ALPFA's Annual National Convention In Las Vegas, Aug. 11 - 16, Focuses On Building Latino Business Leaders At Crucial ...

LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past 40 years, ALPFA, the premier business organization for expanding opportunities for Latino leadership in the global marketplace, has opened doors for thousands of Latino professionals through rich programs and activities.

During these tough economic times and in a state with an ever increasing Hispanic influence, ALPFA continues to pave the way at its largest event of the year -- the 40th Annual National Convention themed Shining the Light on 40 Years of Latino Leadership scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug.16, at the world famous Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ALPFA's Annual Convention is one of the most powerful events in the Latino business community. The four-day conference attracts about 3,000 Hispanic entrepreneurs, corporate executives, procurement and supplier-diversity professionals from the private and public sectors, as well as college students from across the country.  Given the opportunity to connect with top Latino leaders and young talent, every major financial institution in the country has a presence at the event.

As part of its ongoing commitment to opening doors for all Latinos, this year ALPFA is inviting military service veterans to attend the Career Fair and University Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free. The day will also feature an exclusive panel discussion, "Military to Corporate --Tips for a Successful Transition," and the annual Leadership Luncheon.  U.S. veterans can register online at www.ALPFA.org or onsite on Aug. 15 for a day pass to the career fair by showing their military identification.

"Corporations recognize the leadership skills Veterans bring to the table and we want to ensure that our Latino Veterans are connected to these opportunities. As ALPFA works to build Latino leaders, we want to support Veterans to transition from leadership in the military to leaders in the corporate community," said Manuel Espinoza, ALPFA CEO.

At the Career Fair, nearly 100 companies, including lead sponsor Deloitte, from retail, banking, technologies, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and professional services are looking for talented, motivated and dynamic individuals.

"The fact that our Career Fair is completely booked shows that we have corporate partners who are serious about hiring cream-of-the-crop Latino candidates.  ALPFA continues to address the tough challenges facing our country today and what we can do together for the future," added Espinoza.

Attendees will learn from the best industry leaders as they engage in professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and the popular product pavilion. Highlights of this year's 40th Annual National Convention include:

Women of ALPFA Luncheon – Monday, August 13, Noon to 2 p.m.
A special highlight this year is the 10 year anniversary of the Women of ALPFA as it celebrates empowering women's leadership and honors the CEO of Girl Scouts Anna Maria Chavez with its first Latina Excellence Award.

Career Fair & University Expo -- Wednesday, August 15, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During the Career Fair and University Expo, ALPFA will host an exclusive panel discussion for Latino Veterans from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

ALPFA Awards Gala – Wednesday, August 15, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sponsored by Deloitte, the ALPFA Awards Gala promises to be the biggest celebration of the year. ALPFA will honor outstanding individuals as well as give a sneak peak to what is in store for 2013. Keynote speaker for the gala will be Maritza Montiel, Vice Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte LLP.

Since 1972 ALPFA has been the organization dedicated to creating successful Latino business leaders. ALPFA provides quality programs and access to decision makers. We create opportunities; add value and build relationships for our members and corporate partners. Today, ALPFA is a national organization with more than 19,000 professional and student members.

Visit www.ALPFA.org to register for the 40th Annual Convention and learn more about ALPFA's success in building Latino business leaders and Latino success stories.

Tweet this story: #Latino business leaders ready to shine the light as bright as the #LasVegas sky @ALPFA Conference, Aug. 11 -16. [www.alpfa.org] #ALPFA

ABOUT ALPFA

Established in Los Angeles in 1972, ALPFA is the first national Latino professional association created in the United States and is the proud successor of the AAHCPA. ALPFA provides members the foundation to advance Latino leadership through access to opportunities and the individuals that can impact them throughout their careers. Today, with more than 19,000 members, including CEOs, CFOs and board members, through 40 professional chapters and 100 student chapters in campuses around the nation, the organization has the largest member base and footprint among professional associations for Latinos.

For more information on ALPFA, or to become a member visit: www.alpfa.org

View the original article here

MTS Allstream Employee Receives National Award for Achievement in Business Continuity Management

Award presented at World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto

WINNIPEG , July 9, 2012 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream, one of Canada's leading national communications solutions providers, is proud to congratulate Vito Mangialardi, MTS Allstream's Director of Business Continuity Management, for receiving the National Award for Business Continuity Management from the Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and contribution to business continuity management. Business continuity professionals identify potential threats that may impact an organization and provide a framework for implementing safeguards to protect the interests of the organization and its customers.

"For the past 15 years, Vito has been working in the field of business continuity management. He is the founding member of MTS Allstream's Business Continuity Management program," said Mike Strople , MTS Allstream's Chief Technology Officer. "In addition to leading the Business Continuity Program at MTS Allstream, Vito is active in the field as an executive member of the Canadian Telecom Emergency Preparedness Association. The association adopts measures to protect the telecommunications industry in the event of a major disaster. We are very fortunate to have Vito's dedication and expertise as a part of our Company."

This award follows MTS Allstream's 2009 Award of Excellence by the Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada (DRI Canada ) for the Company's excellence in business continuity management.

"Planning for and responding to emergencies is an integrated business practice and we are pleased to have one of our leaders recognized by the Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness," added Mr. Strople . "Reliable telecommunication services are important to all of our customers. Our business continuity and emergency management program is one important element in ensuring the performance, reliability and recoverability of our services."

The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit organization that assists communities, governments and private business to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from man-made or natural disasters.

The award was given to Mr. Mangialardi recently at the World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto . The conference gathers experts in the fields of emergency management and response, IT disaster recovery, business continuity, and risk management.

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS Allstream)

MTS Allstream is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, providing innovative communications for the way Canadians live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 5,500 employees across Canada . MTS Allstream's business is dynamic and consists of two operating divisions. In Manitoba, MTS is the leading full-service telecommunications provider for residential and business customers. MTS's suite of services include the latest in wireless technology, broadband services, IPTV, voice services, home security and an extensive range of business solutions. Across Canada , Allstream is a leader in IP communications and is the only national provider that focuses exclusively on the business telecommunications market. MTS Allstream has nearly two million customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national fibre optic network spans more than 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream has spent 11 consecutive years on the Jantzi Social Index for leadership in social responsibility and is the recipient of the 2011 Governance Gavel Award from the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, recognizing clear and effective public disclosure and leading governance practices. MTS Allstream's common shares are listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com. For more information about MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca. For more information about Allstream's products and services, please visit www.allstream.com.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer

This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about the Company's corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and future financial results and performance that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending" and other similar terms.

Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Material assumptions" section below, the "Risks and uncertainties" section, elsewhere in the Company's 2011 Annual MD&A and 2011 Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

View the original article here

Chrysler Group Supports National Veteran Small Business Conference - StreetInsider.com

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Event seeks to connect veterans with employment and business opportunities Company to direct veterans on how to apply for jobs at Chrysler Group Company also will conduct a mini-Matchmaker to connect veteran-owned businesses with automotive supplier partners

Chrysler Group lent its support to the U.S. Veteran's Administration's (VA) efforts to identify employment and business opportunities for the nation's veterans by participating in the VA's National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo held in Detroit beginning June 26. As the largest nationwide conference of its kind, this event focused on helping veterans and veteran-owned businesses identify and optimize employment and business opportunities.

Chrysler Group representatives from a range of functions were available at the event's career fair to meet with veterans interested in seeking job opportunities at Chrysler Group. In addition, the Company's supplier diversity team was on hand to counsel veteran-owned businesses on how to become suppliers to the automotive industry, connecting veterans with Company buyers who can introduce them to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 supplier community.

"Chrysler Group is proud of the service our veterans have provided to our country," said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC. "The National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo will be a unique opportunity for our team to recruit veterans to join Chrysler Group and be part of our Company's success in the future."

Chrysler Group has long been an integral part of our nation's fight for freedom and has distinguished itself in its support of employees who are on active duty or veterans. In 2011, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of Southeast Michigan, a U.S. Department of Defense agency, presented its employer leadership award to Chrysler Group for the Company's longstanding support for employees on active military duty.

The Company is also a past recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Chrysler Group currently has 24 employees on active military leave.  Among Chrysler Group's U.S. employees, 218 are currently active or inactive Reservists.  Nearly 4,200 current employees are military veterans.

About Chrysler Group LLC  Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Follow Chrysler news and video on: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo  Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com  Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler  Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm  Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com Careers: www.chryslercareers.com 

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC

View the original article here

Chrysler Group Supports National Veteran Small Business Conference

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Event seeks to connect veterans with employment and business opportunitiesCompany to direct veterans on how to apply for jobs at Chrysler GroupCompany also will conduct a mini-Matchmaker to connect veteran-owned businesses with automotive supplier partners

Chrysler Group lent its support to the U.S. Veteran's Administration's (VA) efforts to identify employment and business opportunities for the nation's veterans by participating in the VA's National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo held in Detroit beginning June 26. As the largest nationwide conference of its kind, this event focused on helping veterans and veteran-owned businesses identify and optimize employment and business opportunities.

Chrysler Group representatives from a range of functions were available at the event's career fair to meet with veterans interested in seeking job opportunities at Chrysler Group. In addition, the Company's supplier diversity team was on hand to counsel veteran-owned businesses on how to become suppliers to the automotive industry, connecting veterans with Company buyers who can introduce them to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 supplier community.

"Chrysler Group is proud of the service our veterans have provided to our country," said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC. "The National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo will be a unique opportunity for our team to recruit veterans to join Chrysler Group and be part of our Company's success in the future."

Chrysler Group has long been an integral part of our nation's fight for freedom and has distinguished itself in its support of employees who are on active duty or veterans. In 2011, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of Southeast Michigan, a U.S. Department of Defense agency, presented its employer leadership award to Chrysler Group for the Company's longstanding support for employees on active military duty.

The Company is also a past recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Chrysler Group currently has 24 employees on active military leave.  Among Chrysler Group's U.S. employees, 218 are currently active or inactive Reservists.  Nearly 4,200 current employees are military veterans.

About Chrysler Group LLC 
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Follow Chrysler news and video on:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo 
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler 
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm 
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com 
Careers: www.chryslercareers.com 

View the original article here

Chrysler Group Supports National Veteran Small Business Conference

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Event seeks to connect veterans with employment and business opportunitiesCompany to direct veterans on how to apply for jobs at Chrysler GroupCompany also will conduct a mini-Matchmaker to connect veteran-owned businesses with automotive supplier partners

Chrysler Group lent its support to the U.S. Veteran's Administration's (VA) efforts to identify employment and business opportunities for the nation's veterans by participating in the VA's National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo held in Detroit beginning June 26. As the largest nationwide conference of its kind, this event focused on helping veterans and veteran-owned businesses identify and optimize employment and business opportunities.

Chrysler Group representatives from a range of functions were available at the event's career fair to meet with veterans interested in seeking job opportunities at Chrysler Group. In addition, the Company's supplier diversity team was on hand to counsel veteran-owned businesses on how to become suppliers to the automotive industry, connecting veterans with Company buyers who can introduce them to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 supplier community.

"Chrysler Group is proud of the service our veterans have provided to our country," said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC. "The National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo will be a unique opportunity for our team to recruit veterans to join Chrysler Group and be part of our Company's success in the future."

Chrysler Group has long been an integral part of our nation's fight for freedom and has distinguished itself in its support of employees who are on active duty or veterans. In 2011, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of Southeast Michigan, a U.S. Department of Defense agency, presented its employer leadership award to Chrysler Group for the Company's longstanding support for employees on active military duty.

The Company is also a past recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Chrysler Group currently has 24 employees on active military leave.  Among Chrysler Group's U.S. employees, 218 are currently active or inactive Reservists.  Nearly 4,200 current employees are military veterans.

About Chrysler Group LLC 
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Follow Chrysler news and video on:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo 
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler 
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm 
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com 
Careers: www.chryslercareers.com 

View the original article here

National Coalition Requests That the Small Business Administration Stop Fabricating Small Business Contracting Numbers ...

PETALUMA, CA--(Marketwire -06/07/12)- The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:

A coalition of small business advocates, trade organizations, businesses and non-profit organizations led by the American Small Business League (ASBL) has sent letters to the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting greater transparency in federal small business contracting. This precedes the release of the SBA's annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard, which is due out this summer and known for overstating the percentage of contract dollars awarded to small businesses.
www.asbl.com/karenmills.pdf
www.asbl.com/jeffreyzients.pdf
www.asbl.com/joejordan.pdf

"The government must ensure that small business data is accurate and timely -- small businesses and the public deserve to know whether the government is actually close to small business contracting goals," said Scott Amey, General Counsel at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO). "Moreover, enhanced competition and small business opportunities are good for taxpayers and great for the economy."

The federal government has a statutory goal of awarding 23 percent of the total value of all prime contract dollars to legitimate small businesses, but has never accomplished this goal. To make matters worse, the SBA overstates the percentage of federal contracts awarded to small businesses by including contracts awarded to large businesses. The SBA also overstates the percentage of contracts awarded to small businesses by dramatically understating the federal acquisitions budget, including classified and unclassified contracts.

"It is important to accurately report federal agencies' priorities and performance levels in meeting the 23 percent small business goal set by Congress in 1997 that goes unmet year after year," said Roger A. Campos, President & CEO of the Minority Business RoundTable. "Failing to meet these goals has cost America's small and minority businesses billions in lost opportunities."

Since 2003, more than a dozen federal investigations have found billions of dollars in federal small business contracts flowing into the hands of corporate giants. Following fiscal year 2011, which ended in September, the SBA Office of Inspector General named the fact that procurement flaws allow large firms to obtain small business awards and agencies to count contracts performed by large firms towards their small business goals as the SBA's top management challenge for the seventh consecutive year.

"During his campaign, President Obama promised to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants," said Lloyd Chapman, President of the ASBL. "It is time for President Obama to force the SBA to stop fabricating these numbers. They need to tell the truth, which is that small businesses get a small fraction of what the SBA says they do."

The undersigned individuals and organizations have endorsed this effort:

American Small Business League (ASBL)
Project on Government Oversight (POGO)
Minority Business Round Table (MBRT)
Fairness in Procurement Alliance (FPA)
Charles Tiefer, Professor of Government Contracting, University of Baltimore Law School
Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce
Leadville/Lake County Chamber of Commerce
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
The Blount Partnership
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota
Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Southern California)
Business Coalition for Fair Competition (BCFC)
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania
Queens Chamber of Commerce
Eyes Cream Shades
Public Citizen
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio
Washington (Il) Chamber of Commerce
Ayden Chamber of Commerce
Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida

View the original article here

SBA Hosts Business Matchmaking to Link Small Businesses with Federal Contract Opportunities during National Small ...

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a business matchmaking event allowing small businesses to discuss procurement opportunities with major corporations and federal agencies during National Small Business Week on May 22 in Washington, DC. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO)

The event will give small businesses from across the country gathered for National Small Business Week an opportunity to have face-to-face meetings with prime contractors and federal agencies to learn about specific contracting and subcontracting opportunities. This is part of SBA's Procurement Day which will also feature federal contracting panels on gaining access to federal prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities.

The business matchmaking sessions are open to small businesses that register for National Small Business Week.  Small businesses must have a DUNS number, which can be obtained by going to the DUNS official Web site at (www.dnb.com/us), and must be registered in Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov), the federal government's official database of small businesses wishing to secure federal contracts.  

The face-to-face matchmaking meetings will be 15 minutes, matching approximately 150 businesses and 20 buyers based on their compatibility and the buying needs of the federal agencies and corporations.  Small business owners interested in participating must first register for National Small Business Week at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com. 

Once registered, they will receive a code to allow them to complete their business matchmaking registration at:  https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com.  Registration for the event will close on May 18, 2012.   One session will be held on May 22 from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and the second session will be held from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 

During the forums, small businesses will learn how to market themselves to the federal government and go after government contracting opportunities.  Once small business owners register for the workshops, they will have the option of attending any of three sessions:

Government Contracting 101: Small Business Contracting Programs (10:00-11:15 a.m.) Insights into Federal Contracting Opportunities with Federal Agency Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs) (10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) Improving your Business through Subcontracting Opportunities (11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.)

For more information about the Matchmaking event, visit: https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com and National Small Business Week http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Small Business Week 2012 sponsors and cosponsors include: AARP, Association of Small Business Development Companies, AT&T, Dun & Bradstreet, InterContinental Hotels Group, International Franchise Association, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Development Companies, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders,  National Association for the Self-Employed, National Small Business Association, Neustar, Northrop Grumman, Office Depot, Paychex, Inc., Prudential, Raytheon, Sage Software, Inc., Salesgenie, SCORE, Small Business Investor Alliance, T-Mobile, VISA, Wall Street Journal and Women Impacting Public Policy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor's, donor's, grantee's, contractor's or participant's opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2012.

Contact: Tiffani Clements (202) 401-0035
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.sba.gov

View the original article here

Networking Opportunities Abound at ITEX National Expo & Conference

NEWTON, MA--(Marketwire -04/06/12)- As the industry makes plans to gather in less than two weeks at the ITEX National Expo & Conference in Las Vegas, attendees will find new technology to make networking even easier. ITEX, in conjunction with mTribeApps, has introduced the first ever ITEX Mobile App, an interactive, free and downloadable smartphone application designed to enhance the tradeshow experience and provide valuable ITEX information on the go. Also, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with fellow attendees and exhibitors using ITEX Connection, a tool developed by ARI, the event's registration vendor.

Available for download in the Apple iTunes store and Android market by searching "ITEX Show," the ITEX Mobile App will provide attendees, exhibitors and prospects all the information they'll need about ITEX at their fingertips. Create a personal schedule of the conference sessions you're attending, mark the exhibitors you'd like to meet with the interactive map, plan your time in Vegas with local attractions and restaurants, and more. ITEX anticipates more than 50% of exhibitors and attendees to download the app and utilize its powerful features:

Learn: Personalize your conference schedule. Chart your visit to the Expo Floor. Take notes. Users can add sessions to their agendas and map their Expo route directly from their smartphone, even before arriving to the show Network: Connect with speakers, exhibitors and attendees. Participate in the social using the #itex12 hash tag; connect with colleagues on LinkedIn as you meet them at the show, upload videos to YouTube and more! Succeed: Collect connections, products and presentations on your device. Follow up. Share with your teammates.

"Mobile smartphones and the next generation native apps on them are becoming the primary 24/7 user interface for all personal and professional communication and interaction between people, groups, services, products and brands," says Wendy Loew, Group Director, ITEX Expo & Conference. "We are happy to be working with mTribeApps to provide our attendees and exhibitors with a quality app as a valuable resource to maximize their time spent at ITEX."

Additionally, with ARI, the event's registration vendor, ITEX has launched ITEX Connection to allow attendees and exhibitors to make the most of their time at the event by setting up appointments and meetings ahead of time. Once registered for the event, attendees and exhibitors will receive log-in information for the ITEX Connection. Once logged in, attendees and exhibitors can use this online tool to begin to network and schedule meetings before arriving on site. This quick and easy-to-use tool allows participants to search for and communicate with other registered attendees and exhibitors, find new business contacts, or re-connect with industry colleagues by using the flexible search engine.

"We are pleased to offer our dealers, resellers, distributors, VARs, vendors and OEMs an easy way to plan out their valuable time at ITEX. These industry professionals take time away from the office to network, see new products and meet with colleagues. We encourage those who have registered to download the ITEX Connection to better achieve their goals," said Sand Sinclair, ITEX Conference Director. "We have also planned several exciting special events where people can meet and share a casual environment to conduct business. While at the show, these networking events are the perfect opportunity to plan to meet in person."

Special Events Include:

Perfect Image Awards Ceremony: Wed, April 18, 3:00 pm, imageSource Live Theater on the Expo Floor Welcome Reception: Wed, April 18, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Mirage Events Center Foyer Networking Breakfast: Thurs, April 19, 9:00 AM, Expo Floor imageSource Live Theater: new Show Feature offering FREE education from credible sources Concurrent Events include the Compass Sales Summit, NPRN Annual Meeting, MPSA Reception and the IBPI Annual Member Meeting. Stay Connected Internet Zone: Expo floor, Booth #339 Grand ITEX Giveaway 2.0: Wed, April 18, 3:30pm and Thurs, April 19, 12:30 pm, imageSource Live Theater, Expo Floor

The ITEX Mobile App is available for download in the Apple iTunes store and Android market by searching "ITEX Show" or by clicking the links below:

The ITEX Connection is available for download at: https://web1.accureg.com/ITEX12_prod/accumatch/SchedLogin.asp

PRODUCED AND MANAGED BY:
ITEX 2012 National Expo & Conference, the largest North American trade show in the imaging channel, will be held Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19, 2012 at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. ITEX National Expo & Conference is produced and managed by Questex Media Group LLC, a global, diversified business-to-business integrated media and information provider, headquartered in Newton, MA. www.itexshow.com

View the original article here

Mary Fox Donnelly Is Named a "2012 Women's Business Enterprise Star" by Women's Business Enterprise National Council - PR Newswire

 To be honored before 1,000 at "Salute to Women's Business Enterprises"

PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mary Fox Donnelly will receive the nation's premier award for excellence among women's business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Salute to Women's Business Enterprises Celebrating 15 Years: Vision, Opportunities, and Success!

The annual event will take place March 22, 2012, before 1,000 corporate executives, WBEs and government and nonprofit representatives at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore, MD. 

Encompass Elements provides cross media marketing services which entails lettershop, print on demand, structural design with assembly of kits and over-wrapping; plus web and data solutions. EE offers complete fulfillment services for distribution from our warehouse with real time web based inventory management and order entry system.

"Mary Fox Donnelly is an outstanding leader and strategic thinker whose business is contributing to our economy and our future success," said Pamela Prince-Eason, WBENC President and CEO, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs as suppliers to the nation's top corporations.

"We are proud to receive this recognition by WBENC," said Mary Fox Donnelly.

Mary Fox Donnelly will be recognized for her leadership in the business community, her inspiration to other women business owners, and her active role at the helm of Encompass Elements. The Women's Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-sNJ (WBEC) selected Mary Fox Donnelly for this national honor. It is one of WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) which process WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skill-building educational programs and business development opportunities with major corporations.

"We are honoring Mary for her business acumen, community service, exemplary leadership and commitment to the growth and success of women business enterprises and our Council," said Geri Swift, President, WBEC.

WBENC's Summit & Salute is part of a comprehensive two-day strategic educational program sponsored by Accenture and Ernst & Young LLP showcasing thought leaders and key business trends, and providing WBEs with vital access to WBENC Corporate and Government Members. In delivering sophisticated resources and senior-level networking opportunities, WBENC enables the long-term success of women's businesses and the corporations they serve.  

About WBENC: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation's leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with over 11,700 WBENC-certified WBEs and WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America's most prestigious brands. Throughout the year, WBENC and its RPOs provide opportunities for interactions between more than 250 member corporations and certified WBEs at business building events and other forums.  WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs.  For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

About WBEC PA-DE-sNJ: As a regional partner organization of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Women's Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-sNJ (WBEC) certifies women owned businesses and facilitates the relationship between corporations, government and women business enterprises to provide growth and sustainability.  For information on the Council's current activities in support of certified WBEs, log on to www.wbecouncil.org.

About Encompass Elements: Encompass Elements operates two locations, one in Colmar Pennsylvania, and the other a 250,000 square feet distribution center in New Castle Delaware, where product and literature fulfillment is conducted for various industries. EE is in a unique position to guide clients through the hurdles of a successful campaign with creative use of cutting edge technology. From strategic planning, creative design, database management, personalization and lettershop to response and program analysis, our innovative marketing solutions promote and enhance the success of our clients' diverse businesses.

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise Council

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.wbenc.org

View the original article here

Phorum 2012 National Cloud Conference to Showcase Emerging Cloud Technologies for the Enterprise - YAHOO!

Fifteen Leading Edge Companies to Showcase What’s Next at Phorum 2012 Demo Pit

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

The Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT), in partnership with Dell Inc. and Fairmount Partners, today announced the emerging growth companies that will be showcased in the Phorum 2012 National Cloud Conference Demo Pit. The diverse group of participating companies are all headquartered on the East Coast, near to the Philadelphia-based conference, and were selected for their innovation in the use of cloud computing technology to solve strategic business problems. They include:

AboutOne – contact management tool, aboutone.com

Adaptivity – enterprise cloud decision support provider, adaptivity.com

CloudConfidence.com – comprehensive cloud monitoring service, cloudconfidence.net

CloudMine – mobile app development platform, cloudmine.com

cWyze – interactive video platform, cwyze.com

eMaint Enterprises – facility and property management system, emaint.com

Houdini – enterprise crowdsourcing platform, houdiniapi.com

metaLayer – data management and analysis platform, metalayer.com

Profitably – small business planning and analytics tool, profitably.com

Queue in the Cloud – IT service management platform, qinthecloud.com

ReadySetWork – employee scheduling and communication tool, readysetwork.com

Ridaroo – employee ride sharing tool, ridaroo.com

Target Info – data analytics and management platform, target-info.com

Updentity – enterprise contact management automation tool, updentity.com

UXFlip – mobile app development platform, uxflip.com

“The companies selected for this year’s Phorum conference really showcase the diversity of cloud offerings available to the enterprise,” said Allen Born, Head of Internet and Cloud Computing Investment Banking at Fairmount Partners and Advisory Board Member for Phorum 2012. “While the companies all serve different enterprise functions – data management, HR, IT – all provide solutions that enable businesses to work more efficiently and cost effectively. We’re excited for the Phorum participants to have a chance to interact with them and showcase Philadelphia’s emerging cloud technology providers.”

The Demo Pit will enable these 15 early-stage companies to showcase their products to the conference attendees, who will have an opportunity to interact with Demo Pit participants and experience product demonstrations throughout the day. At the conclusion of the conference, three Demo Pit participants will be selected to join Peter Coffee, VP and Head of Platform Research at salesforce.com, on stage for the conference’s closing session.

Mr. Coffee is one of four nationally acclaimed speakers presenting on the enterprise and the cloud at Phorum 2012. Others include, James Staten, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, John Treadway, North American Practice Director for Cloud and Data Center Transformation at Unisys, and keynote speaker and Pulitzer Prize Nominee, Nick Carr, author of The Big Switch and The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. Phorum 2012 will be held March 28, 2012 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and will explore cloud computing technologies and their transformative impact on how companies do business, go to market, and compete.

Sponsors for Phorum 2012 include Dell, Fairmount Partners, Anexinet, BMC Software, CA Technologies, ColdLight Solutions, Fiberlink, Hollister Creative, ICG, KPMG, LiquidHub, PACT, Slice Communications, SmartCEO, Unisys, and USEED.

Tickets for Phorum 2012 are still available and cost $300 for the full conference and $75 for the reception only. Seating is limited to the first 400 registrants. Registration is currently open at http://www.phorumphilly.com and sponsorships are still available.

About Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)

Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)'s vision is to be a premier resource for emerging growth companies in the technology, clean technology, and life sciences industries. We connect emerging growth companies, venture investors, professional advisors, and technology-focused corporations to network, develop relationships, pursue business opportunities, and market and promote their businesses to foster growth and innovation. For more information please visit http://www.philadelphiapact.com.

###

Cassandra Oryl
coryl@slicecommunications.com
2023092263
Email Information

View the original article here

Farmers' rare opportunity: Save Rocky Mountain National Park and help the bottom line - 9News

FORT COLLINS - Brock Faulkner, a Texas A&M University agriculture engineer, stood up Thursday in front of a room full of farmers in Fort Morgan and railed against the perception that Colorado's agriculture producers are foul factory farmers. That's an idea he said was generated by the 2008 documentary film "Food, Inc.," which heavily criticized American agribusiness.

"When this is what consumers think about production agriculture, and they're told that Rocky Mountain National Park has nitrogen deposition problems and it's because of factory farms in eastern Colorado, they're going to believe it if we don't go out there and tell our story, and we don't go out and do what it takes to do our part to reduce nitrogen deposition," he said.

Rocky Mountain National Park, with its more than 3 million annual visitors, is an economic powerhouse for Estes Park and the tourism industry in Larimer County, but the national park's increased levels of nitrogen found in soils and alpine lakes could mean that farmers across the Eastern Plains from Fort Collins to Burlington could have to change how they do business.

The reason for that is complex, but the motivation behind some farmers wanting to take action now is simple: "We never want somebody telling us what we have to do," Wellington sugar beet and wheat grower Troy Seaworth said.

He attended a nitrogen deposition and air quality symposium Thursday in Fort Morgan meant to educate farmers about how they are changing the ecosystem at Rocky Mountain National Park. The symposium was sponsored by the state, Colorado State University, the National Park Service and a host of agriculture organizations.

Seaworth wants the state and the federal government to give local farmers a chance to manage their impacts on air quality before being mandated to do so.

When Rocky Mountain National Park was created nearly a century ago, Congress mandated the federal government protect its world-renowned scenery and ecology unimpaired for future generations. Since then, the park's air quality has gained the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's highest level of protection from manmade air pollution.

Much of the air pollution at the park comes from vehicle tailpipes, power plants and industrial sources all around Denver and other Front Range urban areas, but much of it also comes from ammonia emitted from farms and feed lots throughout eastern Colorado.

"Ammonia comes from the degradation of manure, and it comes from nitrification and denitrification," said Faulkner. "The first place we have it is fertilizer application. We put organic fertilizer on the ground, there's nitrogen for the microbes. What happens is, we go through this lovely complex microbiological transformation, and some of it comes out as ammonia. We have emissions from livestock. Urea combines with manure soil, and guess what? We hydrolyze that urea and we release ammonia."

Those ammonia emissions, which farmers worry may be soon regulated by the government, react with other industrial air pollutants to create nitrogen particles that are blown into Rocky Mountain National Park. Once nitrogen is deposited in the mountains, it speeds up the decline of the park's forests, invites the growth of invasive plant species and harms native aquatic animals and plants by changing the chemistry of the park's streams and high alpine lakes, said National Park Service biologist Jim Cheatham.

"More than 26 years of scientific research indicates that deposition of excess atmospheric nitrogen is twice the tolerable rate and is impacting natural resources in Rocky Mountain National Park," park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said Friday.
Park officials are hoping a collaboration among park officials, the EPA, state environmental regulators and farmers will go a long way to alleviate the problem.

Finding Better Ways to Farm

Though ammonia regulations are not imminent, the state may soon fail to meet emissions goals it set as part of a collaborative 2007 Rocky Mountain National Park nitrogen deposition management plan, and the state is strongly encouraging farmers to do what they can to reduce their emissions on their own.

"You want these voluntary controls to work; you don't want to fail here," said Jon Slutsky, a Colorado Air Quality Control Commission member and owner of La Luna Dairy in Wellington. "Sooner or later there will be a regulation. Being a good corporate citizen is good for your bottom line."

Though voluntary emissions controls rarely work, voluntary "best management practices" for reducing ammonia emissions are what the state is pushing now because of the nationwide backlash against government regulation, he said.

"I think the right best management practices have to make economic sense," said Dave Anderson, a wheat and corn grower from Haxtun in Phillips County and the director of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers.

Many of the methods wheat growers can use to reduce ammonia emissions are already being implemented because those practices are economically driven, he said.

Instead of spreading fertilizer across fields in mass quantities, it is either injected directly into the soil or included in irrigation water, he said.

"We spoon feed crops exactly where they need to be fed," Anderson said. "A lot of eastern Colorado agriculture converted to these methods over the last five years. It's economically driven. The current price of nitrogen is somewhere around 60 cents a pound, so you can't afford to have any of it get away from you."

There isn't much more wheat growers can do to reduce ammonia emissions, he said, so the best thing for the state to do is concentrate on helping cattle growers and feed lots manage their emissions.

For dairy farmers, keeping ammonia emissions low is a matter of managing urine and keeping the place clean, Slutsky said.

As a way to keep ammonia in check, La Luna Dairy doesn't stockpile cow manure, and workers there keep corrals clean and maintain them so the ground dries quickly to prevent urine from reacting with the manure as much as possible, he said. Cattle producers are also urged to use more absorbent bedding choices for cattle to prevent urine from touching the manure, he said.

"If our controls are voluntary, maybe we have a little more control over how we address this," he said. "If we involve the state or EPA and they start doing to us what was done to power plants, it's pretty onerous. For older dairies, there are things that would be very costly for a farm to implement. If we had to start ripping up concrete, redesign farms so we drain away urine, redesign manure systems, these are things that would really, really impact a farm."

CSU is developing a system that both Anderson and Seaworth said they hope will help cattle producers more easily manage emissions by being able to choose the best time to handle manure based on weather conditions.

The system would help farmers determine the best time to turn compost and other activities involving manure depending on when the weather is most likely to blow the pollutants toward Rocky Mountain National Park, CSU researcher Christina Williams said.

For Slutsky, using those kinds of systems for reducing ammonia emissions is a matter of good management.

"Good management will be asked of us more and more as the years go by," he said. "Ag has an unusual opportunity - a chance to help maintain a fragile ecosystem in a national park and minimize regulation in the future."

Written by Bobby Magill of the Fort Collins Coloradoan

(Copyright © 2012 Fort Collins Coloradoan, All Rights Reserved)

Comments ()  | Share your thoughts »

What's this? Paid Distribution An Outbrain customer paid to distribute this content. We do our best to ensure that all of the links recommended to you lead to interesting content. To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. We welcome your feedback at feedback@outbrain.com. View our privacy policy here.

View the original article here

National Basketball League of Canada Looks Toward Expansion - OurSports Central

February 10, 2012 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) (Toronto, ON) The National Basketball League of Canada Commissioner, John Kennedy, is pleased to announce the beginning of The League's expansion initiative for the 2012-13 season.

"From the National Basketball League of Canada's inaugural live-draft to the completion of the 2011-12 regular season and play-offs, NBL Canada has delivered a consistent, quality product to key Canadian markets, as well as an exciting and rewarding business opportunity for its team owners," Kennedy said.

Kennedy went on to say, "Together, our teams have captured the attention of thousands of fans and media alike, while cultivating new and lasting relationships with the businesses and communities we serve. Collectively, we look forward to building on this initial success through future expansion into additional markets across Canada during the 2012-13 season."

Prospective ownership-groups interested in exploring expansion opportunities for the 2012-13 season may request a franchise information package by emailing info@nblcanada.ca or phoning 416.322.5188.

Letters of intent by interested parties are due to The League office by May 31, with final applications due within 14 days or by June 15. A refundable deposit of $25,000 must also be submitted with the application. Approval of new team expansion will be made by June 30th.

The 2012-13 NBL Canada season is set to commence November 1, 2012 and conclude by March 15, 2013.

• Discuss this story on the National Basketball League of Canada message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Tweet

• Durham's Team the Oshawa Power Steal a Huge OT Win 131-127 Over the Halifax Rainmen - Oshawa Power
• Rainmen Fall to Power in Overtime - Halifax Rainmen
• Summerside Storms Mill Rats at Harbour Station 110-96 - Saint John Mill Rats
• National Basketball League of Canada Looks Toward Expansion - NBL Canada
• National Basketball League of Canada Looks Toward Expansion - NBL Canada

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

View the original article here

OppsPlace Makes Strong Debut in National Business Market - TMCnet

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, in collaboration with Ariel M. Friedler, president of Symplicity Corporation, the market leader in online career tools, today announced the launch of OppsPlace.com. OppsPlace provides companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination. OppsPlace is free of charge for job seekers and minority firms and allows corporate human resources and procurement executives to easily access qualified job seekers and qualified minority businesses for openings to provide the best opportunities.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54127-the-rlj-companies-launches-oppsplace-com-for-minority-jobseekers (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120202/MM46097) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100907/PH60132LOGO) "I created OppsPlace for several reasons," said Johnson. "First, to reduce the disparity in unemployment for minority Americans and to increase access for vendor services and supplier contracts for minority businesses. Second, I also created OppsPlace to provide corporate America with a targeted destination to identify and interact with minorities for employment and business opportunities. With over 30 charter member companies who have joined OppsPlace, it clearly demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion," he added. "As more U.S. companies, large and small, become OppsPlace members, OppsPlace will help reduce unemployment for millions of minority Americans, will provide access to capital to thousands of minority businesses, and will help drive the economic recovery of this country by giving minority Americans a fair shot which they deserve to participate fully in the American Dream." "Unique to OppsPlace is the profile builder which allows companies to focus on their diversity initiatives, mentorship programs, business match-making as well vendor/supplier opportunities," said Friedler, co-founder of OppsPlace. "OppsPlace is not a destination to simply upload a standard resume, but it is a platform that allows job seekers and minority businesses to network with each other and interact with professionals at hiring companies." "OppsPlace is much more than a jobs board," said Kelli Richardson Lawson, president and COO of OppsPlace. "It is a diverse online network that aggregates rich content and resources in one destination and is dedicated to helping job seekers and minority business owners engage directly with key decision makers in corporate America," she added. "It is the only place on the web that aggregates job seekers and minority businesses in the spirit of helping communities of color enhance their lives and financial well-being." For many years, Johnson has been focused on creating opportunities for minorities and recently announced the RLJ Rule for public and private sector businesses. The RLJ Rule is an adaptation of the National Football League's (NFL) Rooney Rule, which requires the 32 teams to interview at least one qualified minority candidate whenever a head coaching or general manager position become available. The RLJ Rule is designed to encourage companies to voluntarily establish a "best practices" policy of diversity and inclusion by identifying and interviewing minority candidates or vendors that are often overlooked under traditional hiring or procurement practices.

OppsPlace and the RLJ Rule are two solutions where Johnson believes businesses both large and small can take direct action to increase employment and business opportunities for minority Americans.

To date, more than 30 companies have joined OppsPlace as Charter Members: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. HBO State Street Aflac KB Home Strayer Education, Inc.

Avery Dennison Kimberly-Clark Textron BNY Mellon Lowe's Toyota Capital One Financial Corporation McDonald's® Travelers Colgate-Palmolive Company New York Life United States Steel Corporation Dell Northern Trust UPMC Education Management Corporation (EDMC) Penn Mutual Vibrant Pittsburgh (VP) EMC PNC Financial Visa FedEx Corporation PPG Industries, Inc. YUM! Brands General Motors Prudential Financial, Inc.

Giant Eagle State Farm® For more information, visit us online at www.oppsplace.com.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets then exercise solid management to achieve results. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds majority interests in businesses operating in banking, private equity, real estate, hospitality, automobile dealerships, entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit www.rljcompanies.com.

About OppsPlace: OppsPlace, LLC created by Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and Ariel Friedler, CEO of Symplicity Corporation, is the preeminent online network for minorities looking to build net worth. It is the only online community that aggregates rich content, minorities looking for jobs and minority businesses seeking to do business with U.S. corporations - all in a robust networking environment. OppsPlace provides U.S. companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination. For more information visit www.oppsplace.com.

About Symplicity Corporation: A pioneer in higher education, government, and business systems, Symplicity is passionate about providing its clients with IT solutions; services and products that enable them to maximize productivity, increase their return on investment, and enhance their relationships with customers and constituents. Symplicity specializes in database driven, web-based applications, enterprise information systems architecture and development, network design and management, systems and software engineering, network integration and management, information security and enterprise systems management. For more information visit www.symplicity.com.

SOURCE The RLJ Companies [ Back To greentechnologyworld.com's Homepage ]

View the original article here

OppsPlace Makes Strong Debut in National Business Market - Yahoo Finance

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, in collaboration with Ariel M. Friedler, president of Symplicity Corporation, the market leader in online career tools, today announced the launch of OppsPlace.com. OppsPlace provides companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination.  OppsPlace is free of charge for job seekers and minority firms and allows corporate human resources and procurement executives to easily access qualified job seekers and qualified minority businesses for openings to provide the best opportunities.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54127-the-rlj-companies-launches-oppsplace-com-for-minority-jobseekers

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120202/MM46097)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100907/PH60132LOGO)

"I created OppsPlace for several reasons," said Johnson. "First, to reduce the disparity in unemployment for minority Americans and to increase access for vendor services and supplier contracts for minority businesses. Second, I also created OppsPlace to provide corporate America with a targeted destination to identify and interact with minorities for employment and business opportunities. With over 30 charter member companies who have joined OppsPlace, it clearly demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion," he added. "As more U.S. companies, large and small, become OppsPlace members, OppsPlace will help reduce unemployment for millions of minority Americans, will provide access to capital to thousands of minority businesses, and will help drive the economic recovery of this country by giving minority Americans a fair shot which they deserve to participate fully in the American Dream."

"Unique to OppsPlace is the profile builder which allows companies to focus on their diversity initiatives, mentorship programs, business match-making as well vendor/supplier opportunities," said Friedler, co-founder of OppsPlace. "OppsPlace is not a destination to simply upload a standard resume, but it is a platform that allows job seekers and minority businesses to network with each other and interact with professionals at hiring companies."

"OppsPlace is much more than a jobs board," said Kelli Richardson Lawson, president and COO of OppsPlace. "It is a diverse online network that aggregates rich content and resources in one destination and is dedicated to helping job seekers and minority business owners engage directly with key decision makers in corporate America," she added. "It is the only place on the web that aggregates job seekers and minority businesses in the spirit of helping communities of color enhance their lives and financial well-being."

For many years, Johnson has been focused on creating opportunities for minorities and recently announced the RLJ Rule for public and private sector businesses. The RLJ Rule is an adaptation of the National Football League's (NFL) Rooney Rule, which requires the 32 teams to interview at least one qualified minority candidate whenever a head coaching or general manager position become available. The RLJ Rule is designed to encourage companies to voluntarily establish a "best practices" policy of diversity and inclusion by identifying and interviewing minority candidates or vendors that are often overlooked under traditional hiring or procurement practices.

OppsPlace and the RLJ Rule are two solutions where Johnson believes businesses both large and small can take direct action to increase employment and business opportunities for minority Americans.

To date, more than 30 companies have joined OppsPlace as Charter Members:

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Capital One Financial Corporation

United States Steel Corporation

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)

For more information, visit us online at www.oppsplace.com.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets then exercise solid management to achieve results. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds majority interests in businesses operating in banking, private equity, real estate, hospitality, automobile dealerships, entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit  www.rljcompanies.com.

About OppsPlace: OppsPlace, LLC created by Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and Ariel Friedler, CEO of Symplicity Corporation, is the preeminent online network for minorities looking to build net worth. It is the only online community that aggregates rich content, minorities looking for jobs and minority businesses seeking to do business with U.S. corporations – all in a robust networking environment. OppsPlace provides U.S. companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination. For more information visit www.oppsplace.com.

About Symplicity Corporation: A pioneer in higher education, government, and business systems, Symplicity is passionate about providing its clients with IT solutions; services and products that enable them to maximize productivity, increase their return on investment, and enhance their relationships with customers and constituents. Symplicity specializes in database driven, web-based applications, enterprise information systems architecture and development, network design and management, systems and software engineering, network integration and management, information security and enterprise systems management. For more information visit www.symplicity.com.

View the original article here

OppsPlace Makes Strong Debut in National Business Market

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, in collaboration with Ariel M. Friedler, president of Symplicity Corporation, the market leader in online career tools, today announced the launch of OppsPlace.com. OppsPlace provides companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination.  OppsPlace is free of charge for job seekers and minority firms and allows corporate human resources and procurement executives to easily access qualified job seekers and qualified minority businesses for openings to provide the best opportunities.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54127-the-rlj-companies-launches-oppsplace-com-for-minority-jobseekers

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120202/MM46097)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100907/PH60132LOGO)

"I created OppsPlace for several reasons," said Johnson. "First, to reduce the disparity in unemployment for minority Americans and to increase access for vendor services and supplier contracts for minority businesses. Second, I also created OppsPlace to provide corporate America with a targeted destination to identify and interact with minorities for employment and business opportunities. With over 30 charter member companies who have joined OppsPlace, it clearly demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion," he added. "As more U.S. companies, large and small, become OppsPlace members, OppsPlace will help reduce unemployment for millions of minority Americans, will provide access to capital to thousands of minority businesses, and will help drive the economic recovery of this country by giving minority Americans a fair shot which they deserve to participate fully in the American Dream."

"Unique to OppsPlace is the profile builder which allows companies to focus on their diversity initiatives, mentorship programs, business match-making as well vendor/supplier opportunities," said Friedler, co-founder of OppsPlace. "OppsPlace is not a destination to simply upload a standard resume, but it is a platform that allows job seekers and minority businesses to network with each other and interact with professionals at hiring companies."

"OppsPlace is much more than a jobs board," said Kelli Richardson Lawson, president and COO of OppsPlace. "It is a diverse online network that aggregates rich content and resources in one destination and is dedicated to helping job seekers and minority business owners engage directly with key decision makers in corporate America," she added. "It is the only place on the web that aggregates job seekers and minority businesses in the spirit of helping communities of color enhance their lives and financial well-being."

For many years, Johnson has been focused on creating opportunities for minorities and recently announced the RLJ Rule for public and private sector businesses. The RLJ Rule is an adaptation of the National Football League's (NFL) Rooney Rule, which requires the 32 teams to interview at least one qualified minority candidate whenever a head coaching or general manager position become available. The RLJ Rule is designed to encourage companies to voluntarily establish a "best practices" policy of diversity and inclusion by identifying and interviewing minority candidates or vendors that are often overlooked under traditional hiring or procurement practices.

OppsPlace and the RLJ Rule are two solutions where Johnson believes businesses both large and small can take direct action to increase employment and business opportunities for minority Americans.

To date, more than 30 companies have joined OppsPlace as Charter Members:

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Capital One Financial Corporation

United States Steel Corporation

Education Management Corporation (EDMC)

For more information, visit us online at www.oppsplace.com.

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets then exercise solid management to achieve results. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds majority interests in businesses operating in banking, private equity, real estate, hospitality, automobile dealerships, entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit  www.rljcompanies.com.

About OppsPlace: OppsPlace, LLC created by Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and Ariel Friedler, CEO of Symplicity Corporation, is the preeminent online network for minorities looking to build net worth. It is the only online community that aggregates rich content, minorities looking for jobs and minority businesses seeking to do business with U.S. corporations – all in a robust networking environment. OppsPlace provides U.S. companies with the best opportunity to find qualified, minority job seekers and minority businesses in one online destination. For more information visit www.oppsplace.com.

About Symplicity Corporation: A pioneer in higher education, government, and business systems, Symplicity is passionate about providing its clients with IT solutions; services and products that enable them to maximize productivity, increase their return on investment, and enhance their relationships with customers and constituents. Symplicity specializes in database driven, web-based applications, enterprise information systems architecture and development, network design and management, systems and software engineering, network integration and management, information security and enterprise systems management. For more information visit www.symplicity.com.

View the original article here

Keystone an Opportunity and a Hazard for Plains Dems - National Journal (blog)

January 20, 2012 | 2:39 PM |

President Obama's decision to reject a proposal to build the Keystone XL pipeline has placed him at odds with Democratic Senate candidates in the Great Plains. The decision has spurred the candidates to put distance between themselves and the administration while Republican opponents are working feverishly to tie them to the president.

Heidi Heitkamp, the former North Dakota attorney general who is running for retiring Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad's seat, released a scathing statement on Wednesday blasting the president for his decision. And on Friday, she penned a letter to Obama urging him to reverse course.

"The Keystone pipeline would mean billions of dollars invested in our economy when we need it most, and tens of thousands of well-paid construction jobs at a time when too many Americans are out of work. It would bring new business opportunities for small businesses that would support this huge construction project, from gravel pits to Main Street diners," Heitkamp writes in her letter.

It's worth noting that North Dakota has the lowest state unemployment rate in the nation: 3.4 percent the last time the Bureau of Labor Statistics released figures, in November.

But Obama's decision has particular resonance in North Dakota, a major energy-producing state that is largely in favor of the pipeline. What's more, Obama is unpopular in the Peace Garden State, and is expected to lose there in November. (He lost by eight points in the state in 2008.) The state has also been trending Republican: The GOP picked up the state's lone House seat and a Senate seat in 2010.

For these reasons, it makes political sense for Heitkamp to separate herself from the president on the issue.

"President Obama's decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline is the wrong decision," Heitkamp said on a conference call with reporters on Friday morning. "It's another example, in my opinion, of what's wrong with politics."

But when asked about the extent to which politics played a role in the posture she has adopted, Heitkamp, who is running against Republican Rep. Rick Berg, flatly said it was not part of her calculus.

"We take an important issue about energy independence, about lowering consumer prices at the gas pump and improving our lack of dependence on foreign oil and we turn it into a political issue," Heitkamp said. "There is not political calculation in any of this."

Regardless, the president's decision presents something of a double-edged sword for Heitkamp. On the one hand, it is an opportunity for her to separate herself from the president, as national and state Republicans consistently try to tie her to Obama. On the other hand, it's not particularly useful to have headlines in local papers about the leader of Heitkamp's party rejecting the pipeline.

Cognizant of the fact that his decision could rub many independent and Democrats in North Dakota the wrong way, Obama's campaign emailed residents in the state with an explanation of the president's decision, Politico reported.

Heitkamp isn't the only Great Plains Democrat react unfavorably to Obama's decision. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who faces a tough reelection battle against Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, also expressed disappointment.

"I am disappointed in the President's decision. Just as I have supported Montana's renewable energy jobs, I have long supported responsibly building this pipeline with the highest safety standards and with respect for private property rights," Tester said in a statement. "Oil, coal, natural gas, wind, geothermal and biofuels all provide good jobs in Montana. I will continue to champion Montana's role in securing America's energy future."

Republicans are also tying Tester to Obama and may ultimately have an easier job doing so, considering that he, unlike Heitkamp, has taken votes in the Senate for White House-backed measures like the stimulus and the health care law. Separating himself on the Keystone pipeline issue is a political no-brainier for the first term Democrat.

If Heitkamp and Tester can effectively convince voters that they stand in contrast to the president on this issue, it could become easier to make their pitches as independent voices as time goes on. But national Republicans are trying to ensure that does not happen.

"Given President Obama's deep unpopularity in states like Montana and North Dakota, it's no surprise to see Democrats like Tester and Heitkamp run for the hills. But throughout the next year, voters will be reminded that both of them campaigned for Obama, both of them predicted greatness in his presidency, and for the last several years, both of them stood side-by-side with Obama on virtually every major issue," said National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Brian Walsh.

View the original article here

National Reconnaissance Office's move to Wright-Patt a chance for jobs - Dayton Daily News

By John Nolan, Staff Writer Updated 3:46 PM Saturday, January 21, 2012

The National Reconnaissance Office’s decision to establish a permanent presence on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base offers a potential new opportunity for companies hoping to start or expand business serving the base.

The 51-year-old reconnaissance agency, based in Chantilly, Va., is responsible for designing, building, launching, maintaining and operating the nation’s spy satellites to inform U.S. officials about the military and offensive capabilities of adversary countries.

The permanent, on-site association with Wright-Patterson, a hub of Air Force acquisition, design, testing and research, is a natural marriage for the reconnaissance agency and the Air Force, officials said. The agencies have long been partners in designing satellites, and the Air Force launches them and provides for their defense in orbit.

“The bottom line is this really enables a highly efficient acquisition process,” said Joe Zeis, a retired Air Force officer who is chief strategist for the Dayton Development Coalition, a supporter of Wright-Patterson and its programs. “That offers a lot of buying power and intellectual power to the U.S. government in having those operations here.”

Since September, Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Boring has been assigned to Wright-Patterson as the National Reconnaissance Office’s field representative in the agency’s first-ever permanent representation on the base. He is housed in the Air Force Materiel Command’s headquarters.

His primary focus is on communicating with Wright-Patterson agencies about their needs and those of the reconnaissance office.

Included in those talks are training, education and design matters and monitoring performance of reconnaissance systems, Boring wrote in email to the Dayton Daily News.

The intent is to ensure that the reconnaissance agency’s products keep pace with the needs of users, Boring wrote.

Though the agency’s satellites keep watch on other countries around the clock, the agency itself doesn’t evaluate the gathered data, Keith Hall, a former NRO director, said during a Dayton appearance last week. Evaluating and interpreting the data falls to organizations including the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson.

Having access to Boring gives Dayton region companies a direct opportunity to ask how they might serve the reconnaissance agency, said Scott Coale, a retired Air Force officer from Wright-Patterson who is president of DaytonDefense, the regional association of defense contracting companies. Boring’s presence also should improve collaboration between the Air Force and the reconnaissance agency, Coale said.

Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson, suggested having an NRO field office at the base. Bruce Carlson, a retired Air Force general and former AFMC commander who now heads the reconnaissance agency, made it happen.

The National Reconnaissance Office doesn’t disclose its annual budget. But, the government as a whole has said it spent $80.1 billion on intelligence gathering during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2010. That amounted to 12 percent of the nation’s $664 billion defense budget.

Contacting the reconnaissance agency

The Acquisition Research Center in Chantilly, Va., is the portal for business opportunities for acquisition across the intelligence community, including the National Reconnaissance Office. Its website is https://arc.westfields.net.

Lt. Col. Christopher Boring, the NRO’s representative at Wright-Patterson, can be reached at (937) 656-7611 or at christopher.boring@wpafb.af.mil.

View the original article here

New Advertising Opportunities at Tampa International Airport for Republican National Convention - Business Wire

New advertising opportunities in TIA specifically designed for businesses to reach Republican National Convention attendees

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Channel Airports (CCA), the world’s leading marketer of airport advertising and a division of one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), today announced new advertising packages at Tampa International Airport (TIA) to reach attendees of the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa Bay. These packages are focused on creating distinctive opportunities for businesses to get their message in front of this unique group of travelers soon after landing in Tampa.

“Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to come to Tampa for convention-related events, and most of them will arrive and depart through our airport. We’re delighted to partner with Clear Channel to reach those people.”

“On a typical day about 40,000 people pass through Tampa International Airport. Those numbers will be significantly higher during the convention, with the addition of commercial flights and charter flights,” said Janet Zink, Director of Communications at TIA. “Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to come to Tampa for convention-related events, and most of them will arrive and depart through our airport. We’re delighted to partner with Clear Channel to reach those people.”

CCA’s long term commitment to creating advertising packages in TIA to companies that have roots in the Tampa Bay area is continued throughout the RNC advertising time period. Their innovative packages were designed to encourage community business involvement in airport advertising during this exciting time.

“As host for the Republican National Convention, Tampa businesses have the opportunity to reach thousands of visitors. At Clear Channel Airports, we are working diligently to create innovative and effective advertising opportunities that give area businesses unique ways to engage these travelers,” says Toby Sturek, President, Clear Channel Airports.

Visit CCA’s Facebook page to learn more about advertising in TIA at www.Facebook.com/ClearChannelAirportsTampa. Businesses interested in these new packages should contact Melissa Cleary at (800) 648-8437 ext. 349 or email MelissaCleary@clearchannel.com.

About Clear Channel Airports

Dedicated to airport advertising for more than 37 years, Clear Channel Airports is the premier innovator of contemporary display concepts. The Company, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCO), one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, currently operates more than 260 airport programs across the globe and has a presence in 32 of the top 50 U.S. markets with major airports. More information can be found on Clear Channel Airports and Clear Channel Outdoor by visiting www.clearchannelairports.com and www.clearchanneloutdoor.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View the original article here

New Advertising Opportunities at Tampa International Airport for Republican National Convention - Business Wire

New advertising opportunities in TIA specifically designed for businesses to reach Republican National Convention attendees

TAMPA, Fla.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Clear Channel Airports (CCA), the world’s leading marketer of airport advertising and a division of one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), today announced new advertising packages at Tampa International Airport (TIA) to reach attendees of the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa Bay. These packages are focused on creating distinctive opportunities for businesses to get their message in front of this unique group of travelers soon after landing in Tampa.

“As host for the Republican National Convention, Tampa businesses have the opportunity to reach thousands of visitors. At Clear Channel Airports, we are working diligently to create innovative and effective advertising opportunities that give area businesses unique ways to engage these travelers”

“On a typical day about 40,000 people pass through Tampa International Airport. Those numbers will be significantly higher during the convention, with the addition of commercial flights and charter flights,” said Janet Zink, Director of Communications at TIA. “Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to come to Tampa for convention-related events, and most of them will arrive and depart through our airport. We’re delighted to partner with Clear Channel to reach those people.”

CCA’s long term commitment to creating advertising packages in TIA to companies that have roots in the Tampa Bay area is continued throughout the RNC advertising time period. Their innovative packages were designed to encourage community business involvement in airport advertising during this exciting time.

“As host for the Republican National Convention, Tampa businesses have the opportunity to reach thousands of visitors. At Clear Channel Airports, we are working diligently to create innovative and effective advertising opportunities that give area businesses unique ways to engage these travelers,” says Toby Sturek, President, Clear Channel Airports.

Visit CCA’s Facebook page to learn more about advertising in TIA at www.Facebook.com/ClearChannelAirportsTampa. Businesses interested in these new packages should contact Melissa Cleary at (800) 648-8437 ext. 349 or email MelissaCleary@clearchannel.com.

About Clear Channel Airports

Dedicated to airport advertising for more than 37 years, Clear Channel Airports is the premier innovator of contemporary display concepts. The Company, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCO), one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, currently operates more than 260 airport programs across the globe and has a presence in 32 of the top 50 U.S. markets with major airports. More information can be found on Clear Channel Airports and Clear Channel Outdoor by visiting www.clearchannelairports.com and www.clearchanneloutdoor.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View the original article here

New Advertising Opportunities at Tampa International Airport for Republican National Convention - Business Wire

New advertising opportunities in TIA specifically designed for businesses to reach Republican National Convention attendees

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Channel Airports (CCA), the world’s leading marketer of airport advertising and a division of one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), today announced new advertising packages at Tampa International Airport (TIA) to reach attendees of the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa Bay. These packages are focused on creating distinctive opportunities for businesses to get their message in front of this unique group of travelers soon after landing in Tampa.

“On a typical day about 40,000 people pass through Tampa International Airport. Those numbers will be significantly higher during the convention, with the addition of commercial flights and charter flights”

“On a typical day about 40,000 people pass through Tampa International Airport. Those numbers will be significantly higher during the convention, with the addition of commercial flights and charter flights,” said Janet Zink, Director of Communications at TIA. “Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to come to Tampa for convention-related events, and most of them will arrive and depart through our airport. We’re delighted to partner with Clear Channel to reach those people.”

CCA’s long term commitment to creating advertising packages in TIA to companies that have roots in the Tampa Bay area is continued throughout the RNC advertising time period. Their innovative packages were designed to encourage community business involvement in airport advertising during this exciting time.

“As host for the Republican National Convention, Tampa businesses have the opportunity to reach thousands of visitors. At Clear Channel Airports, we are working diligently to create innovative and effective advertising opportunities that give area businesses unique ways to engage these travelers,” says Toby Sturek, President, Clear Channel Airports.

Visit CCA’s Facebook page to learn more about advertising in TIA at www.Facebook.com/ClearChannelAirportsTampa. Businesses interested in these new packages should contact Melissa Cleary at (800) 648-8437 ext. 349 or email MelissaCleary@clearchannel.com.

About Clear Channel Airports

Dedicated to airport advertising for more than 37 years, Clear Channel Airports is the premier innovator of contemporary display concepts. The Company, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCO), one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies, currently operates more than 260 airport programs across the globe and has a presence in 32 of the top 50 U.S. markets with major airports. More information can be found on Clear Channel Airports and Clear Channel Outdoor by visiting www.clearchannelairports.com and www.clearchanneloutdoor.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View the original article here