Over 6,700 of the most influential people in the duty free & travel retail community converged on Cannes on the French Cote d’Azur last month for the annual TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.
This global trade summit is a not-to-be-missed event in the industry’s calendar and even severe flooding in the city just prior to the event could not deter the 3,000 companies from sending their representatives to the event.
Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President. “The fact that TFWA World Exhibition & Conference opened on schedule just two weeks after the appalling flooding in the city, with virtually all facilities laid on as planned, is thanks to the energy and commitment of our partners in the city.”
However, the fact that the overall attendance was actually two per cent lower than in 2014 is testament to the difficult trading conditions which prevail this year with various geopolitical and economic challenges impacting global travel, tourism and retail.
Fortunately for the 482 exhibiting companies which were showcasing their products on the 21,500m2 trade floor, the number of key buyer companies - duty free & travel retail operators and landlords of airports, airlines, ferry, cruise, border and downtown concerns – was actually four per cent above last year’s figure.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7628051-the-duty-free-travel-retail-global-summit/
Flooded vehicles have finally stopped arriving at the Royal Purple Raceway east of Houston. Some 23,000 now await processing and retitling to be auctioned off for parts or to be scrapped. That is just one of several insurance industry salvage locations where more than 422,000 insured vehicles damaged by Harvey have been taken for processing. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), these totals surpass the number of claims that resulted from Hurricane Katrina (approx. 300,000) and from Superstorm Sandy (250,500).
In addition, more than 215,000 claims have been filed following damage to vehicles from Hurricane Irma in Florida.
These insured vehicles will be processed and rebranded with a salvage title and sold at online auctions to dismantlers who will save usable parts or have the vehicle crushed and sold for scrap.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/76652512-nicb-reports-record-number-of-hurricane-flooded-vehicles/
In recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments in furthering NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery, veteran astronauts Brian Duffy and Scott Parazynski have been selected for induction into the elite United States Astronaut Hall of Fame®. The announcement was made today at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex by Dan Brandenstein, Hall of Fame astronaut and board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which oversees the induction selection process.
Duffy and Parazynski will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex beginning with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Gala on the evening of May 13 and culminating with a public ceremony on May 14 at 2 p.m. that will be attended by a roster of astronaut legends.
Both Duffy and Parazynski make up the 15th group of space shuttle astronauts to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and both flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is now located at the visitor complex and will be the site of the induction ceremony in May. Adding the two veteran astronauts to the Hall of Fame will bring the total number of astronauts inducted to 93.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7748851-kennedy-space-center-astronaut-hall-of-fame/
2017 Renault Zoe
Renault has introduced a new Z.E. 40 battery for ZOE. At the same, ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades. Order books for the new ZOE line-up are open. The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault's Flins plant in France and will be available for delivery before the end of 2016.
Double the range for even longer journeys
As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe's number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Zero Emissions strategy.
Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 400km, which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.
The new Z.E. 40 battery has a real-world range of 300 kilometres in urban or suburban areas, for example.
The range permitted today by the ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now.
The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion-engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE's capabilities.
The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging. This makes weekend trips a real possibility.
The Z.E. 40 battery's charging rate is similar to that of the standard battery, so 'topping up' doesn't take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes are required on average to charge the battery for an extra 80 kilometres of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe. The ZOE continues to be equipped with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.
An innovation that doubles battery capacity with no increase in size
The ZOE's new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE's standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).
Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.
Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.
This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery's reliability or safety.
The battery's large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE's energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE's battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.
Thirteen out of 16 new booster seats for 2017 earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating of BEST BET, bringing the total number of boosters on the market with that designation to 118.
The BEST BET rating means a booster provides good safety belt fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Boosters that are rated GOOD BETs provide acceptable belt fit in almost any vehicle, while those rated Check Fit could work for some children in some vehicles. Seats designated "Not Recommended" don’t provide good belt fit and should be avoided.
The National Limousine Association’s Ride Responsibly™ initiative (www.rideresponsibly.org) is back with its third public service announcement starring actress and activist Pamela Anderson. In partnership with Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE), the PSA highlights the often horrifying lack of accountability maintained by ride-hail services and urges passengers to make themselves aware of the safety standards for these apps and their drivers.
“Terms & Conditions” is a follow-up to Ride Responsibly’s second PSA, “The Signs,” which was released in January and called attention to the vast number of sexual assaults reported against drivers. This time, the video shows Pamela Anderson as a passenger of a ride-hail vehicle. Her driver quickly and abruptly reads her a list of terms that she is agreeing to by using the service. Much of the language shocks and disturbs Pam as she is informed that these apps are not responsible or liable for a passenger’s well-being. The terms used for this PSA were taken, in reality, directly from a popular ride-hailing app.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8285451-nla-ride-responsibly-pave-pamela-anderson-psa-terms-and-conditions/
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and National Company “Astana EXPO-2017” have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
The document was signed at an official ceremony at the Madrid headquarter of the organization by Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Chairman of the Board of NC Astana EXPO-2017, and Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO.
"We expect that “EXPO-2017” will bring a large number of visitors to Kazakhstan. Therefore, we have focused our efforts on training personnel in the service industry," reported Mr. Yessimov following the signing of the memorandum.
We are counting on UNWTO's support and assistance in holding training sessions for Kazakhstan tour operators."
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7859751-unwto-expo-2017-agree-sustainable-tourism/
Anytime Fitness, the world’s fastest growing fitness center for 10 consecutive years, will celebrate the opening of its 4,000th gym March 16th in Shanghai, China. Additionally, after formalizing an agreement to open gyms in Morocco, Anytime Fitness will pursue plans to open at least one new gym in Antarctica – which would make Anytime Fitness the first franchise in history with locations on all seven continents.
“Our mission is to ‘Improve the self-esteem of the world,’” said Chuck Runyon, the CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness. “It may sound like an audacious goal, but we’re very serious about it. We’ll soon have 4,000 gyms open in more than 30 countries on all seven continents. Each of those gyms supports a small community of like-minded individuals who are determined to enjoy healthier, happier and more active lifestyles. That’s what we mean by ‘Improving the self-esteem of the world.’”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8220551-anytime-fitness-gym-number-4000/
Dogs are a member of the family, so many owners think that their dog won’t bite. Unfortunately for the 4.5 million victims of dog bites and attacks each year, this isn’t true. Any dog can bite, regardless of the breed. State Farm and Victoria Stilwell, internationally renowned dog trainer, author and star of Animal Planet's It’s Me or the Dog, have joined forces to teach people how to be responsible pet owners and reduce the number of dog bites.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/70394523-state-farm-insurance-and-canine-expert-take-a-bite-out-of-dog-attacks
This year's Red Dress Collection℠ kicked off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City last night with notables such as Lindsey Vonn, AnnaSophia Robb, Colbie Caillat, Giada De Laurentiis, Bella Thorne and Daphne Oz showing off some of the hottest designers’ red gowns to bring awareness to the number 1 killer of women – heart disease.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/64681-aha-and-macy-s-go-red-for-women/
Today, on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, the Global Freedom Network (GFN) has brought together leaders of the Christian Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox, as well as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths who have jointly declared one common humanitarian endeavour: To eradicate modern slavery by 2020 throughout our world and for all time as a crime against humanity.
A number of faith leaders spoke at the event and video messages were given by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and by Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi who could not attend the ceremony but are equally committed to eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7391151-faith-leaders-eradicate-slavery/
In December 2012, we posted an OnSafety blog, warning of furniture, television and appliance-related tip-over incidents. At that time, CPSC reported nearly 350 deaths, most involving young children. Since then, more than 80 people have died when a dresser, TV, bookcase, table, appliance or other large item tipped over and fell on them. A new report from our staff indicates that 430 tragic deaths occurred between 2000 and 2013, and an estimated 38,000 annual injuries, many of which were serious, from 2011 through 2013.
In most of the incidents, a child was crushed by the product or struck on the head by the product. What is remarkable is the number of families who have turned tragedy into advocacy. Jackie Collas, a Philadelphia-area resident, is using social media to honor her son, Curren, and encourage parents to anchor their furniture. Lisa Seifert of Chicago created Shane’s Foundation to honor her precious son and to increase awareness, education and safety.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7085251-cpsc-reports-430-tip-over-deaths-anchor-it-and-protect-a-child/
