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News Release

DEEM Enterprises Signs First Strategic Construction Partnership With Northstar Technologies Group for Renaissance at Bader Field Project

DEEM Enterprises

DEEM Enterprises today announced it has signed its first construction contract with Northstar Technologies Group, a pioneer of fiber reinforced polymer composite structural building systems, for its Renaissance at Bader Field redevelopment project. The strategic partnership is a crucial first step for the project, and marks the first large-scale sustainable project in the world utilizing advanced composite building technologies for energy efficiency, resiliency and sustainability. Northstar delivers sustainable, cost-effective projects for clients nationwide, across a range of market sectors and building types. It offers a unique portfolio of products focused on sustainable building structures and systems, creating stronger, ultra-energy efficient and smarter building structures. Utilizing Northstar’s pioneering energy efficient technology, the commercial and residential construction of Renaissance at Bader Field will facilitate eco-conscious developments while negating any environmental deficit, bringing transformative industry and progressive models for sustainability that push the envelope for emerging green technologies. The resilient and sustainable-planned community at Renaissance at Bader Field will be engineered to protect against natural threats, with the agility to adopt evolving technology. Renaissance at Bader Field will be built to LEED Platinum certifications standards, and act as a beacon of energy independence, integrating healthily and symbiotically with its natural and cultural surroundings. “The Renaissance at Bader Field project is more than a redevelopment; it’s a catalyst for transformation, and for the future of Atlantic City,” said Erick Feishtans, CEO of DEEM Enterprises. “I am incredibly excited for this partnership with Northstar as we move forward in our ongoing commitment to the New Jersey Green Economy, and I’m confident that our work together will be transformative across the board.” As part of its role in the redevelopment of Bader Field, Northstar will retrofit the current Skate Zone building into a 70,000 square foot temporary manufacturing facility, and upon completion of the project, Northstar will relocate to a permanent facility within the greater Atlantic City area. Per the terms outlined by DEEM Enterprises’ Memorandum of Understanding with Atlantic City, the SkateZone operation will also be relocated to an alternate site within Atlantic City. This move will be a boon for the local job economy. It will include minimum targets to utilize local companies and workers as well as WBE and MBE businesses during the construction phase, create thousands of substantial manufacturing and high-tech jobs, and provide training programs to various local labor unions participating in the project. For more information on the Renaissance at Bader Field Redevelopment Project, please visit www.deem-enterprises.com. For more information on Northstar products, please visit www.northstartgi.com. About Northstar As the pioneer in sustainable and tech driven building methods, Northstar Technologies is reinventing the construction industry by using its Patented Advanced Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite building systems which reduce construction costs, total cost of ownership and construction time. With all the natural disasters in the world today, high-performance building materials using reimagined construction systems and methods must be utilized to give us a fighting chance in protecting our loved ones, our environment & our global assets. As Mother Nature has shown us throughout our lifetimes, Homes and commercial buildings made with traditional materials like wood, steel and concrete are not equipped to survive natural disasters, degradation and natural processes over time and yet the construction industry has failed to utilize more resilient options. Northstar Technologies has shown that it can outlast traditional building materials, thereby lowering construction & maintenance costs over the life of the structure. About Renaissance at Bader Field Renaissance at Bader Field is a planned $3.2 billion dollar, net-zero carbon LEED Platinum community to be built upon Bader Field that will transform the Atlantic City, New Jersey economy. The fundamental design approach of this new community is rooted in resilient and sustainable design methodologies while our microgrid concept for energy generation and distribution, with the ability to utilize clean hydrogen, will serve as a model for future self-sustaining projects the world over. This new community will act as a catalyst for the financial rebirth of Atlantic City by attracting new job-creating industries, increasing the city’s tax base and diversifying future businesses in the city. Most importantly, this immense development will foster and promote the core values of equity and empowerment and will serve the citizens of Atlantic City. Contact Details Mike Adorno Hot Paper Lantern madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.deem-enterprises.com/

June 20, 2023 10:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Huntersville, NC Has Grand Opening for Brand New Location

Minuteman Press International Inc

Neha Katrodia is the owner of the brand new Minuteman Press design, marketing, and printing franchise located at 9606 Sherrill Estates Rd., Suite A, Huntersville, NC 28078. After opening their doors in March of 2023, Minuteman Press in Huntersville held their official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 2, 2023. The event was hosted by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and was attended by Huntersville Commissioner Dan Boone. Neha shares, “The Huntersville community has been very welcoming and interested in learning more about our business. I'm so thankful to everyone who came to support us during the grand opening and showed interest in growing together.” She continues, “Owning my own business means taking on my father's path to becoming an entrepreneur. Most importantly, I feel a sense of personal fulfillment and I look forward to seeing this new venture grow and succeed while helping other local businesses with all of their printing and promotional needs.” Joining Neha in the business are two key staff members: Denis Vargas, graphic designer/production; as well as Neha’s husband Mehul Katrodia, marketing agent. While Denis provides clients with custom creative designs and a sharp eye for details, Mehul manages the marketing side including Google and social media accounts. Neha, meanwhile, has already jumped into several networking groups to become active in the community, including the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce as well as the Huntersville BNI group. She says, “I feel it’s important to get out there and engage with clients in person and also market our business online. Once clients come to us, we enjoy working with them to bring their visions to life and delivery high quality products and service. Our staff is ready and willing to welcome clients to Minuteman Press in Huntersville with open arms.” Prior to buying the business, Neha always had wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and become her own boss. She explains, “I have a healthcare and medical billing background; however, I grew up in the business environment. My father has been a businessman from my early childhood years and has owned various businesses from then to now. I also helped him run some of them due to the language barrier he had at times.” Neha further shares why she chose to own a Minuteman Press franchise, stating: “The continuous local support that Minuteman Press offers is amazing; The B2B hours of operation allow me to balance my business and personal lives; Minuteman Press allows me to follow my passion for creating something so unique with every project or job.” She adds, “The training program was extremely informative and allowed me to feel confident in front of clients. Now, the local support to lean on here in my region has been so helpful with advice and guidance on unique projects. We also use the Minuteman Press FLEX software made available to us as a key marketing tool for growth.” Following the successful grand opening, Neha is excited for the future of her new business. She concludes, “At Minuteman Press, we love working with other local businesses and organizations. I look forward to supporting them with our personalized products and services as we are all in this together.” Minuteman Press in Huntersville is located at 9606 Sherrill Estates Rd., Suite A, Huntersville, NC 28078. For more information, call 704-594-8699 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nc/huntersville/ 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

June 20, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Founders of Kettlebell Kings Sue Factory 14, Razor Group for Fraud and Breach of Contract

IL Ventures, LLC - a Kettlebell King Series

Kettlebell Kings, a leading manufacturer and seller of kettlebells and fitness equipment, recently filed a multi-count lawsuit against both Factory 14 and Razor Group, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment among eight counts. The lawsuit alleges that the founders of Kettlebell Kings and the company have been damaged by the failed purchase of Kettlebell Kings by Factory 14 and Razor Group. Kettlebell Kings, which has been in operation for more than a decade, successfully grew from a startup to generate annual revenue of more than $5 million in 2021. In November 2021, the founders agreed to be acquired by Factory 14, a United Kingdom-based company that claimed to have the vision and resources to help develop the brand into a $20 million company. However, shortly after the acquisition, problems began to arise. According to the lawsuit, two of the founders, who continued to run the business under the new ownership, determined that the purchase terms of the agreement were regularly violated. They were unable to purchase inventory, even using their own sales revenue. Despite promising ambitious agreements and profit-sharing arrangements, the new ownership failed to adequately support the brand. To the founders' surprise, Factory 14 had simultaneously engineered another transaction in which it was purchased by Razor Group, without disclosing this to the plaintiffs. According to the legal complaint, the founders believe that this transaction was part of a pattern of acquisitions intended to bolster Factory 14's financials solely for additional capital raises and investments. Factory 14 is alleged to have misrepresented the role of the founders of Kettlebell Kings in the sale to Razor Group and made false representations using their business reputation and success to enhance its value in the transaction. All the while, Factory 14 never disclosed its intention to depart from the agreements made with Kettlebell Kings. The lawsuit states that as the business relationship deteriorated further with Razor Group, it became apparent that the new owners lacked experience in the direct consumer market and had no infrastructure to support Kettlebell Kings. Payments required by the consulting agreement were not made on time, inventory was not purchased, and the founders were denied crucial information about the business's operation. Some payments remain unpaid. Razor Group's actions damaged not only the founders of Kettlebell Kings but also the longstanding business relationships the company had developed. According to the lawsuit, Razor Group ceased all inventory purchases, stopped paying manufacturers and vendors, and damaged customer relationships. The lawsuit also alleges that Razor Group misled both Kettlebell Kings and its investors by representing itself as profitable and successful while claiming Kettlebell Kings was struggling. The plaintiffs assert that Razor Group focused more on fundraising rather than effectively managing the businesses it owned. On its website, Razor Group states that it is trusted by leading investors Blackrock, Victory Park Capital, and Fortress among others. The eight-count lawsuit includes allegations of fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment, among others. The plaintiffs argue that they have suffered irreparable damages, and the actions of Razor Group will make it nearly impossible for them to conduct business in the fitness industry in the future. In another case, Razor Group GMBH is currently being sued for fraud and breach of contract in Massachusetts by fitness company Tribe WOD in a lawsuit with a similar fact pattern to the Kettlebell Kings Texas case. The Kettlebell Kings lawsuit was filed in Texas by IL Ventures, LLC - a Kettlebell King Series and its founders Chad Price, Jay Perkins, and Nehemiah Heard against defendants Factory 14 UK Acquisition VI, Factory 14 UK Acquisition VII, and Razor Group GMBH. The lawsuit can be downloaded here and at LawsuitPressRelease.com. Contact Details LawsuitPressRelease.com John P. David +1 888-859-6637 john@LawsuitPressRelease.com

June 20, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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

ChainUp

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

June 19, 2023 10:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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

Integrity Way

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

June 14, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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

National Contract Management Association

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

June 14, 2023 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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

Save the Redwoods League

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

June 14, 2023 12:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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

Minuteman Press International Inc

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

June 12, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) Flashing Bullish Technicals Alongside Existing Solid Fundamentals, As Small-Caps Appear Poised For a Resurgence

Spotlight Growth/ASUR

Despite the quickest interest rate hiking cycle in modern U.S. history, the associated fallout amongst regional banks that led to some of the largest U.S. bank failures since the 2008 Great Recession, and overall bearish narratives, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 are firmly in bull market territory since hitting their lows in October 2022. On a year-to-date basis, the Nasdaq has rallied over 25% and the S&P 500 is up over 11%. The Dow Jones has yet to join the bullish festivities with a YTD return of just over 1.50%. Driving this market outperformance has largely been mega-cap technology stocks, as the artificial intelligence boom takes hold. In addition, the recent massively-bullish jobs report and the conclusion of the debt ceiling debacle have only helped further the idea that a "soft landing" could be back on the table. Small-Cap Stocks Appear Ripe For a Rebound Another bullish sign for the markets is the resurgence of small-cap stocks in recent weeks. The small-cap-focused Russell 2000 index surged after the impressive and unexpected May nonfarm payroll data pointed to a resilient job market. Being that small-caps are heavily sensitive to domestic economic data, many experts are seeing this as the beginning of a small-cap resurgence into the second half of 2023. For one reason, the spread between the Nasdaq 100 and the Russell 2000 index performance is near the highest levels in history. Greg Czarnecki, a portfolio specialist at William Blair, noted that small-cap valuations are currently trading at a steep discount compared to their long-term averages and large-caps. Mr. Czarnecki noted that small caps had previously priced in a severe economic slowdown. With underlying strength holding up well in the U.S. economy, small-caps could be poised for a re-pricing to reflect those recent revelations. One small-cap tech stock that appears positioned to be a benefactor of a smaller stock resurgence is Asure Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASUR). ASUR: Bullish MACD Crossover Points to a Potential Rally Resumption Asure Software, the full-service human capital management (HCM) services provider to small-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), witnessed an incredible rally from late 2022 into April 2023. The massive 150%+ rally during that period was backed by impressive fundamentals, as seen from the strong top and bottom-line growth particularly in their Q3 2022, Q4 2022, FY 2022, and Q1 2023 financial results. In addition, the HCM provider inked notable partnerships at the beginning of 2023 with Intuit’s TurboTax, H&R Block, Zayzoon, and others. This provided further evidence to shareholders and the investment community at-large that Asure Software continues to be a rising power growth company, which was able to attract attention from household brands, such as those named above. However, given the large price appreciation through those six months, it was only natural that ASUR shares saw a bit of profit-taking. The ASUR chart shows a bearish MACD crossover occurred in late April 2023, which effectively signaled the beginning of the pullback. After a month of catching its breath, the price action in ASUR has not only stabilized but now shows signs of a resuming rally shortly. The stock chart shows a successful MACD bullish crossover occurred on June 6, 2023, after the share price found hard support around the $11.50 area. Coincidently, the relative strength index (RSI) has also confirmed the recent rebound, climbing from just-above oversold levels at 30 to its current reading of 48. The RSI had previously reached severely overbought territory in mid-April just before the pullback. This shows evidence that the recent month's trading action has been nothing more than a healthy pullback, as opposed to a full sentiment change. Bullish: Asure Software Selected Into Preliminary Reconstituted Russell 3000 Index Asure Software recently announced a major milestone effectively validating the company’s impressive continued growth. On May 22 nd, the HCM company announced that it has been added to the preliminary reconstituted Russell 3000 Index. The official inclusion into the index will take place upon market close on June 23, 2023, as a part of the 2022 Russell indexes reconstitution. FTSE Russell determines membership into indexes by taking the 4,000 largest U.S. stocks and ranking them based on their total market cap. Companies that have been selected to be included in its indexes are valid for one year and are automatically eligible to be included in FTSE Russell's various other growth- and value-style indexes, as well as the Russell 1000 Index or the small-cap-focused Russell 2000 Index. The Russell indexes are extremely important benchmarks within the investment world. Around $12 trillion worth of assets are benchmarked against FTSE Russell U.S. indexes, making the FTSE Russell a leading global index provider. "Our inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index further validates our strategy. Investors are seeing the impact of our investments in technology, Sales and Marketing, and the AsureMarketplace, and their confidence shows up in our market capitalization. It's an exciting time to be at Asure,” stated Pat Goepel, the CEO and Chairman of Asure. Conclusion In conclusion, despite a turbulent interest rate cycle and considerable bank failures, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 have shown strong performance with a promising year-to-date rally, largely driven by booming artificial intelligence technologies and significant recovery of small-cap stocks. This uptrend has been marked by promising domestic economic data, suggesting a potential for a "soft landing" for the markets. In this context, Asure Software, Inc. stands out as a potential beneficiary of the resurgence in small-cap stocks, having showcased strong growth backed by robust fundamentals and a bullish technical setup. The recent inclusion of Asure Software in the preliminary reconstituted Russell 3000 Index further attests to its steady ascent and growing recognition in the investment community. Thus, with the underlying resilience of the U.S. economy and promising indicators from market indexes, the stage seems set for continued bullish activity, with companies like Asure potentially leading the charge in the foreseeable future. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated four thousand dollars cash by Asure Software for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The Post " Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) Flashing Bullish Technicals Alongside Existing Solid Fundamentals, As Small-Caps Appear Poised For a Resurgence " First Appeared On Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Asure Software Spotlight Growth info@spotlightgrowth.com

June 08, 2023 06:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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