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Cloud Conventions Releases New eBook for Associations Detailing 2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions today released a new eBook exclusively for event planners of professional associations and trade groups entitled “2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations,” available free to download. It offers practical advice for associations to make their next live, hybrid or virtual event deliver the right experience for the organization, its members, and sponsors. The eBooks focuses on the business case for redefining online event experiences backed by research. “Professionals that manage live and virtual conferences for associations struggle with how they should engage their membership now that live events are starting to return,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “We assembled this eBook to look at research from well-respected sources to see how having virtual event options has impacted how members engage with associations before, during and after the pandemic. We look at how sponsors view their investment in virtual events, and what it tells us about how associations should plan their event strategy moving forward.” In 2020 the pandemic forced associations to cancel in-person gatherings and pivot to everything from webinars to multi-day virtual conferences. Scrambling to offer some sort of online experience to replace the much-anticipated live conferences represented a fundamental change in the way an association and its membership connected historically. The result was a lower revenue producing virtual option that represented a huge decline in the association’s bottom line. However, the upside of virtual events, when effectively done, has been a game changer for many associations leading to increased attendance, greater member engagement and additional sponsorship revenue outside of membership or attendance fees. “Now that live events are starting to return, associations have asked themselves if continuing virtual events are really worth it,” added Bradfield. “ The 2020 study of 1,000 respondents, ‘Association Trends: From Disruption to Opportunity ’ produced by Community Brands reveals that having a virtual option for membership participation has moved from a nice to have, to a must have. Recent cancellations of live events because of renewed COVID concerns scheduled for this fall is an indicator that the pandemic is far from over. Having a virtual or hybrid option still is the best insurance that the show will go on, no matter what.” Although 2020 was disruptive, in the last several years revenue from membership dues has declined for many associations, while revenue from other sources increased, accounting for over half of the funding for a given group. “2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations” reviews the value delivered to the membership and key factors behind increased participation when doing virtual or hybrid events. Cloud Conventions is an event management platform that redefines the attendee and exhibitor experience with a strong focus on delivering virtual and hybrid events for association and nonprofit groups. Click here to download: 2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations 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 14, 2021 03:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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100 SMALL BUSINESSES OWNED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR IN KING AND PIERCE COUNTIES TO EACH RECEIVE A $10,000 GRANT FROM COMCAST RISE TOTALING $1 MILLION

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced it will award $1 million in grants to 100 small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties, as well as technology and marketing resources to eligible businesses in the area. King and Pierce Counties are among six markets that also include Houston, Miami, Oakland, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. that were selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, for a total of $5 million across 600 businesses. Beginning on October 1, and through October 14, eligible businesses can apply for Comcast RISE monetary grants, and, or marketing and technology Services at www.ComcastRISE.com. Winners will be notified in November. Local small businesses seeking more information about the $10,000 grants may learn more about the Comcast RISE Investment Fund at a virtual public event being held tomorrow in partnership with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). Interested parties may register here: Keep Rising: New Support Coming for Small Businesses Tickets, Wed, Sep 15, 2021, at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite. “Independent small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and today, more than ever, small businesses owned by people of color are hurting. Comcast is committed to supporting small businesses who have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the pandemic and we are excited to announce the next wave of our Comcast RISE program here in Washington,” said Rodrigo Lopez, Region Senior Vice President, Comcast Washington. “Through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund and grants offering media, marketing, creative and technology services we aim to give meaningful support to the small businesses who are shaping our communities.” To help drive awareness about the program and provide additional support and training in King and Pierce Counties, Comcast is partnering with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and provide the resources and tools they need to thrive for years to come. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Businesses must be in the following geographic locations to be eligible: Miami, FL (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties); Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties); Oakland, CA (City of Oakland); Seattle, WA (King and Pierce Counties); and Washington, D.C. (Wards 1-8). Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey:30 TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and 90-day media placement schedule. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research, and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for technology makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. As noted above, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide an additional $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses owned by people of color in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of an expanded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) commitment that Comcast announced in June 2020, as well as an ongoing cross-company effort to address digital inequities. Over the next 10 years, Comcast is pledging $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will connect an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Andy Colley Andy_Colley@Comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

September 14, 2021 08:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Hong Kong-based EdTech Company Preface Sees 500% YoY Surge in Revenue, Overcoming Impact of Pandemic

Preface

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 14 September 2021 - Preface, the Hong Kong-based EdTech company, has announced the completion of its Series A funding from prominent investor Sunlink Holdings (H.K.) Limited. Preface aims to tackle the issues raised by Hong Kong's traditional education model, cultivate future global talents and promote coding as the world's universal language, facilitating Hong Kong to strengthen its connection with the world. Tommie Lo (front row, second left), Founder and CEO of Preface, and the Management Team The global EdTech industry is worth more than US$100 billion. It is expected that the number of people learning coding in Hong Kong will reach one million in the coming five years [1]. Despite the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Preface has seen a continued improvement in its performance, with year-on-year revenue growth of 500% over the past 12 months under its unique “Decentralised Classroom” delivery model, highlighting the growing momentum. Tommie Lo, Founder and CEO of Preface, said: “Coding is the foundation for all kinds of modern technology and will become the universal language of the future. Trusted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UNESCO in the provision of programming education, Preface offers award-winning programming curricula to global academia and leading multinational corporations. Through the high-mobility classroom model we are initiating, coding education has been rapidly popularising in Hong Kong. Our goal is to equip future talents in Hong Kong and around the world with this key language.” “We are very excited to support Preface in its Series A round of funding. In the digital transformation era, education has become one of the fastest-changing landscapes and we see enormous potential for the business. We trust that a forward-looking company like Preface can revolutionise the education industry through their innovative approach,” said Angus Chan, COO and CFO of Sunlink Holdings (H.K.) Limited. With the digitisation of society, cultivating global coding talents has become the responsibility of education A study [2] indicates that over 64% of international companies and 51% of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong have encountered difficulties in hiring innovative and technological talents. Nearly 80% of Hong Kong companies need to strengthen the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and related professional knowledge for their employees, showing that there is significant demand for training courses. “Hong Kong is in danger of falling behind the rapid growth in technology globally. Nearly 30 countries around the world have included coding education as compulsory courses to enhance their international competitiveness. However, Hong Kong’s education is limited by its traditional framework, with coding education still being regarded as extracurricular study rather than a core education subject. Hong Kong’s students will lag behind in the digital world which will reduce their competitiveness in the market,” Tommie explained. As the first Asian teaching platform to win an award at “EdTech Summit in Europe”, the world’s largest education process programme, Preface Coding by Preface is committed to nurturing talents and cooperating with universities around the world, such as MIT and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Preface has also designed official coding courses for top-ranked universities in Hong Kong and co-organised seminars and workshops with multinational technology companies and non-profit organisations. Preface has now trained more than 10,000 students around the world. Decentralised Classroom – solving issues raised by the traditional education model and fuelling innovation technology Preface's innovative teaching concept provides a solution to tackle issues raised by the traditional education model. Its "Decentralised Classroom" delivery model emphasises that students can learn from daily life, and that education should not be restricted by time and place. Students from Preface are able to choose how and where to attend coding courses as they prefer, receiving teaching materials according to real-time analysis and being matched with teachers through AI technology. The traditional education model is limited in its approach. Hong Kong, for example, is still using the "one-to-many" classroom design that is an outmoded education concept from the 19th century. Preface believes that future education should no longer be restricted to one-way delivery; rather, the learning and teaching process require innovation to ensure that the ultimate goal of education – teaching students in accordance with their aptitude – can be achieved. Preface will use the latest round of funding to further develop its business in major cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo and London, with a determination to popularise coding knowledge and make it a universal language. The company aims to equip the new generation with this key language for a better future. [1] Calculated based on internal data, the numerical conclusion is for reference only. [2] Google Hong Kong “Smarter Digital City - AI for Everyone”： https://forhongkong.withgoogle.com/intl/zh-HK/acceleration-digital-transformation/ About Preface Founded with a vision that personalised education is for all, EdTech company Preface is committed to liberate knowledge and promote coding as the future’s universal language. As an award-winning coding education company, Preface reshapes both the teaching and learning experience by providing personalised classes. Our businesses are across Hong Kong, Tokyo and London, with a focus on the coding education platform Preface Coding and F&B and lifestyle concept space Preface Coffee & Wine. Stay up to date at www.preface.ai About Preface Coding Preface Coding by Preface specialises in delivering personalised coding courses. Powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) data analysis system and teacher-student matching technology, Preface provides tailor-made course materials to teach students in accordance with their aptitude. Adhering to the concept of breaking the inherent framework of traditional classrooms, we are committed to introducing award-winning coding curricula and training for MNCs, academia, secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong. Our programs are trusted by authoritative international institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UNESCO. About Preface Coffee & Wine Preface Coffee & Wine by Preface is an F&B and lifestyle concept space that brings together a quality coffee and wine store with a free learning space, where customers can enjoy quality food and beverages and learn about knowledge related to technology and coding at the same time. The space also hosts regular seminars and exhibitions about science and technology with international companies and organisations from different industries. The concept space is currently located in Tin Hau and Central. A flagship store in Causeway Bay opens later in 2021 Quarter 4. High-resolution images are downloadable here. #Preface Contact Details 5ives Communications Alice Ma alice.ma@5ivescommunications.com Chloe Chan chloe.chan@5ivescommunications.com

September 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SPARK Microsystems Advances UWB Adoption with Industry Standards Organizations

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems today announced the company has joined the UWB Alliance and the FiRa TM Consortium to accelerate the development and adoption of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. SPARK Microsystems will work with both organizations to influence regulatory matters and develop international UWB technology standards. The UWB Alliance and the FiRa Consortium work in collaboration to achieve the common goal of creating a UWB-enabled ecosystem. As a part of their joint liaison, the UWB Alliance focuses on matters arising from the promotion and safeguarding of UWB technology and advancing updates of the UWB rules in the United States and internationally whilst the FiRa Consortium focuses on UWB use cases for fine ranging and positioning and aims to certify UWB products for conformity and interoperability based on approved FiRa and IEEE 802.15.4z standards. “The accelerated development and commercialization of UWB technology presents a massive market opportunity for low latency, low power wireless sensing and communications,” said Fares Mubarak, CEO, SPARK Microsystems. “Contributing our knowledge and expertise to both the UWB Alliance and the FiRa Consortium allows SPARK Microsystems to have the most influence on the nascent UWB technology and standards in multiple industries.” “As UWB continues its record uptake in the consumer electronics space, this unique technology is fueling more diverse and innovative use cases, as well as establishing a vibrant eco-system,” commented Tim Harrington, Chairman of the UWB Alliance. “The much-valued technical contributions from SPARK and our other members are helping us to define how the UWB rulesets can evolve to enable these multi-radio consumer eco-systems to continue to flourish in the future.” “We are very pleased to welcome SPARK Microsystems to the FiRa Consortium,” said Charlie Zhang, FiRa Board Chair and Senior Vice President, Engineering, Samsung Research Americas. “SPARK’s expertise is an excellent addition to our ecosystem; we look forward to good collaboration toward the future of seamless user experiences using UWB secured fine ranging and positioning capabilities.” The SPARK Microsystems series of low power UWB wireless transceiver ICs enable a new class of short-range wireless connectivity applications that, due to power and latency requirements, would have previously needed to be wired. These applications include gaming peripherals and AR/VR headsets, smart home devices and battery-less IoT sensors. The UWB wireless transceiver series achieves an order of magnitude better energy efficiency, latency and ranging than Bluetooth Low Energy or ZigBee at faster data rates, supporting uninterrupted data streaming as well as accurate ranging and positioning. When paired with energy harvesting technologies, SPARK’s UWB technology significantly extends the battery life of electronics and enables the battery-less operation of wireless devices such as sensors. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is a fabless semiconductor company that is leading the way towards ultra-low power wireless communications for consumer and IoT-connected devices. With its patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems is bringing to market a high-performance wireless transceiver that allows for orders of magnitude improved power consumption, latency and more accurate ranging and positioning, while providing higher data rates than competing technologies. For more information, please visit www.sparkmicro.com. About UWB Alliance UWB Alliance is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Washington D.C. dedicated to the promotion and growth of the ultrawideband (UWB) industry. The UWB Alliance promotes large-scale deployments of UWB technology by fostering the advancement of the regulatory environment for UWB technologies, providing a center of excellence for UWB education and coexistence, and promoting industry cooperation in the development of specifications and standards for interoperability. For more information regarding the UWB Alliance, visit www.uwballiance.org. About FiRa Consortium Headquartered in Beaverton, OR, the FiRa Consortium is a member-driven organization dedicated to the development and widespread adoption of seamless user experiences using the secured fine ranging and positioning capabilities of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies. To learn more about the FiRa Consortium, visit www.firaconsortium.org. Contact Details SPARK Microsystems Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com UWB Alliance Rich Foster, VP Business Development +33 6 51 79 62 50 rich@uwballiance.org FiRa Consortium Deb Spitler, Co-Chair Marketing Working Group +1 949-439-5908 press@firaconsortium.org Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

September 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Industrial Defender Partners with Diverse Solutions Engineering to Bridge the Gap Between Cybersecurity and Safety for Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Organizations

Industrial Defender

Industrial Defender, an operational technology (OT) security pioneer, today announced a new partnership with Diverse Solutions Engineering, a leading engineering, procurement and construction services firm, to enhance cybersecurity within the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors. As cyberattacks, such as the ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline, continue to dominate the news cycle, there is a growing rise in safety concerns should a malicious actor gain access to an oil, gas, or petrochemical company’s network. Coupled with the recent announcement of new cybersecurity standards from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the two companies are partnering to incorporate cybersecurity into safety assessments. “The recent and massive increase in cyberattacks – especially ransomware – targeting organizations across these vital industries is bringing new, physical safety concerns to light, as demonstrated by the growing focus on policy and compliance from the federal and local levels,” said Jim Crowley, CEO, Industrial Defender. “Our partnership with Diverse Solutions Engineering will provide customers in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors with the confidence they need to ensure they’re adhering to new and expanding regulations and, more importantly, putting safety first.” Utilizing Industrial Defender’s OT cyber risk management platform, Diverse Solutions Engineering will conduct comprehensive cybersecurity assessments for customers as part of their process hazard analyses, identifying and monitoring OT assets to detect anomalies and vulnerabilities within their networks. With the findings from these assessments, oil, gas, and petrochemical organizations will be able to implement foundational OT security controls with confidence. “The lines between cybersecurity and physical security are increasingly blurring, bringing together what were once two disparate and siloed organizations within a business” said Elliott Broughton, Senior Project Manager, Diverse Solutions Engineering. “With Industrial Defender’s longevity and expertise as the first in the OT cybersecurity market, customers can bridge that gap, safeguarding their OT networks and environments from cybersecurity mishaps that could have devastating safety consequences.” To learn more, visit https://www.industrialdefender.com/partners/ or https://dsengineeringlp.com/. About Industrial Defender Since 2006, Industrial Defender has been solving the challenge of safely collecting, monitoring, and managing OT asset data at scale, while providing cross-functional teams with a unified view of security. Their specialized solution is tailored to complex industrial control system environments by engineers with decades of hands-on OT experience. Easy integrations into the broader security and enterprise ecosystem empower IT teams with the same visibility, access, and situational awareness that they’re accustomed to on corporate networks. Learn more at www.industrialdefender.com. About Diverse Solutions Engineering DSE is a Texas registered professional engineering firm # F-22190. We are a Texas HUB. We support industrial, commercial, and government municipalities (Local, State, Federal). Our office is located in the heart of the “Energy Corridor” in Houston, TX and we employ a diverse team of engineers, designers, and construction experts. Our primary engineering services are focused on supporting our client’s industrial process needs, in terms of staying compliant with OSHA process safety management regulations and standards. Contact Details Industrial Defender Erin Anderson +1 772-207-1867 eanderson@industrialdefender.com Company Website https://www.industrialdefender.com

September 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

How the Airbnb Community is Supporting Afghan Refugees

YourUpdateTV

Over the past several years, the Airbnb community has opened thousands of doors to those in need. Airbnb.org -- an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in moments of crisis -- has helped to shelter those displaced by natural disasters, and offered hundreds of thousands of places to stay and peace of mind to frontline workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Airbnb.org Host and Member of the Airbnb Host Advisory Board, Susan Bailey, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Airbnb.org and a new initiative aimed at helping Afghan refugees. Over the past few weeks, it has become abundantly clear that the displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees here in the United States and elsewhere is a significant humanitarian crisis -- and in the face of this need, the Airbnb community is ready to once again step up. The announcement builds on efforts that have already begun in support of Afghan refugees at Airbnb and Airbnb.org. Recently, Airbnb.org infused emergency funding and support to the International Rescue Committee, HIAS and Church World Service to provide immediate temporary stays for up to 1,000 arriving Afghan refugees. Airbnb.org also worked with partners to place refugees in safe housing shortly after touching down in the US. Airbnb and Airbnb.org also recognize that the situation on the ground is fast evolving. Airbnb.org will closely collaborate with resettlement agencies and partners to go where the need goes, and evolve this initiative and our support as necessary. Organizations that are interested in partnering with Airbnb.org to help resettle Afghan refugees can get in touch here. Over the past four years, Airbnb.org and Airbnb have connected approximately 25,000 refugees -- including hundreds participating in the U.S. Special Immigrant Visa Program -- to temporary housing. In addition, earlier this year, Airbnb.org announced the creation of the $25 million Refugee Fund, to further expand Airbnb.org’s support of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. To learn more about Airbnb.org’s work to open homes to Afghan refugees, go to airbnb.org/refugees About Susan Bailey: Susan Bailey is an Airbnb.org host. Susan and her husband Steve have hosted seven refugee families from five different countries since 2016. She has been an Airbnb Superhost since 2013 and is currently a member of Airbnb's Host Advisory Board. She hosts listings in Denver, CO and Long Beach, CA. In addition to her own listings, Susan hosts for friends and family throughout Colorado and California. She has had a passion for hosting guests in need since she began hosting. Susan was a global sales and marketing executive in the technology industry for thirty three years before launching her second career as a management consultant and host. Susan enjoys supporting nonprofit organizations and currently serves as co-chair of the Colorado Ballet Board of Trustees and as development chair for Operation Warm, based in Chadds Ford, PA. Susan is married with two children and recently became a grandmother. Nine month old baby Lucy is the source of immense personal joy for Susan. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIPPIO Joins the Zoom Phone Provider Exchange Program to Enable Calling Services

SIPPIO

SIPPIO today announced that it is has joined Zoom Video Communication’s Phone Provider Exchange Program to enable calling services in Zoom Phone. SIPPIO provides a global end-to-end, fully hosted cloud peering platform that makes voice-enabling Zoom Phone quick and easy. Automation, partner business management tools and ease of ongoing upkeep make this an ideal service for partners and carriers to offer their customers. “Zoom has become a household name in consumer and enterprise markets across the globe,” said Dawn-Marie Elder, COO of SIPPIO. “The addition of voice calling allows businesses around the world to realize more value from their investment, increase productivity and enable future agility with modern communications.” The SIPPIO platform is built on world-class session border controllers running in Azure data centers, globally. In addition to high availability, the meshed network provides security, compliance, and data privacy, as well as elastic scale, redundancy, and reliability to ensure exceptional call quality. SIPPIO enables partners and carriers to offer more value to their customers through automation, predictable expense cycles, and the sunsetting of dated PBX’s, to meet the needs of today’s remote and hybrid workplaces. Adding SIPPIO voice to Zoom Phone expands on a full collaboration suite for chat, meetings, calling, rooms, and events. Zoom Phone is a modern, cloud phone system that offers a digital alternative to legacy phone offerings and enables organizations to connect and interact in new and convenient ways that keep businesses moving with key features such as voicemail, auto attendant, call recording and more. SIPPIO is available per user per month with all-inclusive, consumption-based or white-labeled subscriptions. Regulatory tax inclusive with E911 where available ensures a predictable and flexible budget without the overhead or volatility of concurrency models. SIPPIO includes 24x7 voice expertise if needed, online training and a comprehensive partner toolset for quote-to-cash, customer impersonation to work on behalf of, asset management, and new number ordering. “This is the next step in SIPPIO's journey to offer our partners, carriers and customers their choice of collaboration tools to modernize voice calling. Utilizing Zoom Phone with SIPPIO provides easy activation and quick adoption with no hardware or development overhead,” added Elder. “Zoom is excited to announce SIPPIO as a Cloud Peering partner,” said Laura Padilla, Head of Channels & Business Development, Zoom. “SIPPIO’s expertise in voice will offer a simplified interconnection experience as an aggregator and provider of carrier services to enable Zoom Phone service allowing more reseller partners and carriers to deliver happiness and value to our customers.” SIPPIO’s global footprint is comprised of eight Azure data regions and service in 60+ countries. Analog support, legacy integration, and migration paths are also available. Current SIPPIO partners and carriers can contact their Partner Success Manager to get started and new partners can initiate an application for consideration. About SIPPIO Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, SIPPIO is the largest platform provider to enable voice in collaboration suites including Microsoft Teams and Zoom. SIPPIO provides partners and carriers with a fully automated, Azure native, end-to-end solution, and tools. Available globally with toll free and emergency services, SIPPIO does not require any code, build or maintenance. SIPPIO activates full calling capabilities in minutes and scales with business needs to enhance communications and collaboration to unify the modern workplace experience. Visit www.sippio.io for additional information. Contact Details Mostafa Razzak +1 917-912-0623 m.razzak@jmrconnect.net Company Website http://www.sippio.io

September 14, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

RALLY VENTURES APPOINTS NEW CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Rally Ventures

Rally Ventures, a leading venture capital firm focused on early-stage business technology, today announced that Jessi Howard has joined the firm as Chief People Officer (CPO). She brings 20+ years of experience in tech HR to Rally Ventures. Howard has helped grow and shape multiple tech start-ups, including SportsEngine, RedBrick Health and Secure Computing. In these roles, she provided strategic direction on talent acquisition and development, organizational health and employee experience. She also provided consultation on compensation, benefits and HR information systems. Howard’s newly-designed role as Fractional CPO will provide Rally Ventures’ portfolio of emerging companies with access to an executive level head of talent in order to drive results and accelerate milestones. “Human resources and recruitment are critical components in the success of early-stage companies, but the HR function is often overlooked, which is just fundamentally wrong,” said Justin Kaufenberg, managing director, Rally Ventures. “Jessi is a world-class HR executive with deep experience in early-stage technology. Her addition to the Rally team underscores our belief that people are at the absolute core of success in SaaS.” Rally Ventures is investing from its latest fund, Rally Ventures IV, a $250 million fund that brings their total committed capital raised since inception to over $600 million. The firm remains committed to its strategy of backing early-stage technology companies building innovative solutions for the fast-changing B2B landscape, focusing largely on Seed and Series A financing. Since its inception in 2012, Rally Ventures has invested in 59 companies and has had 15 successful exits, including 3 initial public offerings. Howard will strengthen Rally’s team of three managing directors, five venture partners and six professionals. The firm also includes a network of 100+ technology partners — executives, technologists and luminaries — who act as an extension to the Rally Ventures team and provide operating leverage for portfolio companies to help broaden the firm's capabilities. “I look forward to supporting Rally Ventures’ ambitious future by designing foundational HR practices for the Rally portfolio, attracting best-in-class talent and being part of these exceptional teams building industry-altering companies,” said Howard. About Rally Ventures Rally Ventures invests exclusively in early-stage business technology companies, focusing on entrepreneurs creating major new markets or bringing transformative approaches to existing ones. Since 1997, Rally Ventures' partners and venture capital industry veterans have invested in or run early stage enterprise business-to-business technology companies with a proven ability to deliver superior returns regardless of the overall market environment. For more information visit rallyventures.com. Contact Details Rally Ventures Rachel Stone +1 952-270-2648 rachel@rallyventures.com Company Website https://www.rallyventures.com/

September 14, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

100 Small Businesses Owned by People of Color in the Twin Cities to Each Receive a $10,000 Grant from Comcast RISE Totaling $1 Million

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast today announced it will award $1 million in grants to 100 small businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, in the Twin Cities, as well as technology and marketing resources to eligible businesses in the area. The Twin Cities is among six markets, including Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., that were selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, for a total of $6 million across 600 businesses. Beginning on October 1, and through October 14, eligible businesses can apply for Comcast RISE monetary grants, and, or marketing and technology services at www.ComcastRISE.com. Winners will be notified in late November. “The Comcast Rise Investment Fund will ensure that 100 businesses that exist today will continue to exist tomorrow,” said Governor Tim Walz, State of Minnesota. “Minnesota knows that this pandemic has created challenges for many small businesses, especially minority owned businesses. We continue to do everything we can to help them until things get better. I highly encourage small businesses owned by people of color to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity provided by our friends at Comcast.” The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multi-year, multi-faceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and provide the resources and tools they need to thrive for years to come. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Businesses must be in the Twin Cities seven-county metro (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties) to be eligible. “While we know that no single organization can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, we are committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact and change,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Twin Cities. “Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund offer the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color to help grow their businesses, create jobs and play a vital role in supporting our communities. The Comcast RISE grants will provide more entrepreneurs of color with the resources and tools they need to scale their businesses and thrive for years to come.” Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color nationwide to apply for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey:30 TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and 90-day media placement schedule. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research, and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for technology makeover services.) Monetary Grants: In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. As noted above, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide an additional $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses owned by people of color in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. Comcast’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity Comcast RISE is part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advance digital equity and help to provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach an estimated 50 million people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Corporation Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 jill_hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://twincities.comcast.com/

September 14, 2021 07:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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