Kindergarten Readiness Goes Beyond Reading and Math, Archway Academy Says

With South Carolina assessing readiness across academic, social and physical domains, Archway Academy President Tami Nix explains how play, movement and independence prepare children for school.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 6, 2026/PRNewswire/ -- South Carolina's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment measures children across four areas: Social Foundations, Language/Literacy, Mathematics, and Physical Well-Being. The framework places social and physical development alongside early academic skills, reflecting a broader view of what children need as they enter school.

At Archway Academy, the definition of readiness includes helping children build independence. Its Greenville campus provides a practical setting for that approach, with approximately 4.5 acres of park-like outdoor space that teachers use for planned learning activities as well as physical and imaginative play. "We're doing the academic piece, but we're also working on the whole child," said Tami Nix, President of Archway Academy. "Reading is important. It is the foundation for learning, but children need to have all those pieces together as we prepare them for kindergarten."

Kindergarten Readiness Starts With Independence

Early childhood education settings play a significant role in building those foundations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3 in 5 U.S. children under age 5 who have not entered kindergarten spend time in nonparental care at least weekly, placing much of their early development within childcare and preschool environments.

Kindergarten asks children to do more than recognize letters or count. They also have to manage basic routines, participate in groups, and function with greater independence. At Archway Academy, children practice age-appropriate self-help skills such as dressing themselves, managing restroom routines, participating in small-group activities and taking responsibility for classroom jobs. Teachers also work on emotional regulation and cooperation to help children become more comfortable learning and interacting with others.

"Academic skills matter, but a child also has to be ready to participate in the school day," Nix said. "If they can manage those routines and work with other children, they are better prepared to focus on learning."

Outdoor Learning Extends the Classroom

Learning does not have to stop at the classroom door. The CDC recommends two to three opportunities for outdoor active play each day and 90 to 120 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during an eight-hour day for preschoolers. At Archway Academy, children spend time outdoors in the morning and afternoon, with opportunities for both open-ended play and learning experiences.

"Outdoor experiences are a top priority for learning at Archway Academy," Nix said. "Our teachers provide organized activities and are intentional about the learning that happens outdoors."

That can include:

- Nature and science: nature hunts using leaves, sticks and pinecones, bird watching, gardening, and outdoor science activities. Classroom Gardens provide an opportunity for students to experience where our food comes from.

- Sensory and creative learning: sand and water activities, splash painting and other hands-on projects that use the outdoor environment.

- Literacy and group learning: circle time, group read-alouds, snacks, and other parts of the classroom routine moved outside when conditions allow.

- Movement and imagination: races, dancing, bubbles, and dramatic play that give children opportunities to move, cooperate, and create their own scenarios.

At the Greenville campus, the outdoor space includes age-specific areas and equipment, with a covered outdoor classroom that gives teachers another setting for learning and playing.

"Outdoor learning gives children room to move, touch, explore, and experience their surroundings," Nix said. "Preparing children for school should still leave room for them to learn the way young children naturally learn."

Technology Supports Learning, But Does Not Lead It

Parents may associate kindergarten readiness with how early a child can read or write, but play, imagination, and social interaction also give young children opportunities to build skills they will need in the classroom. "At Archway Academy, technology is a tool, not a substitute for play, exploration, and human connection," Nix says. "Our 4K students are introduced to simple coding through purposeful, hands-on learning experiences."

At Archway Academy, technology has a limited role in early childhood classrooms. Nix says the intent is to preserve more of the school day for conversation, relationships, and hands-on materials. That approach still incorporates a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum through hands-on activities, while leaving room for play, imagination, and interaction with teachers and peers. "Parents want their children prepared academically, but preparation does not require a two-, three-, or four-year-old to be sitting at a table reading and writing all day," Nix said. "You miss out on being a child, and a lot of those teachable moments come from human interaction."

About Archway Academy

When Tami Nix had the opportunity to acquire a small childcare business in 1985, she saw the foundation for something more than traditional daycare. More than 40 years later, Archway Academy has grown into a multi-site South Carolina early childhood education organization serving children from infancy through four-year-old kindergarten (4K), along with after-school and summer programs. Archway Academy's approach focuses on preparing the whole child through hands-on learning, trained teachers, parent involvement, and age-appropriate experiences that support children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Its newest campus in Greenville extends that approach across approximately 4.5 acres of park-like outdoor space. For more information, visit Archway Academy.

References:

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, April 3). HIOPS for physical activity. cdc.gov/early-care-education/php/obesity-prevention-standards/physical-activity.html CDC

- South Carolina Department of Education. (n.d.). Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP). ed.sc.gov/instruction/instructional-supports/cerdep/

- South Carolina Department of Education. (n.d.). Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). ed.sc.gov/tests/elementary/kindergarten-readiness-assessment-kra

Media Inquiries:

Karla Jo Helms

JOTO PR ™

727-777-4629

Jotopr.com

SOURCE Archway Academy

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LAS VEGAS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BLUETTI, a global clean energy provider, today unveiled its Prime Big Deal Days selection, featured on Amazon and the BLUETTI Website Oct. 6–7. Ranging from emergency home backup to grab-and-go power, the buyer's guide helps consumers stay prepared for fall storm blackouts, RV travel, and everyday power backup.

Elite 300 Overall Solar Generator

Serving as a versatile solution for both home emergency backup and outdoor off-grid living, the Elite 300 solar generator combines 3kWh-class capacity with a 2,400W continuous output. It easily powers essential household appliances during outages, while its dedicated TT-30R port and 12V/30A DC output provide seamless power for travel trailers and boondocking. The standalone Elite 300 starts at $999, with the popular off-grid setup paired with the SORA 500 solar panel available for $1,699 on Amazon and the BLUETTI Website.

Apex 300 Expandable Home Backup

For households that need dual-voltage capability and room to grow, the Apex 300 provides 120V/240V output from a single unit. With 2,764.8Wh of standalone capacity and 3,840W of output, it is designed to support demanding household loads, including well pumps, air conditioners and heaters. The system can expand to up to 58kWh of capacity and 11.5kW of output for more comprehensive home backup. The Apex 300 paired with a B300K expansion battery is featured at $2,399 across Amazon and the BLUETTI Website.

Elite 400 High-Capacity Mobile Power

The Elite 400 is designed for users who need substantial capacity while retaining the ability to move their power system. Its rolling chassis and retractable handle make 3,840Wh/2,600W of energy easier to transport between indoor and outdoor settings. The Elite 400 with two 200W solar panels is available for $1,699 on Amazon and the BLUETTI Website.

FridgePower: Dedicated Refrigerator Protection

Tailored specifically for household food preservation and critical cooling during outages, the FridgePower features an advanced refrigeration UPS protocol optimized to handle high compressor surge loads with a rapid 10ms UPS transfer time. This plug-and-play unit provides 2,016Wh capacity and 1,800W output—enough to keep a standard refrigerator running uninterrupted for up to 21.6 hours, with modular support for up to three expansion batteries for prolonged multi-day blackouts. The standalone FridgePower unit is available for $849 on Amazon and the BLUETTI Website.

Elite 200 V2 Everyday Home & RV Backup

Offering a balanced mix of capacity, portability, and long-term durability, the Elite 200 V2 features a long-lasting LiFePO₄ battery with up to 17 years of lifespan. Its whisper-quiet 30dB operation makes it ideal for essential household electronics, campsites, and RV travel. As a versatile pick for everyday household and outdoor backup, it starts at $799 on Amazon and the BLUETTI Website.

Elite 100 V2 & Elite 100 mini: Grab-and-Go Portable Power

For versatile lightweight power, the Elite 100 V2 offers 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output in a portable design built for road trips and camping, priced at $449. For ultra-compact needs, the latest Elite 100 mini packs 1,004.8Wh capacity and 700W output into BLUETTI's smallest 1kWh footprint, starting at an accessible $399 on Amazon.

About BLUETTI

Established in 2013, BLUETTI has evolved into a pioneer in the clean energy sector. Driven by robust in-house R&D and sustainable innovation, the brand empowers millions across 120+ countries to stay safe and prepared. Its portfolio of solar generators and home battery backup solutions ensures reliable power for emergency preparedness, RV travel, and off-grid lifestyles.

SOURCE BLUETTI POWER INC

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A Limited-Time Halloween Menu, the New Escape Pod Zombie Game and Halloween Prizes in the Human Crane Build to Two Ticketed Parties on Oct. 31

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween falls on a Saturday this year for the first time since 2020, and Dave & Buster's is giving friends every reason to summon their crew and make a night of it. Starting today, Dave & Buster's locations nationwide are serving a limited-time Halloween menu of cocktails, food and desserts, alongside the debut of Escape Pod, a five-minute zombie escape game, and the Human Crane stocked with new Halloween prizes. The month builds to Saturday, Oct. 31, when participating locations host two ticketed parties: the Moonlight Mixer for adults and the Boo Bash for families.

Halloween has become one of the biggest social occasions of the year. Nearly three in four U.S. consumers (74%) plan to celebrate this year and total spending is expected to reach $13.5 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Halloween survey. For adults, the night is less about trick-or-treating than about getting together with friends over food and drinks.

"Halloween is one of the best reasons of the year for adults to dress up and get the whole crew together for some fun, and food and drinks are at the heart of the festivities," said Jeremy Tucker, Chief Marketing Officer at Dave & Buster's. "We are not inventing a reason to go out. We are showing up for a night people already plan to celebrate, with a menu that looks and tastes like Halloween and the kind of play you can't get at a restaurant or a bar."

A limited-time menu that looks and tastes like Halloween

The celebration starts at the table. The Halloween menu brings the spirit of the holiday to life through its icons (vampire fangs, a mad scientist's syringe, a cauldron, ghostly glow in a glass) and its flavors, from candy-aisle chocolate and peanut butter to otherworldly heat. It is available for a limited time at Dave & Buster's locations nationwide.

Beverage Offerings:

- Freak Show: A wickedly smooth mix of Crown Royal Whisky, vanilla, premium citrus sour and aromatic bitters, topped with a Freakshow Cabernet float and finished with a dried orange and vampire fangs.

- Bad Medicine: A concoction of Midori, pineapple passion fruit and premium citrus sour served with a cherry JELL-O shot syringe, just what the mad scientist ordered.

- The Possession: A spellbinding mix of Absolut Vodka, cherry, Sprite and premium citrus sour with shimmering luster dust, finished with a sugar rim, glowing ice cube and freeze-dried grape ice cream.

- Cauldron Cream Soda: A mocktail option, with an alcohol-free Halloween spin on a dirty soda with Fanta Orange, and vanilla, served in a marshmallow whip-lined glass.

Food Offerings:

- Summon the Fire Sauce: Turn up the heat with a fiery blend of buffalo spice and zesty chili lime. Try it on wings or cheesesticks, perfect for sharing, if you dare.

- Love at First Bite: Sink your fangs into layers of rich chocolate cake and creamy peanut butter mousse made with REESE'S® Peanut Butter Cups, finished with chocolate and caramel drizzles, and REESE'S® Mini Peanut Butter Cups.

- Funeral Cake Fries: A Halloween twist on the Dave & Buster's favorite, topped with caramel drizzle, powdered sugar and festive sprinkles and served with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel for dipping.

Guests must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

Then the games begin

After the table comes the play. Escape Pod, making its debut at Dave & Buster's, is a zombie escape room in game form: guests step inside with a friend and have five minutes to solve its challenges and escape the zombies. The Human Crane, the life-sized claw machine that turns the guest into the claw, has been restocked for the season at participating locations with new Halloween prizes, including inflatable potion bottles, skeletons, vampire fangs and black cats. Escape Pod joins a growing lineup of Dave & Buster's all-new games that includes John Wick: Continental Pursuit, ICEE Slush Rush and Perfect Pump.

Saturday, Oct. 31: a night out for adults and a morning for families

On Halloween itself, Dave & Buster's is keeping the celebration going all day with two ticketed events. Whether you're a family looking to celebrate early or part of the late-night adult Halloween crowd, there's something for everyone at Dave & Buster's:

- Moonlight Mixer: From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests 18+ can celebrate with a Fright Bite Banquet, three hours of Unlimited Video Game Play, a Monster Mash playlist and costume contest. Tickets start at $24.99 per person, with the option to add up to two drink tickets for $11 each. Available at https://daveandbustershalloween.com/

- Boo Bash: Families can kick off Halloween at participating locations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a Pancake Banquet, Monster Mash playlist, costume contest, pumpkin decorating and scavenger hunt. Tickets start at $21 per person, or $25.99 per person for the Pancake Banquet plus three hours of Unlimited Video Game Play and a $10 Power Card. Available at https://daveandbustershalloween.com/

Tickets for both parties are on sale now at daveandbustershalloween.com. The Halloween menu and participating locations are at DaveandBusters.com.

ABOUT DAVE & BUSTER'S

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. is the owner and operator of 251 stores in North America that offer premier entertainment and dining experiences to guests through two distinct brands: Dave & Buster's and Main Event. The Company has 185 Dave & Buster's branded stores in 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and offers guests the opportunity to "Eat, Drink, Play, and Watch" all in one location. Each store offers a full menu of entrées and appetizers, a complete selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. The Company also operates 66 Main Event branded stores in 24 states across the country, and offers state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of arcade games and virtual reality, making it the perfect place for families to connect and make memories. Internationally, the Company is in early-stage growth as a franchisor of its brands with six Dave & Buster's franchise stores currently open. For more information about each brand, visit daveandbusters.com and mainevent.com.

Media Contact:

Alison Brod Marketing + Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Dave & Buster's

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Players can gain a better understanding of their overall game with biometric data, swing metrics, green reading and more to help them achieve peak performance

OLATHE, Kan., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- /PR Newswire – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today unveiled its new flagship golf smartwatch, Approach® S72, a premium, feature-rich companion on the course that also provides advanced health and wellness features for everyday wear. Available in two sizes – 43mm and 47mm – with bright AMOLED displays, the smartwatch includes a new lightweight ComfortFit fabric band, titanium bezel and sapphire lens to ensure all-day comfort and durability. With biometric data1, including real-time heart rate, golfers can gain a better understanding of how their heart rate changes before and after each shot. What's more, Approach S72 adds on-wrist swing metrics to help players implement changes to their swing based on real data rather than just feel.

Players also have access to a new feature to give them a better understanding of green contour data. With an active Garmin Golf Membership™, golfers can see what direction putts will break and the average slope percentage on select courses, making it quicker and easier to determine their aim point.

"We're excited to introduce the next generation of golf technology with Approach S72 and help golfers better understand their whole game. From biometric data and swing metrics to advanced golf features and everyday smartwatch tools, Approach S72 gives avid golfers the insights they need to take their game to the next level. It's everything players would want in a golf watch and an everyday smartwatch."

–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing

New features for the course

- Golf biometric data: Look back on a completed round and see trends in how heart rate may have impacted the score1.

- Swing metrics: Golfers can receive advanced insights into their swing with swing metrics, including hand speed, backswing length, wrist rotation and more.

- Green reading: Golfers can be more confident in their aim point with the green reading feature on select courses, which uses green contour data to make it easier to find the line2.

- Driving range activity: Not only track swing metrics and learn tendencies but also log driving range activities into the Garmin Connect™ app, so players' practice sessions contribute to their fitness goals.

- Putting analytics: Receive insights in the Garmin Golf app following a round on speed bias, direction bias, make rate and more to help evaluate strengths and weaknesses on the green2.

- Aerial imagery: Get an enhanced view of the shot ahead with real imagery of the hole to make more informed decisions about where to layup, the best place to miss and more2.

Built for all-day wear

- Premium build: Constructed with a lightweight titanium bezel that won't hinder a golf swing, the device also features a sapphire lens for durability and a ComfortFit fabric band to ensure a perfect fit on the golfer's wrist.

- Speaker and microphone: Make and take phone calls and perform basic tasks – on and off the course – with voice commands on Garmin's first golf smartwatch to offer these attributes.

- Built-in flashlight: Find equipment in the golf bag or illuminate a dark area with a flashlight with variable intensities of white light and a red light.

- Battery life: Play multiple rounds without needing to re-charge as the larger smartwatch boasts up to 20 hours of battery life on the course and up to 16 days when the GPS is turned off.

Maximize performance

Designed for wear both on and off the links, the Approach S72 includes many top-tier fitness features to help golfers improve their overall health and reach peak form each round. Players can get a complete health picture with wrist-based heart rate, stress tracking, Body Battery™ energy monitoring, advanced sleep monitoring and more1. The smartwatch also includes a full complement of preloaded activity profiles to help players work on their strength and mobility.

The Approach S72 golf smartwatches are available now with suggested retail prices starting at $799.99. Learn more about Garmin's full lineup of golf products here.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garmin on social, or follow our blog.

1This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy.

2Requires an active Garmin Golf membership.

About Garmin: Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Approach are registered trademarks and Garmin Golf, Garmin Connect and Body Battery are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). Copies of such Form 10-K are available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Media Contacts:

Mike Cummings and Elise Jessee

913-397-8200

[email protected]

SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

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Powered by AI, Find My Frequency uses your biometric data from Apple Watch, Garmin, Google/Fitbit, ŌURA and WHOOP to create personalized sound-frequency sessions, then shows you the results on your own wearable.

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Your wearable knows you didn't sleep well last night and isn't afraid to tell you. It knows you're stressed and that your recovery isn't where it should be. Knowing your numbers is one thing. Knowing what to do next is another.

Soaak Technologies solved that problem. After two years of development, Soaak unveiled Find My Frequency® (FMF), the world's first closed-loop intervention platform for wearables that gives users real-time action steps to improve their biometrics, including sleep quality, stress resilience and overall readiness, using clinically derived sound-frequency compositions.

FMF is the missing intervention layer for the wearable industry. Wearables measure. Soaak analyzes and acts. Wearables remeasure. You don't have to guess whether Soaak is working. Your wearable shows you.

From data to action, in real time

For a decade, wearables have handed users a scoreboard with no playbook. FMF delivers real-time solutions from real-time data, personalized to the person wearing the device. It works in four steps:

- Measure. Your Apple Watch, Garmin, Google/Fitbit, ŌURA, or WHOOP reads your biometrics, including sleep, heart-rate variability (HRV) and heart rate.

- Interact. Type, speak or choose preselected answers about how you feel and what you want help with, so every session is built around you.

- Act. Soaak AI analyzes the biometrics from your wearable along with your own input, then creates a personalized sound-frequency composition for exactly what your body needs at the moment.

- Remeasure. Your wearable reads and shows you how your most recent Soaak session changed your biometrics, using your own data, no guesswork.

Users can be proactive, preparing for a big day, a workout, a test, a meeting or a long flight, or reactive, calming a stress spike or recovering from a bad night's sleep. They can generate a new composition every session or rate their last one, so FMF keeps learning, adjusting and improving.

An Optimization Concierge, in your pocket

The more you use FMF, the more it learns you. Like a best friend, the better it knows you, the more it has your back. Every session, every rating and every biometric response teaches Soaak AI what works for your body, so it can support your future needs before you have to ask.

"The wearable industry has given consumers a report card without immediate action on how to improve their grade," said Henry Penix, Founder and CEO of Soaak Technologies. "Wearables are remarkable at measuring what's happening in your body. Find My Frequency completes them: your wearable tells you what you need, Soaak analyzes and responds in the moment and your wearable tracks your progress. We built FMF to make every wearable more valuable."

"We spent two years building FMF so it feels less like an app and more like a companion that knows you," said Aaron Fournier, President of Soaak Technologies. "You can talk to it, tell it how you feel and it creates something made only for you, then learns from how your body actually responded."

Proven where performance matters most

FMF builds on Soaak's platform that has already delivered 90 million+ minutes across 190 countries and is used by the U.S. military, including U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force SBIR programs. Soaak's sound-frequency compositions are supported by:

- A third-party sleep study of 18,000 nights across 550 subjects

- ŌURA and Garmin pilot studies in which 90.3% of participants said Soaak supported their sleep quality and stress management

- A 97% member satisfaction rating systemwide

- Recognition as WIRED's Best Sleep App of 2026 and CNET's Best Mental Health App of 2026

Wearables help, but aren't required

FMF works with or without a wearable. Users without a device can type, speak, or select how they feel and what they want help with, and Soaak's AI will create a personalized sound frequency composition for what they need at the moment. Wearable biometrics give FMF more information to work with and let users see their results, but they are not required.

Availability

Find My Frequency is available now in the Soaak app on iOS and Android. New users can start a free trial at soaak.com.

About Soaak Technologies

With over 90 million minutes of use in 190 countries, Soaak Technologies serves military, enterprise and government partners with non-invasive sound frequency compositions to improve sleep, reduce stress and enhance human performance. Through its mobile and web apps, Soaak combines proprietary digital frequency compositions and AI to turn physiological and psychological data received from any wearable into actionable, real-time solutions.

Apple Watch, Garmin, Google, Fitbit, ŌURA and WHOOP are trademarks of their respective owners and do not sponsor or endorse Soaak. Soaak is an optimization product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SOURCE Soaak Technologies

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The deployment brings the new Quality of Outcome industry standard, published by the IETF, to millions of Vodafone gateways (CPE) while supporting the operator's Low Latency DOCSIS initiative

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CUJO AI, a global leader in device intelligence and network intelligence solutions, today announced that Vodafone has selected its Quality of Outcome (QoO) technology for deployment across several of its European markets.

The technology is already deployed in a live Vodafone broadband network, with further rollout underway across Europe.

Measuring What Customers Actually Experience

Quality of Outcome introduces a new approach to understanding broadband performance. Instead of assessing a network primarily through technical measures such as speed or average latency, QoO evaluates how well network conditions support the outcomes users expect from specific applications, e.g. responsive gaming, uninterrupted video calls and reliable cloud services.

The framework converts measurements - including latency, packet loss, and throughput - into an intuitive, application-specific score. This allows operators to understand whether their networks provide the conditions required for an application to perform well and to identify where performance can be improved.

"Network quality should ultimately be measured by what customers can successfully do with their connection," said Remko Vos, CEO of CUJO AI. "CUJO AI helped develop Quality of Outcome to connect network engineering with the experiences that matter to users. Vodafone's deployment across multiple markets represents an important step toward making outcome-based network measurement an operational reality at scale."

From Collaborative Innovation to an Industry Standard

Quality of Outcome was co-created by experts at CUJO AI in collaboration with the wider networking community and advanced through the Internet Engineering Task Force's (IETF) IP Performance Measurement Working Group.

Quality of Outcome establishes a new industry standard for evaluating network performance according to the outcomes experienced by users and applications.

Vodafone has been a significant supporter and promoter of Quality of Outcome, contributing an operator perspective to its development and becoming the first major operator to deploy it at scale across live broadband networks.

"Delivering an excellent broadband experience requires us to look beyond headline speeds and understand how the network performs for the applications our customers use every day," said Oscar Gallego, Director of Home Technology & Products at Vodafone. "Quality of Outcome gives us a practical, application-focused way to evaluate and improve that experience. Working with CUJO AI, we are bringing this capability into live networks across our European footprint."

Vodafone has already tested QoO with Low Latency DOCSIS technology to assess how network improvements translate into better performance for applications such as gaming, video conferencing, and cloud services.

About CUJO AI

CUJO AI enables service providers to understand, serve, and protect consumers with advanced cybersecurity and granular network and device intelligence. The CUJO AI Intelligence platform - built on 72,000 device models and deployed across 63 million homes - gives service providers deep, continuous visibility into every connected device and network behavior from day one. CUJO AI Services delivers active security, digital parenting, and scam protection for service providers ready to monetize that intelligence with subscriber-facing products. Advanced AI algorithms help NSPs uncover previously unavailable insights to raise the bar for customer experience and retention with new value propositions and improved operations. Fully compliant with all privacy regulations, CUJO AI is trusted by the world's largest broadband operators, including Comcast, Charter Communications, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, TELUS, Sky Italia, Sky UK, Rogers, Cox, Shaw, Videotron, BT and EE.

For more information, visit www.cujo.com.

Media Contact:

Viktorija Vilke, [email protected]

SOURCE CUJO AI

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Scanning a lead or checking someone into a meeting in the Captello lead capture and meeting app now returns the full account record in-line with the live form: company and account detail, firmographics, open and closed opportunities, activity and open tasks, the other contacts in the conversation, and an AI summary of what matters.

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Captello today announced Intelligence Cards, a new feature of Captello lead capture that delivers a complete account brief in-line with the live form at the instant of the scan. When a rep scans lead data in the Captello lead capture app, or checks an attendee into a scheduled meeting, the card renders immediately in the same form they are already filling in, alongside the captured fields rather than behind them: who the company is, what the relationship looks like today, which opportunities are open or already closed, and who else at that account the business is talking to. No tap-through, no lookup, no second screen, no waiting until the flight home.

LEAD CAPTURE HAS ONLY EVER RUN IN ONE DIRECTION

Lead retrieval has been a collection act since the first badge scanner. The rep scans, the data moves into the system, and the rep learns nothing. Information travels one way, from the badge into the database, and the person best positioned to act on what the company already knows, the rep standing in front of the buyer, is the one person the system tells nothing.

So reps qualify blind. They ask discovery questions the account answered eighteen months ago. They treat an existing customer like a cold prospect and a strategic account like a badge, because the open deal, the closed business and the colleague who took a meeting last quarter all sit in a CRM nobody opens on a show floor.

"Until now, lead capture has run in one direction. Information flowed out of the badge and into the system, and the rep moved on to the next conversation with nothing new in hand. A badge is an identifier, not a relationship.

Intelligence Cards close the loop. The moment a lead is scanned, the account's own record comes back to the rep, in-line, while the buyer is still standing in front of them." Ryan Schefke, Chief Executive Officer, Captello

WHAT THE CARD SHOWS

Intelligence Cards render six layers of account context in-line with the captured lead data, as the rep is still working the form:

- Company and account detail comes from the connected CRM account record, so the rep sees the account as the business already understands it rather than a generic profile.

- Firmographics are appended from Captello's enrichment through the Captello Proprietary 5-Layer Enrichment Engine and the Captello Enrichment Network of 125+ data providers, at up to a 98% match rate, mapped into the card wherever a match is found.

- Opportunities, open and closed surface the pipeline already in motion and the business already won on that account, read live from the connected CRM.

- Account activity and open tasks show the relationship to date and what the account team already has in motion, so a rep does not repeat a conversation or promise something already scheduled.

- Other key contacts' names show who else at the account is already known to the business, turning a single badge into a view of the buying group rather than an isolated record.

- An AI summary distills all of it into the talking points that matter, so staff can identify what to raise at a glance instead of reading a record.

Each card is configured per form. Teams drag the Intelligence element onto a capture form and select which data components and objects reps see, so a field team and an enterprise account team can run different cards on the same show floor. Intelligence Cards are available for the Captello CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot and Microsoft Dynamics integrations.

The card is not a separate screen the rep has to go find. It sits in the form itself, next to the fields being filled in, so reading the account and qualifying the lead are one motion. Capture runs through IntelliScan™, which auto-detects a badge, business card, QR code, badge photo, LinkedIn profile code or contact details written on paper in a single action, and works offline, syncing when connectivity returns.

TWO MOMENTS, ONE CARD

Intelligence Cards serve both moments where an event conversation is won or lost.

At the booth, a rep scans a badge and the card renders in the capture form before the first question is asked. The rep knows within seconds whether this is a customer, a prospect, a partner or a competitor, and qualifies accordingly.

In a scheduled meeting, the same card does more work. When an attendee is checked in, whoever is running the meeting sees the account's open opportunities, its history and who else is already in the conversation, so a thirty-minute slot starts at the right altitude instead of spending the first ten rebuilding context. Meetings convert at three to six times the rate of post-event follow-up, measured on Captello's own event program, which makes walking into one cold the most expensive version of this problem.

WHY THE MOMENT OF CAPTURE IS THE MOMENT THAT COUNTS

The economics of an event conversation are decided in the seconds after the scan. Industry research finds that responding within five minutes makes a team 21 times more likely to qualify a lead, that a one-minute response converts 391% better than a twenty-four-hour one, and that 78% of buyers purchase from the first responder. Against that, only 0.1% of leads are contacted within five minutes, and the average B2B lead response time is 42 hours (MIT and InsideSales, 391 Advantage, and Lead Connect, all via 391 Advantage).

Intelligence Cards move that qualification decision forward, from days after the show to the moment of the handshake. The rep knows whether this is an expansion conversation or a first touch before the badge is put away, and routes it accordingly.

AVAILABILITY

Intelligence Cards are available now to Captello lead capture customers for the Captello CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot and Microsoft Dynamics integrations, with account, opportunity, activity and task data read from the connected CRM instance. The platform carries SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 and GDPR compliance, supports enterprise SSO, and operates in up to 75 languages. More information is available at captello.com.

ABOUT CAPTELLO

Captello is the lead capture system of record for enterprise event programs, connecting every event interaction to attributable pipeline. As the system of record for third-party events, Captello captures every conversation, meeting, and activation across trade shows, conferences, and field programs, and routes it to your CRM with AI-powered insights that align Sales, Marketing, and Events. A profitable company trusted by AT&T, IBM, Amazon, GE, Philips, and Thomson Reuters, Captello delivers world-class support and enterprise-grade security.

Captello is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, ranked #121 among the fastest-growing private software companies in the United States on the 2026 list, a three-time MUSE Award winner, and a G2 category leader in Lead Retrieval and Lead Capture with a 4.8 rating.

SOURCE Captello

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Dragon Shield Launches Dragonfall, a New Annual Celebration of Dragons, Fantasy, and Community

This inaugural event takes place October 6-11 timed to the Draconid meteor shower, with exclusive products and celebrations at select local game stores globally

AARHUS, Denmark, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dragon Shield, a global leader in premium trading card game accessories, today announced the kick off of Dragonfall, a new annual tradition celebrating dragons, fantasy storytelling, and the communities that gather around the games they love.

Timed to the Draconid meteor shower, this year's Dragonfall runs October 6-11 bringing an exclusive product release and special events to local game stores around the globe. Dragonfall is designed to unite and celebrate the passion for the hobby wherever fans gather: in stores, online, or around the table.

The Dragon Shield Dragonfall 2026 Collection features exclusive artwork by Godfrey Escota, the artist behind more than 100 dragons in Arcania, Dragon Shield's fantasy universe. Rendered in a stained-glass style, the art depicts the celebrations in the mortal realm, the dragons of Arcania, and the Herald announcing the arrival of this year's dragon. The collection debuts Dragon Shield's first-ever Borderless Matte Dual Art Sleeves alongside a Dragonfall 2026 Playmat showcasing the full artwork.

"Dragonfall is our way of honoring the players, the artists, and the stores who make this hobby what it is," said Mike Ballog, VP, Dragon Shield. "We wanted to give this community something to look forward to every year. This moment is as much about celebration as it is about the incredible products and stories that bring dragons to life. This inaugural year is just the first chapter, and we can't wait to see Dragonfall grow in years to come."

Beginning October 6th, the Dragonfall 2026 Collection will be available in limited quantities on DragonShield.com and at select store locations worldwide, while supplies last. Check your local game store for product availability and information about upcoming Dragonfall events.

Learn more at DragonShield.com and on Dragon Shield social channels.

About Dragon Shield

Dragon Shield is a leading global brand in the trading card game industry, specializing in premium accessories that protect, personalize, and enhance the player experience. Trusted by millions of fans worldwide, Dragon Shield products are celebrated for their exceptional durability, innovative design, and iconic artwork. Deeply rooted in tabletop gaming culture, Dragon Shield collaborates with creators, retailers, and partners to deliver exceptional products for every level of play, from casual table games to local game store events, and world championship tournaments.

Dragon Shield is part of the Collēctīvus portfolio of consumer brands serving the global TCG and hobby industry.

SOURCE Dragon Shield

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INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Calumet, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMT) (the "Company," "Calumet," "we," "our" or "us"), announced today that it plans to report results for the Third Quarter 2026 on November 6, 2026. A conference call to discuss the financial and operational results is scheduled for November 6th at 9:00 AM ET.

Investors, analysts and members of the media interested in listening to the live presentation are encouraged to join a webcast of the call with accompanying presentation slides; parties interested in listening to the webcast may follow the link which will be made available at http://calumetspecialty.investorroom.com/events. For those participants wishing to dial into the call, please pre-register by following the link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10212083/104eaf0b378. A participant dial-in is also available toll-free at 1-844-695-5524 (US) or 1-412-317-0700 (International). When joining the call, please ask to be joined into the Calumet, Inc. call. A replay of the conference call will be available a few hours after the event on the investor relations section of the Company's website, under the events section.

About Calumet, Inc.

Calumet manufactures, formulates, and markets a diversified slate of specialty branded products and renewable fuels to customers across a broad range of consumer-facing and industrial markets. Calumet is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and operates twelve facilities throughout North America.

SOURCE Calumet, Inc.

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Retired Department of the Navy senior executive brings extensive naval acquisition, financial management, workforce, and operational leadership experience

CHANTILLY, Va., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VTG, an industry-leading provider of modernization and digital transformation solutions for national security customers, announced today that Jaimie Reese has joined the company as Senior Vice President of its Defense Engineering Systems Business Unit. In this role, Reese will lead one of VTG's largest business units, which provides engineering services supporting the U.S. Navy's ship and aviation systems.

"Jaimie is an accomplished leader whose experience across the Department of the Navy will strengthen our ability to serve our customers and support our people," said John Hassoun, President and CEO of VTG. "Her extensive knowledge of naval acquisition, financial management, human capital, and operations will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team. We are pleased to welcome her to VTG."

Reese joins VTG following a distinguished federal career in the Department of the Navy's acquisition and financial management community. She began her career as a financial management trainee and subsequently held leadership roles in the Investment Division of the Department of Navy's Office of Budget, leading multiyear procurement strategies and congressional engagement on complex aviation and shipbuilding programs. She also served as business and financial manager for the Navy's LPD-17 amphibious ship program.

In 2016, Reese was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and became Deputy Commander for Resource Management at Marine Corps Systems Command. In that role, her leadership of both the Comptroller and human-capital functions resulted in new and innovative approaches to delivering critical warfighter capabilities.

Reese later served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition Policy and Budget, advising Navy acquisition leadership on the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of acquisition resources. In November 2022, she became Deputy Commander for Corporate Operations and Total Force at Naval Sea Systems Command, where she led human-capital and corporate-operations initiatives supporting a workforce of more than 35,000 people. She retired from federal service in 2025.

"I am excited to join VTG and continue supporting the Navy's most important missions," said Reese. "VTG's combination of technical expertise, deep customer knowledge, and agility creates tremendous opportunities to deliver results for our customers while developing the next generation of mission-focused leaders."

Reese is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University and holds a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University.

About VTG

VTG delivers modernization and digital transformation solutions that expand America's competitive advantage in the modern battlespace. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, VTG provides full lifecycle engineering for naval, aerospace, network, and digital requirements. Whether at sea, in the air, on land, or in cyberspace, VTG delivers Tomorrow's Transformation Today. For more information, visit us at www.VTGdefense.com.

SOURCE VTG

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