Meet Puerto Rico Reports Increase in Meetings and Conventions Business Booked during March – June despite Zika

June 23, 2016

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Puerto Rico’s group business closes off what has come to be known as the initial Zika period (March to May), very much open for business, with 57 new booked pieces of business including events, conferences, annual meetings and sports activities from now through 2017. This represents a total direct spend of potentially $20.4 million into the local economy, Milton Segarra, president & CEO of Meet Puerto Rico (MPR-Puerto Rico Convention Bureau), announced today. Meet Puerto Rico is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for attracting meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events and incentive groups to Puerto Rico.

During the upcoming summer months of June, July and August, Meet Puerto Rico will host 42 groups for a total of approximately 40,000 room nights providing a $32 million impact during this time period. These groups range from conferences and events to religious and sports organizations to communications and insurance companies. In addition Meet Puerto Rico is actively generating 260 new leads up from 242 for the same time last year – a 7% increase – as well as 100 new accounts for the destination.

“The groups and conventions segment in Puerto Rico is a major driver in the tourism industry and we are proud to say that Zika has not won. Groups booked range from multinational companies, to medical, educational conferences and sporting events, among others. An estimated 25,000 new hotel-room nights in total have been booked,” Segarra said.

“This shows the confidence the meetings industry has in Puerto Rico and how our (MPR and our members) very focused educational efforts have paid off,” Segarra continued. “The trust our clients have in Puerto Rico’s ability to deliver a professionally productive and culturally rich experience, while maintaining a safe environment (following all recommended guidelines) is all coming together.

Segarra described the success due to the strong support and partnership that exists between Meet Puerto Rico and it members – the hotel industry, restaurants, transportation companies, local DMCs, venues, attractions, Audio Visual, and entertainment companies, as well as the support of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (PRHTA.)

“When the Zika situation hit, we immediately put into action a strong meeting professional/attendee-centered strategy that included a fact-driven education and communication program addressing the concerns of our clients,” Segarra remarked. “We listened to them and provided the most accurate and up-to-date information on Puerto Rico concerning Zika and it paid off. As a result, our clients trusted us, our team in the field and our members. Through statements and Question and Answer (Q+A) documents backed up by facts and figures by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Puerto Rico Health Department, video and print testimonials from clients hosting events in Puerto Rico in real time, and easy to read infographics with myth buster facts – we kept the lines of communication open, transparent and honest. And all of that was shared with our members, so they could answer their clients’ questions too. This was a team effort and we could not have achieved these positive results without them. And we continue developing new business opportunities to Puerto Rico and for our members.”

Puerto Rico continues to position itself as an ideal destination for meetings and conventions, offering a state-of-the-art convention center, a wide variety of hotels, strong infrastructure and unique attractions with the added advantage of being on a tropical island in the Caribbean. One in four rooms occupied in hotels that can accommodate large-scale meetings belongs to the groups and conventions segment.

Editor’s Note:

Meet Puerto Rico is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to drive meetings, conventions, trade shows and incentive groups to Puerto Rico. With offices in San Juan, Meet Puerto Rico strengthens Puerto Rico’s competitive position in the Americas and abroad by increasing awareness of the Island’s outstanding meeting facilities and services, and produces approximately $100 million annually to the local economy. Meet Puerto Rico can be reached at [email protected] or at its website www.meetpuertorico.com. Meet Puerto Rico is accredited by the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) as an elite destination marketing organization (DMO). DMAI is the world’s largest association of DMO’s, representing more than 600 destination management organizations in more than 25 countries

For images please click here.

Contact:

Elisa Fershtadt
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 917-887-6554

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Miller Lite and Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama Bring Exclusive Soccer Experience to New York Fans

June 23, 2016

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CHICAGO, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Original Light Beer is offering New York soccer leagues the opportunity to hang out with Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama by introducing Tercer Tiempo con Miller Lite, the moment when diehard fans bond over their love for soccer over great tasting beer. On June 25 the legendary Colombian midfielder will take questions from fans, sign autographs and compete in a friendly penalty kick match. Tercer Tiempo con Miller Lite kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Oval. The event is open to fans 21 and older.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160623/382698

“The camaraderie amongst diehard soccer fans is strong and worth celebrating with an authentic and memorable experience that only Miller Lite can bring,” said Valderrama. “I’m looking forward to putting my uniform back on, playing with local teams and bonding with fans and enjoy a great tasting beer after the game.”

Attendees will also have access to the Miller Lite Tercer Tiempo Cube, Miller Lite’s soccer hub on wheels fully equipped with essentials to enhance fans’ passion for the sport. Within the cube, attendees will have a chance to play their favorite soccer videogame and challenge each other to a match of soccer tennis.

Event Details

Where: Metropolitan Oval, 60th St & 59th Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378

When: June 25, 2016

6:15 p.m. – Q&A with Valderrama
7 p.m. – Penalty Kicks Exhibition
8 p.m. – Meet-and-Greet with Valderrama

The event is only open to those 21+. For more information on Miller Lite, follow @MillerLite on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/millerlite.

About Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter, YouTube.com/MillerLite) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. The brewery’s oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and still is brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company operates in the United States and Puerto Rico as part of MillerCoors, a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

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Tortilla Toaster Invention Aims to Bring Families Together

June 23, 2016

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CHICAGO, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Nuni Tortilla Toaster, a consumer appliance created specifically to toast tortillas, has officially launched a fundraising campaign on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, seeking to raise funds for an initial production run in the Fall of 2016.

Inventor and Founder Elliot Benitez and his team are seeking to raise $100,000 in a span of thirty days. Interested consumers are able to pre-order their choice of tortilla toaster from a variety of selections, including white, black, yellow, blue, and special edition red models. All contributions go directly toward funding the project, and contributors are encouraged to take advantage of special “early bird” prices significantly below the estimated MSRP value.

Benitez says the invention arose from a realization he had when visiting his mother on a break from college between terms. Whenever the family ran short of tortillas at a meal, his mother would leave the table to prepare more. This bothered him enough to make a quick calculation, revealing that his mother had lost approximately sixty full days over the span of twenty years to the task of preparing hot tortillas for the dinner table.

The ensuing invention and Nuni™ brand have since gained a significant following across social media as part industry innovator/part dramatic ode to tacos, tortillas, and internet culture. Between product demos and campaign updates, the company positions itself as an active member of the very witty, food-loving culture that it is trying to reach.

“Hispanic culture is also exceptionally tight-knit and family oriented,” Benitez says. “Even after all the fun we have, at the end of the day the Nuni Toaster is about families getting to spend more time with one another. That’s more important now than ever.”

The Nuni Toaster’s Indiegogo campaign is underway right now, and though the Chicago startup has seen encouraging support from the internet community, Benitez notes that the campaign will need the support of tortilla lovers everywhere to help the creative invention reach consumers’ kitchens. Contributors can pre-order their Nuni Toaster here or can visit nunitoaster.com to learn more.

Nuni Toaster will be presenting today at CE Week in New York at the Indiegogo booth (Booth #129). For more information, visit the Nuni Toaster CE Week 2016 press kit: http://ceweek.vporoom.com/NuniToaster.

Ethan Adams may be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 217-801-3152. For more information about the Nuni Toaster or to contribute to the crowdfunding effort, please visit http://bit.ly/1Xrkml0.

Nuni Toaster, the original tortilla toaster, is an invention by Chicago entrepreneur and inventor Elliot Benitez. The Nuni Toaster prepares up to six corn, flour, or wheat tortillas perfectly in under sixty seconds. It has received media attention from multiple press outlets, and has been featured at multiple conferences and trade shows, including the 2016 Home + Housewares Show in Chicago and the 2016 Consumer Electronics Week in New York City. The Nuni Toaster is currently available for pre-order on the popular crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.

100th Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Race Car Sold

June 22, 2016

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Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

IRVINE, Calif., June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — While production street cars are produced in the hundreds per day, race cars are typically handcrafted one-at-a-time, over many months. The new Mazda MX-5 Cup race car hit a significant milestone this week with the 100^th car ordered. More than 70 have been delivered in less than seven months.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160622/382356

More than 40 Cup cars are competing in the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. While the MX-5 Cup teams were competing at Road America this past weekend, the 100^th order came in, this one from the Monticello Motor Club (MMC), the world’s premier private race track and country club located 90 minutes from New York City. MMC currently boasts the largest fleet of MX-5 Cup cars, and has its own member race series utilizing the MX-5. The 100^th car is scheduled to be delivered in August and will be added to MMC’s fleet of rental race cars available to its members.

John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations noted that, “When we announced this program, we set our target at 50 cars in the U.S. in 2016. To double that goal in less than a year is a huge endorsement by our customers that they see this car as the best value in sports car racing today. We’re thrilled that the growing market for track day cars is seeing the MX-5 Cup car as an ideal purchase.”

The MX-5 Cup cars start as complete MX-5 road cars from the Mazda Hiroshima, Japan factory before being transported to engineering development partner Long Road Racing in Statesville, North Carolina for the final assembly into a race car. The process includes the removal of the convertible top and the installation of a full roll cage. More than 200 motorsports-specific parts are added to the car while the engine is a stock, sealed Mazda SKYACTIV 2.0 Liter.

Program Milestones
Nov 4, 2014	Global MX-5 Cup announced at 2014 SEMA Show.
April 30, 2015	Public testing of MX-5 Cup prototypes begins.
Oct 1, 2015	Price announcement of $53,000 made. First orders received.
Nov 2, 2015	Production begins.
Nov 21, 2015	First production car completed.
Dec 5-6, 2015	First four production cars compete in the Thunderhill 25 Hour race, collectively completing the equivalent of 133 MX-5 Cup 45-minute races in one weekend.
Feb 3, 2016	BFGoodrich Tires and RAYS Engineering announced as partners.
April 29, 2016	Forty cars take the green flag at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the season opening race of the 2016 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. Patrick Gallagher earned the distinction of becoming the first ever Global MX-5 Cup race winner.
June 17, 2016	100^th Car Ordered.

The Battery Tender MX-5 Cup is the signature spec series for the Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24), the sports car counterpart to the Mazda Road to Indy (#MRTI). On both paths, Mazda-powered champions earn a Mazda scholarship to advance their career. The MX-5 Cup champion earns a $200,000 scholarship.

About Mazda Motorsports

Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with the Mazda Prototype team. The Mazda Road to Indy is a similar program that includes Mazda-powered categories of USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Mazda is also the title sponsor of the renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and MazdaMotorsports on Instagram and Facebook.

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HITN-TV to Debut ‘The Great Fallacy,’ a Documentary about the Crisis in Puerto Rico

June 22, 2016

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BROOKLYN, New York, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN), a Pay TV network dedicated to offering content relevant to Spanish-speaking audiences in the US and Puerto Rico, will premiere for the first time in U.S. Cable TV history, the documentary ‘La Gran Falacia‘ (The Great Fallacy) this Sunday, June 26.

‘La Gran Falacia‘ is the first documentary by a television network dedicated to analyzing the current political, economic and social situation in Puerto Rico. It features exclusive interviews with leading historians and politicians, who examine the island’s recent history and explore possible solutions to the crisis.

Among the important issues addressed are Puerto Rico’s default on its public debt and the island’s complicated legal status as a commonwealth of the United States, which obliges it to comply with US economic regulations but prevents it from declaring an orderly bankruptcy, much less pursue a financial bailout.

“HITN-TV is pleased to present the premiere of this important documentary about the situation in Puerto Rico and the debate in Congress to determine the island’s economic future,” HITN-TV General Manager Eric Turpin remarked.

Under the slogan “every nation is responsible for its own destiny,” the documentary aims to inform and raise awareness of the issues while urging Puerto Ricans to stay strong in the face of crisis.

‘La Gran Falacia’ was produced by Paco Vázquez and directed by Paco Vázquez, Teresa Velez and Felo DeBoriken.

It will premiere on HITN-TV Sunday, June 26 at 9:00 pm, ET / 6:00 pm PT. To learn more about the documentary, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cqI4TdbD-I https://www.facebook.com/Jibaro-Media-Group-400539839986703/info/?tab=page_info.

For more information about The Hispanic Information and Telecommunication Network (HITN, Inc.), please visit: http://www.hitn.org/en/about-us.

What: HITN-TV to Debut ‘The Great Fallacy,’ a Documentary about the Crisis in Puerto Rico

When: June 26, 2016

Where: HITN-TV ( www.hitn.org/donde-ver-hitn )

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160314/344200LOGO

(Español) Cómo lidiar con la pérdida de la memoria

June 22, 2016

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logo

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Celebrate Your Journey & Never Stop Growing With Carol’s Daughter

June 22, 2016

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NEW YORK, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Last year, Carol’s Daughter introduced the #BornandMade campaign, a movement that took beauties across the world by storm! With more than 100K stories shared within 48 hours, it became the #1 trending hashtag on Instagram, and earned the beauty brand an esteemed Shorty Award.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7863251-carols-daughter-bornandmade/

Never Stop Growing

#BornandMade 2.0 is taking our stories to the next level, by asking women everywhere to rise up and speak about their powerful journeys – the stories that make them unique, passionate and fearless.

You become the narrator of your own journey.

“You can’t let people write your story for you. You are the author,” says Carol’s Daughter Founder Lisa Price

Lisa’s story of passion started in her Brooklyn kitchen more than 23 years ago, and today, she’s still growing! Her beauty products – made with natural ingredients and lots of love – can now be found in stores nationwide!

Your Story Matters

The campaign’s new journey starts with Carol’s Daughter introducing Grammy-nominated singer Andra Day as the voice along with Orange Is the New Black actress Dascha Polanco, and model Nazanin Mandi. This lineup of independent women, from all walks of life, tell their stories in a series of uplifting videos. Then, fans will have the chance to share their own journeys on fun, animated gifs that highlight who they are #BornandMade to be in 3 simple steps! These personalized images are created on BornandMade.com and shared across all social media platforms.

The Movement’s Journey

#BornandMade began when Carol’s Daughter Founder Lisa Price and I Am That Girl Co-Founder Emily Greener teamed up to grow I Am That Girl’s mission: to love, express, and inspire girls to be exactly who they want to be, not who they’re “supposed” to be.

Celebrating Carol’s Daughter’s authentic story, “Born in Brooklyn. Made With Love,” this movement continues to build a diverse community of women with stronger voices.

Learn more and become part of the movement today at BornAndMade.com!

Born in Brooklyn. Made With Love

In 1993, encouraged by my mother, Carol, I began creating high-quality products made with love in my Brooklyn kitchen. As family and friends experienced how these products transformed their hair and skin, I knew that I was on to something good. I needed a name for my company, so I made a list of everything I was and everything I wanted to be, and I realized the most special thing that I am is Lisa, Carol’s Daughter. — Lisa Price, Carol’s Daughter Founder

The #BornandMade campaign includes some of the brand’s most-loved product lines, like the Hair Milk Collection, the Black Vanilla Collection, the Hairdress Collection, Almond Cookie Body Collection and more. They are available at Target, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Sally Beauty and more, as well as CarolsDaughter.com.

(Español) MoneyGram conecta clientes con más de 2,000 millones de cuentas en todo el planeta

June 22, 2016

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New York Review of Books: “The Undermining of American Charity”

June 22, 2016

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Boston College Law School Professor Ray Madoff and philanthropist Lewis B. Cullman say American charity is being undermined by rise of donor-advised funds

NEW YORK, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In “The Undermining of American Charity,” an eye-opening essay in the newest issue of the New York Review of Books, philanthropist Lewis B. Cullman and Boston College Law School professor Ray D. Madoff are “alarmed” that traditional American charitable giving is being displaced by the rise of commercial donor-advised funds (DAFs), “undermining our nation’s highest philanthropic ideals.”

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160621/381884

To read the complete essay, go to: www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/07/14/the-undermining-of-american-charity/ .

Financial institutions like Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, Goldman Sachs and others have created charitable organizations for the purpose of holding donations, awaiting donors’ instructions for eventual charitable distribution. These donations provide maximum tax benefits for donors and management fees for the financial industry, but are subject to no further requirements for their distribution to charity. Unbeknownst to most Americans, these “charitable middlemen” are among the most popular charities in the U.S, having received almost $20 billion in 2014 alone (the most recent year for which statistics are available).

The rise of commercial DAFs is a “bad deal for society,” say the authors. According to the most recent annual statistics from the IRS (2012), the overall DAF payout rate is only 7.2 percent – and 22 percent of sponsoring organizations distributed nothing at all. (Although commercial DAF sponsors like to tout a high payout rate, they do not generally use the same method as IRS statisticians.) Cullman and Madoff call on Congress to require donor-advised funds to be distributed within a reasonable amount of time, instead of being allowed to be held for a “someday” future date.

Mr. Cullman, 97, has given away over 90 percent of his fortune – $500 million over the past two decades – and has been a vocal critic of private foundations and DAFs. Ms. Madoff – named “Philanthropy Critic of the Year” by website Inside Philanthropy in January 2016 – is a frequent critic of tax rules that benefit donors and sponsors, but not charities. “The Undermining of American Charity” appears in the July 14 edition of New York Review of Books, published online and mailed to print subscribers on June 21.

For more information – Lewis B. Cullman: www.lewiscullman.com . Ray Madoff: www.bc.edu/schools/law/fac-staff/deans-faculty/madoffr.html . New York Review of Books: www.nybooks.com .

To speak with the co-authors, please contact Michael Shepley at 917-907-2677 or email [email protected]

Get Ready to Rock Out! NBC UNIVERSO Premieres the Hit Reality Series, “Lucky Ladies,” on Thursday, June 23 at 9PM ET/8C

June 22, 2016

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Cast of "Lucky Ladies" - Andy Velasquez, Celia Lora, Muriel Ebright, Esmeralda Palacios, Marichelo Puente & Heydee Hofmann

MIAMI, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NBC UNIVERSO, the modern entertainment and sports cable channel announces the exclusive premiere of the series, “Lucky Ladies,” on Thursday, June 23^rd at 9PM ET/8C. To view a sneak peek, click here.

“Lucky Ladies,” follows the wives, and one daughter, of Mexico’s rock royalty and gives viewers a backstage pass into their lives of glitz and glamour. However, living with these famous musicians brings challenges of its own, as the ladies deal with the constant presence of groupies, putting their own careers on hold and long periods of loneliness due to crazy touring schedules. The series looks at the lows and highs in the extraordinary lives of the first women of rock and roll.

To learn more about “Lucky Ladies” and its cast visit: https://www.facebook.com/NBCUNIVERSO. Catch up on episodes of “Lucky Ladies” by visiting http://www.nbcuniverso.com/now.

To find NBC UNIVERSO on your satellite, telco or cable TV channel lineup, go to Channel 410 on DIRECTV; Channel 838 on DISH Network; Channel 3009 or 3010 on AT&T U-verse; and visit www.nbcuniverso.com/encuentra for the NBC UNIVERSO channel number on your local cable TV listings.

ABOUT NBC UNIVERSO:
NBC UNIVERSO (www.nbcuniverso.com) is a modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, bringing edgy programming and the world’s top sports franchises to more than 40 million households in the U.S. As one of the most widely available modern cable channels for U.S. Latinos, NBC UNIVERSO delivers a thrilling mix of exclusive sports action – including FIFA World Cup™, NASCAR Mexico Series, NFL, Premier League and The 2016 Rio Olympics – along with hit series, blockbuster movies, music, and must-see live events on TV, online and mobile devices. NBC UNIVERSO is part of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a division of NBCUniversal (www.nbcuniversal.com), one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (www.comcastcorporation.com).

Follow us on Twitter at:
@NBCUNIVERSO @NBCUNIVERSOPR

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dawn Page
786.337.6032
[email protected]

Astrid Rivera
786.337.6031
[email protected]

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160621/382138
Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_jPQk_twZA