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Minuteman Press Franchise in Welshpool, Perth, Western Australia Celebrates 17 Years, Shares Growth Strategies

Minuteman Press International Inc

Rod Hambley has owned his Minuteman Press printing franchise in Welshpool since March of 2005. In May of 2021, Rod purchased 15-year independent print shop Images on Paper. Following the acquisition, Rod merged staff from both businesses and has been producing more in-house orders with the equipment that was added. The result has been doubling and even tripling monthly sales in the months following the acquisition. This includes a record sales month for his 17-year business, Rod says, “We’ve clearly had sustained business growth since the acquisition. Sales for both new and existing clients are in line with past turnover for both.” Welcome to Minuteman Press in Welshpool Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Welshpool, Rod worked in the banking industry. He shares, “I was in banking for 25 years and worked as Branch Manager for several banks. I found Minuteman Press at a franchise show and in gaining a rapport with the Regional Vice President, I saw this as a viable option I could venture to when finished at the bank.” Under Rod’s leadership and following the acquisition of Images on Paper, Minuteman Press in Welshpool has continued to grow its core business. Rod says, “Our core business is always in high demand. We offer our clients high quality printing from our wide format machine which produces posters, signage, and stickers of all shapes and sizes. Our digital machine prints booklets, flyers, business cards, and much more. We also still run an offset machine for NCR Books, envelopes, and spot colour work that are all still in demand.” “It is important for local businesses to market and promote themselves. We are able to design and produce the items they need for those purposes and they also need printing of workbooks, forms, and plenty of other items for their operations as well.” -Rod Hambley, owner, Minuteman Press, Welshpool Acquiring Images on Paper As for how the acquisition of Images on Paper came about, it was a combination of Rod being proactive in looking at local acquisition targets in his area as well as the local Minuteman Press outreach campaign initiated by Regional Vice President Glenn Coyle. Rod says, “We have had our eye on this business in the area for a number of years among others. I have done smaller acquisitions over the years that were successful as I still have some clients from those. I saw Images on Paper as a good prospect where the owner might be looking to retire, and Glenn Coyle also identified them through an acquisition campaign.” Glenn Coyle says, “I reached out to Images on Paper and set up a confidential meeting with the owner Harry and his wife Robyn. We chatted for a while and after we got to know each other and I learned about their business, we all moved forward with a plan for Rod to acquire the business if all went well so Harry and Robyn could sell the business and retire.” Glenn adds, “Once I looked over the paperwork they provided, I met with Harry and Robyn again and told them my plan to introduce their business to Rod. They were happy for me to do this. After Rod met with Harry and Robyn, things went well, and they ultimately came to an agreement on price, terms, equipment, staff, and changeover date.” Rod shares, “The benefit to the seller was to save on brokerage costs, and the benefit to me was the increased sales as well as merging staff and added equipment for in-house jobs.” Advice for Others When asked what advice he would give to others looking to own a business, Rod answers, “Be prepared to work hard and find good staff. Also, you should ensure that you have steady cash flow and enough for a rainy day or two.” Minuteman Press in Welshpool is located at U2 119 Welshpool Rd., Welshpool, WA 6106. For more information, visit their website: https://www.welshpool.minutemanpress.com.au. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities in Australia at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.au. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 11, 2022 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Easter gifts Kids Actually Want: From Learning to Fun

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2V7NL-Jogw4 Play has a profound impact on childhood development. In fact, toys often provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn by engaging their senses, sparking their imaginations, and encouraging interaction with others. With Easter fast approaching, Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, says now is a great time to find the perfect gifts for the kids on your shopping list. First, Lynch says it’s a good idea to know that one of this year’s biggest toy trends is content creation. Although, digital channels like YouTube may come to mind, she adds, hands-on creation helps with childhood development. Next, she adds that it’s important to understand the benefits of childhood play. Experts agree that active play is essential during the formative years. In fact, it helps grow fine and gross motor skills, including grasping, object manipulation, drawing, independent sitting, crawling, and walking. With that in mind, Lynch highlights a few of this year’s top toys. TOP TOYS: SCRIBBLE SCRUBBIE ARCTIC PETS, CRAYOLA Lynch says kids will be amazed to watch pets change colors with the brand-new Scribble Scrubbie Arctic Igloo (blue in cold water and white in warm water). This toy helps little one’s adventure into the arctic with two new color-change pets, a seal and a wolf. She says imaginations will run wild in pretend scenarios as pets warm up in the cozy, life-like igloo or head outside to go sledding in the cold. Kids can decorate the pets with the included markers, wash them clean and start over again. Other options in the latest line include the Scribble Scrubbie Safari Pets Treehouse featuring tattoo stickers for pets. Direct link: https://shop.crayola.com/toys-and-activities/scribble-scrubbie-pets-arctic-igloo-playset-7474710000.html LEGO JOHN DEERE TRACTOR, LEGO: Designed in collaboration with John Deere, Lynch says the tractor and trailer toy is packed with realistic features. It comes equipped with huge wheels, articulated steering and a driver’s cab with a seat that turns. The toy specialist adds tractor-loving youngsters will enjoy a building challenge plus role-play fun as they construct their very own John Deere tractor. Then, they can have fun exploring all the details packed into the model. Lynch points out that the trailer tips, making it perfect for transporting heavy loads. The wheels let it traverse all terrains, and it has a drawbar with an extra hinge that allows it to navigate hills and valleys with ease. This set serves as a great introduction to LEGO Technic buildable model sets with realistic movement and mechanisms that allow young LEGO builders to explore engineering in an approachable and realistic way. Direct link: https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/john-deere-9620r-4wd-tractor-42136 SQUISHMALLOWS 2022 WILDLIFE SQUAD, JAZWARES: Lynch says while no easter basket is complete without a stuffed toy, table the Easter bunny and opt for an exotic animal from the Squishmallows Wildlife Squad. The line features animals like a fuzzy orangutan, metallic-backed armadillo, and more. Since 2017, the versatile Squishmallows have grown into an international phenomenon and offer comfort, support and warmth as friends, couch companions, bedtime buddies and travel teammates. With more than 1,000 characters to collect, young fans can aspire to be like their favorite characters. Each Squishmallows has its own unique name and storyline to add to the fun. Direct link: https://www.jazwares.com/brands/squishmallows MINI CLAY WORLD CANDY CART, KLUTZ: A perfect miniature scene for crafters with a sweet tooth, Lynch says the candy-colored clay and puffs of pastel cotton let you recreate all sorts of confectionery, from sour gummies to rainbow candy, tie-dye jawbreakers, swizzle sticks, clouds of cotton candy, and more. Another fun aspect of this toy are the creative prompts that encourage crafters to invent their own candy brands and display them in clear glass-looking jars with stoppers, in miniature boxes, on wooden lollipop sticks, or in iridescent cellophane baggies with twist ties. Lynch points out fans can slot together the cotton candy stand with a clear dome to serve customers, and a tented kiosk to display an assortment of sweet treats. Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Clay-World-Candy-Cart/dp/1338775421 For more information, go to thegeniusofplay.org. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Twitter: Twitter Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 11, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CORRECTING and REPLACING Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

In the last sentence boilerplate of release dated April 11, 2022, "multiple accolated and awards" corrected to read "multiple awards". The updated release reads: Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has yet again taken the initiative to introduce new female-friendly policies as part of its continuous workplace reforms which aim to provide the most inclusive and welcoming environment possible for all its employees. Demonstrating that the company is serious about bringing about positive change, it has updated its Parental Leave Policy to include provisions for miscarriage or stillbirth, across all its locations. FHH already has generous maternity leave provisions for working mothers who benefit from 16 weeks of paid leave, above what the International Labour Organization recommends, and it even offers 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, which puts it at the forefront not only in the MENA region but also globally. Employees are eligible for compassionate leave upon the unfortunate event of a female employee or a male employee’s spouse suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In both instances the employee is entitled to five days of paid leave, and females may take an additional five days of unpaid leave. This comes in line with FHH’s core values to lead with empathy and extend leave to women needing time to recover physically and emotionally, and to consider the needs of male partners as well. No other company in the region offers such a generous leave policy, with provisions for maternity, paternity, miscarriage or stillbirth, in addition to a monthly day off for females. James Michael Lafferty, FHH CEO, said, “Our company believes that – if we take care of the people, the business will take care of itself – which is why we are constantly on the lookout for practices that support our employees’ wellbeing, especially during pivotal moments in their lives. With our updated policy our aim is to live our values and support our employees through difficult times.” FHH adheres to the highest standards of HR practices with a strong emphasis on supporting and empowering parents within its workforce. It is worth mentioning that the company was recently recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. About Fine Hygienic Holding: Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

April 11, 2022 12:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to continue as Jimmy Fund Captain in 2022

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund announced today that Boston Red Sox pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi, will continue to serve as the Jimmy Fund Captain this season. In this role since 2021, Eovaldi is an ambassador for the Jimmy Fund, and helps to support and promote Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s mission to defy cancer. The Red Sox have partnered with the Jimmy Fund since 1953, the longest and most successful charitable partnership in professional sports, and as Jimmy Fund Captain, Eovaldi will continue this long tradition. “I am thrilled to continue serving as this year’s Jimmy Fund Captain as it is a role that I am honored to have. I was fortunate to participate in last year’s WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon and met many families who were so inspirational in telling their cancer journeys,” said Eovaldi. “I enjoy sharing the important Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber mission and look forward to meeting other adult and pediatric patients and helping to raise awareness and funds for a cause that I, and the entire Red Sox organization, hold so close.” Every year, a Boston Red Sox player serves as the Jimmy Fund Captain, attending fundraising events, visiting patients, building support and raising funds for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. Each dollar raised by the Jimmy Fund supports The Dana-Farber Campaign, the Institute’s ambitious, multi-year fundraising effort to prevent, treat, and defy cancer through revolutionary science, extraordinary care, exceptional expertise, and essential opportunities—saving more lives than ever before. “As the Jimmy Fund Captain, Nate has continued the tradition of distinguished Red Sox players who have made an incredible impact on Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund,” said Larry Lucchino, Chairman of the Jimmy Fund, Trustee of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Chairman/Principal Owner of the Worcester Red Sox, and President/CEO Emeritus of the Boston Red Sox. “I am excited to see Nate’s involvement grow as we continue to shift back to hosting in-person fundraisers.” Past Jimmy Fund Captains include Mitch Moreland, Brock Holt, Pablo Sandoval, Will Middlebrooks, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield. Grassroots community fundraising is the heart and soul of the Jimmy Fund—thousands of people organizing bake sales, lemonade stands, runs, walks, golf tournaments, dances, auctions, softball games, and more, bringing their communities together to help Dana-Farber save lives. Some upcoming Jimmy Fund fundraisers include: - Strike Out Cancer with the Jimmy Fund - New this year, Red Sox fans can help to strike out cancer all season long. Pledge a donation of any amount for each Red Sox win this season, win great prizes, and help the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber defy cancer. Every dollar raised through Strike Out Cancer with the Jimmy Fund supports cancer research and care at Dana-Farber. - Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® Presented by Valvoline Instant Oil Change SM – Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl®, the nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, is taking place in a new location, Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., this year on Saturday, June 18 th. The event will feature ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors from fan-favorite brands as well as musical entertainment, kids activities, and much more. - John Hancock Fenway Fantasy Day - Help the Jimmy Fund give Dana-Farber patients the chance of a lifetime to bat and field at Boston’s beloved ballpark during this year’s John Hancock Fenway Fantasy Day. By sending a patient to this year’s event, fans are giving cancer patients an extra special experience, while raising funds for pediatric and adult cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. About the Jimmy Fund The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. Contact Details Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Molly McHale +1 617-512-8357 molly_mchale@dfci.harvard.edu

April 11, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has yet again taken the initiative to introduce new female-friendly policies as part of its continuous workplace reforms which aim to provide the most inclusive and welcoming environment possible for all its employees. Demonstrating that the company is serious about bringing about positive change, it has updated its Parental Leave Policy to include provisions for miscarriage or stillbirth, across all its locations. FHH already has generous maternity leave provisions for working mothers who benefit from 16 weeks of paid leave, above what the International Labour Organization recommends, and it even offers 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, which puts it at the forefront not only in the MENA region but also globally. Employees are eligible for compassionate leave upon the unfortunate event of a female employee or a male employee’s spouse suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In both instances the employee is entitled to five days of paid leave, and females may take an additional five days of unpaid leave. This comes in line with FHH’s core values to lead with empathy and extend leave to women needing time to recover physically and emotionally, and to consider the needs of male partners as well. No other company in the region offers such a generous leave policy, with provisions for maternity, paternity, miscarriage or stillbirth, in addition to a monthly day off for females. James Michael Lafferty, FHH CEO, said, “Our company believes that – if we take care of the people, the business will take care of itself – which is why we are constantly on the lookout for practices that support our employees’ wellbeing, especially during pivotal moments in their lives. With our updated policy our aim is to live our values and support our employees through difficult times.” FHH adheres to the highest standards of HR practices with a strong emphasis on supporting and empowering parents within its workforce. It is worth mentioning that the company was recently recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple accolated and awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

April 11, 2022 02:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Bath, England Moves to New Location, Lands Bath City FC Sponsorship

Minuteman Press International Inc

After 23 years in business and now entering their 24 th year, the long-time Minuteman Press franchise in Bath England has moved to a beautiful new location located on Pines Way Industrial Estate in central Bath. Since the move, Minuteman Press in Bath has nearly doubled production capacity and produced quicker turnaround times for their clients. In what has been a busy year for Minuteman Press in Bath, they have also landed a back of shirt sponsorship for Bath City FC. Throughout the 2021/2022 season, Minuteman Press in Bath has had their logo on player uniforms to increase their brand awareness and visibility. Managing Director David Ghent and Marketing Director Dave Dixon talk about the history of the business as well as what the future holds for Minuteman Press in Bath. What is the history of the business? Dave Dixon: “It all started in 1998 when our MD David Ghent had a vision to provide the best printing services in Bath. He saw a gap in the market for a city-centre location to offer on-site print and copying services. We’ve since outgrown our Walcot Street site and have developed into a commercial, print and signage service in our new facility at Pines Way.” How has the business grown and what are the keys to your success? David Ghent: “For us it’s always been about putting our customers first. We like to help them stretch their marketing budgets as far as possible. Sometimes it’s not about finding the cheapest option, it’s about the maximum return on investment. The success of our customer base is our success. We still have customers today that placed their first orders back in 1998!” What would you say have been the major changes to the printing industry over the past decade? Dave Dixon: “Speed and print enhancements! Sure, if you want a simple brochure to go through the door or get picked up with a load of other flyers that’s great, we can produce thousands of those and you’ll get a small percentage return rate. However, we find that once we add a spot of gloss, gold ink or foil it stands out from the crowd. We’ve also invested heavily over the years in the most up to date technology and most reliable kit to ensure that we can produce great results on time and quickly. After all you’ve seen it on your screen and you are keen to have it in your hand.” How do you set yourself apart from the competition especially online suppliers? David Ghent: “Online print is great if you want cheap bulk printing and you’re 100 percent sure that your artwork is designed well, you’re not too concerned about the final colours and you don’t need any advice or are not expecting a long term relationship with a local supplier. Most of our clients value business relationships and like to discuss their print job and how they might make it look as good as possible. Alongside that excellent level of customer service, we are also able to meet almost any deadline; most of our work is produced the same day on site here at Pines Way, with real people checking your artwork, colours and print quality. We are also a one stop shop. We will deal with your business forms, flyers and brochures, and we can also produce shop signage, vehicle graphics and exhibition displays. You really don’t need to go to many sources for your marketing materials. That’s how we differentiate ourselves.” How did you adapt over the past two years and diversify your offerings? Dave Dixon: “We very soon discovered the joy of floor and wall graphics! We did a little but of that pre-pandemic, but then we had to take it to another level. Our Large Format Studio Manager was in fact working hard during the first lockdown producing a catalogue with a full range of social distancing signage. We also had to test the materials to ensure that they were safe enough for installation on the ground – we really didn’t want people slipping on our floor graphics! We produced thousands of linear metres of floor and wall graphics. We continue to do so now, but for marketing purposes rather than safety.” Why did you decide to move to your new location and what does it mean for your clients and your future? David Ghent: “In reality, we outgrew Walcot Street and we really could not reach our full potential there. The new location represents a €1 million investment in the business. We have two of Xerox’s top end presses and we have added the full range of specialty colours to those, this includes white, fluorescent, gold, silver and clear toners, the range of colours we can really achieve is impressive. We’ve added short run foiling in house and of course our huge vehicle bay means that we can now do signwriting on cars and vans. Our signage team is expanding our offerings further. Interiors will be a big growth area for us including printed graphics on walls, floors, and windows. Window blinds are very popular at the moment and a really cost-effective way to keep your branding visible.” What makes you most proud as you reflect on the past 24 years? Dave Dixon: “We are proud of our level of customer retention. We work closely with our client base to ensure that they are always happy. We are also always happy to give back to our local community through supporting charities and clubs with free or heavy discounted pricing, as well as being proud to be a local business taking part in the civic life of our city.” What’s next for Minuteman Press in Bath? David Ghent: “We are in the right premises at last, so we now need to consolidate and plan for expansion. We need to continue strengthening our print and signage offerings and ensure that we are seen locally as Bath’s number one printer, as well as growing our online sales.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Bath, England, visit https://minutemanbath.co.uk. Learn more about Minuteman Press UK franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.co.uk. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 06, 2022 10:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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DESPITE RESTRICTIONS TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES LEADING GLOBAL RECOVERY

Travel Tech

The US Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry, and eu travel tech today released comprehensive research reports from Phocuswright, the world’s leading travel industry research authority. The research shows travel industry innovators, including global distribution systems (GDS), online travel agencies (OTA) and metasearch companies, travel management companies (TMC), and short-term rental (STR) platforms (in the United States and Europe) bring competition and consumer choice to the marketplace and are leading the COVID-19 economic recovery. According to the Phocuswright research, independent travel intermediaries have a key role in the travel sector rebound. Despite a 61% gross travel revenue drop in 2020 attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are much more likely to return to trusted platforms to assist with travel planning and shopping. “Independent distribution facilitated by GDSs, OTAs, Metasearch and TMCs, is paramount to supporting and growing a travel economy that is affordable and accessible to travelers worldwide”, explains Steve Shur, President of US Travel Tech. “This important analysis highlights the value of the travel marketplace for consumers and suppliers. Today’s travel and tourism economy relies on the access, competitive environment and reach facilitated by independent distributors. Their technology, innovations, and marketing expertise foster economic growth for travel and tourism providing consumers with competitive shopping experiences.” “Transparency is critical to making informed booking decisions”, stated Emmanuel Mounier, Secretary General of eu travel tech. “From effective comparison shopping to finding the right accommodation for an itinerary, independent distributors are key contributors to building consumer confidence and reigniting the global travel economy. These entities are particularly important during the inspiration and shopping stages. By creating an environment where travelers can easily compare product features, obtain relevant information about safety and regulations for travel and shop prices, they foster a competitive landscape where suppliers must compete for consumers, based on price, services, amenities and offerings.” The research shows a global consensus that the most successful travel suppliers in the COVID-19 recovery era will be those who best partner with travel intermediaries. In addition to gaining broader distribution, it will mean more options, competitive prices, and better service to travelers. Travel suppliers increasingly value the continuing role of independent travel intermediaries in supplementing distribution efforts in a cost-effective manner. Smaller suppliers value the reach, visibility, and additional bookings they can gain from working with the right travel intermediaries. All recognize the significant benefits of travel intermediaries’ pay-per-performance business model for driving supplemental revenue. Some other findings from the research include: Travelers value travel intermediaries for reducing friction by facilitating the easy comparison and booking of multiple, multi-brand options in a single location. In turn, travel intermediaries feature prominently in both the inspiration and shopping stages for travelers, with 39%, 45% and 44% of US consumers using indirect channels to make their latest leisure air, hotel and car rental bookings respectively. Vacation rentals have experienced a strong resurgence, with city dwellers, no longer tied to the office, seeking getaway alternatives – whether in the mountains, beach, suburbs, or countryside. Short-term vacation rental companies are benefiting from this trend. In Europe, in 2020 the hotel sector took leadership positions in terms of market share, representing 41% of gross revenue. The European hotel sector is primarily made up of smaller, independently owned and operated properties (38% of rooms in 2018). Such properties often struggle to gain adequate visibility in front of potential customers, and travel intermediaries, especially OTAs, help bridge the gap between smaller hotels and consumers. This drives the independent hotels revenue and helps them compete better against their branded peers. OTA gross revenue in the US grew from less than $36 billion in 2009 to more than $79 billion in 2019, falling back to $32 billion in 2020. Despite this steep drop, OTAs accounted for 21% of total travel revenue in the U.S. during the 2020 crisis. Phocuswright’s U.S. Corporate Travel Report 2020-2024 estimates that corporate travel revenue fell 71% to $39 billion in 2020 compared to the previous year. The meetings and events spaces were hit harder, with more than 95% of events canceled or postponed. However, a rapid recovery is underway, and gross revenue is expected to grow in the US to $289 billion in 2022 with full recovery expected by 2025. Suppliers in Europe and the US are concerned with the potential entry of big tech into the travel distribution space. Most feel that these companies would quickly evolve into powerful, and perhaps even dominant players, and some fear Google would potentially evolve into the super app of travel. As several of the large tech platforms are increasingly leveraging their scale, deep pockets, and in-depth customer knowledge to enter the travel space and rapidly grab significant market share, they are forcing suppliers and intermediaries alike to spend ever-increasing amounts on pay-per-click advertising to maintain visibility. ### About US Travel Tech The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms. About eu travel tech eu travel tech represents the interests of travel technology companies. eu travel tech uses its position at the centre of the travel and tourism sector to promote a consumer-driven, innovative and competitive industry that is transparent and sustainable. Our membership spans Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), Online Travel Agencies (OTA), Travel Management Companies in business travel (TMCs) and metasearch sites. For a copy of the research reports, or to schedule an interview with a US or EU Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Jackie Hampton of kglobal. Contact Details Jackie Hampton +1 443-814-0693 jacqueline.hampton@kglboal.com Company Website https://www.traveltech.org

April 06, 2022 08:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Our Culture of Silence is Hurting Our Kids: How to use everyday moments to talk to kids about safety and sexual abuse

YourUpdateTV

Many parents know it’s important to talk with their children about sexual abuse but aren’t sure what to say. How do you find the right words and moments to talk with kids about their safety? One organization has developed an easy way for parents to talk to their children about in-person and online safety. Recently, VP of Education, Research, and Impact at Committee for Children & Mom of 2, Dr. Tia Kim, participated in a satellite media tour campaign to talk about how and when parents can start having these critical safety conversations. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/LVgUtn9B1uU The Journal of Adolescent Health reports that 1 in 4 girls, and 1 in 20 boys report experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18. And, according to The Department of Health & Human Services, children under the age of 9 are most likely to be abused. Experts agree, informed children are less likely to be abused, and those who feel comfortable talking openly with a caring adult are more likely to disclose abuse if it happens. In support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Committee for Children is launching its fifth annual Hot Chocolate Talk campaign to help families start conversations with their children about personal and digital safety. “When parents communicate safety rules with children early and often, they create environments where kids feel comfortable asking questions and having difficult conversations, such as disclosing abuse,” says Dr. Kim. The “ Hot Chocolate Talk” how-to guides are designed to help make an admittedly awkward conversation feel as warm and comfortable as a mug of hot chocolate, showing parents and caregivers how to use everyday moments as touchpoints for these important safety talks. “We know child sexual abuse can be a challenging subject to navigate. The Hot Chocolate Talk How-to Guides help parents and caregivers take the guesswork out of knowing what to say and when to say it,” says Dr. Kim. “A shared treat can help create a more comfortable atmosphere. We encourage families to sit down over a cup of hot chocolate and start the conversation today.” Families can download the free How-to Guide at HotChocolateTalk.org, along with a variety of approachable, research-based resources that include guidance on how to respond to disclosure and how to identify signs of abuse. Tia Kim, PhD Bio: Vice President of Education, Research, and Impact. Dr. Tia Kim is a developmental psychologist, a parent-child relationship expert, and a mom of two. She believes in a strong family foundation, open lines of communication, and the critical role that parent-child relationships play in children’s safety and well-being. With her experience as a parent, education research scientist, and psychologist, Dr. Kim aims to provide families with simple, research-based tips and insights to help them start conversations about child safety. Dr. Kim began her career in academia but later decided she wanted to see her research in action helping children and youth. Today, she leads Committee for Children’s team of research scientists to develop and evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and impact of the organization’s social-emotional learning programs and family engagement work, including this year’s child sexual abuse prevention campaign, Hot Chocolate Talk. Dr. Kim received her doctorate in developmental psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and completed three years of post-doctoral training at the National Academic Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention. Before joining Committee for Children, she served as an assistant professor in human development and family studies at Penn State Brandywine. About Committee for Children: Committee for Children is a global nonprofit on a mission to ensure children everywhere can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. Our founders designed our first program, Talking About Touching, to empower children to recognize, refuse, and report sexual victimization. We’ve broadened our scope throughout the past four decades to include bullying prevention programs, and today we’re best known for our innovative Second Step® social-emotional learning programs. Second Step programs blend research and rigor with intuitive design and reach more than 16.5 million children worldwide. Learn more about the work we do at cfchildren.org. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 05, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Telos Hires World’s First NFT Curator In Crypto

Telos Foundation

To further the ambitions of growing Telos into the go to Layer 1 for NFT’s, Telos has hired the world’s first NFT curator in crypto, The Big Gooey (or TBG). TBG will lead efforts by supporting the art world and building a truly vibrant Telosian Collection on an NFT ecosystem that is powered by Byt and the tEVM. This next level NFT ecosystem is going to enhance the end user experience with ludicrous speeds, inexpensive fixed gas fees, zero congestion and absolutely no front running. NFT enthusiasts are destined to appreciate the enhanced user experience that is being powered by the world's fastest EVM (tEVM). NFT Ecosystem Synergy TBG - World’s first NFT curator Byt - World’s most successful NFT dApp tEVM - World's fastest (instant transactions), most inexpensive (fixed nano sized gas fees), congestion-less, truly decentralized, no front running, and most energy efficient EVM The Big Gooey hails from the rain-soaked West Coast of Canada. Gooey has been working as a full-time artist in the crypto space. His art has appeared on multiple blockchains from Fast Food Frens (ETH) to Zillaz (SOL). His pixel art style is inspired by the super Nintendo golden era of games and early arcade classics. TBG was one of the artists who brought NFTs to Telos, he’s woven himself into the fabric of the Telos ecosystem, and he builds a community wherever he goes. TBG won an adoring audience with Doug’s Donuts, and the upcoming TelosPunks is set to change the rules of what an NFT can be. “I personally believe that nothing monumental can ever take shape without passion for the subject. In this case that subject is an NFT ecosystem and the passion for this subject is not only prevalent with TBG, but also absolutely contagious.” Justin Giudici, Acting CEO at Telos Foundation Telos is making a strategic push into the booming NFT market. TBG will help lead the community end of the new Telos and Byt partnership. The partnership is also planning a major competition to bring NFT creation to the masses. Telos plans on integrating NFTs as an integral component of the developer and application community. TBG will work with artists and creators to make Telos NFTs their first-choice media. “There are bright things ahead,” said TBG, “I’m several collections this year. I’m committed to the idea that Telos' ethos of equal and fair access to finance is the future of how working-class people can better generate wealth.” The Big Gooey, NFT Curator About Telos Telos Blockchain (ticker: Tlos) is a third-generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper and Native C++ smart contracts. Telos provides full EVM/Solidity support with fixed low-cost gas fees and no front running. Uniquely, Telos also offers a path to fee-less transactions via its robust native C++ smart contract support (also w/ no front running). The chain can sustainably support hundreds of millions of transactions per day, it produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals on a first-in-first-out basis (eliminating front running on the network) and the network is securely validated by an equitably sized and globally decentralized block producer network. The Telos Blockchain has the throughput needed to facilitate and scale the thriving Metaverse / Web 3.0 better than any other blockchain. Its performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, true decentralization, and end-user fairness. Harnessing its power from utilizing tight C++ on the frontend and a custom WASM runtime environment on the backend, Telos, is exactly what Elon Musk recently described to be the best: Read Tweet Here About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

April 05, 2022 10:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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