BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EPS Learning, a leading provider of literacy solutions for PreK-12 education, is proud to announce that its EPS Connect platform has achieved SOC 2 Type II attestation following an independent audit conducted by SC&H Attest Services, P.C.

SOC 2 Type II attestation is an industry-recognized review that evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of an organization's controls for protecting sensitive information over a period of time, based on the Trust Services Criteria for security established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The audit examined EPS Learning's controls related to the security of EPS Connect, including policies, procedures, risk management, incident response and disaster recovery processes, information and communication systems, and other operational measures designed to safeguard school and student data. The independent SOC 2 Type II audit provides EPS Learning's partner schools and districts additional assurance regarding the controls and processes in place to help protect student data.

"Security and responsible data management are foundational to the trust our school and district partners place in EPS Connect," said Monte Kalisch, Vice President, Technology, at EPS Learning. "Completing the SOC 2 Type II attestation reflects that we have established, documented, and tested controls designed to protect information and support our ability to respond to and recover from disruptions."

Administrators, teachers, and students use EPS Connect to digitally access instructional content and assessment tools and to monitor student progress. The platform provides instructional resources, assessments, and targeted practice, all tailored to specific EPS Learning solutions.

About EPS Learning 

EPS Learning has partnered with educators for more than 70 years to advance literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity. Grounded in the science of reading, the SPIRE Literacy Suite supports students in PreK-12 across all tiers of instruction with evidence-based solutions that build the foundational skills, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension essential for skilled reading. EPS Learning pairs proven literacy solutions with professional learning and implementation support to help educators deliver effective instruction and improve outcomes for every reader. Visit epslearning.com to learn more.  

Media Contact 

Crystal Miller, Vice President of Marketing, EPS Learning, 971-222-3599, [email protected] 

SOURCE EPS Learning

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The Orlando-based defense venture capital firm underwrites every investment for a 3-5x return on its own, arguing that a portfolio built to depend on one breakout winner is a slower and riskier way to generate returns than the industry assumes.

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Most venture funds are underwritten to need one enormous outcome: the single company that returns the whole fund and then some. Backswing Ventures, an early-stage defense venture capital firm, argues that a fund built around disciplined, independently justified bets can outperform one waiting on a unicorn, and do it faster.

The Unicorn Model Is Slower Than the Pitch Decks Suggest

Venture capital's standard model asks a large majority of portfolio companies to underperform so a single winner can pay for the fund. Backswing says that math is getting harder to rely on. Outsized outcomes still happen. They're simply taking longer to turn into cash that reaches investors.

Carta's Q1 2026 fund-performance data shows the gap. Among 2017 and 2018 vintage funds, the ones with enough time to have realized outcomes, fewer than 20% have returned even 1x DPI to their limited partners. Paper valuations don't pay LPs back. Distributions do.

SpaceX makes the same point on a bigger stage. The company was founded in 2002 and didn't hand shareholders a liquid outcome until its initial public offering closed in June 2026, 24 years later. It may be the clearest unicorn outcome venture capital has ever produced, and it still asked its earliest backers to wait a generation for a payout.

"The venture math everyone learned assumes one company in the portfolio has to do all the work," said Kyle Asman, Founder and Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures. "We'd rather build a fund where no single company has to."

Entry Price Carries as Much Weight as the Exit Headline

If a fund isn't counting on a unicorn, what it pays going in starts to matter as much as what a company might be worth someday. PitchBook's data makes the case for why:

- Median U.S. venture-backed acquisition, 2023: $60.6 million

- Share of U.S. venture exits that were acquisitions, 2023: approximately 69%

Most venture-backed companies don't need to dominate an industry. They need a buyer, and a reasonable one is usually available well below unicorn status.

"An 8% stake in a $250 million outcome and a 1% stake in a $2 billion outcome pay the same," Asman said. "One of those is a lot easier to get right, and it starts with what you pay to get in."

In Defense, a Single Component Can Be the Whole Business

Backswing applies the same underwriting logic to its core sector. A defense startup doesn't need to build a complete weapons system to produce a venture-scale outcome. A sensor that fits a dozen different platforms, a power system, a navigation or communications layer: each can be a durable, sellable business without the company ever building the program around it.

Rocket Lab's 2025 acquisition of Geost put a price on that idea. Rocket Lab paid $275 million for Geost's electro-optical and infrared sensor technology, a component built to plug into many different national-security platforms rather than a single finished system.

"Selling into an ecosystem is a smaller, more repeatable bet than trying to own an entire platform," Asman said. "Those are the kinds of businesses we look for."

A Fund That Isn't Waiting on One Company

Backswing describes its process as a series of individually justified bets rather than a search for a single breakout winner. Each investment is expected to clear a 3-5x return on its own: price, ownership stake, market size, and a credible buyer all have to line up before the firm considers what happens if a company outperforms.

"A 3x return isn't a disappointment," Asman said. "A $200 million exit isn't a failure just because someone else's company sold for $2 billion. Our job isn't to find the company that returns the whole fund. It's to build a fund that was never counting on one."

About Backswing Ventures

Backswing Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on dual-use and defense technology companies. The firm invests in businesses building next-generation capabilities across aerospace, autonomy, defense systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and national security technologies. Backswing Ventures' Fund II surpassed 1.0x DPI in under three years, making it among the top-performing 2023-vintage venture funds in the country.

Media Contact

Backswing Ventures

[email protected]

SOURCE Backswing Ventures

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In the news release, Mancini Recognized in Fast Company's 2026 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, issued 08-Sep-2026 by Mancini Duffy over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Mancini Recognized in Fast Company's 2026 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mancini, a national architecture and design firm with a 110-year history, has earned the No. 69 position on Fast Company's 2026 list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators.

The annual awards recognize organizations that give employees at every level the freedom, resources, and support to develop ideas that move their industries forward. Mancini was selected for a culture that empowers its architects and designers to look critically at how they work, identify opportunities for improvement, and build their own solutions.

At Mancini, innovation does not sit within a separate technology department. It comes directly from inside the practice. The people designing buildings are also designing the systems through which those buildings are imagined, tested, and delivered. Many of the firm's most transformative technologies began with employees questioning an everyday process and being given the opportunity to develop a better one.

"The people closest to the work understand its challenges better than anyone else, so we give our team the freedom to solve them," said Christian Giordano, President of Mancini. "Our responsibility as leaders is to give people the time and resources to pursue a good idea, remove the red tape, and trust them to take it somewhere. That is how innovation becomes part of a company's culture rather than simply something it talks about."

This philosophy led to the creation of Mancini's Design Lab, an internal incubator that brings together people from across the firm to explore emerging technologies, test ideas, and turn promising concepts into practical tools. It has also enabled architects and designers without traditional software development backgrounds to teach themselves new skills and create enterprise-level platforms tailored specifically to the needs of an architecture firm.

Among those innovations is MIKA, the Mancini Information and Knowledge Assistant, an internally developed AI platform that connects critical knowledge and workflows across the firm. What began as a response to an everyday operational challenge has grown into a broader system designed around how architects and designers actually work.

Mancini also developed and patented The Toolbelt, a suite of virtual and augmented reality technologies that allows project teams and clients to enter, experience, and modify designs in real time. Through the firm's 360 Design Sessions, clients can understand spatial relationships, test options, and make informed decisions much earlier in the design process. Those decisions are reflected directly in the project model, strengthening alignment, accelerating approvals, and reducing costly revisions later.

Together, these tools represent more than an investment in technology. They reflect Mancini's belief that a workplace becomes innovative when employees are trusted to challenge established processes and given a meaningful role in shaping what comes next.

Mancini joins companies including Anthropic, Chipotle, Morgan Stanley, and GE among Fast Company's 2026 honorees.

The recognition follows another period of significant growth for Mancini. The firm ranked No. 52 on Interior Design's 2026 Top 100 Giants list and No. 25 on its 2026 Hospitality Giants list, rising 21 positions from No. 46 in 2025.

ABOUT MANCINI

Mancini Duffy is a national award-winning design firm with a legacy spanning over 100 years. Headquartered in New York City, Mancini has regional offices in Millburn and Red Bank, New Jersey, Phoenix, Arizona, Seattle, Washington, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Florida. Known for its forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation, the firm integrates cutting-edge technology with design excellence to shape the built environment for the future.

Correction: The list of other Fast Company 2026 honorees has been updated.

SOURCE Mancini Duffy

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Massachusetts Technology Executive Named Toastmasters International President

Stefano S. McGhee becomes leader of global educational organization

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stefano S. McGhee, DTM, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International, the world's leading organization devoted to communication and leadership skills development. McGhee assumed the one-year term at the organization's 2026 International Convention, held in Vancouver, Canada, Aug. 19-22.

McGhee, most recently worked as the Senior Director of Technology Operations for Harvard Business Publishing. He led a team of cloud engineers, architects, integration engineers, and help desk technicians in ensuring the availability and stability of the organization's most critical applications, including Harvard Business Review.

McGhee earned a master's degree in military operational arts and sciences from the United States Air Force's higher education organization. During his time in school, McGhee earned the International Security Studies Research Award for his work that was of interest to national security. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, where he shares the wonder of flying with children and young adults. He is also a motorcycle enthusiast and leader at a local yacht club.

A Toastmaster since 2005, McGhee's home club is Network Voice Toastmasters in Weymouth. He has held several high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.

"To those willing to put the time in, Toastmasters gives the critical skills to be a better version of yourself," he says. "From there, you can confidently take on more challenges at work and life and become the sought-after leader needed in today's world."

As an officer of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, McGhee is a "working ambassador" for the organization. He works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with over 245,000 members in more than 14,000 clubs in nearly 150 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org.

SOURCE Toastmasters International

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EntangleX Announces Collaboration with TraderMade Systems Ltd to Test AI and Quantum-Powered Financial Prediction Models

LOCUST VALLEY, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TraderMade Systems Ltd, a leading provider of foreign exchange market data and financial technology solutions, today announced a collaboration with EntangleX, part of the QuantumX Group, to support the testing and evaluation of advanced financial market prediction models.

As part of the collaboration, EntangleX will use TraderMade's high-quality real-time and historical foreign exchange data to test and validate predictive models developed using artificial intelligence, machine learning and emerging quantum computing techniques.

The project brings together TraderMade's expertise in financial market data with EntangleX's work in advanced computational modelling. The initial focus will be on foreign exchange markets, where the depth and volume of market data provide a strong environment for evaluating the performance and reliability of predictive technologies.

EntangleX is exploring how AI and quantum computing approaches can be applied to complex financial datasets to identify patterns, relationships and market behaviours that may be difficult to detect using more traditional analytical methods.

Chris Randall, CEO of TraderMade Systems Ltd, said:

"We are pleased to be working with EntangleX and the wider QuantumX Group on this project. AI and quantum computing are creating exciting new opportunities in quantitative finance, but the quality of any predictive model depends heavily on the quality of the data behind it.

TraderMade will provide the accurate and reliable FX data needed to test these technologies against real-world market behaviour. We are very interested to see how these advanced modelling techniques can be applied to financial market analysis."

The collaboration will allow EntangleX to benchmark its models against established market data and assess performance across different market conditions.

Ujjwal Roy, spokesperson EntangleX / QuantumX said: "Access to reliable market data is essential when developing and testing advanced prediction models. TraderMade provides the depth and quality of FX data required to evaluate our technology in real-world conditions. By combining high-quality financial data with artificial intelligence and quantum computing techniques, we aim to explore new approaches to market modelling and forecasting."

The initial programme will focus on testing, benchmarking and evaluating EntangleX models using TraderMade FX datasets, with both companies exploring further opportunities for collaboration as the project develops.

About TraderMade Systems Ltd

TraderMade Systems Ltd provides real-time and historical foreign exchange and financial market data, APIs and technology solutions to financial institutions, fintech companies, developers and quantitative research teams. Its market data is used across trading, analytics, research, financial applications and data-driven modelling.

About EntangleX

EntangleX, part of the QuantumX Group of Two Hands Corporation, develops advanced financial modelling technologies incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing techniques. Its work focuses on applying next-generation computational approaches to complex financial datasets for market analysis and predictive modelling. Two Hands Corporation (OTCID: TWOH) is a publicly traded company focused on identifying and developing opportunities in quantum technology, artificial intelligence applications and related emerging technology sectors. The Company is advancing its strategic transition toward technology-focused opportunities while continuing to evaluate complementary technologies and potential commercial applications.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the testing, evaluation, functionality and performance of EntangleX's artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing technologies; the ability of such technologies to identify patterns, relationships or market behaviours within financial market data; the potential applications of EntangleX's technologies in financial modelling and forecasting; the anticipated scope and results of the collaboration with TraderMade Systems Ltd; potential future opportunities arising from the collaboration; the possible commercialization of EntangleX technologies; and the Company's business strategy and transition toward quantum technology, artificial intelligence and related emerging technology opportunities.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

These risks and uncertainties include technical feasibility and performance, the results of testing and validation, the availability and quality of third-party data, development delays, reliance on third-party software and infrastructure, access to qualified personnel and financial resources, cybersecurity and data-protection risks, intellectual-property risks, competition, market acceptance, regulatory developments, market conditions and the Company's ability to execute its business strategy.

There can be no assurance that testing or evaluation will produce anticipated results, that the technologies discussed will achieve anticipated performance or commercial applications, that the collaboration will result in any further agreement or commercial relationship, or that any contemplated commercial objective will be achieved. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding risk factors is available in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Two Hands Corporation

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SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung

Immobilienverkauf mit Mehrwert, Transparenz und moderner Vermarktung

Groß-Bieberau (ots)

Wer heute eine Immobilie verkaufen möchte, steht vor einem Markt, der sich in den vergangenen Jahren deutlich verändert hat. Kaufinteressenten achten längst nicht mehr nur auf Lage, Größe und Ausstattung eines Objekts. Auch Faktoren wie Energieeffizienz, Modernisierungsbedarf, mögliche Förderungen und langfristige Betriebskosten spielen eine immer größere Rolle. Diese Aspekte beeinflussen nicht nur den Wert einer Immobilie, sondern häufig auch die Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten potenzieller Käufer und damit letztlich den Erfolg des Verkaufs.

SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung aus Groß-Bieberau vereint seit mehr als 30 Jahren Erfahrung in der Immobilienvermittlung mit fundierter und zertifizierter Energieberatung im Raum Darmstadt-Dieburg, Rhein-Main Gebiet, Odenwald und Bergstraße. Durch diese besondere Kombination erhalten Eigentümer alle wichtigen Leistungen aus einer Hand - von der ersten Beratung und Wertermittlung über die professionelle Vermarktung bis hin zur erfolgreichen Übergabe der Immobilie. Ziel ist es, den Verkaufsprozess transparent, effizient und für alle Beteiligten möglichst unkompliziert zu gestalten.

Individuelle Betreuung von Anfang an

Jede Immobilie ist einzigartig und verdient eine individuelle Vermarktungsstrategie. Deshalb beginnt die Zusammenarbeit mit einer ausführlichen Analyse des Objekts und einer realistischen Marktwertermittlung. Florian Senger begleitet Eigentümer persönlich durch den gesamten Verkaufsprozess und unterstützt dabei, die besonderen Stärken der Immobilie gezielt herauszuarbeiten.

Ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Vorbereitung sind vollständige und aussagekräftige Unterlagen. Dazu zählen unter anderem aktuelle Energieausweise, Grundrisse, Wohnflächenberechnungen, Objektbeschreibungen sowie individuelle Sanierungsfahrpläne (iSFP). Gerade bei älteren Immobilien schaffen transparente Informationen über den energetischen Zustand Vertrauen bei Kaufinteressenten und reduzieren Rückfragen während des Verkaufsprozesses.

Energieberatung als entscheidender Mehrwert

Das Thema Energieeffizienz gewinnt sowohl für Käufer als auch für Banken zunehmend an Bedeutung. Viele Interessenten möchten bereits vor dem Kauf wissen, welche energetischen Verbesserungen möglich sind und mit welchen Investitionen sie rechnen müssen. Hier bietet die Verbindung von Immobilienmakler und Energieberatung einen entscheidenden Vorteil.

Ein individueller Sanierungsfahrplan zeigt mögliche Maßnahmen zur energetischen Optimierung eines Gebäudes auf und bietet eine klare Orientierung für zukünftige Modernisierungen. Gleichzeitig informiert er über mögliche Förderprogramme und Zuschüsse. Für Banken können solche Unterlagen eine wichtige Grundlage bei der Finanzierung sein, da sie die langfristige Entwicklung und Werthaltigkeit einer Immobilie besser einschätzen lassen. Neben klassischen Wohngebäuden können selbstverständlich auch individuelle Sanierungsfahrpläne für denkmalgeschützte Immobilien erstellt werden. Dies erfordert besondere Fachkenntnisse und Qualifikationen des Energieberaters, über die SENGER Immobilien verfügt. Darüber hinaus können die gemäß QNG vorgeschriebenen LCA-Bilanzierungen für Neubauprojekte ebenfalls durchgeführt werden.

Für Verkäufer bedeutet dies häufig bessere Vermarktungschancen, mehr Vertrauen bei Interessenten und einen insgesamt reibungsloseren Verkaufsprozess. Potenzielle Käufer erhalten bereits frühzeitig wichtige Informationen und können fundierte Entscheidungen treffen.

Professionelle Präsentation für einen starken ersten Eindruck

Der erste Eindruck entscheidet oft darüber, ob sich ein Interessent intensiver mit einer Immobilie beschäftigt. Deshalb legt SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung großen Wert auf eine hochwertige Präsentation aller Objekte.

Zum Leistungsumfang gehören professionelle Exposés mit aussagekräftigen Fotos, moderne 3D-Grundrisse sowie virtuelle 360-Grad-Rundgänge. Diese ermöglichen es Interessenten, sich bereits vor einer Besichtigung ein realistisches Bild von der Immobilie zu machen. Gleichzeitig werden die Vorzüge und Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten eines Objekts anschaulich dargestellt.

Durch diese moderne Präsentation können Besichtigungstermine effizienter gestaltet werden, da sich Interessenten bereits im Vorfeld intensiv mit dem Objekt auseinandersetzen können. Dies spart Zeit für Verkäufer und sorgt für qualifiziertere Anfragen.

Digitale Vermarktung mit großer Reichweite

Eine erfolgreiche Immobilienvermarktung erfordert heute weit mehr als die Veröffentlichung eines Inserats. SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung nutzt moderne digitale Vermarktungsstrategien, um Immobilien einer möglichst großen und gleichzeitig passenden Zielgruppe zu präsentieren.

Die Vermarktung erfolgt über relevante Online-Portale, digitale Netzwerke und weitere zielgerichtete Kanäle. Dadurch wird eine hohe Reichweite erzielt und die Sichtbarkeit der Immobilie deutlich erhöht. Alle Informationen werden übersichtlich, verständlich und professionell aufbereitet - sowohl digital als auch auf Wunsch in gedruckter Form.

Durch die Kombination aus moderner Technik, langjähriger Markterfahrung und persönlicher Betreuung wird sichergestellt, dass jede Immobilie bestmöglich präsentiert und vermarktet wird.

Objekttracking - jederzeit den Überblick behalten

Ein Immobilienverkauf sollte keine Blackbox sein. Mit dem innovativen Objekttracking bietet SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung Eigentümern jederzeit Einblick in den aktuellen Vermarktungsstand. Über einen geschützten Bereich lassen sich Besichtigungen, Vermarktungsaktivitäten und deren Ergebnisse transparent nachvollziehen.

Darüber hinaus sehen Eigentümer, welchen Interessenten ihre Immobilie vorgestellt wurde und welche Maßnahmen aktuell umgesetzt werden. So entsteht ein Höchstmaß an Transparenz - und die Sicherheit, jederzeit über alle Schritte informiert zu sein. Dieser Service ist für Verkäufer und Vermieter selbstverständlich kostenfrei.

Regional verwurzelt, bundesweit vernetzt

Seit über drei Jahrzehnten ist SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung im Kreis Darmstadt-Dieburg sowie im gesamten Rhein-Main-Gebiet erfolgreich tätig. Die langjährige regionale Marktkenntnis ermöglicht eine fundierte Einschätzung von Immobilienwerten und Marktchancen.

Darüber hinaus verfügt das Unternehmen über ein umfangreiches Netzwerk aus Handwerkern, Energieexperten, Architekten, Notaren und unabhängigen Finanzierungsspezialisten. Eigentümer profitieren dadurch von kurzen Wegen und kompetenten Ansprechpartnern für alle Fragen rund um die Immobilie.

Ergänzt wird dieses Netzwerk durch bundesweite Kooperationen mit unabhängigen Immobilienmaklern. Dadurch können auch Immobilienverkäufe außerhalb der Region professionell begleitet und betreut werden.

Tippgeber profitieren ebenfalls

Sie kennen eine Immobilie, die verkauft werden soll? Auch Tippgeber können von einer erfolgreichen Vermittlung profitieren. Wer einen Immobilienverkauf an SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung vermittelt, kann nach erfolgreichem Abschluss eine attraktive Tippgeberprämie von bis zu 10 Prozent des erzielten Provisionsbetrags erhalten.

"Ein erfolgreicher Immobilienverkauf beginnt mit einer realistischen Bewertung, transparenten Unterlagen und einer überzeugenden Präsentation", sagt Florian Senger.

Mit der Verbindung aus langjähriger Erfahrung in der Immobilienvermittlung, zertifizierter Energieberatung, moderner Vermarktung und persönlicher Betreuung bietet SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung Eigentümern eine umfassende Unterstützung für einen erfolgreichen Immobilienverkauf. Das Ergebnis ist ein professioneller Verkaufsprozess, der Vertrauen schafft, Chancen optimal nutzt und die Grundlage für den bestmöglichen Verkaufserfolg bildet.

Weiterführende Informationen finden Sie unter: https://www.senger-immobilien.de/

Pressekontakt:

SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung

Ober-Ramstädter Str. 18

64401 Groß-Bieberau

Tel.: 06162 8015960

E-Mail: immobilien@fse-gruppe.de

https://www.senger-immobilien.de/

Pressekontakt:

redaktion@dimaconcept.de

www.dimaconcept.de

Original-Content von: SENGER Immobilien & Energieberatung, übermittelt durch news aktuell

oneworld Loyalty Summit Brings Together Experts to Explore Latest Trends and Innovations Shaping the Loyalty Landscape

Summit provides unique forum for loyalty start-ups to pitch to leaders across airlines, travel, hospitality, financial services and technology

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the oneworld® Alliance and its 15 member airlines are convening experts, innovators and industry trend watchers in customer loyalty for the inaugural oneworld Loyalty Summit, the first event of its kind hosted by an airline alliance. The summit will create a new platform for industry collaboration and dialogue, helping to shape the future of customer loyalty beyond the journey itself.

"Loyalty has an ever-expanding role as a strategic growth engine for travel businesses, powered by technology, greater personalisation and new partnerships to meet changing customer expectations," said Ole Orvér, CEO of oneworld. "Our member airlines are already leading the field around the world, so we are creating a forum where experts from across the loyalty spectrum can share ideas, discuss trends and drive thought-provoking conversations about what's next for loyalty."

The one-day event will feature insights from leaders including:

- Ole Orvér, CEO of oneworld

- Nat Pieper, Chief Commercial Officer, American Airlines

- Brian Kelly, Founder & CEO, The Points Guy

- Sarah Moore, Senior Vice President & Head of Travel, Capital One

- Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, The Indian Hotels Company Limited

- Gary Leff, Founder, View from the Wing

- Scott Long, Senior Vice President, American Airlines AAdvantage

- Alex Hunter, Head of Loyalty, International Airlines Group (IAG)

- Kate Sherwood, Head of Loyalty and Partnerships, Qantas

- Xavier Tausky, Vice President Loyalty, Qatar Airways

"Delivering a personalised, more rewarding loyalty experience is something oneworld and our member airlines obsess about every day. We are constantly looking for ways to add value by touching customers' day-to-day engagements, from how they shop to where they stay and how they bank," said Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at oneworld. "Today's summit is an opportunity to explore how other sectors use technology, meet start-ups and create a future for loyalty that makes the most of customers' every interaction with oneworld and our partners."

Discovering emerging Loyalty innovation

Unique to the oneworld Loyalty Summit, live business investment pitches will provide start-ups with a powerful platform to put new ideas directly in front of industry decision makers and loyalty leaders. Each speed session will give summit attendees an early look at new technologies and business models that could help address some of the sector's biggest opportunities. The pitches include:

- Reclaim Protocol – Managing loyalty fraud and digital verification

- FrequentFan – Expanding redemption categories

- WeatherPromise – Trip assurance for ancillaries

- SmartMedia Technologies – Driving loyalty engagement

- Rove – Untapped loyalty revenue

- Bonafide – AI & brand loyalty identity

About oneworld:

oneworld brings together 15 world-class airlines – Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines to nearly 1,000 destinations. oneworld member airlines work together to consistently deliver a superior, consistent travel experience, with special rewards and privileges for its frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network, access to airport lounges, priority check in and boarding and extra baggage allowances and more. Learn more about the oneworld Alliance at oneworld.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

[email protected] 

SOURCE oneworld Management Company, Inc

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Natural Field amplía su plataforma NF TriSolve® al ámbito del bienestar del sueño

-Natural Field amplía su plataforma NF TriSolve® al ámbito del bienestar del sueño con soluciones nutracéuticas basadas en la ciencia

SHANGHÁI, 8 de septiembre de 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Field, proveedor de soluciones de ingredientes nutracéuticos impulsado por la tecnología, anunció la expansión de su plataforma de soluciones nutracéuticas bajo la marca NF TriSolve® hacia la categoría de bienestar del sueño, con la introducción de NF TriSolve® SleepRestore Complex.

NF TriSolve® representa la plataforma de soluciones nutracéuticas de marca de Natural Field, diseñada para transformar la experiencia en ingredientes funcionales, la investigación científica y las capacidades de formulación en soluciones de bienestar específicas para marcas de nutrición a nivel mundial.

La plataforma integra diversas etapas de innovación, incluyendo la estrategia de ingredientes, el desarrollo de formulaciones, la evaluación científica y el apoyo en la aplicación, ayudando a los socios a desarrollar productos diferenciados en categorías de salud emergentes. En lugar de centrarse únicamente en ingredientes individuales, NF TriSolve® se basa en la conexión entre necesidades de bienestar específicas, ingredientes funcionales, estrategias de formulación y aplicaciones del producto.

El lanzamiento de NF TriSolve® SleepRestore Complex marca la incursión de Natural Field en el creciente mercado del bienestar relacionado con el sueño. Desarrollada mediante un enfoque de innovación orientado a soluciones, la formulación combina múltiples componentes funcionales en un concepto coordinado, diseñado para aplicaciones nutracéuticas enfocadas en el sueño.

Natural Field aplica un enfoque de desarrollo basado en la ciencia a las soluciones NF TriSolve®, combinando hallazgos de investigación, experiencia en formulación y consideraciones de aplicación para respaldar el desarrollo de productos nutricionales de nueva generación.

Sobre esta base, Natural Field encargó a Hunter Biotech la realización de estudios adicionales de evaluación preclínica. La investigación asociada abarca evaluaciones a nivel celular, análisis de principios activos y estudios mediante modelos in vitro. Estos estudios tienen como objetivo explorar las características de la formulación, el rendimiento de los ingredientes y el valor potencial de aplicación, proporcionando así respaldo científico para la posterior optimización de la fórmula y el desarrollo del producto.

A través de la plataforma NF TriSolve®, Natural Field continúa desarrollando soluciones centradas en categorías clave de bienestar tales como el envejecimiento saludable, la salud articular y la calidad del sueño, al tiempo que satisface la creciente demanda de conceptos de bienestar específicos, alineados con las necesidades cambiantes de los consumidores.

Acerca de Natural Field

Natural Field es un proveedor de soluciones de ingredientes nutracéuticos impulsado por la tecnología, con más de dos décadas de experiencia en la industria mundial de la nutrición y el bienestar.

La empresa se centra en desarrollar soluciones nutricionales diferenciadas mediante investigación científica, tecnologías de formulación avanzadas y plataformas de soluciones de marca propia, incluidas NF co-loading® y NF TriSolve®.

A través de sus plataformas tecnológicas y su enfoque de innovación orientado a soluciones, Natural Field ayuda a socios de todo el mundo a desarrollar productos en categorías como el envejecimiento saludable, el bienestar del sueño, la nutrición deportiva y otras áreas de la nutrición funcional.

Natural Field

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www.natural-field.com

www.naturalfieldinc.com

www.naturalfieldtech.com

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National Land Partners points to USDA land-value data and the $696.7 billion outdoor recreation economy ahead of a September 19 Blue Ridge Mountain land offering

WARNE, N.C., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A limited collection of 1 to 3+ acre high-elevation Blue Ridge Mountain properties will come to market September 19, 2026, as North Carolina land values continue to trend upward and outdoor recreation remains a significant part of the U.S. economy. National Land Partners, a recreational and residential land development company with more than half a century of industry experience, is bringing the offering to market, with properties starting at $34,900. Interested buyers are encouraged to reserve a private property tour before the sale by calling 877-888-0226 or visiting NCMountainLandSales.com.

The September 19 offering comes against a backdrop of rising land values across North Carolina. According to 2025 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Carolina farm real estate average price per acre was up 5.4% from 2024. Nationally, farm real estate values averages increased 4.3%.

While agricultural land values are not directly comparable to individual residential and recreational properties, the figures provide broader context for the direction of land values in North Carolina. USDA data also show North Carolina farm real estate values increasing roughly 15% over four years.

Land Ownership Meets a Growing Outdoor Economy

The broader economic significance of outdoor recreation provides another lens through which to view demand for recreational property. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that outdoor recreation generated $696.7 billion in value added in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of U.S. gross domestic product.

That economy spans activities such as boating, hiking, fishing and hunting, as well as travel, tourism and supporting industries connected to outdoor experiences. For recreational land buyers, access to those can add to a property's practical and lifestyle value.

The Blue Ridge Mountain region illustrates how those factors can converge. The area surrounding the September 19 offering provides access to approximately 1.4 million acres of national forest across North Carolina and Georgia, including mountains, trails, waterfalls, rivers, streams and protected wilderness. Multiple mountain lakes, golf, resorts, spas, whitewater rafting and watersports are also within reach, with easy access to the major metropolitan cities of Asheville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Knoxville.

"Ten years ago, one of the first questions might have been price per acre. Today we're just as likely to hear questions about proximity to a lake and outdoor recreation, fiber internet, whether buyers can build later, or how far the property is from a major city or airport," said Hank Rogers, Sales Manager for National Land Partners. "Buyers are increasingly balancing privacy and recreation with practical consideration such as connectivity, services, and access to large cities" Rogers added.

What Buyers Should Evaluate When Purchasing Recreational Land

Based on more than five decades of land development and sales experience, National Land Partners says recreational buyers should evaluate several factors beyond acreage and price, including topography, road access, utilities, internet availability, building flexibility, financing and proximity to recreation.

Those factors can affect everything from views and access to future construction costs, timing and how frequently an owner can realistically use the property.

National Land Partners encourages private property tours so buyers can walk individual homesites, compare terrain and views, understand available infrastructure and consider how each property aligns with their long-term plans.

"Land is personal because every buyer is looking for something a little different," said Chip Watkeys, Partner at National Land Partners. "Walking the property gives buyers the opportunity to evaluate the things that can't always be understood from a listing, including the terrain, views, surroundings and how the land feels in person."

National Land Partners will release the limited collection of 1- to 3+ acre Blue Ridge Mountain properties on September 19, 2026. Additional information about the offering and private property tours is available at NCMountainLandSales.com or by calling/texting 877-888-0226.

About National Land Partners

National Land Partners is a recreational and residential land development and marketing company with more than half a century of experience in land acquisition, development and sales. The company and its affiliates develop and market land opportunities throughout the United States with an emphasis on natural resources, accessibility and the land-buying experience.

For more information, visit NationalLandPartners.com.

About Blue Ridge Land Partners

Blue Ridge Land Partners, an affiliate of National Land Partners, specializes in developing expansive mountaintop communities throughout the southeastern United States. Backed by more than five decades of land development experience, the company connects buyers with exceptional, large acreage mountain properties featuring breathtaking views, desirable amenities and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Through transparent transactions and personalized service, Blue Ridge Land Partners helps families find a place to escape, build and create a lasting legacy.

Media Contact

Melissa Robinson

Advertising Manager

National Land Partners

Phone: (413) 458-5220

Sources

- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service - 2025 Farm Real Estate Value by State

- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis - Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024

SOURCE National Land Partners

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SHIPMAN & GOODWIN LLP EXPANDS INTO DALLAS, TEXAS, WITH ADDITION OF RESTRUCTURING PARTNERS RACHAEL L. SMILEY AND MEGAN F. CLONTZ

Expanding Nationally Recognized Workout Bench

in One of the Busiest Jurisdictions in the Country for Bankruptcy Filings

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shipman & Goodwin LLP (Shipman), a full-service law firm, today announced the firm's expansion into Dallas, Texas, with the addition of two accomplished restructuring attorneys, Rachael L. Smiley and Megan F. Clontz. Both join Shipman's Workout, Restructure and Bankruptcy Practice Group, further strengthening the firm's national creditors' rights and insolvency capabilities.

The new Dallas office marks a significant milestone in Shipman's continued geographic growth, building on the firm's recent expansion into Boston and reinforcing its position as a go-to firm for creditors, lenders, and financial institutions navigating complex workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy proceedings nationwide.

"Bringing Rachael and Megan on board, and establishing our presence in Dallas, reflects our firm's ongoing commitment to strategic, thoughtful growth," said Leander A. Dolphin, Shipman's Managing Partner. "Their arrival allows us to better serve clients in one of the country's most active markets for restructuring and insolvency work, while extending our national footprint in a way that stays true to who we are as a firm."

Smiley and Clontz join Shipman from Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC in Dallas, where both built substantial practices representing debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, and other stakeholders in Chapter 11 proceedings and related litigation, as well as out-of-court workouts and restructurings. "Shipman has been a valuable co-counsel and referral source for me in Texas restructuring matters for many years," said Smiley. "I am honored to join this nationally renowned practice and to have the opportunity to work with fantastic lawyers I have immense respect for."

Smiley, who will serve as the Partner-in-Charge of the Dallas office, brings nearly twenty years of experience across the full spectrum of Chapter 11 reorganization work.

Clontz is focused on business reorganizations, restructurings, and debtor and creditor rights litigation, representing clients across Chapters 7, 11, and 13 as well as non-bankruptcy insolvency matters.

"Rachael and Megan are exceptional additions to our team," said Eric S. Goldstein, Chair of Shipman's Workout, Restructure and Bankruptcy Practice Group. "Their deep experience representing creditors and debtors alike, combined with their standing in the Dallas legal and restructuring community, will immediately enhance the depth and reach of our national practice. As distressed-asset activity continues to grow, having trusted advisors on the ground in Texas is a real advantage for our clients."

Shipman's value lies in its commitment to its clients, the profession, and the community. With offices throughout the Northeast region, and now in Dallas, Texas, the full-service law firm serves the needs of national and international public and private companies, educational institutions, governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Shipman is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the firm, legal profession, and community. For more information, visit www.shipmangoodwin.com.

SOURCE Shipman & Goodwin LLP

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