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How New Airbnb Hosts Have Earned $1 Billion During the Pandemic

YourUpdateTV

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent travelers looking for safe, comfortable settings in which to connect with family and friends, creating economic opportunity for others to earn needed extra income by listing their homes on Airbnb. New hosts with only one listing who have welcomed their first guests since the start of the pandemic have already earned more than $1 billion. Recently, Christopher Nulty, Head of Global Public Affairs at Airbnb, discussed this trend and what it means for the future of travel. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/kjxmBO8MLKc Families and workers around the world have struggled financially because of the economic hardship caused by the pandemic, and in the US, one in four adults have had a hard time paying bills and one third have tapped their savings or retirement funds. For many, sharing their homes on Airbnb has provided a critical and urgent COVID social safety net to help stay economically afloat in these unprecedented times. In the US, the typical new Airbnb host with only one listing earned $3,900 since March 2020. This is income being used to pay important bills with half of all hosts worldwide using their Airbnb earnings to stay in their homes. During the pandemic, three in 10 US hosts (29 percent) have used their hosting income to pay their rent or mortgage—including half (49 percent) of hosts aged 25-34. One quarter of hosts (26 percent) have used the income to pay down debts, and 10 percent have used it to pay for healthcare. For more information, visit Airbnb.com About Christopher Nulty: Christopher Nulty is Airbnb's Head of Global Public Affairs. Prior to joining Airbnb in 2015, Christopher led public relations for Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. Christopher started his career in Washington, D.C., where he worked on Immigration and Healthcare Policy at the 2.2 million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU). A proud native of upstate New York, Christopher is a graduate of Colgate University where he currently serves as a director on the Alumni Council Board of Directors. 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

March 01, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Cloud Conventions 2021 – The Premier Telecom/Cloud Channel Virtual Event Returns Live May 12-14

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions 2021 will open its 2nd annual virtual conference and tradeshow on May 12-14 offering a unique experience for channel professionals in the telecom/cloud, hosted voice, connectivity, IT and managed services and mobility industries. Co-sponsored by media partner, TR Publications and managed by the MCI Group, this premier industry event redefines the attendee and exhibitor experience for a virtual event with industry and business content, discussions opportunities, networking and strategy sessions, along with more ways to connect individually with peers and exhibitors. “Channel Strategies to Navigate the ‘New Normal’ is the focus of Cloud Conventions 2021,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Convey Services, founding partner of the event. “We teamed with the MCI Group as our event management partner and TR Publications and their related media to build on the success of our Cloud Conventions 2020 event expanding offerings and audience. Our experience delivering dozens of virtual tradeshows, conferences, summits, and kick-off meetings for our clients has taught us how to design an virtual expo avoiding the pitfalls of events that fail to create an engaging experience for attendees and deliver sales leads to exhibitors and sponsors." "Cloud Conventions 2021 has the potential to bring together one of the largest audiences of channel partners, MSPs, VARs, IT service providers and carriers for an unparalleled virtual event,” said Doug Green, publisher of TR Publications. “Strategies to deliver cloud solutions, connectivity, mobility and managed services are evolving, along with the business models of channel organizations that provide them to business customers. Cloud Conventions 2021 brings together resources, thought leaders, technology and business solutions to ensure that the channel has the tools to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.” “Managing Cloud Conventions 2021 opens up a vast new market opportunity for the MCI Group,” said James Kelley Director of Business Development, Virtual Events at MCI USA. “Our team has partnered with Convey and their Cloud Conventions virtual event platform to deliver large virtual tradeshows and conferences for the past year. We offer added value to a show like this through marketing and our event management experience and support for exhibitors and sponsors. The MCI Group is committed to growing the Cloud Conventions 2021 event and returning in the spring of 2022 with an even larger live and hybrid industry expo.” In May of last year, the Cloud Conventions 2020 event attracted thousands of attendees over 4 days, with industry sponsors, social engagement and networking, and 78 educational sessions to help channel partners develop pathways to get business back on track and help their customers pivot to a digital work environment in the face of the pandemic. The 2021 virtual event will help channel partners navigate the ‘new normal’ by offering connections to colleagues and providers, powerful educational sessions, along with strategies to stay personally and professionally resilient, agile, and informed. Attendance at Cloud Conventions 2021 is free to qualified industry professionals. Past attendees will receive an invitation to pre-register. New attendees and potential exhibitors can sign up at www.cloudconventions2021.com. The Cloud Conventions 2021 conference and expo is hosted and managed on the industry leading Cloud Conventions virtual event platform, powered by Convey Services. About Telecom Reseller TR Publications reports on UC, UCaaS, CPaaS, mobility, telehealth, SD-WAN, direct routing, collaboration are among the many topics covered. Written for both buyer and seller, IT director and channel leader, TR’s qualified readers include enterprise end users, channel partners, MSPs, CLECs. Content includes news, blogs, podcasts, Educasts, and webinars. TR reaches 25,000 readers daily by eBulletin, 80,000 readers every weekend with their Sunday Report, and 1,900 people daily online. www.telecomreseller.com. About MCI Group MCI is a global engagement and marketing agency. We design human-centric solutions that unleash the power of people to deliver innovation and growth for our clients. Our offering includes live & virtual events, strategic & digital communications, consulting & community solutions. We help brands, companies, associations and not-for-profits solve their challenges, bringing their people together to shape their tomorrow. MCI is an independently owned company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a global presence in 60 offices across 31 countries. www.mci-group.com About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions is a Virtual Trade Show and Conference Platform from Convey Services that brings new capabilities to a marketplace looking for solutions to replace the thousands of live trade shows, annual conferences and association meetings cancelled in the wake of COVID-19. Originally launched as ConveyLive, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, attendee registration, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. 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™, Community™, 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 Convey Services Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

February 26, 2021 02:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Manny Castro Fulfills Lifelong Dream of US Citizenship

Minuteman Press International Inc

After being a permanent resident for over 35 years, Manny Castro has fulfilled his lifelong dream of achieving his US citizenship. As Minuteman Press franchise owner in Downey, CA for 14 years, Manny credits the support of his family and the team at Minuteman Press International with helping him achieve his dream. “I officially became a US Citizen on November 20, 2020, and it feels just great! This is my home; I have been living in the States most of my life and now I can vote. I am really proud of being a Citizen of the greatest country in the world, a land of opportunities for all!” From El Salvador to Entrepreneurship Originally from El Salvador, Manny is proud to be a shining example of achieving the American Dream both in his life and in his career. He says, “To get my US Citizenship after all this time is just an incredible accomplishment. I came to this beautiful country 38 years ago without a dollar in my pocket, no skills, no academic degrees, no English, not even a high school diploma. Just a young teenager at that time, running away from a very conflicted civil war in El Salvador, looking for a better life.” Reflecting back on those painful struggles and thinking about where he is today, Manny exclaims, “All I can say now is God is great, and may God continue to bless this great country that offers people from all walks of life, hope, endless opportunities, and a second chance in life.” Manny has owned his Minuteman Press franchise in Downey, CA since May 2007. During that time, he has successfully built his business while receiving crucial training and support from his franchisor. “My Regional Vice President Dan Byers and Steve Szymanski have always had my back since day one. They both wrote a beautiful letter of recommendation for me, to support my application for my citizenship. It meant so much to me and my family. Dan and Steve were delighted to help when I asked; everything I obtained when applying contributed to me being granted my citizenship. My kids were born here, and my entire family have already become citizens. It was time for me now to take that next step as well and join the millions of proud Americans. I love this country so much, and I’ve met great people along the way. God has opened up so many doors for me here. It is a land of opportunity for all. If you work hard, the sky is the limit.” Journey to Minuteman Press Dan Byers has known Manny Castro for 15 years. He says, “I first met Manny at a Franchise Expo in Pasadena in February 2006 and he was determined to own a business. At the time, he was working at a company that was downsizing and he saw business ownership as a means to financial independence, the opportunity to step up to a new challenge, and a way to regain control of his time.” Manny explains, “I was a distribution zone manager for a weekly publication company. I had researched many other companies and different industries for a while, but none of them gave me the level of confidence that I needed to motivate me and move forward that Minuteman Press did. Once my decision was made and we moved forward with training and opening up my center, they gave me a real solid foundation, and second-to-none ongoing support to this day.” Dan continues, “In an effort to be close to home, Manny converted an independent printing company in Downey to a Minuteman Press franchise in 2007. Time and time again, Manny has been able to successfully manage his business by working hard and treating people – customers, vendors, and employees – fairly and with the utmost respect. Whether it was the Great Recession of 2008 or the COVID-19 pandemic today, Manny has managed to stay positive and remain focused on growing his business by following the Minuteman Press franchise system.” Managing the Business Through the COVID-19 Pandemic Because Minuteman Press Downey is an essential business, Manny and his team have continued to remain open through the pandemic. He says, “We are an essential printing business and able to assist local businesses in any industry – medical, financial, retail, restaurants – and all businesses that continue to operate.” Manny adds, “For our clients, A-Frame signage, banners, floor decals, brochures, and direct mail have all been crucial in keeping their businesses operating safely while communicating with their customers. 99% of our customer base are other local businesses, and I see people are hungry to get back to work, to open up their doors safely, and we are helping them reach out and reopen safely. I’m very optimistic that things are turning back into full force. We have positioned ourselves to be there for our business community and meet their needs.” During the pandemic, Minuteman Press International has once again proven to be there for Manny to support him. He says, “Minuteman Press ongoing support during these unprecedented times has been tremendous. They’ve been there for us since COVID-19 started and provided us with extensive communications, guidance, marketing strategies, and additional resources. For example, when two of my employees needed to be home, Minuteman Press immediately provided me with additional field support to help me out with everything I needed. They are always there and quick to act whenever I need a helping hand or advice.” “We are an essential printing business and able to assist local businesses in any industry – medical, financial, retail, restaurants – and all businesses that continue to operate.” -Manny Castro, Minuteman Press franchise owner, Downey, CA Rewards of Business Ownership + Advice for Others When asked about the rewards of owning his business, Manny answers, “The most rewarding thing is having full control of your life and your financials. It’s very fulfilling to have your own business. I know that if I work hard, I reap the benefits.” His advice for others is this: “I will say Minuteman Press is a great company to partner up with. They are a leader in the printing industry and with over 45 years of experience. For someone like me who did not know about paper sizes and stocks 14 years ago, this meant the world to me. People can review the Minuteman Press franchise and see there are no hidden agendas. There was no pressure to buy the franchise, and they’ve supported me from day one and continue to work with me in achieving my company goals with ongoing coaching and marketing strategies to get there. Our success is their success as well. Minuteman Press has helped me do everything from getting started and achieving my dream of owning a business to helping my essential business during the pandemic.” Manny reflects once more on his incredible journey to US Citizenship, saying, “And now, Minuteman Press has helped me fulfill my other lifelong dream of becoming a US Citizen. For someone from El Salvador to be able to accomplish all of this, I needed to have help along the way. I couldn’t ask for a better franchise to be a part of or better people who are working on behalf of Minuteman Press International to support me with everything I do. Minuteman Press simply has my back, and I couldn’t ask for anything more than that in my business and in my life.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Downey, CA, visit https://www.downey.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with SteelCloud

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with SteelCloud, a leading provider of capabilities to automate policy compliance, configuration control, and Cloud security. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. ConfigOS is SteelCloud’s patented software compliance suite that allows anyone to quickly establish a STIG ( Security Technical Implementation Guide ) and or CIS ( Center for Information Security ) - cyber security compliant environment. The patented software is a complete solution offering scanning, automated remediation, compliance reporting, and external interfaces to other tools. ConfigOS is the only COTS solution on the market that fully automates remediation out of the box, saving countless hours of information assurance labor while establishing enterprise compliance consistency. It addresses policy remediation automation for Windows and Linux operating systems and applications. Learn more at https://www.steelcloud.com/cmmc/ The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between SteelCloud and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organisations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and SteelCloud partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “SteelCloud is excited to forge this partnership with the CMMC-COE,” said Mr. Brian Hajost, SteelCloud President & CEO. “CMMC is a vital program to secure the DoD’s contractor supply chain in order to protect critical U.S information. By working with the CMMC-COE, we can deliver our compliance automation technology and reduce the cost and complexity of CMMC compliance for the broadest range of DIB customers.” The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on SteelCloud, please visit https://www.steelcloud.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 22, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Tech cross-border M&A sustained bullish pace in 2020 according to data from Velocity Global and Pitchbook

Velocity Global

Cross-Border M&A Monitor: Tech Sector released today $200B cross-border IT M&A deal value in 2020 matches 2019 Cross-border IT deal volume accelerated in the second half of 2020 Cross-border IT M&A deal values in 2020 equaled that of 2019, outpacing overall global IT M&A deal value, which was down year-over-year. That data provided by Pitchbook was reported today in the Cross-Border M&A Monitor: Tech Sector published by Velocity Global, the leading provider of global expansion solutions. “Cross-border IT M&A accelerated significantly the second half of 2020 after dealmakers briefly paused at the onset of the pandemic,” said Rob Wellner, Velocity Global chief revenue officer. “Armed with more than a trillion dollars in dry powder at the end of 2020, PE firms represented a record share of the overall volume and helped bolster the deal count. We expect the surge to persist throughout 2021 and drive the need to close fast, move efficiently, and remove roadblocks to close.” Cross-border IT M&A Resilience Cross-border IT M&A remained integral to company growth plans. In 2020, cross-border IT M&A deal value topped $200 billion, approximately the same as the year prior. Furthermore, the cross-border IT deal count paced closely with a record-setting 2019 (1,326 transactions in 2020, 1,551 in 2019). These figures indicate COVID-19 only impacted a brief pullback in Q2 and did not dissuade dealmakers from paying up for transactions. “The global surge in demand for tech services driven by COVID-19 accelerated growth and M&A deals in the tech sector,” observed Wellner. “Remote work, digital health, and e-commerce exploded in 2020 and drove deal activity to keep pace or capitalize on an opportunity to serve enterprise and consumers alike.” Software, IT Services, and Telecommunications top deal sectors At the macro-level, software closed more deals and generated more deal value than any other IT subsector. However, both IT services and telecommunications saw significant spikes in deal value in the past two years. The same held true year over year for cross-border activity. Europe Remained Most Resilient Region; U.S. Tech Giants Bolstered Global Dealmaking Europe remained the most resilient region for cross-border tech M&A. For the second straight year, cross-border M&A value eclipsed $100 billion in Europe, and the region continued to dominate volume with approximately 800 deals (60% of overall cross-border tech volume). This resilience was driven by cyclical consolidation in sectors such as enterprise software and telecommunications. M&A also remained an attractive access point to markets across the continent. Cross-border Carve-outs Remain Complex 2020 cross-border IT carve-out M&A volume was just two-thirds of 2019, and these deal values dropped for a second year in a row. Software deals drove the decline in average cross-border carve-out deal size. The proportion of software carve-outs dropped by almost half from 2019 to 2020, with aggregate value falling by roughly two-thirds. Carve-outs are more complicated than outright, wholesale acquisitions. The need to ensure proper integration plans, conduct operational and financial due diligence, assess isolated financials, as well as overall technology risks in terms of licensing, and transition service agreements (TSAs) make carve-outs extremely complex. Given the geopolitical landscape and the trend toward pricier acquisitions, intellectual property and rights agreements that necessitated daunting TSAs made it more difficult to justify spending significant sums on individual business units or divisions, particularly in software, rather than on outright M&A or in-house development. Hurdles Remained The pandemic presents additional challenges to existing complexities for prospective cross-border buyers and sellers. From a personnel perspective, immigration and recruiting to maintain or grow talent levels are logistically and operationally complex. Nondomestic regulations also thwart nondomestic direct investment and derail deals. Post-merger integration takes longer due to remote communications. Given these hurdles, there was an increased caution brought on by COVID-19, and M&A went forward primarily for safer prospects. Added Wellner, “Companies must prioritize the ‘human element’ in a cross-border transaction. They must solve for employee onboarding, country-specific regulations, and legal jurisdiction management to minimize operational risks and accelerate market entry. Instead of creating foreign entities, companies increasingly implement a flexible solution like International PEO to avoid complicated TSAs, close quickly, and create a competitive advantage.” Download the Cross-border M&A Monitor: Tech Sector here. ABOUT VELOCITY GLOBAL Velocity Global helps companies grow globally. Founded in 2014, Velocity Global’s clients rely on its expertise and global infrastructure in 185 countries to hire compliantly around the world, increase revenue, scale efficiently, and access global talent. Named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall, Velocity Global is a strategic partner to its clients with comprehensive services led by its core offering of International PEO as well as Immigration, Entity Setup and Support, Global Talent Acquisition, and Consulting. Velocity Global is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with regional headquarters in Amsterdam and Singapore, and local employees in 14 countries. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 johnhall@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

February 18, 2021 07:02 AM Mountain Standard Time

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How to Eliminate Market Recovery Using an IUL by Jennifer Lang Financial Services.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang +1 877-487-8926 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

February 16, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Family-Owned Minuteman Press Franchise in East Indianapolis Shows Print Is Essential

Minuteman Press International Inc

Diana Renollet bought her Minuteman Press franchise located at 9105 E. 56th St., Suite E, in May 2020. Minuteman Press East Indianapolis is an essential business, so Diana and her team have spent their first nine months supporting local businesses and community groups with critical printing, marketing, and communication services during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says, “ Owning our own family business is a dream come true. I had done my research, and when the opportunity came I was ready.” After 33 years of working for others, Diana further explains, “With my own business, I feel like I am no longer wasting away years of my life on conference calls working for someone else. I am not answering to someone before making my own decisions. It makes me feel free being my own boss.” Supporting Local Businesses During COVID-19 Under Diana’s leadership, it is no surprise that Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis has been working hard on proactive community outreach and providing personalized local customer service. She says, “Being an essential business means we can support other local businesses and organizations who are also essential and operating as well as those who are reopening. We design and print custom orders for items they are using right now such as face masks, banners, menus, and more. It’s great that they know we are here for them as their trusted local business partner.” She continues, “For example, we are members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and fulfilled an order for 200 face masks. We have also donated to their Toy Drive as well as to the Lawrence Police Dept. Explorers program. We love what we do and it’s gratifying to be involved and give back to our local community who supports our essential business.” Even before becoming a business owner, community involvement was important to Diana. She says, “For the past five years, I have been the Vice President of the non-profit organization Indy Blue Star Mothers, which supports parents of children who are actively serving in the military or who are Veterans. I have also become a member of the Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis. Now that I own this business, I feel even more connected to my neighbors.” “At Minuteman Press, we print everything while providing outstanding local customer service. I love getting engaged in client projects and bringing them to life. Our mindset is to provide a positive experience from beginning to end.” -Diana Renollet, Minuteman Press franchise owner, East Indianapolis Print is Essential Diana’s passion for the printing industry and her business is readily apparent to her clients and anyone she speaks to. She says, “Everywhere I look I see print opportunities and I know I can help my clients promote their businesses. From billboards to street signs, whether indoors or outdoors, every letter or image you see is created digitally and printed. I cannot help but get excited when I talk about this industry and the many ways we are able to promote your business through print.” Diana enjoys being the face of her business and has fully embraced the Minuteman Press franchise system including their marketing programs. The fact that she is a printing and marketing services provider herself allows her to implement effective strategies. She says, “The key is to market, market, market. I have made countless phone calls simply letting our customers know that we are open and ready to help. I have sent out several hundred letters to customers making them aware of special discounts and promotions. We send back goodies of some sort with every order that is delivered to our customers. Sometimes we make goodie bags for our customers or send donuts from the shop next door.” Diana continues, “On every box that goes out of our center and back to a customer, we put a note that says, ‘Your business is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with you.’ This is really important to me. If we deliver four boxes back to a customer, when they open that second, third or fourth box, I want them to be reminded again and again that their business is appreciated and valued.” Minuteman Press also uses proprietary FLEX software that helps Diana keep track of her marketing efforts. “I am staying 4 to 6 weeks ahead on sending out reminder emails and USPS mailers reminding the customer it is time to work on their project. Every day, I look at the different marketing opportunities available in FLEX and act on them. I also look ahead to future opportunities. For example, I am in the process of sending out mail with offers for relevant businesses looking to promote themselves during the upcoming tax season.” What keeps customers coming back to Diana and her team at Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis is their complete positive customer experience. “Every time a client comes to our center, we want them to feel comfortable and appreciated. We offer them coffee or water bottles and a free donut coupon for the donut shop next door to us.” The little things add up to make a big difference, and Diana sees that clearly. “Many years ago, I was the inspiration behind a national campaign. It was called the Celebrate Every Day Campaign. I find something to celebrate about every single day. Sometimes it’s grand, and sometimes it’s small. It is a mindset and just a real nice way to live. It has helped me tremendously as I manage my business during this global pandemic.” From Employee to Minuteman Press Franchisee Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Diana worked in various business and management roles around the printing industry for 33 years. “I worked for several companies and wore many hats. I’ve done everything from graphic design and printing to on site management. Most recently, I worked as On Site Manager at the Kroger Central Division Office in Indianapolis where I tripled my team and made the Division cost-efficient. I did hundreds of thousands of printing per month, along with producing anything else that was requested.” Why Minuteman Press? Diana answers, “I liked the idea that Minuteman Press had already created a plan for success and I liked their plan. I also liked knowing that the FLEX software that Minuteman Press created and used would do everything from bringing me new potential customers daily to predicting reorders, quoting, creating work orders, invoices, and exporting accounting data directly into QuickBooks.” She continues, “Minuteman Press has done exactly what they said they would do as far as support. Someone is only a call, text or email away when I have had any questions. I have all of the freedoms of running my own business but I when I need support they are right there for me every time.” “Diana Renollet is a tremendous asset to her business community and to the Minuteman Press family. She truly cares about her clients and I am proud of her hard work in building her business in East Indianapolis. Diana follows the Minuteman Press franchise system and communicates effectively. I look forward to continuing to work with her and provide local support to her business.” -Steve Szymanski, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Midwest Meet the Family Behind the Business When Diana made the decision to follow her dream, she knew she could count on her family to support her. She says, “My husband Brian is my best friend and my rock. He supported my decision to become part of the Minuteman Press franchise family from the first day I mentioned it until the day we signed the papers. Although he has maintained his current career path, he is a huge part of helping me run this business. Our wedding song was ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen and I am so happy to take this new journey in my career with him.” She also credits her father as being instrumental in giving her the confidence to transition from her career to entrepreneurship. “My dad has been my go-to person and was really instrumental in making me realize this dream. Other than my husband, my dad was the only person who knew I was looking to take this leap. We talk every single day after work and he loves hearing what orders we received and how everything is going. He is so excited I am doing this and he is the one who taught me the value of hard work. My dad is truly a wonderful man.” It is clearly evident that family means everything to Diana. “My husband and I have 4 children from our previous marriages. Our oldest daughter is 30 and she has been in the medical field for the past 7 years. She has currently reenrolled in college to pursue a teaching degree and she is a wonderful mother to 3 of our grandchildren. Our twin daughters are 27, one is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. She is finishing her commitment soon and enrolled in college to pursue a degree in Nursing. Twin #2 works alongside her mother in a medical environment and she is a loving mother to our youngest grandchild. Our son is the youngest at 25. He is a Marine Veteran and Active Guardsman. He also works full-time and is also enrolled in college pursuing a cybersecurity degree. My parents also celebrated 62 years of marriage this past November.” She adds, “My husband and I look forward to weekend mornings where we try to get the kids and grandkids to come over for long breakfasts around the family kitchen table. We also enjoy spending time together laughing and enjoying life.” Advice for Others Diana has a fascinating perspective to share as someone who is realizing her dream of owning her own business at such a unique time. When asked for advice she would give to others who are looking to own a business, she says, “Prepare yourself for the opportunity and be ready. Don’t limit your thinking and allow yourself to dream, then do your research. Owning this center was my dream, and because I had done my homework, I was ready when the opportunity came.” She adds, “Stay accountable to your goals and your dream can come true. I am living proof of that.” For more information on Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis, visit https://indyeast.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 16, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Knowledgehook to boost maths attainment across Australia

Stockwood Strategy

Knowledgehook, the world’s most comprehensive mathematics learning platform, has launched in Australia as the nation’s teachers turn a corner in addressing low maths attainment levels for young people. It is now available to schools across the country for children in Year 3 to Year 10 classes, through The Learner First, a consultancy working with schools across Australia. The latest TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) found that Australia’s achievement in mathematics has improved since 2015. However, Year 4 mathematics achievement has not changed since 2007. One of the biggest challenges facing educators is to find better ways to meet the learning needs of the many students who fall behind in schools, failing to meet year-level expectations (often year after year) and, as a consequence, become increasingly disengaged. Knowledgehook’s proprietary technology harnesses the power of data to track where students are on their math journey. Their programmes connect a child’s at-home learning with in-school education, providing real-time insights to teachers on learning gaps. This empowers teachers to develop an understanding of the maths concepts related to their students’ challenges, enabling them to adjust instruction and monitor student progress. As Knowledgehook launches across Australia, former Australian Mathematics Curriculum leader, Margaret Bigelow, commented: " Australia's results in international testing are improving. The impact of a national approach to teaching and learning Mathematics has impacted on this improved outcome. Teachers need to be supported to maintain this trajectory of improvement by having the ideas and tools to enhance the engagement of their students to develop critical and creative thinking and further mathematical skills. This will enable students to adjust to the ever-changing demands and challenges of life in the future." “Knowledgehook was inspired by my own struggle with maths as a child,'' explained Co-Founder and CEO of Knowledgehook, Travis Ratnam. “Having the right, personalised guidance makes all the difference and every student deserves to have a teacher who has access to the best pedagogical tools, and parents who have insights into their learning. Our platform is not a game, it pulls together a 360 view on a child’s learning journey enabling people around them to improve the child’s math experience and outcomes. In launching Knowledgehook across Australia, Joanne McEachen, Founder and CEO of The Learner First commented: “I love the fact maths support is available 24/7 so when a learner struggles with a math’s concept, the teacher can access professional learning and development to help support both the learner and the teacher on the spot. Moreover, it helps teachers retrace their approach and identifies what may have been missed allowing them to recover and embed essential skills and concepts. Quite simply, it is what we have been missing for years and it will certainly complement the current trajectory of further improving math’s performance and disposition in Australian students.” Knowledgehook’s AI-enabled platform has grown to support schools across the US, Mexico, and the UK. It is designed to scale across multiple countries and languages developing teacher capacity while engaging students and providing actionable insights for parents. Over the years, Knowledgehook’s research-based solution has garnered industry-leading partnerships and investments from the most recognised global education bodies, notably from the University College of London (UCL), the global leader in education research. Knowledgehook actively collaborates with governments around the world while also working directly with schools and their suppliers, to offer curriculum-aligned solutions. The company currently empowers teachers in more than 100,000 schools. In 2021, it is anticipated the solution will reach 50,000,000 students globally. “We have received growing interest for our technology and expertise to be applied to other subjects and we look forward to expanding our solution to empower more educators and support the learning of students to become the problem-solvers of tomorrow,” Qamar Qureshi, President and Chief Business Officer added. Ends About Knowledgehook Knowledgehook, a leading educational technology company, empowers hundreds of thousands of teachers and parents to collaboratively support the mathematics learning journey of millions of students worldwide. Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, its platform analyses student understanding through engaging assessments, providing real-time personalised solutions to close learning gaps between classroom teaching and at-home learning. Designed by leading numeracy and research experts, Knowledgehook’s Instructional Guidance System is known for reinventing how online technology supports education and educators, while inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow. Contact Details Knowledgehook Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.knowledgehook.com/

February 15, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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The U.S. Chamber Discover & Deliver initiative is Fighting Covid-19 with Innovation and Technology

YourUpdateTV

Defeating the global pandemic is truly an all-of-nation effort. Across the nation, America’s innovation community has mobilized like never before to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, our nation’s brightest scientific minds, most innovative companies, and leading universities are moving at unprecedented speed to deliver the COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, diagnostics, and cures we need. The scope is as impressive as the speed. To date, scientists are conducting over a thousand clinical trials in the United States for potential pandemic ending solutions, in all 50 states, from big cities to small towns. The U.S. Chamber Discover & Deliver initiative is telling the story about the private sector’s role in bringing the science to life and bringing it to people. It is a nationwide, cross-industry effort that involves our brightest scientific minds, the most innovative companies, and the nation’s leading universities—all working together toward the common goal of leading the global community out of this crisis. Discover & Deliver is conducting virtual events in communities across the United States to engage local leaders, share the latest information, and provide a “boots on the ground” view of progress underway. To help illustrate this story, the U.S. developed an interactive map, to show what’s happening across our country—in communities large and small—as innovation works to identify the solutions we need to solve the coronavirus pandemic. Visit www.USChamber.com for the latest resources and insights into the all-of-nation effort underway to beat this pandemic. 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

February 11, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Knowledgehook to boost maths attainment across Australia

The U.S. Chamber Discover & Deliver initiative is Fighting Covid-19 with Innovation and Technology