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Cloud Conventions & MCI Group Partner with Medical Professionals to Deliver Virtual/Hybrid Events

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions, an enterprise virtual/hybrid event platform and the MCI Group, a leading global event management firm are partnering to deliver virtual and hybrid event solutions for medical organizations to complement their live events. The American Thoracic Society, a nonprofit organization focused on improving care for pulmonary diseases with more than 16,000 members worldwide, launched their annual conference in April 2021 as a 100% virtual event. They selected the MCI Group as its event management partner and Cloud Conventions as its virtual event platform. This August, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses(AORN), guided by an abundance of caution from the recent surge in COVID cases, transitioned their hybrid conference to a fully virtual event under the guidance of the MCI Group. Their new virtual event will educate and engage attendees and exhibitors using the Cloud Conventions virtual/hybrid event platform. “Audiences for conferences hosted by medical professional groups have unique requirements and a heightened awareness of the risks imposed by the pandemic,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Convey Services, parent company of Cloud Conventions. “Medical professionals not only want to stay up-to-date on scientific advances, but they also need to complete continuing medical education (CME) to maintain licensure. A virtual, on-demand option for engagement plus education ensures attendees have a safe environment to meet their educational needs, interact virtually with other attendees and engage live or on demand with suppliers and sponsors.” The American Thoracic Society’s all-virtual conference in April brought together 9,000 registered attendees for 140 clinical and scientific sessions, 71 special networking events and over 3800 presentation sessions and scientific posters. The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses will offer on-demand and live sessions, a networking and innovation lounge, an exhibitor solutions center hosting in-booth sessions, product showcases along with an innovation theater. “Striking the balance between a live and virtual event environment is a strategic decision that medical professional groups must make as they consider event design today and even more in the future,” said James Kelley, Director at the MCI Group. “Our customers rely on MCI to guide them to deliver the best options that engage audiences before, during and after the event ensuring that virtual environments complement and not conflict with the on-site program.” A recent research study, “Association Trends: from Disruption to Opportunity” by Community Brands, revealed that 85% of association event professionals plan to invest more in virtual events in the next 12 months. This trend is driven by a 48% increase in members engaging more with their associations due to increased virtual options and on-demand education. The Tagoras 2020 “Virtual Conference Report” detailed that 75% of those delivering virtual events did so to reach audiences who could not otherwise attend. With the increase in COVID cases driven by variants, medical professional groups are now pressed to include virtual alternatives that are specifically geared to the industry, as they enter the busy fall conference season. Download the Case Study: “The 2021 American Thoracic Society Virtual Event” for free at: https://cloudconventions.com/page/135834/ats-customer-success-story. Show organizers and event managers can learn more about Cloud Conventions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com and the MCI Group by visiting http://www.mci-group.com/usa. About The 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 MCI’s US headquarters is in the Washington, DC area with offices in New York, Baltimore, Dallas, and Chicago. www.mci-group.com/usa About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, 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

August 04, 2021 03:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Velocity Global hires tech operations leader Eric Schroeder as Chief Operating Officer

Velocity Global

Velocity Global, the leading provider of global employment solutions, added technology operations veteran Eric Schroeder as chief operating officer. Schroeder applies two decades of operations leadership to support clients, their distributed workforces, and scale Velocity Global’s worldwide team. “Eric led global safety operations for Uber, one of the world’s top tech companies that combines complex infrastructure with a simple human experience,” said Ben Wright, Velocity Global founder and CEO. “His global operations expertise aligns directly with our global work platform for an always-on connection between employers and the talent who rely on us for everything from timely, accurate payroll to customized compliant solutions in global markets.” Schroeder most recently was vice president of operations for autonomous driving company, Ghost. Prior to that, he was head of global safety operations for Uber and also held roles as General Manager for Utah and Northern California. Before Uber, he spent three years with McKinsey and Company in the U.S. and South Africa. Schroeder is also a proud Army veteran where he served in Special Forces and completed two combat deployments to Afghanistan. “My experience at Uber inspired a passion for the future of work — the balance of opportunity and owning how, when, and where you work,” said Schroeder. “I’ve long been impressed with Ben and the team at Velocity Global where I now direct that passion in a way the world has not yet experienced. The team built and maintains the backbone of global employment, enhanced by a first-class technology experience. The multifaceted platform connects employers with talent anywhere in the world.” The company’s global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience through proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, personalized expertise, and unmatched global scale. Users access a streamlined technology interface as well as partner with a dedicated experience team for individualized solutions and expertise. As the largest global Employer of Record (EoR) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, Velocity Global manages a client’s workforce and provides in-country and in-state compliance, payroll, and benefits for the supported employees. The company also offers Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors globally. Schroeder leads the customer experience and delivery team, global payroll and benefits, and worldwide operations with employees across five continents. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience through proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, personalized expertise, and unmatched scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across five continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

August 04, 2021 07:02 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Comcast's Internet Essentials Program, Tacoma Mayor, and Local Gaming Personality Marcel Cunningham Partner to Address Digital Divide for Students at Al Davies Boys & Girls Club

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced grants and technology donations to the Al Davies Club in Tacoma as part of its ongoing commitment to help connect more low-income students and families to the Internet. The announcement was made at an event with former Al Davies Club Member and international gaming influencer Marcel Cunningham, who goes by the name of BasicallyIDoWrk, and the Mayor of Tacoma, Victoria Woodards. In collaboration with Cunningham, Comcast contributed $10,000 and 40 laptop computers to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. Sixty students also received free laptop computers to keep along with 12 months of home Internet service for eligible families through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. The funds and computer equipment will help the club better serve its members and provide additional resources to families in need. Thirty kids attending summer camp at the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club also had the opportunity to play with Cunningham in a fun, interactive video game competition at the event. Afterwards, Cunningham, Mayor Woodards, and Comcast surprised the students by handing out the free laptops and a gift card good for a year of Internet Essentials Internet service. "It is extraordinary to be able to come back and bring resources to the Club I spent so much time at as a kid. Boys & Girls Clubs are special places that help so many kids and families, and I wouldn't be who I am today without the experiences I had at the Al Davies Club,” said Cunningham. “I appreciate the opportunity to partner with Comcast and Mayor Woodards to bring these resources to the Boys & Girls Club, the students, and their families.” “When private companies and organizations like ours can come together it can truly create something special for our community. These funds, access to internet and technology donations will have a tremendous impact on our local Clubs,the members we serve, and their families” said Carrie Holden, President/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. “We are grateful to Comcast for its contributions and to our alum Marcel for continuing to stay engaged with the Club and our kids.” “The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on many of the inequities in our society, including the digital divide. In Tacoma and across the South Puget Sound, we are fortunate to have organizations like our local Boys & Girls Clubs which serve as central meeting places and can help address the issues of access and equity if they have the resources,” said Tacoma’s Mayor Victoria Woodards. “This is why it is exciting to see Comcast and Marcel collaborating with our local Clubs to support youth and their families and fill an important community need by providing crucial technology resources across our region.” As a former member of the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club, Cunningham previously received the Key to the City of Tacoma Award for his work in the local community and support of his childhood club. Cunningham continues to support the club via his foundation TeamWrk, which focuses on challenging youth to reach their full potential by teaching healthy gaming habits, character and team-building skills, and bullying prevention. Cunningham recently became a member of “Team Xfinity”, a collection of streamers, content creators, and gamers who rely on Xfinity Internet to power all their gaming and streaming needs, connecting them with audiences across the world. "We're thrilled to partner with Marcel to help give Boys & Girls Club students and families the resources to access the Internet to participate in online learning," said Carla Carrell, Senior Director of External Affairs, Comcast Washington. "The pandemic put many vulnerable students and families at risk of being left behind, accelerating the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them." Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Internet Essentials Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. In 10 years, it has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. Internet Essentials has a comprehensive design that addresses each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption. This includes: multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners. Comcast has never raised the price of the program. For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/internet-essentials To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com Comcast Andy Colley +1 425-248-5438 Andy_Colley@Comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

August 04, 2021 05:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time

STEAM Brand Osmo Introduces 8 Exclusive Starter Kits to Walmart In Time for Back to School

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo introduces 8 exclusive starter kits for iPad to Walmart and Walmart.com, in time for back to school. Osmo’s product displays are located in the preschool aisle of the toy department at Walmart stores nationwide, and its 8 starter kits for iPad include: Detective Agency Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $39.97 Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $39.97 Super Studio Disney Princess Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $39.97 Numbers Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $49.44 Monster Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $49.44 Words Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $49.44 Sticks & Rings Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $49.44 Pizza Company Starter Kit (includes base set) - Retail $60 To see the entire collection of Osmo’s products, visit its Walmart store. Osmo’s award-winning products are currently used in over 2.5 million homes and 50,000 classrooms. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand with more than 2.5 million learners worldwide. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and is part of BYJU’S, a global leader in online learning. Learn more at playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii carolynkpr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

August 04, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Cyvatar Launches First-Ever Cybersecurity Side Hustle

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced the release of the CydeHustle, a customer referral program that helps everyday people earn extra money on the side by referring organizations in their network to Cyvatar. The CydeHustle is easy work you can do in your spare time. In just a few minutes, you can not only bring in more money for yourself, but you can also enable people from all walks of life to help tip the cyber scales in favor of the good guys by stopping threat actors from breaching the brands and businesses we love. Organizations face more than 100,000 malicious websites and 10,000 malicious files every single day. Last year, malware increased by 358% and ransomware by 435% -- in fact, ransomware alone is now a multibillion-dollar industry staffed with expert researchers, strategists, technologists, and front-line hackers. Cyvatar’s ground-breaking cybersecurity as a service (CSaaS) levels the playing field so that any organization regardless of size or budget can combat threat actors. Joining the CydeHustle means you can enjoy the rewarding experience of keeping the businesses in your network safe... and get paid for it. "The Cyvatar CydeHustle program is a no-brainer, and the corresponding partner portal makes it easy to earn money on the side,” said CydeHustler Chris W. “Just as much as Cyvatar simplifies cybersecurity management for customers, it’s absolute simplicity to earn easy commissions with Cyvatar, even while juggling a full-time position and family responsibilities. Now anyone can be a deal-making machine!" Every CydeHustle referral that becomes a sale earns money for the person who introduces them: 20% of the sale price when the contract is signed, 10% of any upgrades purchased in the first year, and an additional 5% each year the referral renews. It’s easy money. Everybody needs better security, and Cyvatar’s CSaaS enables organizations to get better security outcomes fast. “The CydeHustle is so easy and so lucrative that we’ve already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to CydeHustlers,” said Edward Preston, vice president of sales at Cyvatar. "Partners get paid for referring companies in their networks, those businesses get a game-changing cybersecurity program, and our world becomes safer from the onslaught of cyber threats.” Importantly, Cyvatar CSaaS is both accessible and affordable: For as little as $20 a month, customers receive out-of-the-box cybersecurity that includes products and services, a platform to manage them, and an expert team to support them -- all for one fixed monthly price. What’s more, Cyvatar sells itself -- it’s one of the 50 Most Trustworthy Companies recognized by the Silicon Review and has won 20 awards for cybersecurity innovation and excellence. CydeHustlers can keep their day jobs or Hustle between classes, after work, or from the far reaches of the world, because the Hustle is real -- and risk-free. Cyvatar keeps individual participation completely private unless participants explicitly choose to share their activity publicly. So what are you waiting for? Make a difference. Make an introduction. Make the world a safer place by keeping threat actors away from the businesses you know and love. All you have to do is sign up. Share the Cyvatar story. And get paid. Sign up and start earning today! About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

August 03, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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RALLY VENTURES WELCOMES JAY BORENSTEIN AS VENTURE PARTNER

Rally Ventures

Rally Ventures, a leading venture capital firm focused on early-stage business technology, today announced that Jay Borenstein has joined the firm as a venture partner. He brings 25+ years of experience as a founder, operator and investor to Rally Ventures. Borenstein is a lecturer of computer science at Stanford University with a focus on virtual reality, software engineering and entrepreneurship. He also runs the Education Modernization (EdMod) Group at Facebook. In this role, he focuses on leveraging modern technologies to improve education and create more equity in education. Borenstein founded IntApp Inc., a Palo Alto-based business management software company, in 2000 and served as the company’s CEO through 2007. IntApp raised $273 million in its initial public offering (Nasdaq: INTA) in June of 2021. Borenstein previously served as the managing director at Chmod Ventures, which was a satellite fund of Lightspeed Venture Partners. In his role as venture partner, Borenstein will be responsible for driving new investments, supporting existing portfolio companies and deepening Rally’s expertise in edtech and extended reality (XR). “Jay’s ability to relate to founders and understand the intricacies of their technologies and businesses will make him a fantastic addition to our team,” said Charles Beeler, co-founder and managing director, Rally Ventures. “His background as a founder and an educator working with students at the formative stage gives him a unique understanding of what it takes to make early-stage founders successful.” Rally Ventures is investing from its latest fund, Rally Ventures IV (2020 vintage), a $250 million fund that brings their total committed capital raised since inception to over $600 million. The firm remains committed to its strategy of backing early-stage technology companies building innovative solutions for the fast-changing B2B landscape, focusing largely on Seed and Series A financing. Since its inception in 2012, Rally Ventures has invested in 59 companies and has had 15 successful exits, including 3 initial public offerings. Borenstein joins a team of three managing directors, four venture partners and 100+ technology partners — executives, technologists and luminaries — who act as an extension to the Rally Ventures team and provide operating leverage for portfolio companies to help broaden the firm's capabilities. “Rally Ventures has a terrific track record of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs. I look forward to augmenting that and supporting great people to achieve great outcomes,” said Borenstein. About Rally Ventures Rally Ventures invests exclusively in early-stage business technology companies, focusing on entrepreneurs creating major new markets or bringing transformative approaches to existing ones. Since 1997, Rally Ventures' partners and venture capital industry veterans have invested in or run early stage enterprise business-to-business technology companies with a proven ability to deliver superior returns regardless of the overall market environment. For more information visit rallyventures.com. Contact Details Rally Ventures Rachel Stone +1 952-270-2648 rachel@rallyventures.com Company Website https://www.rallyventures.com/

July 28, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Singer-Songwriter Charlie Marie Lyons and Dikembe Mutombo Foundation Ally to Support School Construction in Congo

Dikembe Mutombo Foundation

Los Angeles, July 26, 2021 – The philanthropic work of NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo is the inspiration for Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Charlie Marie Lyons’ new single “Change”, and she will donate all streaming revenue from the single to support the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation’s work to build a new school in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “Not only did I literally look up to Dikembe Mutombo, but I also saw his heart and what he wants to achieve in this world,” said Lyons, whose compositions and performances share unfiltered stories of pain and hope and intimacy. “He inspired me to use my voice as a tool for change.” The new single was released today and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Radio and other streaming platforms. “This is not a story about tragedy, in fact, this is a story about overcoming. It’s a story about hope, and Dikembe Mutombo really inspires the people around him to have hope with a presence that encourages selflessness, self-reflection and self-improvement,” added Lyons. Located in a rural area outside the Mbuji-Mayi district, the ancestral home of the former NBA superstar’s parents, the modern pre-K through 6 school broke ground in July 2020 and is scheduled to open this October. In its first phase, the school will welcome 440 girls and boys to its classrooms. Named after Dikembe’s late father, a teacher and school principal, the future Samuel Mutombo Institute of Science & Entrepreneurship will serve a region where 240,000 children have no access to modern education. The DRC spends 1.5 percent of its gross domestic product on education, 166 th in the world. By comparison, the United States spends 5 percent. France spends 5.5 percent. As part of the planned long-term relationship between Lyons and the foundation, the school will include a “Change” classroom devoted to music and art. Lyons will help build the classroom’s curriculum, and the room will include an artists’ wall of signatures to commemorate the student-artists who pass through the program. “This project will build a modern high school in the Congo emphasizing science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts,” said Mutombo, who after 18 seasons in the NBA became the league’s first global ambassador. He has devoted his post-basketball career to improving primary health care, disease prevention and education in his native land. “I don’t see myself as a basketball player; I see myself as a humanitarian – someone who wants to see the world get better. I want to create the great leaders of tomorrow, but I cannot do it by myself,” he added. The school is not Mutombo’s first humanitarian project in his homeland. After its launch in 1997, the foundation’s first initiative, along with several international and local partners, was leading a 1999 campaign to stop the spread of polio. In three days 8.2 million children were vaccinated resulting in a near polio free DRC for four years. Next, the foundation spearheaded construction of the Biamba Marie Mutombo hospital in the capital city of Kinshasa. Named after Dikembe’s mother, the 170-bed facility opened in 2007 as the first new hospital of Its kind constructed in the DRC in 45 years and, to date, has treated almost 600,000 people. In addition, the hospital collaborated with the U.S.-based Starkey Hearing Foundation to provide almost 10,000 hearing-impaired people with new hearing aids at no cost. To donate, go to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation web site at dmf.org. Computer animation of the completed school is available on YouTube. “Change” is available on Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Radio or wherever you stream music. For more on the artist, visit charliemarielyons.com. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo. Contact Details SilversJacobson Paul Jacobson +1 303-548-6684 paul@silversjacobson.com Company Website https://dmf.org

July 26, 2021 06:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Rebecca and Kirk Treece Open Minuteman Press Franchise in Missoula, Montana

Minuteman Press International Inc

Rebecca and Kirk Treece are the new owners of Minuteman Press in Missoula located at 2100 South Avenue West. They bought the long-running independent printing business Advertiser Montana Printing, which has a 40-year history in Missoula, and are now operating as a Minuteman Press franchise. Rebecca says, “It is a real honor to become part of Missoula’s thriving business community. The Palmers (former owners) had a 40-year long relationship with this community and their loyal customers have welcomed us and trusted us with their service, which has given us a great start here in Missoula.” She continues, “We are enjoying the opportunity to help others promote and grow their business. Getting the word out to the community that we are so much more than just a copy center has been key! We have been out meeting new people, marketing, and making connections through the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and BNI groups. Over the course of these six months, people have been welcoming and genuinely happy for us when we tell them about our new venture. Many have stopped by for a tour and have been responsive to learning more about the services we provide.” One of the ways Rebecca is looking to stand out as a new business owner is by expanding on the products and services offered by Minuteman Press and educating clients on what is in high demand right now. She explains, “Our high-demand products are business cards, menus, point of sale products like invoices and forms, and medical facility materials. As businesses open up, the demand for envelopes, letterhead, and other consumables has grown. Being part of Minuteman Press family has given us a huge opportunity to share with customers our expanded line of products like mailing, signage, apparel, and promotional items. It has really given us the ability to help people promote their business.” “Missoula is a growing, vibrant, and diverse community that includes the University of Montana. We are sitting on the confluence of three beautiful rivers, between two amazing national parks. Owning a business for me is all about making connections. My goal is to help people market their business so they can use their unique skills to serve their clients. These growing businesses make our community stronger and I am proud to be part of that.” -Rebecca Treece, owner, Minuteman Press Missoula (formerly Advertiser Montana Printing) Career Transition Prior to Minuteman Press, Rebecca and Kirk had varying careers. Rebecca shares, “Before owning my own business, I was utilizing my teaching degree as a vision therapist at an optometry office in Missoula, working with children and adults to improve their visual skills. My husband Kirk was previously a financial and operational manager for a large company. He and I also own a franchise of Fish Window Cleaning and Sunbelt Business Brokerage. We are familiar with business and the franchise concept, but were really drawn to the Minuteman Press structure, training, support and record of success.” While Rebecca and Kirk have experience owning a business, they had never been involved in the printing industry before. Minuteman Press really helped them fill those knowledge gaps and was crucial in finding the right business for them to buy through their special conversion program that connects sellers of independent print shops with qualified buyers. Rebecca says, “Advertiser Montana Printing was an independent print shop that had been in business for 40 years and they had a very loyal base of long-standing customers. An established customer base was the opportunity we were looking for when buying a new business. Our goal is 100% retention and we have worked diligently to meet and develop relationships with each customer. We hit the ground running and it gave us an opportunity to get experience across the board. Our local Minuteman Press field representatives were able to train us on every aspect of the business, which gave us the confidence to meet the demands of our customers.” “The support from Minuteman Press has been exceptional. The training was very comprehensive, and we felt like we were well-prepared for starting up and getting straight to work. We also know exactly who to call when we have a question or issue to manage. The network of Minuteman Press is amazing in the way that everyone is there for you at any time and in any capacity that you need. The expertise of the training and the continual mentoring are the powerful tools we need to succeed.” Owning a Business vs. Having a Job Reflecting on her experiences as an employee and as a business owner, Rebecca shares her insights on the key differences between the two. “As an employee, you work hard and serve the customer. However, you have very little control over the direction of the business. As business owners, we have the power to create the type of business we want and control its presence in the community.” As for Minuteman Press in Missoula, Rebecca and Kirk know exactly where they want to go. She says, “Our goal is to become the premier printing and advertising design company in Missoula and the Greater Northwestern Montana area. We want to develop the reputation for supplying the highest quality products and having superior customer service. We strive to make Minuteman Press in Missoula the place to go for all advice and services. The main lesson Minuteman Press impressed upon me is that if you do not like the current state of your business, change it! Get up, get out there, market, make connections, and grow your business. We have been given the tools and the support to create something great and that is extremely exciting for us.” When asked about the rewards of owning her own business, Rebecca answers, “We are truly fortunate to have a highly skilled and dedicated staff and I love coming in every day to work side-by-side with these incredible people. It is personally rewarding to create a workplace that fosters teamwork and allows employees to create and take pride in their work. It is also very satisfying to develop quality relationships with customers and members of the community.” She continues, “Professionally, our goals are to grow this business significantly over the next year and become more involved members of the community. Business ownership has many challenges but the rewards are well worth it. Owning our own business allows us to balance our work and home lives and gives us the power to make the right decisions for our future.” Minuteman Press in Missoula is located at 2100 South Avenue West, Missoula, MT 59801. For more information, call (406) 728-5200 or visit their website: https://missoula-mt.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Independent printers looking to sell their printing business can learn more about Minuteman Press International's conversion program at http://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

July 26, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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7 in 10 Parents Say Children’s Post-Pandemic Social Skills Are at Risk, Per Osmo Study

Osmo

According to a new study of 2,000 U.S. parents of school aged-children (5-14 years), parents have tried a myriad ways to keep their kids active and social during the pandemic, however, 7 in 10 perceive their child’s post-pandemic social skills to be at risk, even as things return to normal. The majority of parents (71%) are also worried about potential learning loss that may have resulted by not being in school, and are pursuing a variety of means to keep up their child’s studies at home this summer. The study was commissioned by STEAM brand Osmo and conducted by OnePoll. Osmo’s study reveals that 77% of parents encouraged their child to be social and active from afar, while at home. For example, they allowed their child to: play video games or online games with others (52%); call and text friends often (49%); make neighborhood friends (45%); engage in outdoor activities like walking and bike riding (46%); attend virtual get togethers (35%); and new friends online (23%). Despite trying their hardest, two in three parents are worried that their child has gotten more socially awkward around others, and 62% do not think their kid will be able to pick up where they left off upon returning to class this fall. Specifically, parents worry that their child will have trouble in these areas: making conversation with friends (41%); meeting new people (40%); sharing (35%); staying quiet for long periods (34%); waiting their turn (31%); or remembering to say “please” and “thank you” (37%). The survey also revealed that parents value socializing, with 85% believing it is a necessary skill to use in school. Forty-four percent of respondents place academic learning and socializing on the same level of importance, and four in five (81%) think schools should implement more activities that encourage and teach social skills. “We understand how difficult the pandemic was for both kids and their parents – many of us at Osmo experienced these challenges ourselves,” says Pramod Sharma, CEO of award-winning Osmo, known for its bestselling Coding Starter Kit, Creative Starter Kit, Genius Starter Kit, and Little Genius Starter Kit. “This past year has taught all of us that learning is about so much more than academics. As a brand, Osmo is committed to applying these insights toward multi-player experiences that promote the social-emotional learning parents look for and kids need.” The study also reveals four in five parents made sure their children succeeded academically even through tough times and emphasized that school was as important as ever before. Over half of parents (52%) stuck by their child’s side when they struggled with an assignment, 47% encouraged their child to study more, 43% tried to make learning fun through games or educational activities, while 42% percent took the time to create extra homework to ensure their child understood the material they were learning during homeschooling. However, three in four parents believe their child lost a year of proper education due to COVID, and the majority (71%) are concerned that it will be difficult for their kids to catch up on learning they may have missed. With this in mind, four in five (81%) believe that certain technology or entertainment tools may be the solution to improving both their child’s social and educational skills. When asked what subject they think their kids are most likely to struggle with, parents said math (41%) followed by science (37%) and language arts (34%). Additional parental concerns about children’s re-entry to class include: not remembering their school supplies and books (42%); focusing in class (41%); or using a full keyboard not attached to a tablet (36%) again; opening their locker (32%); and doing their homework every day (32%). About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand with more than 2.5 million learners worldwide. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Osmo Karen O'Dell karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

July 20, 2021 03:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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