Newsroom

Escaping Reality VR is excited to announce the official opening of its newest location on February 12, 2023, at 313 US Route 46 in Parsippany, NJ. Escaping Reality VR was created to assist the human brain by helping to escape the harsh realities of life through indoor entertainment using puzzle rooms and virtual reality platforms.

"Our goal is to create an environment where people can escape the stresses of everyday life and focus on sharpening their concentration, improving their memory, and boosting their mood," said Stephanie Peterson, the co-founder of Escaping Reality VR. "We believe that our immersive virtual reality experiences and escape rooms will not only provide entertainment, but also enhance social skills and encourage team building."

In addition to escape rooms and immersive virtual reality, Escaping Reality VR will also offer stand-alone virtual reality experiences for those who want to take a brief break from the real world.

"We understand that everyone's life realities are different, and sometimes it can be overwhelming," said Peterson. "At Escaping Reality VR, we want to provide a safe and fun place where people can escape those realities and create their own version of reality, even if it's just for a little while."

Escaping Reality VR is excited to welcome visitors starting on February 12th, and looks forward to providing a unique and memorable experience for all.

For more information, visit https://www.escapingrealityvr.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Women in Cloud (WIC) is taking aim at the Guinness World Records™ title attempt for the most users in a vision board video hangout as part of the WICxAnnualSummit on February 1st, 2023. Led by Patti Dobrowolski, founder of Up Your Creative Genius, the three-hour session will guide participants through the process of defining their "Future You" identity and help those in transitional periods of their personal and professional lives identify who they want to become.

The goal of the record-setting event is to create 500 unique individual vision boards, which will be shared via an online album. This immersive experience is open to women and allies of all ages looking to make a change in their lives, whether transitioning from high school to college, college to career, employment to self-employment, or seeking a change in their career field.

Don't miss this opportunity to join the Women in Cloud community in a record-setting event and shape your own "Future You."

For more information visit https://womenincloud.com/wicxworld-record.
‍
‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

HeartLands Conservancy is thrilled to announce the preservation of four private properties in Clinton County near the Kaskaskia River. This accomplishment brings the total number of acres preserved to over 10,000. These conservation efforts support farming, wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, community well-being, and scenic beauty. These properties, located near the Kaskaskia River, are being restored to forested wetlands, providing vital habitat for a variety of tropical birds, bats, and animals.

HeartLands Conservancy (HLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural resources of southern Illinois. Since its founding, HLC has worked with private landowners, government agencies, and other partners to protect and restore essential habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. HLC uses a popular and voluntary tool called a Conservation Easement to protect the land's conservation values while allowing the landowner to maintain ownership of the property. These landowners are positively impacting the environment and the local community by preserving vital habitats and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

In addition to preserving land through conservation easements, HLC also engages in various other conservation efforts, including land acquisition, habitat restoration, education, and outreach. These efforts help to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and ensure the long-term health and vitality of southern Illinois' ecosystems.

The four properties preserved in Clinton County are an essential part of HLC's conservation efforts. Not only do they provide habitat for a variety of species, but they also help to protect water quality in the Kaskaskia River and surrounding areas.

HLC is grateful for the support of its donors, volunteers, and partners, who have helped make this milestone of 10,000 acres preserved possible. The organization is committed to continuing its conservation efforts in the coming years and invites the community to get involved.

For more information and updates on HeartLands Conservancy's conservation efforts, visit: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/about-us. Learn more about conservation easements and how you can get involved at HeartLands Conservancy's website: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/land/private-land-owners.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

American Paranormal Magazine, a leading publication in the paranormal research field, is excited to announce the launch of its first Florida regional edition. This new edition is available now and is available for purchase both digitally and in print. Customers in the U.S. can order the magazine online and have it shipped to them, and it will also be available for free reading on paranormalzine.com.

The Florida regional edition features a cover story by Angel Naves titled "Inside The Attic," as well as articles on the haunted locations of St. Augustine, Florida written by Louise Fredieu, the 1880 Victorian St. Augustine, Florida written by Keith Evans, and a feature on American Ghost Adventures. Additionally, Ava McClure will contribute an article on the 12 locations in Florida every paranormal investigator should visit, with The Hog Kong of Florida highlighted.

"We are thrilled to bring our Florida regional edition to our readers and are excited to continue expanding to more regions in 2023," said Lonnie Sullivan, Publishing Assistant and Volunteer of American Paranormal Magazine. "Our mission is to promote paranormal research, researchers, authors, psychics, investigators, podcasters, and paranormal field workers of all types, and this new edition is a step towards achieving that goal."

For more information, visit https://www.paranormalzine.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Qstream, the leading enterprise microlearning and knowledge reinforcement platform that revolutionizes how businesses empower their employees through individualized learning, announced today that it has been awarded an Excellence in Technology Award from Brandon Hall Group, a top Human Capital Management research firm. Qstream has been recognized with a bronze award in the Learning & Development category for Best Advance in Mobile Learning Technology.

Qstream's quick, mobile microlearning challenges are delivered to learners in the flow of work, producing 90+% learner engagement. Qstream's mobile app pushes micro training content directly to each learner to reinforce critical information and change on-the-job behavior. Additionally, microlearning integrates with work and learning systems, meeting learners in their digital channels of choice and weaving training into daily routines. This enables continuous learning to ensure employees have the latest information and tools to excel in their roles and drive training and business outcomes.

"When it comes to corporate training programs, the learner experience is everything since employee proficiency and performance is critical to the success of every business," says Bret Kramer, VP of Sales and Customer Success at Qstream. "Employees want and need to be productive to perform in their jobs and prefer training that is easily accessible, relatable and impactful. Qstream's non-disruptive solution meets the needs of the modern learner, making them more engaged and continuously sharpening their knowledge and skills."

"We selected Qstream for this award because of their commitment to keeping learners engaged and providing people with the skills needed to perform at their job," said David Wentworth, Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group. "Their microlearning solution and mobile app prioritize a personalized learner experience, making it easy to access training on-the-go, grow their knowledge and become active contributors of the business."

The complete list of Excellence Award Winners can be found here.

About Qstream

Qstream is the leading enterprise microlearning and knowledge reinforcement solution proven by science and in practice to boost learner performance. Hundreds of organizations rely on Qstream to build high-performance teams by delivering a personalized and agile learning experience that delivers the highest levels of retention, engagement and efficiency along with analytics that provide precision insights and expose a real-time view of performance readiness.

About Brandon Hall Group, Inc.
‍
Brandon Hall Group is the only professional development company that offers data, research, insights and certification to Learning and Talent executives and organizations. The best minds in Human Capital Management (HCM) choose Brandon Hall Group to help them create future proof employee development plans for the new era. For nearly 30 years, we have empowered, recognized and certified excellence in organizations around the world influencing the development of over 10,000,000 employees and executives. Our HCM Excellence Awards was the first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard, known as the 'Academy Awards of Human Capital Management'. Our cloud-based platform delivers evidence-based insights in the areas of Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources for corporate organizations and HCM solution providers. To learn more visit http://www.brandonhall.com.

‍Media Contact
‍
David Resendes
‍David.Resendes@Qstream.com
(781) 960-5411

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Leading estate sale franchise hosts annual conference to recognize franchisees for success in 2022 and share new initiatives to better serve customers

‍Blue Moon Estate Sales, the fastest-growing estate sale franchise in the U.S., awarded the 2022 Franchisee of the Year award to Laura Melish of Centennial and Aurora, CO at the company's annual conference held December 6 to 8th in Charlotte, NC.

The franchisee of the year is awarded to the Blue Moon owner who not only demonstrated excellent success in growing their business, but also selflessly supports and promotes the Blue Moon system.

"Laura is an example of what it means to be a successful business owner and meaningful member of the communities she serves," said Bob Lang, president of Blue Moon Estate Sales. "Laura gives of herself by always being available to take a phone call and to help fellow Blue Moon owners. With strong customer and client experience skills, she drives her team to provide the best service at all times. She is a true leader in every sense of the word."

Laura came to the business with a passion for antiques and breathing new life into old relics. Prior to opening Blue Moon in 2021, Laura worked in the car rental and travel industry for 35 years.

"Being named the franchisee of the year is extremely gratifying and underscores the hard work and dedication we've put into making our business a success," said Laura Melish. "I continue to be excited about the future of this company, the opportunities for growth and helping more families with their downsizing needs with respect, sensitivity and compassion."

Additional award winners include:
‍

• Growth Mindset: Rick Blanton of Memphis, TN
• True Blue Customer Loyalty: Jonathan and Jeannette Tinkey of Greenville, SC
• Marketing Excellence: Danielle Roberts of Conroe, TX and The Woodlands, TX
• Highest Multi-Unit Revenue: Tracy Duce of Minneapolis east, west, and south territories
• Highest Single-Unit Revenue: Terri and Chris Dickson of Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC
• Surpassing Everest: Jonathan and Jeannette Tinkey of Greenville, SC
• Rising Star: Melanie Ramos of Knoxville, TN
• Rookie of the Year: Kerry and Dustin Chester of Omaha NE

In addition to announcing awards within the network, the conference was held to help energize the Blue Moon teams and provide new tools and insights on making the most significant impact possible for franchisees and the families that Blue Moon serves.

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Blue Moon Estate Sales is the fastest-growing national estate sale franchise with 78 locations in 24 states. Established in 2009, founders Deb, Ken and David Blue wanted to bring their proven business model to a larger audience. Thus, in 2013, Blue Moon Estate Sales started franchising, running an industry-leading training program and providing ongoing support, and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company.

To learn more about Blue Moon Estate Sales franchising, visit www.bluemoonestatesales.com/franchising.

About Blue Moon Estate Sales

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Blue Moon Estate Sales is a growing national franchise with 107 locations in 28 states. Established in 2009, Blue Moon Estate Sales was created to set the highest of standards in an unregulated industry. After five successful years in the Raleigh market, founders Deb, Ken and David Blue wanted to bring their proven business model to a larger audience. Thus, in 2013, Blue Moon Estate Sales started franchising, running an industry-leading training program and providing ongoing support, and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

To facilitate the ongoing process to sell its businesses, DCL Corporation (DCL or the Company), a leading manufacturer and reseller of color pigments, announced today that, on December 20, 2022, its United States based subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for a court-supervised reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (Chapter 11) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Contemporaneously, the Company and its Canadian subsidiaries have also commenced court-supervised restructuring proceedings in Canada under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, as amended (CCAA).

As part of these filings, DCL has entered into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement (APA), under which DCL will sell substantially all of the Company's assets in a sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The agreement is subject to court approval and any higher or better offers received pursuant to the bidding procedures proposed as part of the sale process.

DCL's international subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are not included in the Chapter 11 or CCAA proceedings.

In support of the restructuring process, DCL's existing lender, Wells Fargo,  has agreed to provide up to $55 million in debtor-in-possession financing. Following court approval, the Company expects this financing, together with cash flow from operations, to support the business in normal operations during the court-supervised process. The Company is continuing to serve customers and end users in the U.S., Canada, and globally.

Scott Davido, the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer, said, "We are pleased to enter into this asset purchase agreement, and to have the continued support of our lenders as we complete this process. The U.S. and Canadian restructuring proceedings will facilitate our sale process, address our liquidity challenges, strengthen our balance sheet and better position DCL for the future. Additionally, we thank all of the DCL employees for their continued dedication and tireless efforts, during these challenging times."

DCL is filing customary first-day motions with the courts that, once approved, will allow the Company to operate its business in the normal course under Chapter 11 and CCAA, including, among other things, granting authority to pay employee wages and benefits and honor customer commitments in the ordinary course of business. The Company will also pay all vendors in the ordinary course for all goods and services provided on or after the Chapter 11 filing date.

To assist with the Company's restructuring, Scott Davido of Ankura Consulting Group (Ankura) has been named as DCL's Chief Restructuring Officer, and Ankura Consulting Group is acting as the Company's financial advisor. The Company is represented by King & Spalding LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as legal counsel. TM Capital Corp is the Company's investment banker.

Additional information is available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/DCL, by calling DCL's claim agent, Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC, at (888) 510-7189 (US/Canada Toll Free) or +1 (646) 440-4160 (International), or by emailing DCLInfo@ra.kroll.com.

About DCL

DCL Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of pigments for our customers in the coatings, plastics, printing ink and paper industries worldwide. Our extensive range of pigments is backed by technical expertise, our commitment to service excellence, continuous improvement, environmental, health, safety and social responsibility. Please visit www.pigments.com for more information on our product range.

About Ankura

Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end-to-end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to conflict, crisis, performance, risk, strategy, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 1,800 professionals serving 3000+ clients across 55 countries who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise. Collaborative lateral thinking, hard-earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivaled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create and Recover Value. For more information, please visit, ankura.com.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

The Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) today announced it has launched a new brand theme for its annual Logistics Sales & Marketing Conference: ELEVATE. The new theme embodies the tremendous rate of change the transportation and logistics industry has undergone in recent years. It also reinforces the advancement of the sales and marketing discipline to take TMSA member companies to new performance heights.

In fact, 76% of TMSA Member companies participated in our proprietary 2022 Metrics Study reported a 10-20%+ increase in sales in 2021. 79% of respondents are anticipating the same results year-over-year—an increase of 10–20%+ in sales in 2022, even amidst recession concerns.

"For nearly 100 years, TMSA has been a beacon for sales and marketing professionals in logistics and transportation. As the industry has grown and matured, our member companies have relied on us to be the voice of change, leading the charge with the most modern, cutting-edge practices in sales and marketing. ELEVATE represents all of that—and more," said Mark Derks, Chief Marketing Officer at BlueGrace Logistics and President of TMSA.

ELEVATE will take place June 11–13, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Georgia. The opening keynote address at ELEVATE will be delivered by Jared Orton, president at the Savannah Bananas, a ground-breaking minor league baseball team that has transformed the way the game of baseball delivers a differentiated customer experience. Ready to go bananas and ELEVATE your game in totally different ways? Registration opens today with special holiday pricing at: www.tmsatoday.org/ELEVATE-conference.

"At TMSA, we know that keeping pace with the industry isn't enough for our member companies. That's why we continue to launch new programs and expand access to resources and educational tools that empower them to gain an edge and accelerate their growth strategies faster and smarter," said Jennifer Karpus-Romain, executive director at TMSA.

"By doing this, our member companies ELEVATE the performance of their sales and marketing talent, emerging as industry leaders."

In addition to ELEVATE, TMSA also hosts an Executive Summit each fall, bringing together the most respected and experienced senior leaders in business development, marketing and commercial growth in the industry.

TMSA members reap the benefits of not only two exceptional in-person events at ELEVATE and the Executive Summit, but also gain access year-round to more than 20 live webinars, hundreds of published knowledge-based member portal resources, regional and virtual networking events, proprietary member-only research studies, and an exclusive members-only directory of the most sought-after leaders in sales and marketing.

TMSA's Metrics Study benchmarks performance and cutting-edge practices for sales and marketing departments across the industry. The study is proprietary to TMSA and exclusively available only to TMSA members at https://www.tmsatoday.org/membership-resources.

About TMSA

TMSA is the only non-profit association of its kind dedicated to advancing the success of marketing and sales professionals in all modes of the commercial freight transportation and logistics market. From president and vice president to manager, director and coordinator, members are at all levels and represent all market segments including motor carriers, 3PLs, railroads, air carriers, ocean lines, port authorities, OEMs, media and suppliers.

TMSA's mission is to enable sales and marketing professionals to learn and give back to the transportation and logistics industry through education, connections and resources, ultimately strengthening their individual development, their businesses and the industry-at-large. TMSA's vision is to be the pre-eminent non-profit sales and marketing association that transportation and logistics professionals turn to for industry-specific education, connections and resources.

Learn more about TMSA at https://www.tmsatoday.org.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Expanded role integrates internal diversity and inclusion programs with racial and health equity strategy

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has announced the promotion of Bukata Hayes to the new position of vice president, chief equity officer. In this role, Hayes—who has served as vice president of racial and health equity since March 2021—will be responsible for integrating all diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) strategies into the company's Racial & Health Equity (RHE) department.  

By aligning the internal representation goals of DEIB with the external facing initiatives of RHE portfolio, Hayes will be able to generate greater capabilities and impact among talent and recruitment efforts to maximize the opportunities for Blue Cross' workforce to more accurately mirror the growing diversity of Blue Cross membership and the Minnesota population in general.

"Bukata Hayes is the ideal leader for this expanded role, given his talent, expertise and collaborative style," said Dana Erickson, president and chief executive officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "His experience and capabilities continue to position Blue Cross to accomplish our goals around diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and racial and health equity, to deliver meaningful and lasting change, both within our company and throughout our communities."

As chief equity officer, Hayes will report directly to the CEO and serve as a member of the company's senior leadership team.

Prior to joining Blue Cross, Hayes was the executive director of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council for nearly 15 years. He has more than 20 years of experience organizing and facilitating systemic change within large and small systems such as non-profit, K-12, higher education and rural communities.

Hayes received his bachelor's degree from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and is also chair of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation's board of directors having served on the board since 2014.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

What's Your Super Power Digital Media (WYSP) today announced the 2nd Annual International Author Boss Awards Show, hosted by entrepreneur and media maven Nadia Francois. The ceremony is set to air on Thursday, December 29th at 6:00 p.m. CST on the WYSP TV Channel, which is available on all smart devices and web-accessible on the Exposure Plus TV Network.

WYSP is a "kingdom empowerment brand" that serves entrepreneurs, community leaders, coaches, and authors. In addition to offering TV streaming, digital media production, advertising, publishing, social media management, and website design and maintenance, WYSP also houses Power Conversations Magazine. This digital and print publication highlights entrepreneurs, authors, community leaders, and business pioneers from around the world, and features articles on trending topics and business news, business tips, entrepreneur spotlights, and empowering events.

The magazine is founded by Nadia Francois, a serial entrepreneur, and features content from a diverse group of contributors who specialize in business and entrepreneurship and who include kingdom principles in their practices and business models.

In addition to the TV show and magazine, the Power Conversations Podcast also provides opportunities for the visibility and empowerment of minority business owners.

For more information, visit www.wysptv.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Benefits include up to 25 percent faster execution of warehouse processes, a picking error rate close to zero and a reduction in waste of around 100,000 paper sheets per year

TeamViewer, a leading global provider of remote connectivity and workplace digitalization solutions, recently announced that the global semiconductor manufacturer GlobalFoundries (GF) has deployed TeamViewer's Augmented Reality (AR) platform Frontline to digitally transform its warehouse operations at its facility in Dresden, the largest semiconductor plant in Europe. Among the major benefits that GF achieved through the implementation of TeamViewer's solution is an up to 25 percent faster execution of warehouse processes, better employee ergonomics, a picking error rate close to zero and a reduction in waste of around 100,000 paper sheets per year.

Kevin Hidalgo, Senior Director of Logistics at GF: "At GF, we always strive to improve our operational efficiencies to better fulfill our customers' needs. When looking for a solution to digitally transform and improve our warehouse operations, we found that an Augmented Reality based solution could really make a difference for us. Now, with the roll-out of TeamViewer Frontline, we were able to take efficiency, accuracy and sustainability of warehouse logistics to a whole new level."

Jan Junker, Executive Vice President Solution Sales & Delivery: "Around 80 percent of the global workforce is not working at a desk, but in manufacturing, production, logistics or field service. With our AR solutions, enterprises have the first-time opportunity to also digitalize the tasks and processes from these areas and seamlessly connect the workers to the company's existing digital infrastructure. The benefits that GlobalFoundries achieved in such short time speak for themselves."

At the GF warehouse, the software guides the warehouse workers through the picking process with clear step-by-step instructions, displayed on the smart glasses directly in their field of view. Together with the integrated voice control, it provides 100 percent hands-free information to the workers, completely replacing the former paper-based process.

The end-to-end implementation of TeamViewer Frontline in the warehouse of GF's Dresden facility was completed in only ten weeks. TeamViewer is working closely with GF to identify other opportunities to use the solution and is exploring use cases beyond vision picking.

Please find more information and a video of the TeamViewer deployment at GF here.

About TeamViewer

TeamViewer is a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind – from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots. Although TeamViewer is free of charge for private use, it has 620,000 subscribers and enables companies of all sizes and from all industries to digitize their business-critical processes through seamless connectivity. Against the backdrop of global megatrends like device proliferation, automation and new work, TeamViewer proactively shapes digital transformation and continuously innovates in the fields of Augmented Reality, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Since the company's foundation in 2005, TeamViewer's software has been installed on more than 2.5 billion devices around the world. The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs around 1,400 people globally. In 2021, TeamViewer achieved billings of EUR 548 million. TeamViewer AG (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the MDAX. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com.

Press Contact

‍Michael Kornspan
Phone: 727-910-7340
E-mail: press@teamviewer.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Grocer recognized for outstanding corporate citizenship and commitment to Zero Hunger | Zero Waste

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, today announced it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" for 2023, earning the distinction for the fourth consecutive year. Newsweek recognizes the Top 500 most responsible companies in the United States, spanning 14 industries.

"This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our associates and our collective commitment to end hunger through Zero Hunger | Zero Waste," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Kroger plays a critical role in building a more resilient and sustainable food system for all of America."

This year, Kroger celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste emphasizes the unique role Kroger plays across the food system and its many stakeholders as an employer, food processor, retailer, healthcare provider and more. Over the past 5 years, Kroger has donated 2.3 billion meals to fight hunger, including:
‍

• $1 billion in giving to hunger relief, which includes 500 million pounds of surplus food donated to food banks, for a total of 2.3 billion meals directed to communities
• Nearly $45 million in grants from the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation to support food recovery and system change

America's Most Responsible Companies were selected based on publicly available key performance indicators derived from Corporate Responsibility Reports, Corporate Citizen Reports or Sustainability Reports, as well as an independent survey. The methodology focused on company performance in the environmental, social and corporate governance categories. Additionally, an independent survey was conducted to evaluate companies' reputation by asking U.S. citizens about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility.

To learn more about Kroger's efforts to positively impact people and the planet, visit the ESG Hub: Thriving Together.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Better Rhodes, the leading product platform for 'Better-for-You' alcohol-free and functional beverages is excited to announce some additions to our team.

‍Warren Hode
‍

• Warren joins our team as Director of Product Innovation and Trade Development, responsible for supporting efforts in sourcing the next generation of industry leading products as well as growing our national and regional wholesale accounts.
• Warren is a pioneer in the non-alcoholic beverage category in the US, having most recently worked with Lyre's in their North American trade and channel development. This includes over 20 years experience in hospitality including as a NYC based bartender, menu consultant and lead for specialty private events for the Balthazar Group and Major Food Group.‍
  ‍

Taylor Foxman
‍

• Taylor has joined Better Rhodes as Director of Strategy and Corporate Development, responsible for supporting investment discussions, public relations, new channel development and new producer innovation.
• Taylor is a veteran of the alcohol and cannabis industries and brings a wealth of knowledge from these more mature segments. She provides consulting services to many brands in alc and non-alc and has an impressive pedigree commentating on relevant consumer trends. This includes involvement in product innovation, CPG, go-to-market strategies and investment activities.

Mike Votto
‍

• Mike is an Advisor for Product Selection and Distribution. Mike is a strategic investor and an expert in the high-end wines and alcohol business. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge in the distribution and sourcing of top-quality products. This includes direct experience in distribution and wholesale through the '3-tier' alcohol industry in the US.

These additions to our team demonstrate our commitment to this emerging category and focus on bringing the best in the segment to the market in new and innovative ways.

"We couldn't be more excited to announce the expansion of our leadership team to include these seasoned experts across beverage, product development, sales, strategy and more," states Dan Stiller, CEO of Better Rhodes. "We believe 2023 and beyond will see a major shift in the demand for 'Better-for-You' adult beverages and the introduction of a next generation of brands bringing better quality and better choices. Better Rhodes' mission is to curate an industry leading collection of brands.

Dhimant Patel (Co-Founder and COO) continues to lead our Canadian business unit which is realizing strong traction in its first full year. Chris Becker (Founder) continues to focus on investor relations and thought leadership on the next generation of makers in the industry.

About Better Rhodes

‍Better Rhodes focuses on developing and curating the best in 'Better-for-You' adult beverages, including alcohol-free and functional brands. We achieve this through dedicated capabilities in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Wholesale, digital discovery and data. Our award winning BetterWithout platform brings together proprietary industry insights, sales data and market knowledge to identify and pick the winners in this space.

With the rapid growth of the 'Better-for-You' beverage category, there has been a large influx in higher priced products with little differentiation. While there are some standouts already, to be counted in the next generation of successful 'Better-for-You' adult beverages, brands will require the best taste, a compelling story, operational excellence and capital. Our mission is to find and curate this collection of industry leading brands.

To learn more, check out our Instagram or website.

Communications Contact

‍Taylor Foxman
taylor@betterrhodes.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Commercial-scale breakthrough changes the way the world will look at trash and paves the way to making meaningful contributions to addressing climate change

Landmark achievement expected to spur global development of waste-to-fuels plants aimed at producing 400 million gallons of SAF annually to help decarbonize aviation industry

‍Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a clean energy company pioneering the creation of renewable, drop-in transportation fuels from landfill waste, today announced that it has successfully produced a low-carbon synthetic crude oil using landfill waste as a feedstock at its Sierra BioFuels Plant, the world's first commercial-scale landfill waste-to-fuels plant. This significant achievement positions Fulcrum as a renewable fuels leader producing and selling net-zero carbon fuel and addresses climate change by supporting the aviation industry's goals to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

"This accomplishment is a watershed moment for Fulcrum and opens the door for our plans to transform landfill waste around the world into a low-carbon transportation fuel in a way that will have a profound environmental impact," said Eric Pryor, Fulcrum's President and Chief Executive Officer. "After more than a decade of dedication and perseverance, successfully creating a low-carbon fuel entirely from landfill waste validates the strength of our process and our partners' unwavering belief in and support for our business model. As we continue to work to address global environmental challenges and advance our development program, we aim to replicate our success at Sierra with cost-efficient net-zero carbon plants nationally and ultimately around the globe."

An Accomplishment for The Broader Industry and World

This milestone comes as the world has convened on emissions reductions goals, the Biden Administration has prioritized the development of lower-carbon transportation methods and the aviation industry has set its sights on net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Fulcrum is committed to supporting these objectives and has entered into strategic partnerships with major airlines and other offtake partners to purchase its renewable fuel. By producing a synthetic crude oil product, which can then be further refined into sustainable aviation fuel ("SAF"), Fulcrum has demonstrated its process and is preparing to supply its strategic partners with SAF that it expects will be net-zero carbon when compared on a lifecycle basis to traditional petroleum-based jet fuel.

"This is a significant accomplishment for Fulcrum and the aviation industry," said United Airlines Ventures Managing Director Andrew Chang. "United has led with bold action to fight climate change, including committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 without relying on traditional carbon offsets, and investing in more sustainable fuel production than any other airline globally. We look forward to advancing our collaboration with Fulcrum to increase the supply of sustainable aviation fuel."  

With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA"), the U.S. government has made clear its newfound support for the domestic growth of SAF as a clean alternative to standard fuel. "We applaud the passage of the IRA, which will foster industry growth and innovation to supply SAF. We're thrilled to contribute to the White House's Grand Challenge of producing at least three billion gallons of SAF by 2030," added Pryor.

Fulcrum's Cutting Edge, Unique Process and Unparalleled Facilities

Fulcrum has spent more than a decade and significant capital developing an innovative process for transforming a true waste product into a valuable low-carbon transportation fuel for the aviation industry. Fulcrum expects to utilize a standardized, scalable, low-cost approach for larger future projects replicating the successful process at Sierra, which is backed by patents and capitalizes on the intellectual property developed by the Company in its engineering and start-up operations of this first-of-its-kind plant.

"Fulcrum has successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking technological achievement that will have far-reaching implications for clean energy around the globe. We are proud to not only be an investor but also a strategic partner as we explore bringing Fulcrum's patented and proprietary waste-to-fuel process to the APAC region together," said Dongsoo Kang, head of SK Innovation's portfolio division.

"This is a tremendous and exciting accomplishment for Fulcrum and is also very important for Cathay to reach its commitment for using 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. As Fulcrum's first airline investor and fuel offtake partner, we look forward to using SAF produced by Fulcrum very soon. We are confident that this milestone will help open up more SAF production capacity in Asia and around the world," said Grace Cheung, Group Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at Cathay Pacific Airways.

The Company has identified and is making progress on its planned growth program, which Fulcrum expects will have the capacity to produce approximately 400 million gallons of net-zero carbon transportation fuel annually. The Company's development program includes the Centerpoint BioFuels Plant in Gary, Indiana, the Trinity Fuels Plant in the Texas Gulf Coast region and the NorthPoint project in the United Kingdom.

About Fulcrum

Based in Pleasanton, California, Fulcrum is leading the development of a reliable and efficient process for transforming waste into net-zero carbon transportation fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and diesel. The Company's innovative process, which utilizes landfill waste as a feedstock, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 100% compared to traditional fuel production, contributing to the aviation industry's carbon reduction goals.

Beginning with the Sierra BioFuels Plant, Fulcrum's plants will provide customers with low-carbon transportation fuel that is competitively priced with traditional petroleum fuel. The Company is advancing on its large commercial growth program of net-zero carbon waste-to-fuels plants across North America and in select international markets with a planned production capacity of approximately 400 million gallons per year. Fulcrum, a privately held company, has aligned itself and entered into strategic relationships with industry leaders in the waste, aviation and energy sectors to further strengthen and accelerate the Company's patented and proprietary approach to commercially producing large volumes of renewable fuel from landfill waste. For more information, please visit www.fulcrum-bioenergy.com.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

35-year partnership, fueled by generosity of teammates, suppliers and customers, continues to impact the lives of children in communities across the country

McLane Company, Inc., a leading supply chain services company that provides grocery and foodservice solutions, has surpassed $100 million in donations to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). Since 1987, McLane has helped raise more than $101 million through local fundraising efforts, hospital donations, underwriting of CMN Hospitals operations and supplier campaign support.

McLane's partnership serves to fund critical, life-saving treatments and health care services, innovative research and financial assistance for 170 children's hospitals dedicated to advancing the health of 10 million children each year across the U.S. and Canada.

"At McLane, there is a sense of pride and dedication among our teammates that stems from giving back to the communities we serve. Our longstanding partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals allows us and our supplier and customer partners to join forces in making a difference in the lives of children with critical needs across the country," said Tony Frankenberger, CEO of McLane. "We're proud to have reached this milestone and will continue our steadfast support for years to come."

A large part of McLane's support for CMN Hospitals comes from grassroots fundraising at more than 75 distribution centers across the country. Distribution centers engage their local communities in supporting local hospitals through a variety of events and fundraise directly with employee payroll giving programs. Their efforts demonstrate McLane teammates' deeply held commitment to CMN Hospitals, and their impact is evident:
‍

• McLane Phoenix recently supported the 21^st Annual Duel in the Desert Golf Tournament raising more than $30,000 benefitting Phoenix Children's Hospital while Charles Pray, McLane Phoenix division general manager, serves as a Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation corporate executive board member.
• McLane Suneast's annual golf tournament, employee giving and other initiatives have raised more than $2 million for CMN Hospitals in Central Florida since 1997.
• McLane Northeast and McLane Southwest have each raised over $1 million for local member hospitals of CMN Hospitals in their respective communities.

‍
McLane also provides support for CMN Hospitals' corporate events including the Program Director of the Year Award, presented to a local member hospital program director who exhibits selfless service, commitment and dedication. The award winner receives a $10,000 donation from McLane to their local member children's hospital.

Additionally, the McLane supplier community has generously joined in fundraising efforts and company-wide events like fishing and clay shoot tournaments as well as the McLane Charity Golf Classic, which raised $800,000 this year while helping to foster successful partnerships for CMN Hospitals.

"For 35 years, McLane has shown an unwavering commitment to change kids' health to change the future. We're immensely grateful to their leadership, team members, suppliers and customers for decades of generosity," said Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "We're delighted to celebrate over $100 million raised and the support provided to help local member children's hospitals fulfill their most urgent needs."

To learn more about the partnership between McLane and CMN Hospitals, visit our community page.

About McLane

McLane Company, Inc. is one of the largest supply chain services leaders in the United States, providing grocery and foodservice solutions for convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores, and chain restaurants. Through McLane Grocery and McLane Foodservice, McLane operates more than 80 distribution centers and one of the nation's largest private truck fleets. The company buys, sells, and delivers more than 50,000 consumer products to nearly 110,000 locations across the U.S. Additionally, McLane provides alcoholic beverage distribution through its subsidiary, Empire Distributors, Inc. McLane is a wholly owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK). Visit mclaneco.com for more information.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals^® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals that support the health of 10 million kids each year across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids' and families' minds at ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids' health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children's hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

LearnyKids, the European market leader in customized products for children, is expanding to the U.S. and offering distribution and master distribution opportunities in the U.S. and Canada. Known for its personalized stories, including books, music albums, cartoons, and educative kits, as well as its e-learning academy, LearnyKids aims to help children learn and have fun at the same time.

Founded by Catherine Walker, LearnyKids was created with the goal of contributing to children's learning and positive development. Its products have been developed in partnership with children's experts and are inspired by the Montessori method, featuring high-quality original artwork and bright colors to engage children's imaginations.

With a turnkey concept, LearnyKids allows entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses in just a few days, offering a range of award-winning personalized stories that help children learn while having fun. The demand for personalized gifts is expected to grow at a 5% yearly rate, with a projected market size of $7.37 billion, according to a Technavio study.

"Our unique concept allows entrepreneurs to personalize, print, and sell high-quality award-winning children's products easily and quickly, providing a meaningful and self-fulfilling activity," said Walker.

In January 2023, LearnyKids will officially launch at the Crowne Plaza, located at 1605 Broadway at 49th Street in New York City.

For more information, visit https://learnykids.fr/us/welcome-usa.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Nairobi Professional is proud to announce the launch of its newest product, Braid N’ Shine, a gel designed specifically for professional braiders, barbers, and those who wear locs and twists. Made with premium ingredients, Braid N’ Shine works on any hair texture and is easy to apply, keeping hair silky and providing a solid hold without stickiness.

Braid N’ Shine also eliminates frizzies, flakiness, humidity shrinkage, white residue, and smelly odors, all common concerns for those who regularly wear natural styles. Enriched with extracts from potent CBD oils, aloe plants, and avocados, this high-quality product nourishes the scalp, provides deep hydration, and promotes healthy hair growth, all while delivering maximum control. Braid N’ Shine delivers hair re-workability for today's on-the-go professionals and adds maximum shine without alcohol or greasiness, making it a time-saver and a modern-day "magic potion."

In addition to its benefits for natural styles, Braid N’ Shine is also excellent for hair extensions. It is available in two sizes: 4 oz (114 G) and 16 oz (450 G), and has a refreshing aloe scent.

"We are thrilled to re-introduce a product made especially for professional braiders and barbers, as well as loc and twist wearers," said Jackie Bush, Executive Director of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships of Nairobi Professional. "With over 350,000 professional hairstylists and barbers using our products internationally and receiving exceptional feedback from their clients, we are confident Braid N’ Shine will be a hit among professionals and their clients alike."

Nairobi Professional is a hair care brand developed for professional use, with a 30-year reputation as a premium hair care manufacturer. In addition to Braid N’ Shine, the brand offers a range of top-shelf products including Relaxers, Conditioners, Shampoos, Wet Styling, and Finishing lines. Nairobi Professional also has five other hair care lines: Pamper, Recovery, Kool Player, Tru Colors, and Dandra-Solv. Follow Nairobi Professional on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat at @nairobiprofessional.

For more information, visit http://nairobiprofessional.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Lake Travis Yacht Rentals, the largest fleet of yachts, double-deck pontoons with slides, and single-deck pontoons on Lake Travis near Devil's Cove, is pleased to announce its 2023 Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Boat Rentals in Austin, Texas on Lake Travis. For a limited time, from December 18, 2022, to January 1, 2023, customers can take advantage of special deals, including waiving the $19.95 booking fee.

Each boat is captained, so customers can focus on having fun and leave navigation and safety to the Lake Travis Yacht Rentals team. Plus, the boats come equipped with loud Infinity brand stereos with subwoofers and Bluetooth connectivity, a name-brand lily pad for guests to float on, pool noodles, a huge cooler for everyone's food and drinks, and fuel included.

For more information, please visit https://laketravisyachtrentals.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

New River Fine Art, South Florida's premier contemporary art gallery, is excited to announce the opening of Alex Katz - In Good Company, an exhibition featuring original paintings and drawings, fine art prints, and other artworks by the renowned contemporary artist. This exhibition will offer a unique look at the evolution of Katz's style and signature minimalistic aesthetic, showcasing his continued experimentation with form and color.

Over the course of his over seven-decade career, Katz has created an impressive body of work that includes portraiture, landscapes, and still life. Many of his most iconic paintings feature his wife and muse, Ada, and in this exhibition, Katz revisited some of these paintings by creating ten new fine art prints featuring Ada.

"In Good Company features both new prints and a host of works from Katz's archives," said Lisa Burgess, President of New River Fine Art. "His iconic style, stripped of all but the most essential elements, was once criticized as too simplistic but is now being reexamined and finding new appreciation among critics in light of his Guggenheim retrospective."

New River Fine Art's exhibition, Alex Katz - In Good Company, will be available to customers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 20, 2023, and will coincide with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum exhibition, Alex Katz: Gathering, a career retrospective on view from October 21, 2022, through February 20, 2023.

Wissam Elghoul, Gallery Director of New River Fine Art, said, "The fact that Katz is 95 years old and still producing artwork of such a high caliber is a testament to his creative drive. These are some of the finest prints I've seen in years."

Alex Katz is an American painter and sculptor whose works are known for their colorful, two-dimensional style and minimalistic aesthetic. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and he has received numerous awards. Alex Katz - In Good Company is sure to delight both longtime fans of Katz's work and those just discovering his unique vision.

New River Fine Art is one of South Florida's most prestigious fine art galleries, presenting original works and fine prints from Impressionist, 20th Century, Post-War, and Contemporary masters, as well as mid-career and emerging artists. It is the premier visual arts gallery in South Florida.
‍
For more information, visit https://newriverfineart.com.

‍Media Contact

‍‍EZ Newswire
‍hello@eznewswire.com

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com

Multi-Year Partnership Includes a BetMGM-Branded Restaurant and signage at Bridgestone Arena.

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced that the company now is an Official Sports Betting Partner of the Nashville Predators. The multi-year agreement includes BetMGM-branded signage throughout Bridgestone Arena and plans to open a branded BetMGM restaurant and bar on the arena's suite level.

"The Predators are a tremendous organization with one of the sport's most passionate fanbases," said BetMGM Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost. "We look forward to our partnership with the team and the opportunity to elevate Nashville's gameday experience."

BetMGM signage will be featured prominently at Bridgestone Arena, including an on-ice logo and on dasher boards during Predators games. The partnership strengthens BetMGM's presence in the state following its announcement as the Tennessee Titans' first sports betting partner in 2020.

Nashville Predators President & CEO Sean Henry said, "We are always looking for ways to enhance SMASHVILLE and bring a better experience to the best fans in sports. Integrating an industry leader like BetMGM into our building is a tremendous opportunity and we hope to continue to grow our partnership in the years to come."

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets, responsible gaming education remains a key focus. BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the GameSense integration within BetMGM's mobile and desktop platforms, customers can directly access responsible gaming tools.

The BetMGM Sportsbook app is accessible on both iOS and Android, as well as via desktop at www.betmgm.com. For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on Twitter.

About BetMGM

BetMGM is a market-leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Entain Plc (LSE: ENT), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM's U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain's US-licensed, state of the art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market-leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.betmgminc.com/.

About the Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators became the National Hockey League's 27th team on May 4, 1998 and have evolved from a young expansion franchise into a staple of the Middle Tennessee community in the years since. The team strives each season to reach its One Goal: becoming a Stanley Cup Champion hockey team while making Bridgestone Arena the number one sports and entertainment venue in the United States. In 2020 alone, with One Goal in mind, the Nashville Predators organization drove approximately $5.5 million in life-changing funds to assist a wide variety of relief efforts, non-profit organizations and individuals in need. On the ice, the team has seen historic success in recent seasons, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs eight straight times, a run headlined by a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2017-18, and earning a second consecutive Central Division title in 2018-19. For more information on the Nashville Predators, game schedule and ticket availability, please go to NashvillePredators.com.

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in MGM Resorts' public filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the partnership. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include effects of economic conditions and market conditions in the markets in which MGM Resorts operates and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, the design, timing and costs of expansion projects, risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions and additional risks and uncertainties described in MGM Resorts' Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, MGM Resorts is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If MGM Resorts updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.

Media Contact

EZ Newswire
hello@eznewswire.com