 Community Development Entities (CDEs) from 34 states and the District of Columbia. "The federal New Markets Tax Credit is a unique and flexible community development tool with a successful track record, attracting investment capital and boosting economic activity in low-income areas," said Bob Rapoza, spokesman for the NMTC Coalition. "In fact, the NMTC has leveraged an unprecedented level of investment to low-income communities—generating about $110 billion in total capital investment through public-private partnerships that created more than one million jobs." The CDFI Fund indicated 208 CDEs applied for allocations for a total demand of $15.1 billion in tax credits. However, with 100 successful applications (56%) receiving $5 billion, the availability of credits only meets a fraction of the true demand in communities across America. Established in 2000 in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act (P.L.106-554), the New Markets Tax Credit is a bipartisan effort to stimulate investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities. The NMTC provides a shallow federal tax credit of 39 percent, taken over seven years, for investments in census tracts where the individual poverty rate is at least 20 percent or where the median family income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median. In 2020, 85 percent of NMTC activity was in America's poorest rural and urban communities, characterized by poverty of at least 30 percent and unemployment rates 1.5 times the national average. In addition, more than half of NMTC allocation goes to communities where a majority of residents are people of color. Of the $51 billion in NMTC allocation deployed through 2019, $27.8 billion went to majority-minority census tracts, creating 244,000 permanent jobs. The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have hit especially hard on low-income communities and the small businesses serving those communities. For that reason, it is important to note that some $3.8 billion (78%) of NMTC allocation will be deployed as loans and investments in operating businesses in rural, tribal, and urban low-income communities. To date, the NMTC has financed more than 7,000 projects, including nearly 3,000 community services and facilities, such as hospitals, schools, daycare centers, and non-profit service providers – all in areas that were lacking access to quality facilities before the NMTC investments. As a result, more than 18 million patients have been treated in NMTC-financed healthcare projects, and over 200,000 children participate in youth enrichment programs or receive care in early childhood learning centers. At the end of 2020, Congress extended the Credit through 2025 at $5 billion in annual credit authority, the largest ever NMTC extension. There is currently bipartisan legislation in Congress aimed at expanding the allocation level and investor base of the NMTC as well as making it permanent. The NMTC Extension Act of 2021, H.R.1321 in the House and S.456 in the Senate. There are presently 21 Senators signed on in support of S.456, which was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). H.R.1680 currently has 88 cosponsors and is led by Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Tom Reed (R-NY). "The NMTC is a great deal for the federal government, leveraging eight dollars in other investments in communities for every dollar in credits. But, most importantly, the NMTC is a critical tool for our country's small, overlooked rural towns and blighted urban neighborhoods that have been left outside of the economic mainstream for far too long. At least $2.7 billion – 75 percent – will be targeted to highly distressed communities, and one-fifth of the 2020 awards will be made in rural communities, with about $1.1 billion in NMTC investments going to revitalize non-metropolitan counties," said Rapoza. For examples of how the NMTC is making an impact in each state, see the NMTC Coalition's NMTC at Work in Communities 2020 report or check out its Project Profile Database. The Coalition also released the 17th edition of its NMTC Progress Report on June 17, which documents the NMTC impact in Calendar Year 2020 and features a special section analyzing the effects of NMTC investments and pandemic response efforts. About New Markets Tax Credit Program The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was enacted in 2000 to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. Since its inception, the NMTC has generated more than one million jobs. Today due to the NMTC, $110 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org. Contact Details Bob Rapoza +1 202-498-9921 bob@rapoza.org Company Website https://nmtccoalition.org/

September 01, 2021 01:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

PEOPLE and Great Place to Work® Announce PEOPLE’s “100 Companies That Care” for 2021

Great Place to Work®

Wegmans Food Markets Named No. 1 for Its Outstanding Support of Low-Income and Marginalized Communities by Securing Access to Food PEOPLE Partners with Great Place to Work® to Identify Top U.S. Companies that Demonstrate a Commitment to Caring for Their People, Their Communities, and the World https://people.com/human-interest/people-100-companies-that-care-2021/ #100CompaniesCare Meredith Corporation’s PEOPLE reveals its fifth annual list of 100 Companies That Care®, spotlighting employers that have gone above and beyond to create positive workplaces for their staff and the community at large. PEOPLE once again partnered with global workplace culture authority Great Place to Work to identify the top U.S. companies that best fit the criteria, analyzing survey responses from more than five million employees. Companies That Care is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on the level of care and concern for their employees, their communities, and the environment. Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. landed the No. 1 spot this year for its outstanding support of low-income and marginalized communities by securing them access to food. In the past year, Wegmans’ total donation to local food banks and hunger relief agencies was close to $30 million and more than 18 million pounds of food. Read more about Wegmans and the other featured companies that made the list here and in the Sept. 13, 2021 issue of PEOPLE, which hits newsstands nationwide on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. PEOPLE’s TOP 10 COMPANIES THAT CARE for 2021 Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Cisco PulteGroup, Inc. Hilton Accenture Capital One Financial Corporation Camden Property Trust Bank of America Salesforce Hewlett Packard Enterprise Winning companies score highly on how well they create great employee experiences that cut across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or their roles. Great Place to Work also assessed the level of generosity of each organization’s benefits and philanthropic and community support – with particular focus on activities occurring in the last year. Multiple winners in 2021 are addressing racial and economic inequity, such as Bank of America (No. 8), which raised its minimum pay to $20 per hour and focused on hiring from low- and middle-income communities and other underrepresented groups including veterans. DICK’S Sporting Goods (No. 96) invested $12.5 million in the Black Economic Development Fund, empowering Black entrepreneurs and Black communities through improved access to capital. The hospitality industry suffered unprecedented pressure during the pandemic, but those ranked as Companies That Care still found ways to give back. Hotelier Hilton (No. 4) offered one million free rooms for first responders and helped furloughed employees find alternate work with other companies. The Cheesecake Factory (No. 85), the only restaurant to make the list, lowered the hourly requirement for working staff to receive health benefits so that furloughed employees wouldn’t have to worry about losing them. “These companies show up for humanity in a variety of ways — from showing compassion for their employees to giving back to their communities to putting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the forefront,” says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. “Congratulations to the winners of PEOPLE’s Companies That Care list!” To identify the 100 Companies That Care, PEOPLE teamed up with Great Place to Work to produce the ranking using the firm’s extensive database and inside knowledge of outstanding workplaces around the globe. Read the full methodology here. Employers that would like to be considered for next year’s list may apply at greatplacetowork.com/companies-that-care. ### About PEOPLE Meredith Corporation’s PEOPLE revolutionized personality journalism when it launched as a weekly in 1974 with a mission to celebrate extraordinary people doing ordinary things and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Ubiquitous and still at the center of pop culture more than 47 years later, the PEOPLE brand is accessible across all media and platforms (print, digital, video, OTT, mobile, social) bringing more than 100 million consumers a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. An essential component of PEOPLE’s editorial vision remains human interest stories, which touch and often mirror the lives of our passionate audience. ComScore ranks the PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly Digital Network No. 1 in the entertainment news category. PeopleTV, the advertiser-supported OTT streaming service from PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly that launched in 2016, features original series and specials focusing on celebrity, red carpet, pop culture, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. PEOPLE (the TV Show!), a daily syndicated entertainment program, launched in Sept. 2020, PEOPLE Every Day, a daily podcast produced in associated with iHeartMedia, launched in Feb. 2021, and PEOPLE in the ‘90s, a weekly podcast about the golden era of pop culture, launched in June 2021. PEOPLE is an award-winning 24/7 news organization headquartered in NYC with reporters worldwide. For more information visit www. PEOPLE.com and follow @people on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, @peoplemag on Facebook, and the PEOPLE channel on YouTube and on Snapchat’s Discover. About GREAT PLACE TO WORK ® Great Place to Work is the global authority on company culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform, Emprising™ empowers leaders with real-time reporting and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. Their global benchmark data is used to recognize Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces™ in the U.S. and more than 60 countries, including the 100 Best Companies to Work For® and World’s Best Workplaces™ lists published annually in Fortune. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Contact Details Kim Peters +1 415-844-2574 kpeters@greatplacetowork.com Marnie Perez +1 212-522-6300 PEOPLEPR@peoplemag.com Company Website https://www.greatplacetowork.com

September 01, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
1 ... 9394959697 ... 128