Finland and Lockheed Martin Celebrate Historic Arrival of First Finnish F-35

ROVANIEMI, Finland, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Finland celebrated the arrival of its first two permanently based F-35A aircraft in country, marking the beginning of a new era of 5th Generation capability for the Finnish Defence Forces.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) joined the arrival ceremony, hosted by the Finnish Air Force, alongside senior Finnish government and military leaders, U.S. and allied representatives and industry partners. The ceremony recognized the milestone and Finland's increasingly important role in strengthening security and deterrence across the Nordic region, Europe and the NATO alliance.

"What begins here is the introduction of a 5th Generation system built for the security environment we actually live in," said Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force. "The F-35 was chosen because it is designed for an environment like ours. Flying the F-35, our pilots can do the mission and come home to fly the next round. A 5th Generation aircraft that can see farther but not be seen, share information faster, strike accurately and survive longer is not a luxury here. It is a requirement."

"The arrival of Finland's first F-35 is about far more than a new aircraft—it is about strengthening the nation's ability to deter aggression, defend its sovereignty and secure its future," said OJ Sanchez, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "As Finland continues to play an increasingly important role in Nordic, European and NATO security, the F-35 will provide a powerful, connected capability that will help the Finnish Defence Forces meet the demands of an evolving security environment. We are proud to stand with Finland as it brings this critical capability home."

Lockheed Martin leads a global F-35 program supported by more than 2,100 suppliers across more than a dozen countries. Chosen by 20 allied nations, including 13 in Europe, the F-35 strengthens interoperability and shared deterrence through seamless collaboration among allied forces.

The program also delivers significant international industrial participation, with 25% by value of every F-35 built produced in Europe and all major F-35 components now manufactured there. Earlier this year, Patria became the first company other than Lockheed Martin to produce the F-35 forward fuselage, underscoring Finland's critical role in the global F-35 enterprise.

With the aircraft arriving in country, Finland has now received 10 of its 64 F-35A aircraft. Eight of these aircraft are temporarily stationed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, where Finnish pilots and maintainers are conducting training in preparation for the aircraft's continued introduction into Finnish service.

About the F-35 Lightning II

More than 1,375 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, and the fleet has surpassed a million flight hours. The combat-proven F-35 operates from 42 bases worldwide, including 13 nations operating on home soil. As adversaries advance and legacy aircraft age, the F-35 is critical to maintaining air dominance into the future.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

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Blue Shield of California Expands Medicare Offerings for 2027 with New Plans, Enhanced Benefits, and Digital Tools

The nonprofit health plan provides a wide range of options designed to fit Medicare-eligible Californians' lifestyle, budget, and health goals

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California today announced its 2027 Medicare plans, offering eligible Californians coverage options designed to support healthy aging. With the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare running from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026, Medicare-eligible individuals can choose from plans that provide a choice of provider networks, valuable benefits, and easy-to-use digital tools.

"We're committed to helping Californians navigate Medicare with confidence through personalized support," said Alex Uhm, vice president and general manager of Medicare at Blue Shield of California. "Whether someone is new to Medicare or has been with Blue Shield for years, we're focused on creating a simpler, more connected healthcare experience centered on what matters most to them."

Blue Shield's 2027 expanded Medicare portfolio reflects its commitment to affordability and options that fit member needs at every stage of life. Offerings include Medicare Advantage plans, a Dual-Eligible Special Needs plan for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, Medicare Supplement plans, and stand-alone prescription drug plans. All of these are built with enhanced member benefits to support overall wellness.

At the center of the portfolio is a tailored and exclusive network of providers, bringing new options to Medicare Advantage plans to fit members' different needs. For members seeking provider flexibility, Blue Shield's Medicare Supplement plans offer access to any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide.

Coverage options for a range of needs and budgets

Blue Shield knows that choice, access, and flexibility matters — especially for those managing ongoing health needs — and our Medicare Advantage plans are designed this way, including:

- Medicare Advantage plans with personalized assistance finding providers, scheduling appointments, and completing follow-up care, such as labs or referrals

- Low out-of-pocket costs and a range of supplemental benefits beyond original Medicare coverage

- Broad availability across California.

- Options for every budget, including $0 premium plans

Comprehensive benefits and personalized support

Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans include benefits and care management that support health outcomes, independence, and everyday well-being. Highlights include: *

- Vision allowance for eyeglasses

- Over-the-counter items allowance for eligible health products, such as vitamins, cold medicines, and first-aid supplies

- Hearing aid allowance

- Chronic condition management programs

- Post-hospitalization support

- Transportation to medical appointments and pharmacies

- SilverSneakers® fitness membership

- Preventive care services

Enhanced digital pharmacy experience

Blue Shield continues to simplify how Medicare members manage prescriptions and access care through a simpler, more transparent digital experience, including:

- Price Check My Rx and real-time mobile notifications: Within the Blue Shield member app and portal, members can compare prescription drug costs, identify lower-cost alternatives, and opt-in to receive alerts when more affordable options are available at the time a medication is prescribed, empowering them to make informed decisions before visiting the pharmacy.

- Digital pharmacy locator: Search tools help members find pharmacies using filters such as "open 24 hours," "7-day availability," and "drive-through access."

- Amazon Pharmacy home delivery: Members can receive up to a 100-day supply of eligible medications delivered to their homes, with free 5-day shipping, and 2-day shipping for Amazon Prime members.

"Our goal is to deliver the affordability, access, and high-quality care older adults need while continuing to evolve alongside their healthcare needs," said Gary Culp, senior vice president of Government Markets at Blue Shield of California. "We remain committed to helping Medicare members navigate their choices with confidence and providing coverage they can rely on for the long term."

Blue Shield's 2027 Medicare plans are designed to help Californians access quality, affordable care while staying connected to the providers and communities they trust. For more information about Blue Shield's Medicare plans and Annual Enrollment Period resources, visit blueshieldcamedicare.com.

* All benefits listed may not be offered in all our Medicare Advantage plans. Check the evidence of coverage for plan details.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly 6 million members, 6,800 employees, and more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

SOURCE Blue Shield of California

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Take ALF's Liver Health Quiz, Learn About Living Donor Liver Transplant, Try a Liver Healthy Recipe, and Advocate for Liver Health

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 80 to 100 million Americans have liver disease, but many don't know it because early symptoms can be subtle. October is National Liver Awareness Month and Liver Cancer Month and American Liver Foundation (ALF) is raising awareness and connecting people with vital resources. Take ALF's one-minute quiz to understand your risk for liver disease, liver cancer or both. Learn more about living donor liver transplant by visiting ALF's Living Donor Network™ website or watch our short-animated video and share it on your social channels. Try one of ALF's recipes in our 30-day Liver Healthy Meal Plan and view 20 new recipe videos. Advocate for legislation that can improve the lives of people affected by liver disease and participate in free educational and community events held throughout the month.

"October's observance of National Liver Awareness Month and Liver Cancer Awareness Month is a vital opportunity to remind everyone that liver health deserves year-round attention," said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of American Liver Foundation and a caregiver for a transplant recipient. "By increasing awareness of risk factors, encouraging timely screenings and early detection through ALF's quick liver health quiz, sharing ALF's 30-day Liver Healthy Meal Plan, and connecting patients and families with trusted information and support, we can all help save lives and move closer to a future free from liver disease."

Take the Quiz!

- Through ALF's simple liver health quiz, available in English at thinkliverthinklife.org/quiz and in Spanish at thinkliverthinklife.org/prueba anyone can find out if they're at risk for liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (liver cancer) is one of the most rapidly growing causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. with incidence rates that have more than tripled since 1980 and death rates doubled during that same time. Learn more about ALF's thinkliverthinklife.org, a nationwide public health initiative raising awareness and screening U.S. adults for liver disease.

Try the Recipes!

- Through ALF's 30-day Liver Healthy Meal Plan, anyone can learn what to eat to help take care of their liver. The recipes are easy to make, simple to understand, and do not require complex ingredients. You can also watch 20 new recipe videos for additional inspiration.

Advocate with Us!

- Throughout October, we're asking the liver community to elevate the voices of millions of Americans affected by liver disease by sending messages to Members of Congress and asking them to advance policies that can improve their lives. ALF advocates are working to protect and support living organ donors, improve access to treatment, advance early detection of pediatric liver cancer, strengthen federal liver disease prevention and surveillance efforts, and increase investment in liver disease research. Join us and Take Action.

Join ALF Support Services, Participate in ALF Special Events and Learn more about ALF Programming!

- Join one of American Liver Foundation's online support groups for caregivers, patients, and transplant recipients! Sharing the Journey, an ALF support network for caregivers - American Liver Foundation; Sharing the Journey, an ALF support network for patients - American Liver Foundation; or Sharing the Journey, an ALF support network for liver transplant recipients. All sessions are facilitated by a licensed social worker. You must be aged 18 or older to participate. There is no fee to join.

- Join Liver Life Walk, Your Way and walk any day, anywhere, your way! Register today at liverlifewalk.org/virtualwalk.

- Learn more about ALF's Living Donor Network™ that connects non-directed (anonymous) living liver donors with transplant centers nationwide, helping more people have access to a lifesaving liver transplant. To learn more about the Network, please watch ALF's short-animated video.

- October 14 (virtual workshop) – On HRS Awareness Day, watch our on-demand webinar on ALF's social media channels, HRS-AKI Explained: What It Means for Patients, as Justin Boike, MD, from Northwestern Medicine, provides an overview of hepatorenal syndrome – acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) from a patient-centered perspective. Topics include what HRS-AKI is, what a diagnosis can mean for patients' long-term, signs and risk factors patients should be aware of, and how to ask questions and advocate for themselves throughout their liver disease journey. This workshop is sponsored by Keenova.

- American Liver Foundation will host a two-day MASH Empower & Educate Summit on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17 aimed at empowering MASH patients and caregivers through education, storytelling, and media training. The Summit seeks to amplify patient voices and raise national awareness of liver disease. Follow ALF's socials to see exciting updates from the event.

- Knowledge is power so empower yourself throughout your liver journey by viewing ALF's new Patient Empowerment Resource Center filled with in-depth information on liver disease and watch this short video to learn more about maintaining optimal liver health.

- Join us on October 28th at 6:50PM ET for ALF's 50th Anniversary National Legacy Gala held at Gotham Hall in New York City. We'll celebrate the achievements of distinguished leaders and visionaries who have made significant contributions in the liver community. Participate in ALF's silent auction and view the free live stream, LegacyGala26.givesmart.com. Purchase sponsorships or tickets and learn more about the Gala at alfgala.org.

ALF also offers Free Education for Healthcare Professionals!

- October 1 (virtual workshop) – Critical Care Roundtable: Advancing Multidisciplinary Care in End-Stage Liver Disease. This roundtable will bring together clinical leaders for a focused discussion on advancing multidisciplinary care for patients with End-Stage Liver Disease. Real-world challenges will be explored with opportunities to strengthen collaboration, care coordination, communication, and patient-centered decision-making across the liver disease continuum. These insights will help inform future educational initiatives and resources to support improved care for patients and families. This critical care initiative is sponsored by Keenova.

- October 6 - (virtual CME Program) - Liver Health Echo Program - Cracking the MASLD Risk Code: Detecting Early Risk Signals to Guide Timely Intervention. This noon to 1 p.m. virtual community practice equips healthcare providers with the necessary skills to treat and prevent MASLD among their patients. The program includes five one-hour sessions starting in October until February 2027. Register here.

- October 23 (virtual workshop) - Addressing Fatigue in Liver Diseases – From Unmet Needs to Action. This workshop will help develop a focused, fundable roadmap to improve understanding, assessment, and management of fatigue in liver diseases. This virtual workshop will include clinicians/researchers who are experts in liver diseases, fatigue measurement and patient-reported outcomes experts, and cross-disease fatigue.

American Liver Foundation gratefully acknowledges our Think Liver Think Life® Premier Sponsor, Astra Zeneca, for their continued leadership and support in helping us reach those most in need in underserved communities. ALF also expresses gratitude to the following additional Think Liver Think Life campaign sponsors that support our impactful educational and awareness resources which help patients, families and healthcare professionals nationwide: Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead, Ipsen, Keenova, Madrigal, Merck and My Fitness Pal.

For more information about ALF, please visit www.liverfoundation.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding liver disease, please call our FREE helpline at 1-800-GO-LIVER (800-465-4837) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

About the American Liver Foundation

American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for patients and families, fund medical research, and educate the public about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people together through our educational programs and events and create a network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice for patients and families living with liver disease. Celebrating 50 years of impact, leading the next 50 years forward. For more information, please visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1.800.GO.LIVER (800-465-4837).

Media Contacts:

Julie Kimbrough

[email protected] 

Direct dial: 475-295-6227

Karla Thomas

[email protected]

Direct dial: 773.575.9477

SOURCE American Liver Foundation

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WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and California American Water, announced that the Foundation has awarded a $10,000 State Strategic Impact grant to Yolo Basin Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife through education and innovative partnerships throughout the Greater Sacramento region.

"We are incredibly grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for its investment in environmental and STEM education and to California American Water for their continued support of community-based learning opportunities," said Efraim Lopez, Executive Director of Yolo Basin Foundation. "This funding will help expand access to our Discover the Flyway program, providing more students with opportunities to learn about wetlands, water, wildlife and conservation through hands-on experiences."

This State Strategic Impact grant will support Discover the Flyway, Yolo Basin Foundation's K-12 environmental education program. The program offers hands-on science and social science learning experiences through field trips, classroom instruction, teacher workshops, and outreach provided through the Foundation's Mobile Visitor Center. Funding will help expand access to environmental education, while supporting a deeper understanding of water resources, wetlands, wildlife habitats, conservation and environmental stewardship.

"We thank the Foundation for its support and commitment to STEM education by awarding this grant to Yolo Basin Foundation," said Sarah Leeper, President of California American Water. "Programs like Discover the Flyway help students connect classroom learning with the natural world while building an understanding of the vital role water, wetlands, and conservation play in protecting our communities and environment."

The State Strategic Impact Grant Program is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing program, which focuses on the three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.

"The American Water Charitable Foundation is delighted to partner with eligible nonprofit organizations across California," said Carrie Williams, President of the American Water Charitable Foundation. "We are pleased to support Yolo Basin Foundation as it provides meaningful educational experiences that connect students and community members to wetlands, wildlife, and the importance of protecting our natural resources."

Learn more about the American Water Charitable Foundation's grant programs here.

About American Water  

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.   

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About American Water Charitable Foundation

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf. 

About California American Water 

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, with approximately 300 dedicated employees, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 720,000 people.  

SOURCE American Water

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Leadership Changes Mark the Next Step in Becoming Independent Operating Company

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kawneer Company, Inc. announced the appointment of Kate Anderson to Chief Executive Officer and Timothy Montz to Chief Financial Officer. The appointments are an important milestone in the Company's transition to an independent company under the continuing ownership of funds managed by Apollo (the "Apollo Funds"). The transition will occur over the next year and should be complete by 2027.

Anderson brings extensive leadership experience across commercial operations, customer engagement, and business transformation. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Sales and Sales Operations at Kawneer, where she led efforts to strengthen customer engagement, drive commercial transformation, and improve business performance across North America.

"This is our path forward and we are excited about the change," said Anderson. "As part of this transition, we will be investing in and upgrading to a fully independent operating system which will support a dedicated team to support our customers and long-term growth. Our focus remains on improving key metrics, investing in our manufacturing facilities and enhancing the customer experience."

Montz joins Kawneer's executive leadership team with more than two decades of experience leading finance organizations, driving business transformation, and supporting growth across large and complex enterprises. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Finance & Accounting at Cox Communications.

"Supported by an experienced leadership team, I remain committed to the path we have established to deliver the products, service and innovation our customers come to expect from Kawneer," Anderson added. "The legacy, capabilities and expertise of Kawneer are unmatched in the industry and we are going to be relentlessly focused on ensuring the customer experience matches it. We are excited to build on our 120-year history and confident in our future."

About Kawneer

Kawneer is a leading manufacturer of architectural aluminum building systems and products for commercial construction. For more than a century, Kawneer has partnered with architects, glazing contractors, building owners, and developers to deliver innovative solutions that help shape the built environment across North America.

SOURCE Kawneer Company, Inc.

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Electric Era's Energy Management System Correctly Predicts All Five PJM 5CP Events, Mitigating Capacity Charges for EV Charging Stations

SEATTLE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Era launched the EV charging industry's first 5CP energy management program which correctly predicted all five PJM 5CP (coincident peak) events, saving their EV fast charging customers tens of thousands of dollars on capacity charges. Electric Era operates EV fast charging stations for retailers and charging networks across the United States. Three stations are in PJM territory and therefore operate under PJM's 5CP utility tariff methodology. These types of peak demand/capacity charge programs are expected to increase as rising energy demand increasingly strains the grid.

"We've seen time and again that demand charges and capacity charges single-handedly put an EV charging station's P&L underwater," said Quincy Lee, CEO and Founder of Electric Era. "Our team continues to build intelligence into how our system operates that reduces operating costs and increases station profitability. This is a great example of our commitment to making EV charging a profitable business for our customers."

Grid operators like PJM and ERCOT leverage coincident peak (CP) charges to retroactively allocate costs associated with system-wide peak demand intervals. In PJM, a site's average load during the summer's five highest demand hours sets its Peak Load Contribution (PLC), which determines its capacity charges for the following year. Importantly, PJM provides no advanced notice to operators — operators who are not able to anticipate these events and reduce grid draw lock in a year of elevated capacity costs from just a few hours of load.

Electric Era's patented battery-backed EV charging system intelligently and rapidly manages how the station draws power across sources (primarily the grid and battery) and then distributes that power to vehicles. Earlier this year, Electric Era built the energy management system (EMS) capability to predict and rapidly react to PJM's 5CP events, leveraging the battery to minimize grid demand from the EV charging site during the five 1-hour periods.

Based on preliminary data, this summer's peak events occurred on July 1, July 2, July 15, July 16, and September 1; each from 5-6pm EDT. Electric Era's EMS predicted with 97% confidence that these five coincident peak events would happen at these times, preconditioned the battery to be ready to deploy, and dynamically reduced the station's grid limit.

At one site, across the five coincident peak events, the station delivered an average of 72 kW to vehicles while only drawing 9 kW from the grid. With the site's PLC-based capacity rate of $16.28/kW/month, reducing the PLC by 63 kW saves about $12,000 annualized. Had the station demand spiked during that same hour, the savings could have been many times that amount.

Electric Era's tight coupling of hardware and software enables them to make operations a software problem. And with advanced software, like their ML algorithm to predict coincident peak events, they help customers effectively manage operating costs resulting in more profitable EV charging stations.

ABOUT ELECTRIC ERA

Electric Era delivers intelligent infrastructure solutions that unlock the biggest bottleneck to a dynamic, electrified, 21st century economy. Founded in 2020, the company provides vertically integrated systems combining advanced battery storage, intelligent software control, and rapid deployment expertise—with more than 30 deployments to date. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit www.electricera.tech or follow on X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Electric Era

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Playboi Carti and Hiroshi Fujiwara & Fragment Design Lead Creative Direction as Artistic Directors

00pium Takes Over With Headlining Performances From Playboi Carti, Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely,ApolloRed1, HXG and F1lthy at Crypto.com Arena

More Than 300 Brands Spanning Over Half a Million Sq Feet of Exhibition Space, ThriftCon's Expansive Vintage Experience, Family Style Food Festival, Artist-Led Activations, ComplexCon(versations) and More Take Over the Los Angeles Convention Center

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ComplexCon, the boundary-pushing festival and exhibition at the intersection of style, sneakers, music, art, food and innovation, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary October 3–4, 2026, making its Los Angeles debut with its most expansive edition yet, taking place across the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena.

After a record-breaking two-year run in Las Vegas, which welcomed more than 70,000 attendees in 2025, ComplexCon arrives in Los Angeles for the first time in festival history, bringing together more than 300 of the most influential brands alongside global music talent, artists, designers, creators and restaurants for a weekend of exclusive product releases, immersive experiences, headlining music performances, live conversations and food.

At the center of the anniversary edition, Playboi Carti joins legendary streetwear pioneer Hiroshi Fujiwara & Fragment Design as Artistic Directors, guiding a creative vision spanning product, programming and experience. The weekend will also feature a full-scale 00pium takeover of the L.A. LIVE campus, anchored by two nights of performances at Crypto.com Arena: Ken Carson headlines Saturday, October 3 with HXG and ApolloRed1, followed by Playboi Carti closing out the festival on Sunday, October 4 alongside Destroy Lonely and F1lthy.

For a decade, ComplexCon has served as a global meeting point for the people, brands and ideas shaping what comes next. Dubbed "Streetwear Disneyland" by The New York Times, the festival has brought together pioneering creatives while serving as the launchpad for coveted collaborations and releases from the biggest global brands.

The 10-year anniversary builds on that history while expanding the ComplexCon experience across Los Angeles at an unprecedented scale.

PLAYBOI CARTI AND HIROSHI FUJIWARA LEAD COMPLEXCON 2026

For the first time, Playboi Carti will serve as a ComplexCon Artistic Director, extending his distinct creative universe beyond the stage and throughout the broader festival experience. Known for continually pushing the boundaries of music, fashion and performance, Carti's role reflects the increasingly fluid intersection of music, style and design that ComplexCon has championed since its inception.

He joins Hiroshi Fujiwara & Fragment Design, whose influence has helped define global streetwear for decades. Recognized worldwide as the "Godfather of the Streetwear Movement," Fujiwara emerged as a founding force of Tokyo's Ura-Harajuku scene and has since become one of the most influential figures across streetwear, sneakers, music, art and contemporary design.

Together, Carti and Fujiwara will shape the creative direction of ComplexCon 2026 across programming, product and experience, bringing together two distinct generations of creative influence for the festival's landmark anniversary.

As part of his Artistic Director role, Fujiwara will also debut a collection of exclusive collaborations spanning apparel, collectibles, wearables, food and more, with select products releasing for the first time at ComplexCon. Collaborations include Disney / Mickey Mouse, Pokémon, Los Angeles Dodgers, Weekend by Sequel, Rayban, Street Fighter, BRABUS and BE@RBRICK.

00PIUM TAKES OVER L.A. LIVE

For one weekend, 00pium will take over the L.A. LIVE campus with music, exclusive collaborations, artist-led environments and experiences culminating in two nights of performances at Crypto.com Arena.

On Saturday, October 3, Ken Carson will headline with performances from HXG and ApolloRed1. On Sunday, October 4, Playboi Carti will close ComplexCon with a headlining performance alongside Destroy Lonely and F1lthy.

The takeover will extend onto the ComplexCon show floor, where artist-led booths and immersive environments will give fans access to exclusive collaborations, first-to-market products, talent appearances and experiences built around some of today's leading artists and music communities.

Featured artist and music activations include Playboi Carti, Destroy Lonely, Ken Carson, HXG, F1lthy, ApolloRed1, Lil Yachty, Travis Barker, Young Thug, Quavo, North West, Westside Gunn, NBA YoungBoy, LISA's LLOUD, Wu-Tang, Interscope Records, Atlantic Records, Fat Beats, Def Jam and countless others.

MORE THAN 300 BRANDS DESCEND ON LOS ANGELES

The ComplexCon marketplace will bring together more than 300 brands and creative innovators across fashion, footwear, streetwear, music, design, art and collectibles for exclusive releases, limited-edition drops, collaborations and immersive installations.

The 2026 lineup includes Nike, Fear of God, Gallery Dept., Warren Lotus, Sp5der, Godspeed, VIVET, Body by Raven, The GV Gallery, Satoshi Nakamoto, I AM GIA, Happy Memories Don't Die, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, Jae Tips, New Era, Ray-Ban, Menace, HOMERUN, Avirex, BAPE, ZICMADE, Vandy the Pink, Protocol Index, Palm Angels, Vans, HELLSTAR, Victor Victor, Interscope, Babylon, Thug Club, Mitchell & Ness, Alice Hollywood, Timberland and many more.

COMPLEXCON(VERSATIONS) BRINGS LIVE DISCUSSIONS TO THE STAGE

ComplexCon(versations) returns with a weekend of live panel discussions featuring some of the most influential voices across music, fashion, sneakers and innovation. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, leading voices across music, fashion, entertainment and innovation will debate and discuss the people, products, moments and ideas that defined the year.

Saturday, October 3

LIVE "Sneaker Shopping" featuring Cody Rhodes

Complex's hit series Sneaker Shopping comes to the ComplexCon show floor for a special LIVE episode, as host Joe La Puma is joined by WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes to shop the festival's most coveted sneakers in real time. The pair will hit the show floor together, talking sneakers and personal style while browsing standout releases and hunting for Rhodes' next pair.

"Album of the Year: LIVE" featuring French Montana, DK Akademiks and Adam22

Each year, Complex's ranking of the best albums of the year sparks conversation and debate across music and culture. At ComplexCon, that conversation will unfold LIVE for the first time Complex's Jordan Rose, is joined by French Montana, DJ Akademiks and Adam22, to debate their picks, challenge each other's takes and break down the albums that mattered most this year.

"Streamer of the Year: LIVE" featuring Agent00, Ray and Yonna Jay

Hosted by Complex's Jordan Rose and featuring Agent00, Ray and Yonna Jay, the new live panel will bring together a who's-who of streamers to break down and debate their picks for the top streamers of the year, discussing the creators, moments and personalities that defined streaming in 2026. The debut of "Streamer of the Year: LIVE" comes as ComplexCon celebrates a decade of bringing the conversations shaping culture to the festival stage. Ten years after the first ComplexCon, streaming has emerged as one of the most influential forces in entertainment, with creators commanding massive audiences and increasingly shaping music, fashion, sports and pop culture.

A Live Conversation with Kai Cenat and Jerry Lorenzo

In a special ComplexCon(versations) event, Kai Cenat and Fear of God founder Jerry Lorenzo come together for a rare sit-down conversation exploring creativity, influence, entrepreneurship and the evolving intersection of fashion and culture, moderated by Complex Editor-in-Chief Aria Hughes. Fresh off the launch of his new clothing brand, Vivet, Cenat joins Lorenzo, one of the most influential designers of his generation, to discuss building brands, shaping communities and translating cultural influence into something lasting.

Sunday, October 4

Birkenstock Presents: Making Your Own Way with Cole Bennett

A special screening followed by a live conversation with Cole Bennett, music video director and founder of Lyrical Lemonade, and Complex Editor-in-Chief Aria Hughes.

"Sneaker of the Year" featuring Lil Yachty, Rich Paul and Shannon Sharpe

Complex's biggest annual sneaker debate returns to ComplexCon for its definitive live showdown. This year, Rich Paul, Lil Yachty and Shannon Sharpe take the stage to debate the year's most important releases, make the case for their favorites, and ultimately determine which pair earns the title of Sneaker of the Year 2026. Bringing together three distinct perspectives from across sports, music, business and culture, the panel breaks down Complex's Top 10 sneakers of 2026 — debating the releases, collaborations and cultural moments that shaped the year in footwear.

For the full ComplexCon(versations) line-up and schedule, visit: https://www.complexcon.com/lineup.

The Complex News hub will also broadcast live interviews from the convention show floor throughout the weekend in conjunction with Complex Bets powered by Fanatics Sports and Casino.

THRIFTCON LIVE AT COMPLEXCON BRINGS THE FESTIVAL'S LARGEST VINTAGE EXPERIENCE EVER

For the first time, ComplexCon will converge with ThriftCon, taking over an entire exhibition hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center to create the largest vintage experience in ComplexCon history.

Spanning more than 100,000 square feet, ThriftCon will bring together more than 100 carefully curated vintage dealers and collectors showcasing thousands of hand-selected pieces ranging from rare vintage apparel and archival streetwear to retro collectibles, watches, jewelry, sports memorabilia, accessories and home goods.

DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society of Automation (ISA) — the leading professional society for automation — announced that Agilicus has officially joined the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), demonstrating its commitment to advancing operational (OT) cybersecurity through ISA/IEC 62443 and helping secure critical infrastructure.

Created by ISA, the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance is a collaborative forum focused on strengthening OT cybersecurity through education, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration. Leveraging the ISA/IEC 62443 standards, ISAGCA works to expand cybersecurity expertise, openly share knowledge and resources and protect the OT cybersecurity worldwide community.

Agilicus' focus on zero trust and secure remote access aligns with key cybersecurity principles addressed within the ISA/IEC 62443 series, including identity and access management, least-privilege access, network segmentation, restricted data flows and secure access to industrial systems. Agilicus' technology enables organizations to provide authorized users with secure remote access to critical resources, including SCADA environments, while reducing reliance on traditional perimeter-based approaches.

Through ISAGCA membership, Agilicus will collaborate with global industry leaders to accelerate awareness, adoption and implementation of the ISA/IEC 62443 standards framework while continuing their business focus on organizational learning and using advanced technology to make security simple and accessible.

"This is an exciting milestone for the community," said Michelle Ritterskamp, ISAGCA program coordinator. "Agilicus brings deep experience in operational technology environment and a strong commitment to measurable, standards-based cybersecurity."

"Joining ISAGCA reflects our commitment to advancing OT cybersecurity," said Don Bowman, CEO and founder of Agilicus. "Our experience in protecting operational technology within critical infrastructure align perfectly with ISAGCA's mission. We look forward to bringing our subject-matter expertise to ISAGCA and its members, including zero trust, protecting against AI-powered cyber threats and fortifying critical infrastructure including in regulated areas such as NERC CIP."

About ISAGCA

The ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA) is a collaborative forum to advance OT cybersecurity awareness, education, readiness, standardization and knowledge sharing. ISAGCA's global ecosystem includes leaders such as Chevron, GSK, Trane Technologies, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, Trane Technologies, Rockwell Automation and Fortinet, among others. For more information, visit www.isagca.org.

About Agilicus

Agilicus' background focuses on organizational earning, bringing advanced technology to make security accessible. They provide cloud-native cybersecurity solutions designed to make secure access to critical systems simpler and more manageable. Through its AnyX Zero Trust Network Access platform, Agilicus enables organizations to securely connect authorized users to applications, desktops, file shares, databases and operational technology environments without traditional VPNs. The platform applies identity-based, least-privilege access controls while helping organizations reduce network exposure, limit lateral movement and maintain greater visibility into access to critical resources. For more information, visit www.agilicus.com.

About ISA

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1945 to create a better world through automation. ISA's mission is to empower the global automation community through standards and knowledge sharing. ISA develops widely used global standards and conformity assessment programs; certifies professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its members and customers around the world. Learn more at www.isa.org.

SOURCE The International Society of Automation

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Drawing on insights from her books Growth IQ and The Experience Mindset and her work advising some of the world's leading businesses, Bova's keynote, Future-Proof Your Business for Revenue Growth, addresses a question every Partner faces: how do you accelerate growth in an ever-shifting landscape of market expectations?

Tiffani will walk Partners through how to set themselves up for a win before the first client conversation, how they can make the right investments in processes and technology to accelerate pipeline velocity, and how to uncover the current market context to shape future strategies. Her session offers Partners a holistic framework for turning today's evolving landscape into top-line growth.

Those interested in joining this keynote session, led by one of the world's foremost authorities on growth, sales, and customer experience, can register and explore the agenda by clicking HERE!

The 2026 National Summit will feature 65+ Providers, educational sessions across Sales, Growth, and Tech tracks, Mainstage sessions, and countless opportunities to engage with a community focused on helping Partners grow their business.

PLEASE NOTE: Outside of Partners and soon-to-be Partners, only sponsoring Providers are allowed to attend this event. Those interested in participating as a sponsor can learn more by contacting the Sandler Partners team at [email protected].

About Tiffani Bova

Tiffani Bova has been ranked among the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 for six years running, and Forbes says she "reshapes our perception of growth." Over a nearly 30-year career, she has helped lead the tech industry through several evolutions. As a Research Fellow at Gartner, she advised Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, and others through the shift from on-premise to as-a-service models. As an early Cloud pioneer, she took a new Fortune 500 division to $300 million in revenue in two and a half years. She was Salesforce's Growth and Innovation Evangelist. Today she runs the research and strategy organization at The Futurum Group and leads its work across the technology and telecom Channels. She is the author of two Wall Street Journal bestsellers, Growth IQ and The Experience Mindset, and hosts the podcast What's Next! with Tiffani Bova. For more information, visit https://www.tiffanibova.com/.

About Sandler Partners

Sandler Partners helps empower its network of leading independent Sales Partners to deliver a comprehensive range of technology solutions to organizations worldwide, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connectivity, Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), and Continuity. Its community-focused approach enables Partners to identify the right solutions for customers quickly and objectively from a diverse portfolio of 220+ Providers. Partner sales agents, VARs, and MSPs gain access to an innovative suite of sales tools within the Sandler Portal—including SCOUT, Solutions Finder, Scout for Solutions, and the Marketing Center—several of which are AI-powered, all backed by a robust support network, dedicated Sales Engineering expertise, and rich marketing resources. Together, these tools and resources empower Partners to focus on what they do best: delivering quality, value, performance, innovative solutions, unmatched expertise, and exceptional service to their clients. Members of the Sandler Partners community also benefit from the industry's strongest negotiated agreements and a dedicated team committed to ensuring commissions are accurately identified, tracked, and paid. For more information, visit www.sandlerpartners.com.

Sandler Partners – Media Contact

Tina S. Dyksterhouse

[email protected]

310-861-2295

SOURCE Sandler Partners

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AI Is Changing Workforce Planning, Yet Few Organizations Feel Fully Prepared

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CHRO confidence remained positive in Q3, but continued to edge down from its record high earlier this year. That's according to the latest survey of US chief human resource officers (CHROs) from The Conference Board.

The CHRO Confidence Index declined to 56 in Q3 from 58 in Q2. A reading above 50 reflects more positive than negative responses. The hiring component of the Index rose slightly, while the retention and engagement components declined.

The survey also reveals that AI is already changing workforce planning, even as many organizations remain early in preparing for its impact. More than 8 in 10 CHROs (82%) say their organization has changed its workforce-planning process because of AI, although half describe the change as only slight. Just 19% say anticipated AI effects have been incorporated into workforce and financial planning across the enterprise.

And while 55% of CHROs consider their organizations at least somewhat prepared to manage AI-driven workforce change over the next two years, only 4% say they are very prepared. The biggest barriers are difficulty predicting AI's workforce impact (41%), limited AI skills (39%), and an unclear AI strategy (31%).

"CHROs are still planning to hire, but the broader workforce picture is becoming more cautious," said Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader, The Conference Board. "Organizations are balancing the need for talent with slower workforce growth and mounting concerns about engagement and retention. At the same time, AI is forcing leaders to rethink what skills they will need in the future and how they plan their workforces."

Hiring: Do HR leaders expect to hire more employees in the next six months?

The CHRO Confidence Index: Hiring component was 61 in Q3, up from 59 in Q2.

Hiring expectations remain positive.

- 53% expect hiring to increase over the next six months, compared with 17% who expect it to decrease.

- Those expectations were relatively stable from Q2, when 54% expected an increase and 17% expected a decrease.

Expectations for overall workforce size have cooled.

- 49% expect total workforce size to increase over the next six months, down from 55% in Q2.

- 28% expect workforce size to remain unchanged, up from 23%.

- 23% expect their workforce to decrease, essentially unchanged from 22% in Q2.

Retention: Do HR leaders expect employees to stay over the next six months?

The CHRO Confidence Index: Retention component declined slightly to 54 in Q3 from 55 in Q2.

Retention expectations softened.

- 33% of CHROs expect employee retention to increase, down from 36% in Q2.

- 22% expect retention to decrease, up from 19%.

- The gap between those expecting improvement and deterioration narrowed to 11 percentage points from 17 points in Q2.

Engagement: Were employees committed, motivated, and connected to their work and the organization over the past six months?

The CHRO Confidence Index: Engagement component fell to 55 in Q3 from 59 in Q2.

Employee engagement emerged as the clearest source of weakness this quarter.

- 44% report increased engagement, down slightly from 46% in Q2.

- 24% report decreased engagement, up notably from 16% in Q2.

AI and Workforce Planning: How is AI changing organizations' workforce planning?

Most are changing workforce planning because of AI, but for many, the changes remain limited.

- 50% of CHROs say their organization has made only a slight change to workforce planning.

- 25% report a moderate change, while only 7% report a significant change.

Organizations are analyzing AI's impact more often than changing how frequently they plan.

Among organizations that have changed their workforce planning process:

- 67% have analyzed AI's potential impact on jobs, tasks, or workforce demand.

- 67% have brought AI technologies or AI leaders into workforce planning discussions.

- 45% have incorporated new AI-related workforce, skills, or labor-market data.

- Just 21% have changed workforce planning schedules; 20% have increased the frequency of planning.

Enterprise-wide integration of AI into workforce planning remains limited.

- Enterprise-wide incorporation is 19% for both global and non-global organizations.

- Among global organizations, 32% have incorporated anticipated AI effects into workforce and financial planning for selected functions, roles, business units, or geographies.

- Among non-global organizations, 30% have done the same.

The biggest barriers to successful AI workforce planning are:

- 41%: Difficulty predicting AI's workforce impact.

- 39%: Limited AI skills among the current workforce.

- 31%: An unclear AI strategy.

- Financial resources, executive alignment, and workforce data are cited much less frequently as barriers.

Few organizations feel very prepared for AI-driven workforce change.

- 55% describe their organization as prepared to manage AI-driven workforce change over the next two years, but only 4% say they are very prepared.

- 27% say their organization is unprepared.

"AI is clearly becoming part of workforce planning, but most organizations are still working through what it means in practice," said Robin Erickson, PhD, Head of Human Capital Research, The Conference Board. "The biggest obstacles aren't simply budget or data. Organizations are uncertain about how AI will change work, the potential gaps in workforce skills, and, thus, the lack of a clear AI strategy. CHROs will need to connect the HR technology strategy much more closely with workforce and skills planning."

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the global, Member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. Founded in 1916, we are a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization.

TCB.org  l  Learn about Membership

SOURCE The Conference Board

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