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Discovery Education And 3M Search For America’s 2017 Top Young Scientist; Chance For $25,000 And One-Of-A-Kind Summer Mentorship With 3M Scientists

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Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the 10th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8.

SILVER SPRING, Md. and ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the 10th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier science competition for students in grades 5-8.  This program, offers young inventors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by a 3M Scientist Mentor, compete for $25,000, and earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”   

The Challenge rewards curious students who use their science acumen and creativity to solve a problem in their local, national or global community. Fourteen-year-old Maanasa Mendu won last year for her creation of HARVEST, a bio-inspired energy device that captures energy in the form of wind, rain and sun – and converts it to power.  Mendu was inspired to enter the contest through her “pretty awesome” eighth grade science teacher. 

“The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge was really meaningful,” said Mendu.  “I encourage any curious middle schooler to enter, because you will not only get a chance to win amazing prizes like $25,000, but you will have a number of opportunities to enhance your scientific knowledge, creativity, and collaboration skills! The great thing about the Young Scientist Challenge is that you have an amazing 3M mentor at your side.  Overall, the Challenge allows you to broaden your horizons.” 

Students in grades 5-8 can enter the challenge by creating a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind their big idea that could solve or impact an everyday problem.  Video entries will be evaluated based on their creativity, scientific knowledge, persuasiveness and delivery. Ten finalists will then be chosen to participate in an exclusive summer mentorship program, where they will work closely with and learn from a 3M scientist.

The program challenges, finalists’ thinking to develop an innovation that positively impacts them, their family, their community or the global population. The students will meet virtually with their mentors and will receive additional resources and support from 3M and Discovery Education. Each finalist will also receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center at the company’s headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., to compete at the final event in October 2017.

All video entries must be submitted online at https://www.youngscientistlab.com/challenge no later than April 19, 2017. Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic digital cameras.

Timed to the Challenge opening is the launch of Young Scientist Lab, an interactive portal for scientific exploration, and new home to the award-winning Young Scientist Challenge. The Lab is a one-stop STEM destination for teachers, students and parents. It offers engaging K-8 activities and standards-aligned lesson plans and interactive teaching tools to foster the next generation of scientists. There is also inspiration on how innovation can solve problems across industries: manufacturing, energy, safety, healthcare, transportation, electronics, automotive, construction and design, personal safety and more. Additionally, users of the Lab will get up-to-the-minute science news, learn about live events, participate in upcoming field trips, and read new blogs about the Young Scientist Challenge.

Over the years, the Young Scientist Challenge has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in student  prizes, paired students with world-renowned scientists and delivered much-needed science resources to millions of students, teachers and families across the country.  In 2016, entries were submitted by nearly all 50 states, from urban, suburban and rural districts. Six girls and four boys were named as the top 10 finalists. 

“As an educator, whether or not you have a student selected as a finalist, the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is about cultivating important skills to help students succeed in college, career and life,” said Francie Snyder, teacher at Manatee County Public Schools’ Oneco and Prine Elementary Schools in Manatee County, Fla. “Encouraging participation in the challenge is about inspiring young minds of all kinds, from all places, about the wonders of science and working to create a solution that could improve lives.”

For more information on the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, including submission guidelines, tips from previous winners and complete rules, please visit: https://www.youngscientistlab.com/challenge.

About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

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Melehy & Associates Recoups Lost Wages for Construction Workers

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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Melehy & Associates LLC is pleased to announce it has won a $207,599.34 judgment for 13 construction workers who were denied pay for work on the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.  Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that two subcontractors failed to pay laborers according to requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other wage laws.

The workers will also receive $100,014.54 from a settlement between the subcontractors and the Department of Labor, making their total recovery $307,613.88.

“It shocks the conscience that these workers were paid at 20 percent below the required rates and most of them were not paid at all for more than half the time they worked,” said Omar Vincent Melehy, lead counsel at Melehy & Associates, an employment law firm that focuses on helping workers recover unpaid wages.

The case stems from a 2011 federal contract for renovations to the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse in Washington, D.C. The project’s main contractor hired a subcontractor, C.R. Calderon Construction, Inc., for drywall, ceiling and other work.

Calderon Construction then hired another subcontractor, Jacinto Construction, Inc., to perform work. The renovation contract required that workers be paid prevailing wages – $33.38 per hour for carpenters, $32.50 for finishers.

Over the four-day trial, Melehy called 15 witnesses whose testimony established that Jacinto Construction crews were performing work without being paid because C.R. Calderone Construction did not pay Jacinto Construction enough to compensate the workers.

Workers repeatedly complained “about not being paid, but nothing came of their complaints,” Judge Howell wrote in a Dec. 22, 2016 opinion.

According to the opinion, Jacinto Construction laborers were directed to begin work in early April 2011 before the company signed a subcontract with Calderon Construction and without discussing contract prices.

Jacinto Construction’s owner, Jacinto Cespedes, testified that he later signed a subcontract without fully understanding the project’s scope because he could not read English.

Calderon Construction, Jacinto Construction, the companies’ owners and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America were held liable by Judge Howell.

Judge Howell’s order called for the workers to receive unpaid wages and overtime ranging from $4,157 to $33,416.

For more information about this case and Melehy & Associates, call (301) 587-6364 or go to www.melehylaw.com

Media Contact: Omar Vincent Melehy, (301) 587-6364

Cal/OSHA Investigates Four Recent Tree Trimming Deaths, Announces Safety Campaign

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OAKLAND, California, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Following four recent tree-trimming workplace fatalities, Cal/OSHA is reminding workers and employers in this high-risk industry to take precautions to avoid accidents.

Cal/OSHA is investigating the four deaths, which occurred over the last six weeks, and has launched a statewide safety awareness campaign for tree service companies, landscapers and other businesses.

The four tree-trimming deaths under investigation include:

  • a worker in Mariposa County who was struck by a branch on December 1
  • a worker in San Bernardino County who suffocated when dry palm fronds collapsed and trapped him on December 4
  • a worker in Los Angeles County who fell approximately 60 feet when the branch he was tethered to broke on January 6
  • a worker in Siskiyou County who was struck by the tree he was cutting to clear power lines on January 9

“Cal/OSHA’s safety awareness campaign aims to protect the lives of tree service workers,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum.  “Employers in this high-risk industry need to be aware of, and take steps to minimize, the hazards to their workers. We will cite employers that are not in compliance with safety requirements.”

Cal/OSHA investigated nearly 70 accidents involving tree work, including trimming or removal services, in the two-year period between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2016. Nearly three out of four of these accidents (74%) resulted in a worker hospitalization, and 12 of the accidents involved the death of a worker.

As part of the Tree Work Safety Emphasis Program, Cal/OSHA inspectors throughout the state who observe unsafe tree trimming or tree removal operations will investigate possible violations. Inspectors will also respond to reports of unsafe operations.

The major causes of tree trimming injuries and fatalities include falls, electrical shock, being struck by a tree branch, chainsaw lacerations, palm tree skirt collapses and ladder accidents. For example, on December 30, 2015, a Wright Tree Service worker in Humboldt County accidently cut the lanyard used to secure himself to a tree and fell 54 feet to his death. The investigation revealed the employer failed to ensure the worker was using a required second point of attachment in his security system while he was operating a chain saw in a tree.

Cal/OSHA has resources available to help employees and employers prevent accidents like these, including a Tree Work Safety Guide, fact sheet and checklist.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers’ Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Peter Melton at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
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The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

FPL’s emergency response wins national awards for excellence in recovery and assistance

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JUNO BEACH, Florida, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced it has received Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) “Emergency Recovery” and “Emergency Assistance” awards for its outstanding restoration efforts after Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew, and for assisting neighbor utility Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) in its recovery efforts after Matthew.

www.FPL.com.

“FPL’s significant investments to make our system stronger, smarter and more resilient, and the unwavering dedication of our team, including our employees and partners, were critical to our performance during Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO for FPL. “Thanks to our efforts to harden the electric system and leverage advanced smart grid technology, we delivered outstanding results including fewer outages and faster restoration times for our customers.”

During Hurricane Hermine in September 2016, FPL crews worked safely and quickly to restore service to 100 percent of its customers impacted by the storm within 24 hours of Hermine’s passing, and customers experienced an average outage duration of less than three hours. FPL’s investments in smart grid automated switches also helped prevent 25,000 customer interruptions.

In October 2016, Hurricane Matthew, a Category 3 hurricane, impacted more than 1.2 million customers across major portions of FPL’s service area. The company’s prompt response to the largest storm affecting Florida in more than a decade was the most effective in company history. By strengthening its electric system and leveraging smart grid technology, FPL restored 99 percent of customers affected by the end of two full days of restoration following Hurricane Matthew’s exit from its service area. Smart grid automated switches on FPL’s system prevented approximately 118,000 customer interruptions, and hardened distribution main power lines performed 30 percent better than non-hardened main power lines. Furthermore, no FPL transmission poles and hardened main power line poles failed due to high winds.

FPL participates in a mutual assistance program with other electric utilities from across the nation. During Hurricane Matthew, FPL received assistance from other utilities, as well as provided support to JEA to help get life back to normal for the state.

“FPL’s commitment to restore service for its customers safely and quickly, and lend a hand to its utility partner is remarkable,” said Tom Kuhn, president for EEI. “The company and its storm response team is undoubtedly deserving of this national recognition.”

The EEI Emergency Recovery and Assistance awards are presented twice annually to member companies to recognize their extraordinary efforts to restore power to customers and assist other electric companies after service disruptions caused by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and awarded at EEI’s winter Board of Directors and CEO meeting.

For more information, visit FPL.com/storm.

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving more than 4.8 million customer accounts or more than 10 million people across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2015, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the sixth year in a row. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company received the top ranking in the southern U.S. among large electric providers, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM, and was recognized in 2016 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,800 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2016 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

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Charter Communications Adds HITN-TV to Its Hispanic Channel Offering in New US Markets

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BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITN-TV, the Spanish-language network that provides educational and entertainment programming to more than 42 million households around the United States, announced today, that HITN-TV is now available in a number of new markets as part of Charter’s Latino View lineup of Hispanic channels in the United States.

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HITN-TV is now available in the following communities of, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties in California, and the cities of El Paso, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen, Texas. Subscribers of Charter’s Latino View Package in all of the new markets will be able to find HITN-TV on Channel 933.

“Our expanded relationship with Charter will allow us to strengthen our presence in California and Texas, two of this country’s largest Hispanic markets, and validates the positive audience response to our new programming strategy,” remarked Eric Turpin, General Manager of HITN-TV. “We are confident that our new content offering, which includes top documentary, lifestyle, children’s, educational and political programming, will represent a fresh alternative to traditional Hispanic networks for subscribers of Charter Communications and other operators in their own language.” 

HITN-TV is the leading Spanish-language network focused on educational and cultural programing for the whole family. It reaches over 42 million homes across the United States and Puerto Rico through DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse TV, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast, Charter, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision. For more information, log in to www.hitn.org. 

Charter is a leading broadband communications company and the second largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including Spectrum TV™ video entertainment programming, Spectrum Internet™ access, and Spectrum Voice™. Spectrum Business™ similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, video and music entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter’s advertising sales and production services are sold under the Spectrum Reach™ brand. For more information you can visit: charter.com.

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Combate Americas Appoints Finance And Sports Industry Leader Joe Plumeri Board Of Directors Chairman

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NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports and media franchise, today announced the appointment of its lead investor, longtime financial services and sports industry entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Plumeri, as its non-executive, board of directors chairman.

Plumeri, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for payment processing technology giant First Data, former chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings, former CEO of Citibank, North America and former President and Managing Partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers, as well as the owner of the New York Yankees minor league affiliate team, The Trenton Thunder, will sit on the board alongside Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder and Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren, and three of Plumeri’s fellow strategic investors.

Plumeri’s appointment comes on the heels of Combate Americas closing its series B round of financing.

“We are honored and excited to name such an esteemed and accomplished member of the business community like Joe Plumeri as the chairman of our board of directors and to have him play such a pivotal role in this movement we have created to serve the Hispanic millennial audience,” said McLaren, who launched Combate Americas in 2013 as a first-to-market venture that essentially combined his UFC pioneer experience with his storied background in television production.

“I am looking forward to this next chapter in my career that will allow me to focus on one of the last centers of growth in the U.S. economy – the emerging and exploding Hispanic demographic – through an incredible, first-to-market sports entertainment and media property that Campbell and his team have built with Combate Americas,” said Plumeri.

Prior to his role with First Data, Plumeri guided Willis Group Holdings for nearly 13 years to enormous value creation.   He also served as President of Smith Barney, Vice Chairman of Travelers and Chairman and CEO of Primerica during his tenure with Citigroup.

As a philanthropist, Plumeri was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2006 after contributing the largest gift in history to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to fund the construction of the New Jersey headquarters of the non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases.

Plumeri is also responsible for funding the creation of business scholarships, athletic scholarships and annual faculty excellence awards at his alma mater, The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., where the baseball stadium, Plumeri Park, is named after his father. He also donated money to New York Law School to help create the Joe Plumeri Center for Social Justice and Economic Opportunity.

Combate Americas also recently announced a new company president in Alberto “El Presidente” Rodriguez, formerly Alberto Del Rio of the WWE, and a new television partnership that has its fight programming airing in over 135 million homes weekly on Azteca America in the U.S. and Mexico’s TV Azteca S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECA; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world.

For the first time in history, Combate Americas will head outside of the U.S. – to Mexico City, Mexico – with its live event series on Thursday, Jan. 19 when it will present a 10-bout fight card live on Azteca America and UFC FIGHT PASS®.  The event will air the following evening, Friday, Jan. 20 on TV Azteca.

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NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Names Monica Gil to Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs

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MIAMI, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises named Monica Gil to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs. In this new role, she will have oversight of the company’s corporate communications, government relations, and community relations efforts.  In addition, she will also manage high-priority company-wide initiatives across all Telemundo Enterprises business units. Based in Miami, Gil will report directly to Cesar Conde, Chairman, NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. 

“We are excited to have Monica join our team,” said Conde.  “She brings a wealth of experience across community, public affairs and strategic insights in the media industry.  We look forward to having her contribute to the continued growth of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.”

Most recently, Gil was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Multicultural Growth and Strategy at Nielsen where she was responsible for driving growth, providing market insights and delivering comprehensive strategies to reach diverse consumer segments. As the highest-ranking Latina at Nielsen, she was instrumental in establishing best practices to capture and accelerate multicultural growth opportunities for Nielsen’s numerous blue-chip clients. She joined the company in 2005 as Vice President, Communications, and was subsequently promoted to Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations. 

Before joining Nielsen, Gil served as a senior member of Antonio Villaraigosa’s political campaign team and was part of his historic mayoral victory in 2005. She also served as Press Secretary for the Speaker of California State Assembly.  Her arrival to Telemundo Enterprises is a homecoming of sorts, since early in her career she was Director of Public Affairs and Community Outreach for KVEA Telemundo 52 in Los Angeles. 

Gil has received numerous recognitions including Hispanic Business Magazine’s 50 Influentials and Imagen Foundation’s Most Powerful and Influential Latinos in Entertainment. She was named a “Women Making a Difference” by Los Angeles Business Journal and in 2012 she was inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Hall of Fame. 

Gil currently serves on the National Board of Directors for Girls Scouts USA, is a member of the Latino Advisory Panel to the Kennedy Center and a past Board Director of ProAmerica Bank. She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California Berkeley and an M.A. from the USC School of Public Administration.

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises encompasses Telemundo, a Spanish-language television network reaching 94% of Hispanic TV households and featuring original scripted and non-scripted productions, theatrical motion pictures, specials, news and first-class sports events; Telemundo Studios, the leading producer of original Spanish-language primetime content in the U.S.; the Telemundo Station Group, reaching U.S. Hispanic viewers in 210 markets, through its 17 owned stations and 54 broadcast affiliates in the US and Puerto Rico; NBC Universo, a modern general entertainment cable channel for Latinos, offering a thrilling mix of exclusive premium sports, signature series, blockbuster movies, music, must-see live events and strategic acquisitions, on TV, online and mobile devices; Telemundo International, the second largest distributor of Spanish-language content in the world, reaching more than 120 countries in over 40 languages; and its Digital Media unit, which creates and distributes original content across digital and emerging platforms including mobile devices, apps, www.telemundo.com and www.nbcuniverso.com, and operates Fluency Productions, the company’s multi-format, multi-platform production studio. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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A 25 Cents Beer Tax Would Solve Governor Brown’s $1.6 Billion Budget Deficit

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SAN RAFAEL, California, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Alcohol Justice called today for California Governor Jerry Brown and state legislative leaders to raise excise taxes on beer by 25 cents a drink to wipe out the state’s projected $1.6 billion budget shortfall.

Alcohol Justice logo

“A simple 25 cents per beer tax hike generates $1.7 billion in revenue for the general fund and wipes out the Governor’s projected shortfall,” stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Alcohol Justice Executive Director / CEO. “A beer tax increase is common sense, fiscally responsible, and long overdue.”

The last alcohol tax increase in California was in 1992, for just a penny per glass of wine and two cents per can of beer or shot of spirits. Since then, rising inflation has led to a 33 percent actual decrease in state alcohol tax revenue. California state and local government costs for alcohol-related problems are $13.7 billion annually, including healthcare and criminal justice expenses, adding to the state’s economic woes.

“Year after year thousands of California lives are cut short or forever damaged due to alcohol,” said Michael Scippa, Alcohol Justice’s public affairs director. “The human toll and economic costs are staggering. And each year alcohol taxes are not raised translates into a government subsidy of Big Alcohol. It’s time for our state leaders to add a beer tax increase to any budget-balancing plan.”

“We also want California counties and cities looking for alternatives to budget and service cuts to be able to raise a local alcohol tax,” Livingston added. “Reasonable alcohol taxes and fees, adjusted annually for inflation, at all levels of government could be used to fund programs of support and prevent future losses.” 

Visit the Alcohol Justice Alcohol Tax Calculator at AlcoholJustice.org for more information on increasing income from raising alcohol taxes.

CONTACT:

Michael Scippa 415 548-0492

Jorge Castillo  213 840-3336   

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The Big Easy Gets A Big Boost From Mary Kay

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DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In a city known for jazz, Mary Kay’s annual U.S. Leadership Conference in New Orleans is music to the city’s ears as the event brings nearly 11,000 attendees, $12.9 million in direct visitor spending and an opportunity to give back to its host city. The top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world kicks off its annual Leadership Conference on Jan. 11 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. 

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According to the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mary Kay’s Leadership Conference is one of the top 15 conferences in terms of size and economic impact of the nearly 50 conferences New Orleans hosts each year. The event provides recognition, education and inspiration during two back-to-back, four-day conferences for the entrepreneurs who have their own Mary Kay businesses. This marks the third time Mary Kay has held its annual Leadership Conference in New Orleans following events in 2005 and again in 2014.  

“With its historic architecture, rich culture, live music scene, incredible restaurants and hotels, we’re thrilled to be back in New Orleans with Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors from across the nation,” said Nathan Moore, President of Mary Kay Inc.’s North America Region. “While we paint the town pink for a week, we’re excited for the opportunity to give back in a tangible way. By assembling and distributing much-needed care kits to domestic violence shelters throughout the New Orleans area, we continue our longstanding commitment to help prevent and end an epidemic that touches one in four women in their lifetime.” 

Along with those iconic, traffic-stopping Mary Kay pink Cadillacs, the weeklong conference brings the Mary Kay independent sales force an opportunity to provide support to those in need. To support Mary Kay’s commitment to preventing and ending domestic violence with its Don’t Look Away program, attendees will assemble 2,000 care kits during the conference to distribute to six local domestic violence shelters: Iris Domestic Violence Center, Connections for Life, St. Bernard Battered Women’s Program, Crescent House, Safe Harbor and Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. The care kits are filled with Mary Kay® basic hygiene products, and offer a source of comfort to women at emergency shelters who often flee abusive situations with nothing but the clothes on their backs.   

“With an overwhelming demand for services and limited funding, we are always in need of basic necessities and the Mary Kay care kits fill that gap at a critical and emotional time for our clients,” Mary Claire Landry, Executive Director of Crescent House. “Our organization along with the five other New Orleans area domestic violence shelters receiving care kits have also received shelter grants from The Mary Kay Foundation℠ over the years. Support from generous companies like Mary Kay allow us to focus our attention on what matters most – maintaining a safe place for our clients and providing programs to help prevent abuse before it begins.”

Each year, Mary Kay holds its U.S. Leadership Conference in a different city in the United States. Independent Sales Directors and Independent National Sales Directors offer leadership and motivation to the growing Mary Kay independent sales force worldwide. To date, Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay Foundation℠ have donated $53 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs in an effort to end the cycle of abuse. For more information about Mary Kay’s commitment to end domestic violence visit marykay.com/dontlookaway.

About Mary Kay
At Mary Kay, success lies in our dedication to irresistible products, a rewarding opportunity and positive community impact.  For more than 53 years, Mary Kay has inspired women to achieve their entrepreneurial goals in nearly 40 countries.  As a multibillion-dollar company, we offer the latest in cutting-edge skin care, bold color cosmetics and fragrances. Discover more reasons to love Mary Kay at marykay.com  

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or [email protected]

Mary Kay Inc. Logo

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(Español) Año Nuevo, nuevas opciones de Espresso: Dunkin’ Donuts presenta su Nuevo Café Americano

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Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

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