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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

Farm Forward Finds Drugs in Certified Meat at Whole Foods

Farm Forward

Nonprofit Farm Forward has found a variety of drugs, including an antibiotic, in meat certified as having “no antibiotics, ever” taken from products purchased from Whole Foods store shelves. The drugs, including fenbendazole, clopidol, and monensin, are used widely in conventional animal agriculture. The use of monensin is prohibited within the USDA Organic program and by Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP’s) Animal Welfare Certified™ program, which certifies all meat sold in Whole Foods stores. "Sophisticated testing can reveal the truth about prohibited drugs fed to animals on factory farms, but these tests cannot reveal the extent to which these animals have suffered," said Farm Forward executive director Andrew deCoriolis. "Whole Foods and GAP say that their products are humane and hope we’ll take their word for it; our test results should give consumers pause." Whole Foods relies on GAP’s Animal Welfare Certified™ program, one of the largest animal welfare certifications in the world, to ensure that the meat sold in its 511 stores is “humane” and contains “no antibiotics, ever.” GAP’s Executive Director is an employee of Whole Foods and, alarmingly, one of the products that tested positive for Clopidol, a drug prohibited by USDA Organic but allowed by GAP, was produced by a company whose CEO is a member of GAP’s board of directors, raising questions about GAP’s motivations for permitting specific drugs within its program. Clopidol is commonly used to treat parasitic infections found primarily on industrial farms. Farm Forward served on GAP’s board of directors for 12 years but resigned in 2020 over concerns that the certifier was failing to live up to its promises to shoppers. GAP’s inability to enforce its standards was only one among several concerns. Another was its complicity in humanewashing: GAP and Whole Foods use confusing labels and images of animals on bucolic pastures that, a recent Farm Forward survey shows, trick customers into believing products may be better than they truly are. In reality, factory farmed products dominate Whole Foods’ supply chain despite charging customers up to 40 percent more for Animal Welfare Certified™ products. Antibiotics and other drugs are used widely on factory farms to keep animals alive in cruel and filthy conditions that may otherwise from suffering on factory farms and to keep products with drug residues from ending up on store shelves. “Factory farms use antibiotics and other drugs extensively to “manage” infectious diseases and parasites in crowded conditions,” said Dr. Jim Keen, a veterinary infectious disease epidemiologist with 30 years of research and field experience. “The conditions under which animals are raised in factory farms make them easy breeding grounds for antimicrobial resistance and even future pandemics.” Testing The testing was conducted by two independent, accredited laboratories using industry standard mass spectrometry, which is capable of identifying compounds at low levels. End Factory Farming Demanding that retailers and third-party certifications test for drugs in products labeled “all natural” and “no antibiotics, ever” won’t eliminate the need for these drugs on factory farms. It’s time for GAP’s Animal Welfare Certified program and Whole Foods to commit to stop selling factory farmed products all together. Until they stop selling factory farmed products, the best way for consumers to avoid unwanted drugs in their food is to avoid animal products whenever possible. About Farm Forward Farm Forward works to improve the lives of farmed animals. Since 2007, its mission has been to end factory farming by changing farming, changing policy, and changing the stories told about animal agriculture. Contact Details Farm Forward Susan Peters susan@farmforward.com

April 05, 2022 11:18 AM Pacific 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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Cityneon Brings Avatar: The Experience To The Iconic Cloud Forest At Gardens By The Bay Singapore

Cityneon

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 4 April 2022 - Avatar: The Experience will debut at Cloud Forestat Gardens by the Bay welcoming guests later this year. This immersive walk-through event based on the global blockbuster film AVATAR is a uniquely designed collaboration between Cityneon Holdings, Disney Location-Based Experiences, and James Cameron and Jon Landau’s Lightstorm Entertainment. Mr. Ron Tan, Cityneon’s ExecutiveChairman and GroupCEO, shares, “It’san honor to present Avatar:The Experience with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and Gardens by the Bay. We are excited to contribute to the inspiring creative culture of Singapore. The iconic Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, one of Asia's most popular horticultural attractions, becomes the perfect sceniclocation. We look forward to welcoming guests to this carefully-curated event.” Lightstorm Entertainment’s President of Franchise Development, Ms. Kathy Franklin, states, “The opening of Avatar: The Experience in Singapore is a unique opportunity to continue expanding the global reach and impactof AVATAR, the highest-grossing film of all time. As the firstof our four AVATAR sequels comes to theaters this December, this is the perfect time – and the perfect place – to explore and celebrate the wonders of Pandora in an all-new way.” Set at Cloud Forest with its iconic vision of waterfalls, spiraling walkways and a unique architectural glass greenhouse, Avatar: The Experience invites guests to connect with the alien world of Pandora, its bioluminescent environments, mystical creatures, flora, and the captivating culture of its indigenous people, the Na’vi. Mr. Felix Loh, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Gardensby the Bay, says, "Over the years, Gardensby the Bay has emerged as a foremost icon for Singapore. Many visitors associate the aesthetic of Gardens by the Bay with the stunningenvironments from the film AVATAR. Even more remarkable is the sharedappreciation for the naturalworld that surrounds us. This collaborative opportunity serves as a one-of-a-kind event and adds to the significance of our 10 th anniversary celebrations." Ms. Ashlynn Loo, Director, Attractions, Entertainment and Tourism ConceptDevelopment, adds, "Weare thrilled that Singaporewill be the debut destination for Avatar: The Experience. As we prepareto welcome more visitors, such innovative and immersive experiences are a timelyaddition to our calendar of vibrant leisure events and reinforce our destination attractiveness. The experience also demonstrates the industry’s confidence in Singapore’s strong fundamentals as a leisuredestination and is testamentto our exemplary track record in delivering high-quality experiences.” We look forward to welcoming you! Additional details will be announced soon. Sign up to be the first to know by visiting: www.AvatarTheExperience.com About Cityneon Holdings Cityneon is a global leader in immersive experiences that holds global partnerships with billion-dollar studios such as The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Entertainment for Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. and Marvel Avengers Station: Evolution and 20th Century Studios for AVATAR: The Exhibition, Hasbro for Transformers: The Experience, NBCUniversal for Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: The Exhibition. Cityneon has also recently announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to produce two brand-new, unique global touring themed art experiences inspired by DC and the Wizarding World, slated to launch in 2023. The company also partners the governments of Peru and Egypt for their original artifact IP experiences, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru and Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs respectively. These partnerships have enabled the Group to bring compelling experiences that leave lasting memories to visitors in more than 50 cities to date globally. With its global reach and international partnerships, Cityneon has the capability to serve its clients anywhere in the world. Cityneon was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2005, and was privatized on February 2019 by West Knighton Limited, a company wholly owned by Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO, Ron Tan, together with Hong Kong veteran entrepreneur and investor, Johnson Ko Chun Shun. Johnson is a capital markets veteran and has held controlling interests and directorships in many listed companies. In May 2019, Cityneon welcomed CITIC Capital as a new shareholder, who holds approximately 9% shares in Cityneon. CITIC Capital is part of CITIC Group, one of China’s largest conglomerates, and has over US$29B of assets under its management across 100 funds and investment products globally. Other institutional shareholders of the Group include EDBI – a Singapore government-linked global investor, and Pavilion Capital - a Singapore-based investment institution which focuses on private equity investments, that made strategic investments to the Group in August and October 2019 respectively. In April 2021, Cityneon welcomed new investors Seatown Holdings International, Qatar’s Doha Venture Capital, which will now own approximately 4% of the Group, and other financial institutions and family offices in Singapore and China, joining the already strong stable of shareholders to support the Group's further expansion globally. For more information, please visit www.cityneongroup.com. #Cityneon About Gardens by the Bay An integral part of Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision, Gardens by the Bay is a national garden and premier horticultural attraction that showcases the best of garden and floral artistry for all to enjoy. Spanning 101 hectares in the heart of Singapore’s downtown Marina Bay, it comprises three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central. Bay South, the largest at 54 hectares, officially opened on 29 June 2012. Guided by the vision to be a world of gardens for all to own, enjoy and cherish, the Gardens’ extensive plant collection, ever-changing floral displays, and myriad of engaging programs have captured the imagination of many, while its Gift of Gardens community initiative, with Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore as Patron, reaches out to people from all walks of life. Since opening, Gardens by the Bay has welcomed more than 80 million visitors and garnered numerous international awards including a silver for Destinations Building Back Better Post-Covid at the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021, Best Attraction Experience at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2019, and ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award presented by ASEAN Tourism in 2018. The Gardens continues to refresh and refine its offerings, to be a place that everyone can enjoy – a garden where wonder blooms. For more information, please visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg About the Singapore Tourism Board The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions. For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com Contact Details CITYNEON HOLDINGS Wong Yi Lin yilin.wong@cityneongroup.com VIM & VIGOUR Amber Ng amber@vimandvigourpr.com VIM & VIGOUR Ng Yuin Yi yuinyi@vimandvigourpr.com

April 04, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGMA America Announces Fundraising Campaign to Benefit Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, a leading camera and lens manufacturer for both photography and cinema applications, is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Focused on the Fight Charitable Giving campaign. As in the two years prior, SIGMA, whose focus for the fundraiser is a humanitarian one, is partnering with their dealers to help people suffering hardships of any kind. From April 1 through June 30, 2022, 5% of all sales at participating retail partners will be donated to three charitable organizations, including Save the Children - Ukraine, and World Central Kitchen, each of which is providing immediate humanitarian relief to Ukraine. The first two Focused on the Fight campaigns have raised over $193,000 for charitable organizations across the United States in partnership with twenty-four participating retail partners, and this year, the campaign continues its mission to help provide aid to the communities that need it most right now. Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of SIGMA America states, "Photography, by its creative nature, promotes awareness, compassion, and empathy; it is at the heart of all we do. And I strongly believe that SIGMA America's picture must match our words. As the US subsidiary of a global company, and as fellow human beings, supporting these humanitarian charities that are providing relief to the Ukrainian people at this time of extreme suffering is a concrete way for us to demonstrate that our community's commitment to compassion knows no boundaries." Participating dealers include: B&C Camera B&H Photo Video Bedford Camera & Video Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions Camera Mall Glazer's Camera Houston Camera Exchange Hunt's Photo & Video Kenmore Camera Murphy's Camera National Camera Exchange OC Camera Pictureline Phototec Pro Photo Supply Roberts Camera Samy's Camera Service Photo The Camera Company Woodward Camera Individual dealer contributions are capped at $20,000 and total donation amount is capped at $150,000. All funds will be split equally between the three charity organizations. For the most up to date information on participating dealers and benefiting charities, please visit: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/focused-on-the-fight #FocusedOnTheFight For more information, please contact: Jack Howard / SIGMA Corporation of America / sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA Corporation 631.585.1144 X1015 SIGMA.PR@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigmaphoto.com/

April 04, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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INTRODUCING: STYLEST™

STYLEST

STYLEST—a new solutions-based fashion brand—is pleased to announce the launch of their debut wardrobe system: a Swim System™ for Summer 2022. STYLEST’s mission is to design fashion ‘systems’ that offer wardrobe solutions to help women achieve their best personal style as their bodies and lifestyles evolve. With their innovative 3-step Stylest Swim System™, STYLEST also introduces Aqualingerie™, a first-to-market, new fashion category intersecting three major apparel industries: shapewear, swimwear, and lingerie. “Swimwear wasn’t working for us, so we decided to change it. Aqualingerie is a brand new idea in fashion and will give women the freedom to wear the swimsuits they want. Everything we create at STYLEST is a solution, whether it’s support, a fit or fabric innovation, or a multi-tasking outfit maker, we design wardrobe systems that evolve with your life without sacrificing your style.” - Co-Founder, Joyann King Michael (Former Executive Editor of Harper’s BAZAAR and editor at InStyle and Glamour ) Style, systems, and solutions intersect at STYLEST, bringing a fashion-conscious approach and ease to wardrobing. It’s an edited approach to getting dressed created by three trusted authorities in the fashion industry: Joyann King Michael, Alia Yahia-Bosworth (Former Chief Style & Marketing Director at LOFT & ELLE Editor), and Chrissy McCurdy (Former Buyer at Ralph Lauren, Saks 5th Avenue & Komar). The idea for the brand began at a pool party, where Chrissy shared her secret for feeling her best poolside: wearing a bra with her swimsuit. The founders couldn’t believe a bra for the water didn’t exist. Necessity being the mother of invention, Aqualingerie™ was born. Aqualingerie takes the sculpting of shapewear and the function of lingerie to create an innovative, foundational layer to wear under your swimsuit (or even on its own). A behind-the-scenes boost, it is lightweight, fast-drying, and super-sculpting ‘lingerie’ engineered to wear in the water under your swimsuit. Hero pieces include the 6-Way Convertible Swim Bra that goes with all of fashion’s best-selling one-pieces, the High Rise Smoothing Swim Panty with tummy control and waist-cinching capabilities, and the Fully-Boosted Sculpting Bodysuit for the all-in-one solution. “After having my son, I put a bra on to give myself some confidence in swimsuits, and it was my hidden secret. I wasn't going to the grocery store without a bra on, so why wouldn't I be wearing one by the pool? STYLEST’s swim bras are engineered specifically for water and designed to go under swimsuits. Our construction has muscle support that helps lift and shape the bust so you can run after your kids and still look great.” - Co-Founder, Chrissy McCurdy Enter STYLEST Swim System Step 2—SculptSwim™. The brand’s collection of high-fashion, high-compression swimsuits made in STYLEST’s exclusive fabric, BOOST™. Ultra-flattering in all the right places and designed to be worn over Aqualingerie, the collection features the brand’s seasonal style edit of colors, prints, and silhouettes. Highlights include the Sculpting Puff Sleeve One Piece and the Sculpting One-Shoulder Tie One Piece. “Women dread shopping for swimsuits. At STYLEST, we want to change that. As a new mom, my life has evolved, and I rely on systems more than ever. I’ve been styling real women my entire career, and the key is a plan, not pieces. Our swim system takes all the guesswork out of looking great by the pool or beach.” - Co-Founder Alia Yahia-Bosworth Step 3 is the styled pieces that make it ‘a total look’. From a fashionable, SPF-friendly Swim Cardigan to their exclusive water-proof Easy Tie Swim Sarong, these pieces complete the total look but are designed with real life in mind. For launch, STYLEST is reinventing the fitting room experience with a seven-day free trial program powered by TryNow software, allowing our customers to try on our collection risk-free and in the comfort of their own home, not in the abrasive lighting and cramped space of a dressing room. STYLEST’s body-boosting swim system is only the beginning as the brand aims to change the total fashion experience for women as their bodies and lifestyles evolve. SYSTEMS. SOLUTIONS. STYLED EVERY TIME. Prices for the STYLEST Summer 2022 Collection range from $38-$228 Sizes range from XS-2XL, Bras 34B-42G For more information on STYLEST, please visit STYLEST.com. Contact Details STYLEST Amber Cardullo acardullo@ogakidigital.com

March 31, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HowToBet NCAAM Final Four 2022

HowToBet.com

We always ask if you have learned about How To Bet yet. Judging by the views for the How To Bet podcast during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, that may no longer be apropos: now, it is just about how big the first-year sports betting podcast can get. Show co-hosts Daryl Fein and Sean “The Genius” Miller have been joined by show director Nery Rodriguez, and the innovations to the program continue, as the programming expands. During the National Football League season, viewership was steady from Week 1 until the Super Bowl, with linear growth throughout the run. But for the NCAA Tournament, the viewership has jumped: one of the first round shows, about the South Region, did better than the record for views set way back in August 2021 for the debut show of the podcast. On top of that, the live shows, which started for the Round of 32, continued for the Elite Eight, and will end with the National Championship preview this Sunday at 9 a.m. EDT, have seen a new type of format that we haven’t previously experimented with, and it’s turning out to be quite successful. “What can I say about this show, other than it has been a lot of fun to keep it rolling,” Miller said. “I want to say I can’t believe that we are posting these viewership numbers, but I will be honest: I think after our NFL run, which saw us make so much money for bettors around the country and the world, I thought this NCAA Tournament show could have been huge. “The numbers show that we were correct. This is such a massive three weeks for sports betting, and with all the new states and people looking for guidance, I figured we would do some numbers for these shows. You never know for sure when you change formats, adding another person and going live for example, but the people have come out in droves and watched it. “The live shows are really cool, because you can get more up-to-date information to the bettors out there. I think we can utilize it for other sports as well. For me, of course, the World Cup is coming up, so that could be good. For football season, though, we can go live on Thursday in the lead up to the NCAA and NFL games that night.” The success of the three-week run has given Fein and Miller a lot of ideas for the future, which is great news for the How To Bet family. But that is down the road: right now, How To Bet will focus on one of the most intriguing Final Fours in history. If you have been watching, you know who “The Genius” is taking; and if you have been going with his North Carolina picks this whole tournament, you might be way up heading into Saturday. “Yeah, you know where I am going here,” Miller said. “I am a Tarheel born and Tarheel bred. I had them to win the East Region, and I won big with that. No one had them to win the bracket, except me, and I have the ticket to prove it: you can see it on the latest show. Now, UNC gets a chance to spoil another Coach Knight? “Sign me up. And then hopefully, we can get Villanova for a little revenge from 2016. But look, I am excited for this weekend. I have been to the Final Four in 2008 in San Antonio and 2009 in Detroit–where, by the way, I saw UNC win the title–and this is always a cool few days. But it is also the end of the season until November, which is always sad for basketball fans. “For us, though, it is time to end strongly, and then start to figure out what is up next. There is always a next season, and a next sport, for bettors; it never ends, and we want to be there to help the bettors beat the books.” About HowToBet.com HowToBet.com offers one of the world’s most comprehensive betting guides that can be accessed via a user-friendly web app. Its mission is to help make online betting safe, fun and as easy as performing a search on the web. There are already more than 400+ how-to guides freely available, all written by seasoned betting professionals. More guides are being added on a weekly basis in a continued effort to educate anyone interested in what is now a $199 billion betting industry. For more details, visit: https://www.howtobet.com/about-us/. Contact Details Cristian Campan +45 50 30 42 66 cristian.campan@raketech.com Company Website https://www.howtobet.com

March 31, 2022 08:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

National Land Realty Sells More Than $1.5 Billion in Land

National Land Realty

National Land Realty, the nation’s fastest growing real estate land brokerage company specializing in farm, ranch, country estates, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties, today announced that it hit more than $1.5 billion in sales in 2021. While total transactions and acres of land sold in the past year have increased 51.5 and 80.4 percent respectively, overall sales volume skyrocketed 131 percent. Meanwhile in the same timeframe, the company also added a new CMO and CTO, as well as dozens of new brokers nationwide. A total of 291,449.82 acres changed ownership through 2,201 transactions. Comparison Sales 2021 vs 2020 With 86 offices in 41 states, National Land Realty currently employs 360 active agents. In 2021, the company opened new offices in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Virginia. “Rediscovery of a safe haven asset” “More and more people are rediscovering the value of land as a safe haven asset in the current volatile economy. Land has offered a store of value since this country was settled and continues to be a safe haven for investors that no equity, bonds or even gold can compete with,” says Jason Burbage, President of National Land Realty. “In the past year, National Land Realty has grown at an extremely fast clip. We hired Mac Christian, our new CMO, who will make sure that our marketing function is up to the task of consolidating and expanding on our growth. Meanwhile, under the direction of our new CTO, Tyler Van Meeteren, we are continuing to invest in our land touring and mapping technology which makes our agents better equipped than any of their peers to guide clients through their purchasing journey. Combine all of that with our hiring of new agents and you have a company that is ready for more rapid growth in 2022,” said Jason Walter, CEO of National Land. As a reflection of the company's growth, National Land Realty recently recognized several agents who made it possible at its annual company conference, the National Land Summit. A few of those include: Clint Flowers, ALC (Gulf Coast Office) who received the Top Gun Award for being the company’s top producer with the highest total gross commissions. Austin Hill (Middle GA Office) who received the Rising Star Award, an award given to an individual who is newer to the company (within 10 years) and is on a path to success in sales, education, support, and core values. Beth McLellan (Kosciusko, MS Office) who received the Trailblazer Award for her positive influence on the lives of her team and helping them achieve the highest levels of success, not only in business, but in life. About National Land Realty National Land Realty (NLR) is the nation’s fastest growing real estate land brokerage company specializing in farm, ranch, country estates, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties. Highly regarded for its proprietary land touring technology, Land Tour 360 ®, as well as its GIS land mapping system, LandBase™, which catalogs land data in extremely detailed ways, the company makes it easy to view and zero in on the right property in the right place. Founded in Greenville, S.C. in 2007, NLR has more than 85 offices in 41 states. To learn more visit www.nationalland.com or call (855) 384-5263. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://nationalland.com/

March 31, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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