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AT&T, NYU Announce Winners Of $100,000 Connect Ability Tech Challenge To Improve The Lives Of People Living With Disabilities

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AT&T, NYU Announce Winners Of $100,000 Connect Ability Tech Challenge To Improve The Lives Of People Living With Disabilities


– Senator Charles Schumer and Disability Advocates Join in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

– Grand Prize Awarded to Kinesic Mouse, a Mobility Solution that Allows Users to Control a PC Hands-free

NEW YORK, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Marking the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Senator Charles Schumer joined AT&T* and New York University’s ABILITY Lab Monday to announce more than $100,000 in prizes awarded to developers of high-tech solutions to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.  

The Connect Ability Challenge is a three month long technology challenge to spur innovation for people with physical, social, emotional and cognitive disabilities.  63 software, wearable and other technology solutions aimed at enhancing the lives of people with disabilities were submitted by developers from 16 states and 15 countries. The $25,000 grand prize went to Kinesic Mouse, a software solution that uses a 3D camera to detect facial expressions and head rotations, allowing users to operate their personal computers hands-free.  Kinesic Mouse was also awarded the “Best Mobility Solution” category, bringing their total cash winnings to $35,000.

To best engage the user community, the Connect Ability Challenge used an innovative Exemplar model. Developers had the opportunity throughout the competition to interface directly with people with diverse disabilities who shared the challenges they face and helped guide innovators to find solutions.  Developers were also encouraged to include people with disabilities in the design, development and testing of their entries.

“The promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act was to remove barriers that people with disabilities face – it’s clear from these extraordinary submissions that technology can play an important role in fulfilling the law’s mission,” said Marissa Shorenstein, President, AT&T New York. “The winning solutions address specific challenges that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in our society. We hope that this unique competition spurs further innovation in this area and highlights how much mobile technology can improve people’s daily experiences.”  

“As our technology continues to evolve, we are finding new ways to improve the lives of the disabled, increase their access to technology, and allow them to more fully enjoy the benefits of modern life. That’s what this challenge is all about,” said U.S Senator Charles Schumer, “When President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act after Sen. Ted Kennedy championed the bill through Congress, he hoped it would ‘tear down the shameful walls of exclusion’ that kept disabled Americans from achieving their potential. What better way to honor the 25th Anniversary of the ADA than with this competition to remove, via technology, what barriers remain.”

“NYU was founded on the concept of In and of the City. It is still a major theme within the University. Over this past summer we have been proud to partner with AT&T to make the City a bit more friendly and livable for its residents,” said Katepalli Sreenivasan, Dean of the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. “The Connect Ability Challenge has been a platform for us to bring together some bright minds to create Apps that will enable those with disabilities to have better access. This use of technology to enhance people’s lives is a pursuit worthy of praise and celebration.”

“Too often people with disabilities are left out of the equation when it comes to technology — but the ADA mandates that access be incorporated into everything that is offered” said, Victor Calise, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “From the start, this challenge incorporated people with disabilities into the process, which fostered full inclusion, taught developers how to design specifically for people with disabilities, and built acceptance and tolerance. It’s refreshing to see apps that are connecting people with disabilities to the world in an inclusive way. Congrats to the developers and end users. This is a perfect way to celebrate the ADA!”

A panel of experts from the engineering, technology and disability community judged the competition and awarded $100,000 in prize money that was made available by AT&T and the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

The winners are:

  • Grand Prize ($25,000): Kinesic Mouse is software that allows users to control a PC completely hands-free, using a 3D camera that detects facial expressions and head rotations to control the PC, joystick or keyboard.
  • Best Solution for People with Sensory Disabilities ($10,000): Ava (Transcense) is a mobile solution that helps the people who have hearing disabilities by tracking conversations in the surrounding area and translating the sound into text for mobile and tablet use in real time.
  • Best Mobility Solution ($10,000): Kinesic Mouse is software that allows users to control a PC completely hands-free, using a 3D camera that detects facial expressions and head rotations to control the PC, joystick or keyboard.
  • Best Social/Emotional Solution ($10,000): LOLA is a digital tool that helps users train their brains, by using humor and personal challenges to strengthen their social and daily living skills.
  • Best Solution for people with Communicative and Cognitive Disabilities ($10,000): Drumpants (Taps) is a wearable device that provides users with limited mobility or difficulty speaking with a voice. The user simply taps the soft wearable buttons that act as triggers for speaking customizable phrases through an application on their phone, which can also be used as a hands-free interface for controlling applications and surroundings.
  • Best Solution Impacting Policy and Society ($10,000): Enlight uses iBeacon technology to allow people with vision disabilities to scan surrounding locations with their smartphone and be notified of the area, aiding with overall navigation challenges.
  • Best Practices Collaboration Award ($5,000): MySupport, a platform that offers people with disabilities tools to make their lives easier and more independent.
  • Best Practices Caregiver Award ($5,000): InstaAid is an app that allows people to call for help quickly regardless of limitations.
  • Best Practices Universal Design Award ($5,000): Braci is a software and app solution that detects sounds and pushes notifications to users’ smart devices.
  • Large Organization Recognition Award (Non-Monetary): AccessiblePeakMeter is a plug-in that allows audio engineers with visual disabilities to access peak level meters using real-time sonification, and deliver information to support core activities in audio production.
  • Connect Ability Hackathon ($10,000 awarded in April 2015):
    • First prize ($5,000): alt_text_bot, an app that uses image recognition technology to quickly describe images on Twitter so that people with vision impairment can participate more fully in social media.
    • Second prize ($3,500): StenoSpeak, a mobile app that improves upon open-source stenography technology to speed up text translation to a conversational pace for those who cannot use their voices to communicate.
    • Third prize ($1,500): Tranquil Tracker, a biosensing system that can predict and prevent anxiety attacks.

The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) awarded an additional $2,500 to the winner of the Popular Choice Award. This was given based on public voting of submissions in early July.  The Popular Choice Winner was LOLA.

“LOLA is a digital tool that sends the user reminders about social and daily living skills, such as saying please and thank you, and rewards them with funny images,” explained Michael Brogioli, RESNA Executive Director. “The brainchild of a student with Asperger’s and his father, it exemplifies what RESNA is all about – technology created by and with the input of people with disabilities of all ages. It’s funny and charming, and it’s also important:  LOLA will help people utilize social skills that are vital for daily living. We’re delighted it won the People’s Choice Award, and congratulate TechKidsUnlimited.org on winning this prize.”

The judges for the competition were:

  • Marissa Shorenstein – President of AT&T New York
  • Zach Suchin – Co-founder/CEO, Brand Knew
  • Anita Perr – Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, NYU and RESNA fellow
  • Jason DaSilva – Challenge Exemplar, Producer/Director of AXS Lab. Jason has multiple sclerosis.
  • Paul Kotler – Challenge Exemplar, Student, Blogger, Lecturer, Advocate. Paul has autism.
  • Gus Chalkias – Challenge Exemplar, Assistive Technology Specialist in Blindness, Career Counselor and College Student. Gus has a visual disability.
  • Xian Horn – Challenge Exemplar, Teacher, Speaker, Blogger, Beauty Advocate. Xian has cerebral palsy.
  • Jerry Weisman – Principal, Rehabilitation Technology Services/President Assistive Technology Solutions Inc. and RESNA fellow
  • Aaron W. Bangor – AT&T Lead Accessible Technology Architect
  • Paul Schwartz – Assistive Technology Services Manager, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institution (SVR), University of Wisconsin-Stout and RESNA fellow
  • Victor Calise – Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

For more information on the winners visit http://connectability.challengepost.com/ . Find the latest news on Twitter using the hashtag #ConnectAbility.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage*. We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
© 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere.
*Global coverage claim based on offering discounted voice and data roaming; LTE roaming; voice roaming; and world-capable smartphone and tablets in more countries than any other U.S. carrier. International services required. Coverage not available in all areas. Coverage may vary per country and be limited/restricted in some countries.

About the NYU ABILITY Lab

The New York University ABILITY Lab is an interdisciplinary research space dedicated to the development of adaptive and assistive technologies. Students and faculty of all fields work together to create inclusive systems, design human-centered projects, and further intellectual and clinical research around areas of ability. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the ABILITY Lab is a collaboration of three NYU colleges—the Polytechnic School of Engineering; the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; and the Tisch School of the Arts—and supports research and education across NYU. The ABILITY Lab incubates long-term projects that are client-facing and often developed in partnership with New York City advocacy groups and agencies. It is dedicated to open-source practices and provides service learning opportunities to students across NYU. For more information, visit: abilitylab.nyu.edu.

About ChallengePost

At ChallengePost, software developers share their latest projects, explore new technologies, and compete in software competitions. Our global community has participated in over 650 online and in-person hackathons. Past competition sponsors include government agencies, universities, corporations, and non-profits.

About the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), in operation since 1972, works to ensure that New Yorkers with disabilities can lead happy, healthy and productive lives. The MOPD staff work hand-in-hand with other City offices and over 50 agencies to ensure that the voice of the disabled community is represented and that City programs and policies address the needs of people with disabilities. The Office provides information on accessible programs, accessible transportation, employment, health services, activities and other resources to the over 800,000 New Yorkers with disabilities and the millions of people with disabilities visiting New York City every year. In addition, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities works with organizations on specific issues affecting people with disabilities, and aims to bring about dialogue that leads to meaningful outcomes for those living with disabilities. The dedicated staff of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities works hard every day to make New York City the most accessible city in the world. For more information of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, visit www.nyc.gov/mopd.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/DA23287LOGO


FIBRA Prologis Announces Second Quarter 2015 Earnings Results

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FIBRA Prologis Announces Second Quarter 2015 Earnings Results

– Establishes Full-Year 2015 Distribution Guidance of US$0.10 per CBFI –

– Operating Portfolio Occupancy Remains Elevated at 96.0 Percent –

– Net Effective Rents on Rollover Increased 9.5 Percent –


MEXICO CITY, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV:FIBRAPL 14), the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today reported results for the second quarter of 2015.

FIBRA Prologis began trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange on June 4, 2014. As such, there are no comparable financial results from prior quarters. For the operational metrics discussed here, FIBRA Prologis includes the performance of the properties in its portfolio prior to ownership by FIBRA Prologis, when the properties were managed by its sponsor.

Funds from operations (“FFO”) in the second quarter were Ps. 69.6 million (approximately US$5.0 million), or Ps. 0.11 per CBFI (approximately US$0.01 per CBFI). Reported FFO includes realized exchange loss of Ps. 371.2 million (approximately US$23.0 million) from the reimbursement of the value-added tax paid in connection with the acquisition of the initial portfolio.

Net earnings in the second quarter were Ps. 588.8 million (approximately US$38.6 million), or Ps. 0.93 per CBFI (approximately US$0.06 per CBFI).

“In our first year, we have consistently outperformed the market with high occupancy levels and growth in rental rates, said Luis Gutierrez CEO, Prologis Mexico. “Market fundamentals are strong and, together with investments in manufacturing and the expansion of e-commerce, are fueling customer requirements for modern, well-located logistics facilities.”  

STRONG OPERATING PERFORMANCE

FIBRA Prologis leased 1.4 million square feet (approximately 134,600 square meters) in the second quarter; 43.5 percent of that total occurred in regional markets. FIBRA Prologis ended the quarter with 96.0 percent occupancy in its operating portfolio, an increase of 170 basis points over the same period in 2014, and has maintained period-end occupancy of more than 95 percent for four consecutive quarters.

Tenant retention in the quarter was 98.0 percent, maintaining record average retentions of more than 90.0 percent during the last year, with tenant renewals totaling 1.3 million square feet (123,200 square meters). Net effective rents on leases signed in the quarter increased 9.5 percent from prior in-place rents, led by regional markets with an increase of 10.2 percent.

In the second quarter, cash same store net operating income (“NOI”) increased 4.7 percent compared to the same period in 2014.

BUILDING ACQUISITIONS

As previously announced, FIBRA Prologis acquired a fully occupied building of 76,182 square feet (approximately 7,000 square meters) for approximately Ps. 74.5 million (approximately US$4.9 million), including closing costs, in Guadalajara. The stabilized capitalization rate of the acquisition was 7.5 percent.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL POSITION

During the second quarter, FIBRA Prologis recast and upsized it former line of credit to US$400.0 million. Pricing on the new unsecured line of credit is US LIBOR plus 225 basis points, which represents a 125 basis point reduction from the prior financing.  Pricing on the line of credit is adjustable depending on the loan to value of FIBRA Prologis. The credit facility matures May 18, 2018.

On April 13, 2015, FIBRA Prologis collected the value-added tax receivable of Ps. 2.0 billion (approximately US$131.8 million), including interest income and inflation adjustments, related to the acquisition of the initial portfolio. Proceeds were used to repay the outstanding balance of Ps. 1.5 billion (approximately US$99.5 million) in the previous secured line of credit. Remaining proceeds will be used to fund future acquisitions.

As of June 30, 2015, FIBRA Prologis’ liquidity was approximately Ps. 7.0 billion (US$446.5 million), which included Ps. 6.3 billion (US$400.0 million) of available capacity on its new unsecured credit facility and Ps. 727.7 million (US$46.5 million) of unrestricted cash.

Net debt as a percentage of investment properties was 26.0 percent, with fixed charge coverage at 1.20 times and net debt to adjusted EBITDA at 4.17 times. Adjusted EBITDA used in the calculation of fixed coverage charge and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratios includes realized exchange loss of Ps. 371.2 million (approximately US$23.0 million) from the reimbursement of the value-added tax paid in connection with the acquisition of the initial portfolio.

GUIDANCE FOR 2015

FIBRA Prologis maintains its full-year 2015 FFO guidance range of US$0.16 to US$0.17 per CBFI, excluding the realized exchange loss from the reimbursement of the value-added tax paid in connection with the acquisition of the initial portfolio. Distributions for full-year 2015 will be US$0.10 per CBFI. This assumes:   

  • year-end occupancy between 95.25 percent and 96.25 percent
  • cash same store NOI growth between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent
  • capital expenditures as a percentage of NOI between 14.0 percent and 17.0 percent
  • asset management fees and professional fees between US$ 17.0 million and US$19.0 million
  • building acquisitions between US$130.0 million and US$170.0 million in the fourth quarter

NEW DISTRIBUTION GUIDANCE

Beginning in 2016, FIBRA Prologis will establish, at the start of each year, the guidance range on annual distributions, which will represent approximately 95.0 percent of the forecasted annual AFFO. Distributions will be paid evenly on a quarterly basis and are subject to management’s determination that sufficient cash is available. For the full year 2015, FIBRA Prologis will distribute US$0.10 per CBFI. Quarterly distributions for the remaining of 2015 will be US$0.0265 per CBFI.

“A year after our IPO, we are announcing new distribution guidance that will bring certainty to investors regarding quarterly distributions,” said Jorge Girault, senior vice president, Finance, Prologis Mexico. “This new guidance reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of the investment community.”

WEBCAST & CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

FIBRA Prologis will host a live webcast/conference call to discuss quarterly results, current market conditions and future outlook on July 28, 2015, at 9 a.m. CT/10 a.m. ET. Interested parties are encouraged to access the webcast by clicking the microphone icon located near the top of the FIBRA Prologis Investor Relations website (www.fibraprologis.com). Interested parties also can participate via conference call by dialing +1 877 256 7020 (toll-free from the United States and Canada) or +1 973 409 9692 from all other countries and entering conference code 67395195.

A telephonic replay will be available July 28–August 28 at +1 855 859 2056 from the U.S. and Canada or at +1 404 537 3406 from all other countries using conference code 67395195. The replay will be posted in the Investor Relations section of the FIBRA Prologis website.

ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS
FIBRA Prologis is the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of June 30, 2015, FIBRA Prologis comprised 185 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 31.6 million square feet (2.9 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature.  All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust (“FIBRA”) status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (ix) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the “Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores” and  the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading “Risk Factors.” FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.

Non-Solicitation – Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.

 


(Español) Univision Los Ángeles gana premios Emmy por el noticiero matutino “Primera Edición” y por el noticiero diurno “Noticias 34 a las Seis”

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Univision Communications Inc.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Good2Go Auto Insurance Saves Drivers Time and Money

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Good2Go Auto Insurance Saves Drivers Time and Money


ATLANTA, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Good2Go®, specialists in offering minimum coverage auto insurance, can now save consumers time and money.

In recent tests by independent parties, Good2Go.com was found to provide the quickest quotes on the internet.  In fact, drivers can get a custom car insurance quote from Good2Go® in less than 60 seconds.  That is faster than our competitors, GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate, which can save drivers several precious minutes in their day.

And while time is money, Good2Go® is proud to be able to offer other great discounts to help drivers save even more.  Their newest discount, the Cellphone Safety Discount, is offered in 16 states, and can save drivers who install a qualifying text-blocking device 5% off bodily injury, property damage, and collision coverage per vehicle.

“At Good2Go®, we always go the extra mile to help consumers save,” says Joe DeLago, CEO of Good2Go®.  “Now, with our quick quotes, we can help them save time, and when they take advantage our Cellphone Safety Discount, they can save money and lives, too.  I’d call that a win-win-win.”

To learn more about the details of the Good2Go Cellphone Safety Discount, visit CellPhoneSafetyDiscount.com.

About Good2Go®: Based in Atlanta, GA, Good2Go® is a member of American Independent Companies, which offers affordable car insurance online to help uninsured drivers get the car insurance they need to drive legally.  Good2Go® specializes in minimum liability car insurance, and offers collision and comprehensive coverage.  For more information, visit www.good2go.com.


International Conference On Birth Defects And Disabilities To Take Place

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International Conference On Birth Defects And Disabilities To Take Place


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The 7th International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD), themed “Birth Defects in the Post-MDG Era: Joining Hands for Prevention and Care,” organized by March of Dimes in partnership with the Aga Khan Health Services-East Africa, the Aga Khan University-East Africa, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will take place September 21-24 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO

Early registration deadline is August 7, 2015.

Birth defects is the 4th leading cause of neonatal deaths worldwide and a major cause of disability and must be included in any plan to prevent newborn death, the organizers said.

Health care providers, policy makers, researchers, donors, parent-patient organizations, other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and youth volunteers from around the world interested in strengthening adolescent, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in their countries, are urged to attend.

“The goal of this biennial conference is to provide specific, practical tools and approaches that developing country participants can use to improve the health care of mothers and babies when they return home,” says Christopher Howson, Ph.D., Vice President for Global Programs at the March of Dimes and a conference co-chair. “We’ll have presentations on best practices in the surveillance and prevention of birth defects and premature birth and care for affected children.”

For more information, visit marchofdimes.org/mission/international-conferences-on-birth-defects-and-disabilities-in-the-developing-world.aspx or icbd2015.com, or email [email protected].

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

 


Sabre launches new Business Travel Services connecting hotels and travel buyers

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Sabre launches new Business Travel Services connecting hotels and travel buyers


SOUTHLAKE, Texas, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR) has launched a new portfolio of consortia solutions to help hotels compete for high value business travelers and connect travel buyers with hotels that cater to business travelers. Sabre will feature the Business Travel Services during the 2015 GBTA Convention at booth #1425.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131216/DA33636LOGO-b

Many independent and small chain hotels today find it difficult to compete for new travel agency and corporate business due to limited resources and investments compared to global hotel chains. Sabre Business Travel Services connects hotels to new business opportunities and helps them compete for and manage corporate accounts. At the same time, the solutions make it easier for travel managers and travel management companies to identify, negotiate and contract with hotels that best fit their corporate hotel programs.

“On a macro-economic level, business travel continues to be a major economic driver and the same is true on a micro-level for hotels looking to build their corporate business and serve business travelers,” said Alex Alt, president of Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “Our Business Travel Services simplify that process by helping hotels compete for valuable business travel contracts and helping corporations get the most from their travel budgets.”

According to a recent research report sponsored by Sabre and conducted by GBTA, managing supplier relationships and monitoring traveler compliance with corporate travel policies are two of the most time-consuming and important aspects of most corporate travel programs.

The new report, Travel Manager 2020 – Foundational Shifts in the Role of the Travel Manager, discusses how corporate travel managers increasingly rely on technology and data as critical tools in negotiating contracts with suppliers, identifying hard-dollar savings, and monitoring compliance.

“As hotel rates continue to climb, a corporation’s hotel spend can account for as much of the travel budget as air travel. So it’s extremely important that corporations can tie negotiated rates to booked rates to ensure travelers are being offered what was negotiated and that they track that savings throughout the year – not just during negotiation season,” continued Alt.

Sabre Business Travel Services provide the ability to integrate negotiated rate data into both the hotel’s reservation system and into the travel buyer’s online and offline booking channels to maximize savings and efficiency. The solutions portfolio builds upon Sabre’s existing Sabre Hotel RFP technology and hotel consortia program to add an elite hotel consortia tier, BT Advantage, and Global Account Management. 

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading technology provider to the global travel and tourism industry. Sabre’s software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, including passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, which processes more than $110 billion of estimated travel spend annually by connecting travel buyers and suppliers. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre operates offices in approximately 60 countries around the world.

Media Contact:
Daniel Duarte
Sabre, Corporate Public Relations
[email protected]
+1 214-236-9473

 


Zoosk Announces Results on Its First Ever State of Hispanic Dating Survey

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Zoosk Announces Results on Its First Ever State of Hispanic Dating Survey

Research Shows Hispanics Take a More Conservative Approach to Dating
Compared to General Market Counterparts


SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Zoosk, the leading online dating company and #1 grossing dating app, has revealed the results of its first “State of Hispanic Online Dating” survey, an initiative that aims to shed light on dating trends among Hispanic consumers. More than 9,900 consumers, including approximately 850 Hispanic consumers, participated in the survey, which covered various topics including attitudes regarding online dating, communication preferences with potential dates, and moving in with a partner.

Taboos about online dating are diminishing. According to the study approximately 64% of male and 61% of female Hispanic respondents said they would tell their family and friends they are on a dating site, compared to 73% of males and 79% of females of the general population of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic respondents.

“Technology has changed the way we interact with others regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity, and increasing numbers of Hispanics are turning to online dating to meet potential partners,” said David Pedersen, Senior Communications Manager at Zoosk. “By having a better understanding of online dating behavior and preferences, we can be better prepared to help ethnic groups, including Hispanics, find the type of partner they’ll like.”

The study, which surveyed Zoosk members across the country via web, also unveiled the following trends about Hispanics:

  • A majority of Hispanic respondents kiss friends and family on the cheek, but when it comes to dating and kissing, they tend to be more reserved
    • 80% of female respondents kiss family and friends on the cheek, but nearly 30% of them think a date might get the wrong idea if they kiss the date on the cheek
    • Nearly 54% of female and 51% of male respondents say they wait until at least after two to three dates to exchange a first kiss
  • Even though Hispanic families are supportive of couples moving in, respondents may still be cautious
    • 60% of female respondents and 69% of male participants said their families would be supportive of them moving in with their partner before marriage
    • Nearly 70% of female and 60% of male respondents said they had never moved in with someone they have dated
    • When considering moving in together, 24% of female respondents said they would wait until after getting married
  • Hispanics prefer picking up the phone when it comes to dating
    • 39% of females and 53% of male respondents said they coordinate first dates via phone
    • Over 60% of both female and male respondents said phone is the preferred way of communicating after the first date
    • And during the actual date, 78% of female and 80% of male respondents said they keep their phone out of sight in their pocket or bag

If you are interested in receiving additional data or speaking to an executive from Zoosk about Hispanic trends, please contact FORMULATIN at [email protected].

For more information please visit www.zoosk.com.

About Zoosk
Zoosk is a leading online dating company that learns as you click in order to pair you with singles with whom you’re likely to discover mutual attraction. Zoosk’s Behavioral Matchmaking™ technology is constantly learning from the actions of more than 33 million members in order to deliver better matches. With the #1 grossing dating app and a top 25 grossing app on the iPhone in the United States in 2014, Zoosk is a market leader in mobile dating. Available in over 80 countries and translated into 25 languages, Zoosk is a global online dating platform.

Zoosk Behavioral Matchmaking and the Zoosk logo are trademarks of Zoosk, Inc.

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The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network and Seaborne Airlines Enter Into a Public-Private Partnership in the USVI

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The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network and Seaborne Airlines Enter Into a Public-Private Partnership in the USVI


ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new partnership with Seaborne Airlines. Free Wi-Fi service is now available to all Seaborne Seaplane passengers traveling between St. Croix and St. Thomas. Travelers can now experience the fastest broadband speeds in the Virgin Islands and Caribbean free of charge for personal use or business from viNGN’s hotspot locations at both Seaplane terminals. Travelers can access the Internet simply by selecting the “viNGN_Hotspot” network on their computers and mobile devices.

“We believe that the transformational power of viNGN resides in its ability to make daily life easier and more convenient for Virgin Islanders. Our partnership with Seaborne allows us to assist commuter, leisure, and other travelers to stay connected whether it is for business or pleasure…and at superfast speeds. This is the real power of technology, its ability to transform lives, and we have that power right here at home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We thank Seaborne for this amazing opportunity to help them to transform the travel experience for its travelers. We, with the partnership of Seaborne Airlines, are moving steadily toward the Next Generation of the Virgin Islands,” said Dr. Tonjia S. Coverdale, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network.   

“Seaborne Airlines and the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) are both privileged to work in one of the most important and honorable undertakings – that of connecting people” said Gary Foss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaborne.  “Both are in businesses that ­­have shrunk the globe, brought people together, and broadened the horizons of so many.  Seaborne, through being the United States Virgin Islands largest air carrier, and viNGN as the company who brought world class, open access, high speed, 100% fiber optic broadband services to The Territory.  Both company’s missions are critical to the local economy, facilitating commerce and creating jobs.  It is with pleasure that we enter into this agreement to provide free WiFi at our St. Thomas and St. Croix Seaplane bases to approximately 100,000 Seaplane travelers annually and to work in partnership with a company having such an important role in the United States Virgin Islands,” said Foss.

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 23 years, carrying more than 2.5 million customers safely.  With over 2,300 monthly departures to 17 airports in service or announced, Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King airport and Charles F. Blair Jr., Seaplane base, St. Croix’s Henry B. Rohlsen airport and Captain Svend Aage Ovesen Jr.,Seaplane base, Anguilla, Tortola, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, La Romana, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo and will launch service to island of Antigua later this year.  

About VI Next Generation Network­

With viNGN’s state-of-the-art 100% fiber optic Network, Virgin Islands residents and tourists may now experience the Next Generation of technology with up to 1 Gigabits per second (Gbps) of bandwidth speed (1000 Megabits per second), a drastic improvement from the previous high of 16 Mbps that is currently offered in the U.S. Virgin Islands.


Live Nation’s West Palm Beach Venue Gets New Name: Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre

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Live Nation’s West Palm Beach Venue Gets New Name: Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Live Nation Entertainment and Perfect Vodka today announced a multi-year agreement to name South Florida’s premier outdoor venue Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre.

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“We are so excited to partner with Live Nation to give all guests of the newly named Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre a chance to see why we won the Gold in the International Craft Spirit awards with our naturally non-GMO and gluten free vodka. Great music and our smooth vodka are sure to make perfect memories,” said Perfect Vodka President Dennis C. Cunningham.

The 19,000 capacity outdoor venue, featuring 13,000 on the lawn and 6,000 reserved seats, has hosted over five million fans with more than 600 shows and festivals combined, since opening in 1996. The venue has featured top performances in past years, including outstanding acts by Aerosmith, Radiohead, Eminem, Coldplay, Maroon 5, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Kenny Chesney and many more.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Perfect Vodka and integrate their brand into the excitement of live entertainment with top shelf artists and the wide array of assets this amphitheater has to offer,” said Andy Peikon, senior vice president of Live Nation venue sales. “Our venue in West Palm Beach and Perfect Vodka’s presence throughout Florida make this the perfect partnership for the brand to engage and connect with music fans.”

Distilled and bottled exclusively in France, Perfect Vodka is a one-of-a-kind alcoholic beverage. It is the only vodka made from the natural waters of the Vosges Mountains and the winner of the prestigious 2014 International Craft Spirits Award gold medal, naming it the smoothest, best tasting spirit in the entire world. The beverage is offered in most states and 21 countries, and the brand will now enjoy exposure to millions of music fans through naming rights of this South Florida music institution.

There is an amazing lineup of shows still on tap for the 2015 season at the Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre including: Incubus, Zac Brown Band, Van Halen, Tim McGraw, Dave Matthews Band, Toby Keith and more.

About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

About Perfect Vodka:
Award winning Perfect Vodka is distilled and bottled exclusively in France with wheat grown in the Brie Champagne Region. The wheat is non-GMO, certified of-origin and grown with no pesticides. The vodka is also gluten-free. Perfect Vodka is also the only vodka made from water that comes from the foot of the Vosges Mountains in France, which is known for its pristine, natural waters. Perfect Vodka is distilled five times in copper tubing and filtered with cotton because cotton catches everything; we take no chances with our flavor. Perfect Vodka is also the winner of the prestigious 2014 International Craft Spirits Award Gold Medal. This coveted award means Perfect Vodka is the smoothest best tasting spirit in the entire world, beating out competitors such as Grey Goose and Belvedere vodka. Want to try our award winning vodka? Perfect is available in most states and 21 countries.

For more information, visit www.perfectvodka.com.


Contact Lens 101: a Back-to-School Must for Teens

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Contact Lens 101: a Back-to-School Must for Teens

American Academy of Ophthalmology urges parents to remind their kids that studying up on proper contact lens care can prevent serious eye infections


SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Many children and teenagers start wearing contact lenses in junior high or high school. However, young people are notoriously poor at caring for their contact lenses, creating a potential gateway for serious eye infections that can cause impaired vision or even blindness. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has declared August Back to School Eye Health Month, and is providing tips for teens and their parents on how to properly care for contact lenses. The Academy is also partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight proper contact lens care during Contact Lens Health Week, Aug. 24 to 28.

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Contact lenses have been implicated in nearly 25 percent of children’s emergency room visits related to medical devices.1 Research has shown that poor contact lens care practices by teens and young people raise their risk of eye conditions such as infectious keratitis and corneal ulcers. In the most severe cases, they may require corneal transplants to restore sight.

Fortunately, many eye infections can be prevented by following simple contact lens care guidelines. Even so, experts say there are lesser known safety tips that teens with contact lenses should follow to avoid eye infections.

Four Contact Lens Tips Every Parent Should Share with Their Teens

  • New quarter, new case – Replacing your contact lens case every three months will help keep germs at bay. To make it easy to remember, swap out your case at the beginning of each quarter. A study from the journal Ophthalmology showed that waiting to replace lens cases after 6 months increases the risk of eye infection by nearly 5.5 times.2
  • Just say no to H20 – You may be captain of the swim team, but you shouldn’t swim, shower or go in a hot tub wearing lenses. Water from the tap might be clean enough to drink or bathe in, but it’s still home to the parasite Acanthamoeba, which can cause severe eye infections resulting in vision loss.3 For the same reasons, do not use water to rinse or soak contact lenses or cases.
  • You snooze, you lose – Never sleep in your contact lenses. The same Ophthalmology study also found that even occasionally sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of moderate to severe eye infection by 6.5 times. Unfortunately, a recent poll of nearly 100,000 people by BuzzFeed found that about 70 percent of respondents occasionally or regularly sleep in their contact lenses.4
  • It’s too late if you wait – Symptoms of eye infections include redness, pain and light sensitivity, and should be examined by an ophthalmologist immediately. Waiting to get examined or treated could lead to vision loss.

“I’ve seen plenty of young people who misuse contact lenses and end up with serious eye infections that are largely preventable with good hygiene and diligence,” said Thomas Steinemann, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Parents can help protect their children’s vision – and their future – by sharing the potential consequences of not caring for their contact lenses the right way, and reinforcing good contact lens habits early on.”

The CDC’s Contact Lens Health Week runs from Aug. 24 to 28. The Academy, CDC and other eye health experts will take part in the CDC Contact Lens Twitter Chat Aug. 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. The Academy will be participating using the EyeSmart handle @geteyesmart. Join the discussion by using hashtag #HealthyContactsChat.

Members of the press who wish to speak with contact lens experts can contact the Academy’s Public Relations Department at [email protected]. For more information on contact lens care and other children’s eye health tips, visit the Academy’s public information website, www.geteyesmart.org.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, headquartered in San Francisco, is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, serving more than 32,000 members worldwide. The Academy’s mission is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. For more information, visit www.aao.org. 

The Academy is also a leading provider of eye care information to the public. The Academy’s EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more. 

1 Emergency Department Visits for Medical Device-Associated Adverse Events Among Children, Pediatrics, 2010
2 Risk factors for moderate to severe microbial keratitis in daily wear contact lens wearers, Ophthalmology, Aug. 2012
3 Clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba keratitis infections in 28 states, 2008 to 2011. Cornea, Feb. 2014
4 11 Gross Contact Lens Habits You Should Stop Doing Right Away Please, Buzzfeed.com 


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