enero 2021 – Página 148

Canoo Names Kamal Hamid As Vice President Of Investor Relations

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Canoo Inc. (Nasdaq: GOEV), a company developing breakthrough electric vehicles (EVs) with a proprietary and highly versatile EV platform, announced today that <a target="_blank"…

«We are pleased to welcome Kamal to Canoo as he brings significant expertise and leadership to our organization and has demonstrated a strong track record of success in developing and fostering relationships with the financial community,» said Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman, Canoo. «Adding a dedicated Investor Relations professional is part of our goal to build a world-class leadership team. We are excited to welcome Kamal to the Canoo family as we look to drive long-term, sustainable shareholder value.»

Hamid previously served as Director of Investor Relations for Cars.com, the second-largest online automotive marketplace in the U.S. Prior to that, he headed the investor relations departments of Solera Holdings, a leading global software and data provider for insurance and automotive industries. Hamid’s previous experience included sell-side equity research and corporate finance. Hamid holds an MBA in finance from the University of Denver.

«The electric vehicle market is poised for phenomenal growth in the coming years, and I am proud to join Canoo at such a dynamic time for the industry,» said Hamid. «Canoo is at a pivotal moment in its history, and I am delighted to support Canoo’s mission of bringing EVs to everyone.»

About Canoo

Canoo is a Los Angeles-based company that has developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with bold innovations in design, pioneering technologies, and a unique business model that defies traditional ownership to put customers first. Distinguished by its experienced team – totaling over 350 employees from leading technology and automotive companies – Canoo has designed a modular electric platform purpose-built to deliver maximum vehicle interior space and adaptable to support a wide range of vehicle applications for consumers and businesses.

For more information, please visit www.canoo.com.

For Canoo press materials, including photos, please visit press.canoo.com.

For investors, please visit investors.canoo.com.

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SOURCE Canoo

The French Embassy’s Night of Ideas Featuring Keynote Speaker Patti Smith Goes Virtual for its 6th Edition

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Cultural Services of the French Embassy announces the U.S. Night of Ideas program for the global «La Nuit des idées» 2021, a series of intellectual marathons for the general public, coordinated worldwide by the Institut Français. On January 28th, the Institut Français is bringing its landmark nocturnal event into the digital sphere with a 24-hour philosophy marathon featuring leading thinkers from across the world, streaming in from more than 75 countries from Finland to South Africa and the Fiji Islands to Peru. The event will move progressively through time zones and travel westward, bringing viewers live content from countries where night is falling but inhabitants are still awake.

A segment devoted to North and South America will span 9 hours, from 6 p.m. EST on January 28 to 3 a.m. EST on January 29, 2021, with a major portion of that time devoted to content drawn from the United States and curated by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. This content, recorded or subtitled in English, will bring viewers virtually to several major cities where the institution holds outposts: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., activating its sprawling cultural network of local American partners from SFMoMA to the Hirshhorn Museum and Columbia University. We are delighted to announce that American singer, author, and poet Patti Smith will be this year’s keynote speaker and open the evening with a performance mixing music and poetry at 6pm EST.

This year’s theme, «Closing the Distance» («Proches,» in French), directly addresses our shared sense of isolation and imagines new means of fostering community and togetherness. Chosen to evoke the new forms of solidarity that our economic and social crises are calling for; our changing relationship to space and mobility; this theme prompts audiences and participants to consider our relationship to today’s challenging world and those around us in thoughtful, creative, and engaging ways.

Broadcast at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy’s Facebook page as well as on nightofideas.org, this unprecedented virtual experience will allow audiences from every corner of the country (and the world) to interact with major thinkers and artists, and to participate in philosophical conversations about the most pressing issues of our time. Tackling subjects as varied as inclusive cities, democracy, our relationship to the universe, protest and resistance, solidarity, and universalism, the US program will creatively combine three different types of content:

Cityscapes, wandering conversations in 10 U.S. cities with cultural luminaries such as astronaut Thomas Pesquet in Houston, award-winning journalist Patt Morrison in Los Angeles, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch and Ambassador Philippe Étienne in Washington D.C., architect Jeanne Gang in Chicago, artist Brandan « BMike » Odums in New Orleans, and a walk along the Freedom Trail in Boston;
Conversation Capsules with leading philosophers and thinkers including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Barbara Cassin, choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Melissa Chiu, Sterling Ruby, Huma Bhabha, feminist writer Mona Eltahawy, Mexican writer Yuri Herrera, Christia Mercer, Shanequa Gay, Robert Barsky, curator Lauren Tate Baeza, soprano Anne Azéma, visual artist Anne Plaisance, Stéphanie Boulard, Marie Morel;

0 Artistic performances including a meditation on the beach in Miami, pianists Dan Tepfer and Thomas Enhco, Tucker Nichols, and more.

For the first time this year, the event will feature a special pre-recorded segment geared toward young audiences. French philosopher Marie Robert will explore philosophical topics around love and friendship with children and teachers from French-English dual language programs at Middle School (Maryland) et Lafayette Academy (New York).

«This exceptional Night of Ideas will generate a collective moment for reflection and inspiration spanning cities, cultures, topics, and generations,» stated Gaëtan Bruel, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, «We are proud to participate in this celebration of ideas without borders, which will reinforce intellectual and human connections on a local and global level and foster meaningful interactions among diverse audiences. We are delighted to have Patti Smith as our prestigious opening guest, as we know she will perfectly set the tone for this incredibly special night!»

We are grateful for the support of our lead U.S. sponsors, The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, and of our national partner, the National Endowment for the Humanities. We also want to thank our programming partners around the country: KQED, California Humanities, SFMoMa, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and Columbia University.

«As we begin a new year with renewed hope, I am delighted that this new NEH partnership with the Embassy of France in the United States will help Americans from large and small communities alike begin the process of ‘Proches,’ the French term for ‘Closing the Distance’,» said NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. «Our participation in the Night of Ideas, an annual global event, will help restore our faith in what unites us here in the U.S., as well as what unites us with peoples of different cultures around the world.»

A special thanks to our historical partners, Brooklyn Public Library and San Francisco Public Library, which have supported the Night of Philosophy & Ideas since its inception. This year, the Brooklyn Public Library will broadcast 6 hours of live programming as part of Night of Ideas and feature guests such as Mona Eltahawy and Yuri Herrera, whose segments will also be included in the 24-hour global Night of Ideas feed. A second satellite virtual event will feature content exclusively produced in San Francisco. Co-presented by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S., the San Francisco Public Library, KQED, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Villa San Francisco, the San Francisco stream strives to represent the breadth of the wider Bay Area’s diverse thought and expression with guests such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed and artist Favianna Rodriguez.

The global Institut Français live stream is sponsored by YouBLive, AOC Media, Brut, France Médias Monde, TV5Monde, France Bleu, and France Culture.

About the Cultural Services of the French Embassy

The Cultural Services of the French Embassy promotes the best of French arts, literature, cinema, digital innovation, language, and higher education across the US. Based in New York City, Washington D.C., and eight other cities across the country, the Cultural Services brings artists, authors, intellectuals, and innovators to cities nationwide. It also builds partnerships between French and American artists, institutions, and universities on both sides of the Atlantic. In New York, through its bookshop Albertine, it fosters French-American exchange around literature and the arts. frenchculture.org

Lead Sponsor

The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation
The Foundation’s work has included underwriting of such public spaces as Washington’s Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Holocaust Museum, and in New York the new Statue of Liberty Museum. In connection to French culture and history, it has underwritten efforts at Notre Dame restoration, the Louvre Endowment, and to Holocaust studies including the 1988 Academy Award winning documentary, Hotel Terminus, the Life and Times of Klaus Barbie.

National Partners

National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. NEH also funds humanities councils around the country whose programs encourage support for the humanities and lifelong learning. NEH.gov

Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York is one of America’s oldest grantmaking foundations, established in 1911 by Andrew Carnegie to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation’s work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democracy. carnegie.org

FACE Foundation
FACE Foundation is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting French-American relations through innovative cultural and educational projects. In partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, FACE Foundation promotes artistic, literary, and educational exchange and collaboration between creative professionals from both countries. With additional corporate, foundation, and individual support, FACE Foundation administers grant programs in the performing and visual arts, cinema, translation, and secondary and higher education, while providing financial sponsorship to French-American festivals and other cultural initiatives. FACE Foundation focuses on new and recent work of living artists and the promotion of bilingualism and the French language. face-foundation.org

Media Contact

Mathilde Campergue, Cultural Services of the French Embassy, +1 9178819003, mathilde.campergue@frenchculture.org

Twitter

SOURCE Cultural Services of the French Embassy

Father/Daughter team makes personal investing COMICAL for millennials

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — You work hard for your money and it should work hard for you. Yet for the majority of millennials, the complexity of investing and the over-abundance of investing products has increased their confusion and their financial risk. Savings are stuffed in low-interest bank accounts, or in costly and under-performing investments, losing the battle against inflation. Ten years after her father engaged her to illustrate his financial books for kids, Natalie Nourigat (Disney Animation Studios) reversed roles, and approached him to create something that could easily teach her generation of millennials the essentials of personal investing. He agreed, if she would bring his story to life with comic illustrations that speak to her generation.

«INVESTMENT WISDOM: The secret sauce to growing money» is an informative 12-page comic that covers millennials’ diverse perspectives and goals, while establishing a financial baseline that readers can easily digest and act upon. The engaging comic is hosted on http://www.FarBeyond.com and is supplemented by a free «investment insights guide» and related «explainer videos». The comic’s author, Paul Nourigat, has written 9 financial literacy books and has advised thousands of business leaders and families for over 30 years. He says that «Throughout life, most of us are confronted with financial decisions we’re not prepared for, and personal investing has been overly complex and costly for far too long. Helping young adults become empowered and financially independent is crucial to America’s future, particularly given the pandemic and it’s residual challenges. Yet, even through tough times, young people can multiply their savings and build strong futures with the right approach.»

LEVERAGING WISDOM AND ART – As she matured and advanced in her creative career, Natalie Nourigat experienced the challenges of saving and investing money, and says «I’ve seen the cumulative effects of my small initial savings growing year over year and it’s very exciting to watch your funds grow. Yet I still find certain aspects of the markets confusing, so working with my dad to simplify the concepts for everyone’s benefit – through the comic medium – called to me.»

Illustrator Natalie Nourigat is a Story Artist and Short Film Director for Disney Animation. Author Paul Nourigat is a business consultant based in Portland Oregon, and founder of FarBeyond Publishing, which promotes financial literacy and self-sufficiency, by creating unique visual media with age-appropriate messaging to engage readers. His 10th book is expected to be released within the next 12 months, for pre-retirees and retirees who cherish independence as they age.

Media Contact

Executive Editor, FarBeyond Publishing, 1 503-683-3013, publish@farbeyond.com

SOURCE FarBeyond Publishing

Fitness Machine Technicians Opens First Location in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Fitness Machine Technicians, specialists in the maintenance and repair of exercise equipment for commercial and residential customers, opens in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas today. Plymouth residents Brian and Bethany Dillon will own and operate the local office.

Fitness Machine Technicians operates in more than…

Fitness Machine Technicians operates in more than 100 markets across the country and offers service/repair and maintenance on a variety of exercise equipment in fitness centers, universities, high schools, hotels, apartment complexes, corporate gyms and private residences.

Both Brian and Bethany are originally from the area and received their master’s degrees in the Twin Cities – Brian studied accounting and finance, and Bethany studied psychology. They currently work in their respective fields locally.

The husband-wife duo plan to train and hire technicians to service and perform maintenance on workout machines.

«We are avid gym-goers and enjoy being active, so we were intrigued by the opportunity to be part of the growing fitness industry,» said Bethany. «With Minneapolis and St. Paul ranking among the top 10 fittest cities in the U.S., we know residents here turn to at-home or gym workouts, especially during the many cold months we experience in Minnesota, and we recognize the opportunity and need to keep equipment in top shape.»

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, technicians take extra precautions by wearing face masks, shoe covers, and gloves and using disinfectant wipes when servicing equipment.

Since its inception, Fitness Machine Technicians has been committed to delivering reliable service/repair and preventive maintenance services to customers across the nation. With more than 35 years’ experience in the fitness industry, Chief Executive and Founder Don Powers created a company that puts its customers first.

Powers notes, «I’m looking forward to seeing the Dillons open our first Minnesota franchise – with their backgrounds and knowledge of the area, we know they’ll have great success!»

For more information about having a fitness machine or exercise facility serviced, please contact Fitness Machine Technicians of Minneapolis and St. Paul at 612-605-7558 or visit http://www.FitnessMachineTechnicians.com/MSP.

About Fitness Machine Technicians
Fitness Machine Technicians specializes in the maintenance and repair of fitness equipment for commercial and home exercise facilities. Clients include fitness centers, corporations, hotels, condominiums, high schools, colleges and universities, government, and residential homes across the United States. Its corporate-trained and authorized technicians are committed to providing the most reliable repair and maintenance services.

Fitness Machine Technicians also offers franchise opportunities to individuals with an interest in fitness and looking to run a service-based business based on a proven operating model. The company’s award-winning franchise currently has locations in approximately 100 territories across the country. For more information, visit the website at http://www.FitnessMachineTechnicians.com or call 844-FMT-FIXX.

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Media Contact

Katie Kring, Fitness Machine Technicians, 2152858727, kkring@powersbc.com

SOURCE Fitness Machine Technicians

Air Treatment Solution for Public Transit Approved by EPA to Provide Continuous Protection Against COVID-19

RAHWAY, NJ and PLANO, TX, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a Section 18 Public Health Emergency Exemption for the use of Grignard Pure™, an antimicrobial air treatment solution, for intrastate transit and transportation applications. Administered through Luminator Technology Group‘s (Luminator) Renew™ Air Treatment System, the solution provides continuous protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Grignard Pure is expected to kill 98% of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in the air, where transmission is most likely.

The EPA’s Section 18 Emergency Exemption for Grignard Pure, which is effective for Georgia and Tennessee, applies to its use in approved indoor spaces (occupied and unoccupied) when adherence to current public health guidelines is impractical or difficult to maintain (e.g., CDC guidance at www.cdc.gov recommending social distancing, limited occupancy, and increased ventilation). Among the approved use sites are intrastate transportation as well as select approved health care and food processing facilities and indoor spaces within buildings—including government facilities—where people are conducting activity deemed essential by the state and allowed by the state lead agency. The EPA is expected to approve additional exemptions for more states in the coming weeks.

When deployed in mass transit environments, the system will help protect passengers, operators and other transit employees from the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Grignard Pure is dispensed on-board transit bus and rail vehicles through an adaptive system, manufactured by Luminator, a global leader in transit technology and communication solutions.

Grignard Pure is expected to kill 98% of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in the air, where transmission is most likely. When in use, it delivers continuously effective protection of indoor occupied and unoccupied spaces, including transit buses and railcars.

«As public health officials work to recover national and local economies, public transportation continues to play a vital role,» said Etienne Grignard, co-founder and CEO of Grignard Pure. «The EPA approval of Grignard Pure allows entities in these states to deploy science-based technology solutions to enhance safety. Through this partnership with Luminator, it will help protect transit riders and operators.»

Luminator’s Renew Air Treatment System dispenses the antimicrobial air treatment through a connected, technologically advanced system that measures and automatically adjusts the amount of Grignard Pure that is dispensed. As conditions change with the opening of doors when passengers embark and disembark the vehicle, the system maintains an effective level to kill 98% of COVID-19 airborne virus particles.

«With the pandemic causing tremendous disruption to the public transportation industry, we are proud to help support its recovery with a combination of science and innovation,» said Kirk Goins, CEO of Luminator Technology Group. «In partnership with Grignard Pure, we are providing riders, transit employees, and operators the assurance they need to return to work and help passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently. We expect the implementation of the Renew Air Treatment System will make a lasting impact on restoring ridership, safety, and confidence.»

«Those of us in public and environmental health have learned much about the properties and behaviors of the virus over the past nine months, as we continue to develop and recommend best practices for responding as a society,» said Dr. Jack Caravanos, clinical professor of environmental health sciences at New York University’s School of Public Health, and a member of the independent and uncompensated Grignard Pure Science Advisory Team. «I’ve worked closely with the Grignard Pure team since April to assure the effectiveness of the solution. Adding Grignard Pure to a safety protocol, including personal hygiene, masks and social distancing, is a critical step toward helping to restore the social, cultural and business norms we enjoyed pre-pandemic.»

For more information about Grignard Pure, including a full list of approved use sites and access to safety and efficacy reports, visit www.GrignardPure.com.

About Grignard Pure
Grignard Pure, LLC, founded in 2020, is based in New Jersey. It was, until recently, a subsidiary of Grignard Company, LLC, a manufacturer of atmospheric effect solutions founded in 1963. For more information, visit www.GrignardPure.com.

About Luminator Technology Group
Luminator Technology Group (Luminator) is a leading manufacturer of stationary and on-board passenger information systems, video security, air treatment and lighting solution for global mass transportation applications. The company, founded in 1928, leverages its extensive engineering resources to develop solutions that increase intelligence, safety and efficiency for bus, rail and aerospace operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.luminator.com.

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SOURCE Luminator Technology Group

Royal Caribbean Group Enters Definitive Agreement to Sell its Azamara Brand to Sycamore Partners

MIAMI, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Azamara brand to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, retail and distribution investments, in an all-cash carve-out transaction for $201 million, subject to certain adjustments and closing conditions. Sycamore Partners will acquire the entire Azamara brand, including its three-ship…

Royal Caribbean Group noted the transaction allows it to focus on expanding its Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea brands.

«Our strategy has evolved into placing more of our resources behind three global brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, and working to grow them as we emerge from this unprecedented period,» said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Group. «Even so, Azamara remains a strong brand with its own tremendous potential for growth, and Sycamore’s track record demonstrates that they will be good stewards of what the Azamara team has built over the past 13 years.»

«We are pleased that Royal Caribbean Group has entrusted Sycamore to support Azamara in its next phase of growth,» said Stefan Kaluzny, Managing Director of Sycamore Partners. «We are excited to partner with the Azamara team and build on their many years of success serving the brand’s loyal customers. We believe Azamara will remain a top choice for discerning travelers as the cruising industry recovers over time.»

Azamara’s value proposition and operations will remain consistent under the new arrangement, and Royal Caribbean Group will work in close collaboration on a seamless transition for Azamara employees, customers and other stakeholders. In conjunction with the transaction, Azamara Chief Operating Officer Carol Cabezas has been appointed President of the brand.

The transaction will result in a one-time, non-cash impairment charge of approximately $170 million. The sale of Azamara is not expected to have a material impact on Royal Caribbean Group’s future financial results.

Perella Weinberg Partners LP served as financial advisor to Royal Caribbean Group and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP provided legal counsel. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal advice to Sycamore Partners.

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., doing business as Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), is a cruise vacation company that owns four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea.  Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 61 ships with an additional 15 on order as of December 21, 2021.  Learn more at www.rclcorporate.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

About Sycamore Partners
Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm based in New York. The firm specializes in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments and partners with management teams to improve the operating profitability and strategic value of their business. With approximately $10 billion in aggregate committed capital raised since its inception in 2011, Sycamore Partners’ investors include leading endowments, financial institutions, family offices, pension plans and sovereign wealth funds. For more information on Sycamore Partners, visit www.sycamorepartners.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release relating to, among other things, our future performance estimates, forecasts and projections constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding revenues, costs and financial results for 2020 and beyond. Words such as «anticipate,» «believe,» «could,» «driving,» «estimate,» «expect,» «goal,» «intend,» «look into,» «may,» «plan,» «project,» «seek,» «should,» «will,» «would,» «considering», and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the following: the impact of the global incidence and spread of COVID-19, which has led to the temporary suspension of our operations and has had and will continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, liquidity and results of operations, or other contagious illnesses on economic conditions and the travel industry in general and the financial position and operating results of our Company in particular, such as: the current and potential additional governmental and self-imposed travel restrictions, the current and potential extension of the suspension of cruises and new additional suspensions, guest cancellations; our ability to obtain sufficient financing, capital or revenues to satisfy liquidity needs, capital expenditures, debt repayments and other financing needs; the effectiveness of the actions we have taken to improve and address our liquidity needs; the impact of the economic and geopolitical environment on key aspects of our business, such as the demand for cruises, passenger spending, and operating costs; incidents or adverse publicity concerning our ships, port facilities, land destinations and/or passengers or the cruise vacation industry in general; our ability to accurately estimate our monthly cash burn rate during the suspension of our operations; concerns over safety, health and security of guests and crew; any protocols we adopt across our fleet relating to COVID-19, such as those recommended by the Healthy Sail Panel, may be costly and less effective than we expect in reducing the risk of infection and spread of COVID-19 on our cruise ships; further impairments of our goodwill, long-lived assets, equity investments and notes receivable; an inability to source our crew or our provisions and supplies from certain places; the incurrence of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases on our ships and an increase in concern about the risk of illness on our ships or when traveling to or from our ships, all of which reduces demand; unavailability of ports of call; growing anti-tourism sentiments and environmental concerns; changes in US foreign travel policy; the uncertainties of conducting business internationally and expanding into new markets and new ventures; our ability to recruit, develop and retain high quality personnel; changes in operating and financing costs; our indebtedness, any additional indebtedness we may incur and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that limit our flexibility in operating our business, including the significant portion of assets that are collateral under these agreements; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, interest rate and fuel price fluctuations; the settlement of conversions of our convertible notes, if any, in shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, which may result in substantial dilution for our existing shareholders; our expectation that we will not declare or pay dividends on our common stock for the near future; vacation industry competition and changes in industry capacity and overcapacity; the risks and costs associated with protecting our systems and maintaining integrity and security of our business information, as well as personal data of our guests, employees and others; the impact of new or changing legislation and regulations or governmental orders on our business; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; the effects of weather, natural disasters and seasonality on our business; emergency ship repairs, including the related lost revenue; the impact of issues at shipyards, including ship delivery delays, ship cancellations or ship construction cost increases; shipyard unavailability; the unavailability or cost of air service; and uncertainties of a foreign legal system as we are not incorporated in the United States.

In addition, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently heightened by and will continue to be heightened by, or in the future may be heightened by, the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks.

More information about factors that could affect our operating results is included under the caption «Risk Factors» in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as our other filings with the SEC, and the captions «Risk Factors» and «Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations» in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2020, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group

Choice Privileges Kicks Off New Year With New Bonus Points Promotion

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Choice Privileges, the award-winning loyalty program from

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Choice Privileges, the award-winning loyalty program from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is kicking off the new year with the launch of a New Year, New Bonus promotion. Now through Feb. 28, Choice Privileges members who book and stay at participating Choice Hotels properties will earn twice the bonus points, up to 30,000.

«We’re starting the year off on a high note by offering our Choice Privileges members an opportunity to earn double the loyalty points through our New Year, New Bonus promotion. Travelers can use those extra points for free nights at Choice-branded hotels, an all-inclusive AMResorts^® vacation, gift cards to their favorite groceries, restaurants and retailers, and more,» said Jamie Russo, vice president, loyalty programs and customer engagement, Choice Hotels. «We’re focused on finding new ways to delight and thank guests for their loyalty, and these bonus points are just a small token of our appreciation for our more than 47 million loyalty members who continue to stay with us during these challenging times.»

To participate in the New Year, New Bonus promotion, guests can register at www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges/promo/new-years-bonus-points, and book travel on ChoiceHotels.com, the Choice Hotels mobile app or by calling 800.4CHOICE.

Choice Privileges, named a top hotel loyalty program by both USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards and U.S. News & World Report, is making it easier than ever for loyalty members to achieve elite status this year after recently announcing a continuation of the new requirements to earn benefits faster. Updates include reducing the number of nights required to earn elite status and initiating extensions for current elite members.

Membership is free, offering fast rewards, including bonus points, airline miles, or credits for premium coffee and shared rides through the exclusive, personalized, Your Extras benefit. For more information or to enroll in Choice Privileges, visit www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges.

Choice Hotels’ Commitment to Clean initiative and flexible cancellation policies are designed to help give guests added peace of mind when booking a Choice-branded hotel. All Choice-branded hotels are participating in Commitment to Clean, an initiative that builds upon the strong foundation of franchisees’ long-standing dedication to cleanliness with enhanced training and best practices for deep cleaning, disinfecting and social distancing.

About Choice Hotels^®
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,100 hotels, representing nearly 600,000 rooms, in over 40 countries and territories as of September 30, 2020, the Choice^® family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges^® loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Discover the «Pura Vida» with Marriott Vacation Club’s First Resort in Costa Rica

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott Vacation Club — a global industry leader in Vacation Ownership and brand of Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE: VAC) — announced today that its Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños resort – located in the 1,110-acre master planned community of Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Costa Rica – is now open for Owners and guests to experience. Situated along Costa Rica’s Green Coast and nestled between Herradura Bay and the lush rainforest, this resort is the first in Central America for the Marriott Vacation Club brand. Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños is available for Owners through the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program as an exchange option and is also available for rental guests through MarriottVacationClub.com. Timeshare sales for Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños will be launched in the coming weeks.

«Our Owners and guests are excited to explore new destinations, and we are happy to offer them another new travel adventure with our first resort in Costa Rica,» said Brian Miller, president, vacation ownership for Marriott Vacations Worldwide. «Our Owners and guests can truly immerse themselves in the local culture, explore the unspoiled nature, and enjoy authentic dining all while making vacation memories with those who mean the most.»

«We are thrilled to partner with Marriott Vacations Worldwide on their first resort in Costa Rica and look forward to the opportunity of working together on other future projects,» said Oriol Gimenez, managing partner for CPG Hospitality. «The surrounding natural beauty and amenities, coupled with the services afforded at the adjacent Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, are a testament to all the wonders that have made Costa Rica (and its people) one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.»

The new resort offers 24 two-bedroom lock-off villas designed with vacationers in mind. The spacious villas allow families to spread out while on vacation with approximately 1,129 square feet of space in the two-bedroom villa, approximately 736 square feet of space in the one-bedroom villa or approximately 393 square feet in the studio. Villas blend indigenous Costa Rican accents and hues with natural finishes like reclaimed wood, pebbles, and ornate patterns that echo the lush natural landscape and local culture surrounding the resort. The local environment is brought indoors in open living room spaces, where custom designed laurel wood furniture is accented by local handmade macramé wall art. Each villa also includes a full kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and cooktop — all perfect for cooking authentic local dishes. Lock-off villas feature a kitchenette with compact appliances as well. Tropical decor continues into the bedroom, where guests will find a stained wood headboard and a barn door ornamented with indigenous patterns to separate the living space. Extra-large picture windows seamlessly blend the natural scenery outside the villa along Costa Rica’s Green Coast.

Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños shares amenities and activities with the Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, including an expansive free-form pool that winds through the resort, a sprawling beach, the Sibö Rainforest Spa & Retreat, illuminated tennis courts, mini golf, the Tortuga Kids Club, and five restaurants, including Hacienda Kitchen that showcases the traditional flavors of Costa Rica. Also located within the Los Sueños Resort and Marina is the La Iguana Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course nestled among the tropical landscape of the lush Green Coast and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. For Owners and guests who want to explore the welcoming local culture and shopping options, the Marina Village features a 200-slip marina, waterfront restaurants, shops, and services all within walking distance of Marriott Vacation Club at Los Sueños.

Costa Rica offers unforgettable adventures for Owners and guests to help them find their «Pura Vida.» Poised along a narrow strip of Pacific coastline, stretching from the mythic peaks of the Monteverde Cloud Forest in the north to the deep jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park in the south, the diversity of scenery within the Green Coast is staggering. Whether it’s exploring nearby Jaco — an energetic beach town known for its outstanding surfing, restaurants, bars, boutique shopping, and carefree vibe — or marveling in the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park — with its beaches, casual forest trails, and dense rainforests — each family member will cherish the memories of this ideal vacation experience. Owners and guests who are up for a thrill can enjoy kayaking, hiking, zip lines, rafting, bird watching, horseback riding, and jungle night tours all nearby. And for those looking for the perfect catch, the inshore and offshore waters — within walking distance of the resort — feature some of the most renowned sport fishing in the world.

The resort was developed by a partnership of CPG Hospitality and Enjoy Group, two of the leading hospitality investment and management companies in the region, which also own the Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort.

About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is a global industry leader in vacation ownership with a diverse portfolio of over 60 resorts and more than 13,000 vacation villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Marriott Vacation Club’s point-based vacation ownership program provides Owners and their families with the flexibility to enjoy high-quality vacation experiences. Follow us on Twitter.com/MarriottVacClub and Facebook at Facebook.com/marriottvacationclub.

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SOURCE Marriott Vacation Club

Tint World® ranked a top franchise in Entrepreneur’s highly competitive 42nd annual Franchise 500®

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, the leading international auto accessory and window tinting franchise, recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Placement in the Franchise 500® is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry making it one of the company’s most competitive rankings ever. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500® ranks Tint World® as 290th for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

«2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but it was also a year of unusual opportunity,» says Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur editor-in-chief. «Franchises were able to be nimble and innovative, serving the needs of franchisees and customers in ways that will resonate for many years to come. We believe that, when we eventually look back on this time, we’ll see it as a moment when many brands defined themselves for the future.»

In Entrepreneur’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company’s 42-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The key factors that go into the evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order.

«This ranking reflects the commitment of everyone in the Tint World® family,» said Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO of Tint World®. «The Entrepreneur Franchise 500® is the gold standard for franchises, and appearing on the list for seven years in a row affirms that what we’re doing works. And even though we’re taking time to celebrate this honor, we won’t lose sight of our goals for 2021.»

Over its 42 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Tint World®’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view Tint World® in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2021 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 26th.

About Tint World®

Founded in 1982, Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ is America’s largest and fastest growing automotive accessories and window tinting international franchise, specializing in car and truck accessories, mobile electronics, audio video equipment, security systems, detailing services, nano ceramic coatings, custom wheel and tire packages, maintenance, and repair services.

Tint World® services include residential, commercial, and marine window tinting films, solar films, decorative films, safety, and security films. Tint World® has locations in the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with master franchise opportunities available worldwide. To find out more, please visit www.TintWorld.com or www.TintWorldFranchise.com.

Tint World® Contact:
Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO
888-944-8468
info@tintworld.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
hripley@ripleypr.com

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SOURCE Tint World

SellMyTimeshareNow.com’s Timeshare Resale and Rental Marketplace Produces Strong Performance In 2020

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — SellMyTimeshareNow.com («SMTN» or the «Company»), the world’s most active online marketplace for timeshares for sale and for rent by owner, celebrates the strength of its timeshare resale and rental platform in the midst of a challenging year for the travel industry. In 2020, the Company drove more than 3.4 million visits to its family of websites, resulting in over 36,700 offers—totaling more than $170 million—to buy or rent timeshares on SellMyTimeshareNow.com. The Company has delivered nearly double the purchase and rental offer value of its next closest competitor’s published offers over the past two years and more than $4.8 billion in offers to buy or rent timeshares advertised on its platform since it was founded in 2003.

SMTN has produced more than $4.8 billion in offers to buy or rent timeshares advertised on its platform since 2003.

«Last year showed us the resiliency of the timeshare resale market, of our customers, and of the vacation ownership product as a whole,» said Chad Newbold, CEO of SMTN and its parent company, Vacation Innovations. «Timeshare owners need a viable solution to help them transition out of their ownership when the time is right, or to offset the costs of ownership through rental, and we’re proud to offer an advertising and marketing platform specifically designed to help them do that.»

SMTN added nearly 10,000 new subscribers to its platform and completed nearly 9,000 timeshare sales over the past 12 months and expects this momentum to continue in 2021. To help drive interest during a decline in travel spending across the industry, the Company leveraged its expertise in advanced digital marketing strategies to connect with buyers planning for future vacations and emphasized reengagement with previous buyers and renters. The Company also added staff across all departments to further support the brand’s growth.

Focusing on adding more value and utility for subscribers, the Company launched SMTN Loyalty, a new members-only travel portal that provides subscribers ongoing access to below-OTA rates on travel including timeshare resort weeks, hotels, cruises, airfare, car rentals, and more, even after the subscriber’s timeshare sells. Looking to 2021, the Company will include SMTN Loyalty as a free benefit to all owner subscribers, and offer a complimentary week-long stay in Mexico, providing subscribers up to 12 months to redeem and travel.

Beyond resale, in 2020 SellMyTimeshareNow.com launched the world’s largest point-and-click timeshare rental platform, featuring the most inventory and the only 100-percent reservation guarantee in the industry. With thousands of verified rentals at resorts around the world—more than four times most competitors—each booking is truly instant. Rather than waiting for a timeshare owner to confirm their reservation, travelers who book through SMTN receive instant confirmation of their rental booking. The Company has been the leader in timeshare rental for more than a decade and is focused on further expanding its resort rental offerings through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

«For anyone looking to experience the benefits of a timeshare resort vacation, rental is a great way to test out this style of travel. We’ve found that many customers use our rental platform to explore what vacation ownership has to offer before considering a purchase,» Newbold added. «Timeshare resorts have always been desirable, both to renters and buyers, for their spectacular amenities, in-unit kitchens, and generally larger accommodations. Providing ample opportunity for social distancing, and coupled with increased cleanliness protocols, these resorts are well-equipped to provide a safe and enjoyable stay.»

The timeshare industry is operating in a unique environment, with major developers reporting marked increases in sales for Q3 2020 as they recovered from a standstill in Q2. With the recent rollout of several new vaccines for COVID-19, as well as the resiliency of drive-to markets such as Orlando and Las Vegas, the recovery for the timeshare industry is underway.

Looking ahead to 2021, the Company shares the optimism of major timeshare developers that the travel sector will steadily return to normal, and that traveler activity, including among individuals looking to rent, buy, and sell timeshare on the secondary market, will continue to rise.

About SellMyTimeshareNow.com
Founded in 2003, SellMyTimeshareNow.com (sellmytimesharenow.com) is the world’s most active online marketplace for the purchase and rental of timeshare interests. A subsidiary of Vacation Innovations, SellMyTimeshareNow.com leverages advanced search engine optimization and other digital marketing strategies to maintain its position as a top-ranking global marketplace for timeshare resales and rentals, attracting over 2.8 million visits and over $219 million in purchase and rental offers to advertisers annually.

About Vacation Innovations

Founded in 1999, Vacation Innovations (vacationinnovations.com) is a leading provider of travel-related products, software and services. Leveraging advanced digital marketing strategies, sophisticated software solutions and decades of experience in vacation ownership, VI brings new vacation opportunities to a diverse audience of novice and seasoned travelers alike. The Vacation Innovations family of brands offers a wide range of travel services, including simplified resort rentals, online advertising and marketing products for by-owner timeshare sales and rentals, licensed timeshare brokerage and title transfer services, and customized owner services and product solutions for timeshare resorts, resort developers, HOAs and timeshare management companies.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alex Glover, Director of Communications
alex.glover@sellmytimesharenow.com
407-205-0120

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SOURCE SellMyTimeshareNow.com