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Holiday Shores Motel Restoration Adds Modern Flair to Mid-Century Getaway

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A historical slice of Myrtle Beach’s hospitality heyday is shining again following the New Year’s Eve reopening of the Holiday Shores drive-in motel at 7501 Ocean Blvd.

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The utilization of State and Federal historic preservation incentives will change our city for generations to come

Built in 1965, Holiday Shores is one of 120 motels constructed along the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand in the 1960s. Designed in the «Populuxe» style, a blend between populism and luxury that evolved after World War II, the building reflects a period of America’s burgeoning middle class and its desire to travel and explore. These small, family-run properties typically included a nod to the exotic, incorporating Polynesian themes, bright signage, and pops of color to draw motorists’ attention.

With the property in need of repair, GBX Group LLC, a historic preservation real estate firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, completed the initial investment that led to the rehabilitation with developers Robert Lewis, Chris Rogers, Tom Prioreschi, and Will Brennan. Tim Mclendon of Columbia, S.C., oversaw the design. This historic rehabilitation of Holiday Shores conformed with the National Park Service’s historic preservation standards.

The motel originally featured a modest 22 guestrooms and a detached owner’s suite (Graham House). Interior renovations include transforming the Graham House into three additional guestrooms, new fixtures and finishes throughout the property and a new lobby. Exterior upgrades restore the motel to its mid-century glamour.

«I fell in love with this hotel at first sight and knew I wanted to stay true to the period as much as possible, yet give it a facelift at the same time,» said Mclendon. «I chose exterior colors that would make it vibrant and pop. Most of the furnishings are mid-century-inspired and the feel of one who has traveled globally on holiday…thus, Holiday Shores was reborn and revitalized!»

Holiday Shores, now rebranded as part of the Choice Ascend Collection, joins its sister property, Waikiki Village, an earlier restoration project by primarily the same ownership/development/design team, as two of only a handful of remaining drive-in motels left in the area.

Robert Lewis, who grew up in nearby Conway, SC commented, «We’re proud to support the restoration of both motel properties. Not only do they offer meaningful cultural value to the area, but both projects contributed to community rebuilding, job creation and economic growth, all of which are catalysts for add-on development and long-term vitality.»

Brenda Bethune, Mayor of Myrtle Beach, added, «The Holiday Shores project is yet another example of the revitalization of Myrtle Beach. The utilization of State and Federal historic preservation incentives to bring new life to our mid-century buildings will change the landscape of our city for generations to come.»

Holiday Shores and Waikiki Village motels are managed by Coakley & Williams (CW) Hotel Management Company of Linthicum Heights, Maryland, the preeminent provider of comprehensive hotel management services with a property portfolio that represents great hotel brands such as Hilton, IHG, Best Western, Choice and Wyndham, as well as, independent boutique hotels, in many of the nation’s highest-performing hotel markets.

«We are thrilled to have been selected as the management company for these incredible projects and partners with this development group. Having managed successful hotels in the Myrtle Beach market in the past, we are committed to maximizing the revenue opportunities at both properties and have a proven track record,» said Mark Williams, CEO of Coakley & Williams. Williams continued, «In an effort to immediately increase exposure and join a leading reservation property management system, we franchised the property with Choice Hotels, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, making it part of their exclusive Ascend Collection.»

Choice Hotels Commitment to Clean, Health & Safety First

Holiday Shores Myrtle Beach, Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels, is committed to the health and safety of all guests and team members. The hotel is strictly adhering to specific guidelines to meet the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19. Among them, the hotel is following the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) «Safe Stay» guidelines, which are grounded in guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

Further, the hotel’s 360-degree approach across all departments will adhere to requirements set by Choice Hotels’ global Commitment to Clean initiative which builds on Choice Hotels’ long-standing cleanliness protocols and enhances the existing program with guidance developed in response to the pandemic, including recommendations related to deep cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene, and social distancing.

When staying at the Holiday Shores, Ascend Hotel Collection, guests can expect a growing variety of new and improved cleanliness protocols, products and communications, including:

Heightened cleaning protocols for high-traffic areas such as the front desk, fitness centers and pools, as well as other high-touch surfaces throughout the hotel, using hospital-grade disinfectant approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Furniture arrangements designed to encourage appropriate social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Changes in breakfast offerings, with many hotels that provide breakfast replacing their buffet with pre-packaged breakfast items.

For more information or to reserve a stay, visit Holiday Shores, Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels at www.choicehotels.com/sc652 or call 843-839-8005. Be sure to follow us at https://m.facebook.com/holidayshores/.

About GBX Group LLC
GBX Group LLC specializes in preserving and operating historic real estate in urban markets. GBX partners with property owners, developers, and local preservation organizations to acquire, redevelop, and preserve historic real estate, generating community revitalization and economic growth. Since its founding in 2001, GBX has completed over 135 projects in 21 states. For more about GBX, visit gbxgroup.com/.

About Coakley & Williams
Coakley & Williams is the preeminent provider of comprehensive hotel management services with a property portfolio that represents great hotel brands such as Hilton, IHG, Choice and Wyndham, as well as, independent boutique hotels, in many of the nation’s highest-performing hotel markets. Currently, Coakley & Williams manages over 3,000 rooms with 31 hotels in 10 states and the District of Columbia. These destinations include but are not limited to hotels near the historic Nation’s Capital, the sun filled coastal towns of Myrtle and Daytona Beach, and the theme park filled cities in Central Florida. Spanning almost five decades, our hotel management group has garnered a well-earned reputation for maximizing hotel assets through unmatched expertise with quality assurance, targeted marketing and progressive hotel administration systems. For more information contact Mike Lebby, Director of Development at mlebby@cwhotels.com.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc., a hospitality franchisor based in Rockville, Maryland, is one of the largest hotel chains in the world, owning several brands ranging from upscale to economy hotels representing 7,118 properties in 41 countries and territories worldwide, with approximately 597,018 rooms, in addition to 1,035 hotels under construction with 85,129 rooms.

Contact: Philip Winton, VP of Strategic Messaging, (216) 912-9705, pwinton@gbxgroup.com

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SOURCE GBX Group LLC

Porsche launches new scholarship and guest lecture series at Morehouse College

ATLANTA, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is teaming up with Morehouse College to launch a new scholarship for business majors and a guest lecture series that will expose students to the global automotive industry. In the first year of PCNA’s first-ever gift to a college, the Porsche Scholarship will benefit 10 sophomores, juniors or seniors who are majoring in Business Administration or Economics and have at least a 3.3 grade point…

Through its collaboration with Morehouse, PCNA hopes to provide greater access to post-secondary education on an ongoing basis, while also inspiring students to pursue careers in the automotive industry. Beginning this spring, PCNA will also launch a virtual, in-classroom guest lecture series with Morehouse to bring real-world perspective from the automotive sector to course curriculum. PCNA will lend its expertise to students in courses such as Customer Relationship Management and Advance Corporate Finance, followed by other areas of study in years to come.

«Porsche supports institutions that share our commitment to the connected goals of quality education and social equity,» said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of PCNA. «Morehouse College is an acknowledged national model for developing the next generation of leaders, and a logical partner in our hometown of Atlanta. As a brand dedicated to delivering dreams, I am proud we can contribute to student development at Morehouse and cultivate a stronger connection between these future leaders and the mobility sector.»

«On behalf of Morehouse College, I would like to thank Porsche Cars North America for working with us to expand academic opportunities for our business students,» said David A. Thomas, President of Morehouse College. «Choosing Morehouse as the site of PCNA’s first college scholarship program shows that Porsche is committed to academic excellence and the development of leaders of color. We look forward to collaborating with Porsche experts in our classrooms and hope that this relationship will be the bridge that leads to more Morehouse students starting new careers in the automotive industry, a business sector in need of more diversity.»

«Porsche is an industry leader that cares about local communities and has demonstrated its support through philanthropy,» said Monique Dozier, Vice President of the Morehouse College Office of Institutional Advancement. «By establishing this relationship with Porsche Cars North America, our students will not only benefit as recipients of the first-ever PCNA college scholarship, but they will also receive some important insight about global business strategies in classes taught by Porsche employees. We appreciate PCNA’s generosity and commitment to higher education.»

Morehouse College has a nationally-acclaimed business program and is the top feeder school for Black men entering Harvard Business School. The College educates 2,100 students annually, 60 percent of whom come from families with household incomes of $40,000 or less. As the national epicenter for thought leadership on civil rights, Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address racial inequities, which have created disparities in income, employment, health care, housing, and educational opportunities for people of African descent.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA

Kjell Gruner is President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), where he is responsible for the United States. He also oversees Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. and Porsche Digital, Inc., the sports car manufacturer’s digital subsidiary in the U.S. Gruner’s complete bio is available at newsroom.porsche.com.

Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is also home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America featuring a module-based 1.6 mile driver development track, business center, and fine dining restaurant, 356. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That 53-acre complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, and Restaurant 917. PCNA supports 192 independently owned and operated Porsche dealerships in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 70-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.

Photos and video footage are available to accredited journalists on the Porsche Press Database at http://press.porsche.com/.

About Morehouse College

Founded in 1867, Morehouse College is a private, liberal arts institution and the only historically Black college dedicated to educating men. Morehouse is the nation’s top producer of Black men who go on to receive doctorates and the top producer of Rhodes Scholars among HBCUs. The College was named to the list of U.S. institutions that produced the most Fulbright Scholars in 2019-2020. As the epicenter of thought leadership on civil rights, Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address the inequities caused by institutional racism, which has created social and economic disparities for people of African descent. Prominent Morehouse alumni include: Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General; Shelton «Spike» Lee, award-winning American filmmaker; Maynard H. Jackson, the first African American mayor of Atlanta; Jeh Johnson, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Louis W. Sullivan, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and founding dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine; Bakari Sellers, attorney and CNN political analyst; Randall Woodfin, elected as the youngest mayor of Birmingham in 120 years; and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black U.S. senator. Morehouse currently has more than 18,000 alumni in 14 countries. For more information, visit: https://morehouse.edu.

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SOURCE Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Expanding tech start-up Carsfast launches operations in St Louis

PHOENIX, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Direct from its success in Arizona, Illinois and Texas, new digital start-up Carsfast is now expanding its unique car buying and financing services throughout Missouri, starting in St Louis.

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St Louis locals have recently welcomed this contactless service which allows people to shop and get finance for thousands of near new cars direct from their cell phone. With operations expanding to other local regions later this month, Carsfast will change the way St Louis locals buy their next car.

«We are thrilled to launch this new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the St Louis market,» explains CEO and co-founder Shaun Sumaru and «we know that the locals of St Louis and throughout Missouri are looking for an alternative to physically shopping around for cars. We wanted to simplify and personalise this process for them.»

After seeing success throughout other states in America, expansion to the broader Missouri state was the obvious next step. The Carsfast team have developed the new technology shifting interactions entirely to text message so that all buyers have a personalized and tailored experience without ever having to physically see anyone. «Everything is completely contactless. We even organize the car to be delivered direct to your door and sort out credit offers without you ever having to see a single salesman or broker,» explains Shaun.

Carsfast is completely free to use and will connect people living in St Louis with more than 45,000 near new cars, trucks and SUVs. That’s equivalent to more than 300 traditional car yards, all on your phone. This new technology will revolutionize the car buying process. It’s the smart new way for people to shop and finance their next car.

About Carsfast

Carsfast is a next-generation digital car dealership. It exists to offer buyers cars and credit directly from their phone with zero friction. Our proprietary technology combines customers preferences and credit with our broad lender panel and vast inventory. The outcome is a selection of cars that perfectly matched to the buyer’s exact profile.

Media Contact: Dee Gligorevic, Marketing Director dee@carsfast.com

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SOURCE Carsfast

VinSolutions’ Virtual Assistant Vinessa Uses AI to Help Salespeople Pursue and Convert More Leads In A Tight Market

MISSION, Kan., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As dealerships look for new ways to connect with customers outside of the showroom and pursue leads in today’s digital world, technology is becoming an increasingly useful addition to sales teams. Vinessa™, VinSolutions’ AI-powered, CRM-integrated virtual assistant, allows salespeople to prioritize their time more efficiently thanks to the ability to vet leads by providing human-like customer engagement at the early stages of the sales process. With Vinessa’s help, salespeople can guide more customers through their unique paths to purchase, increase conversion rates and ultimately boost profits for the entire business.

«Dealership staff are tasked with filtering through massive volumes of online leads–-and dedicating the necessary resources to vetting and communicating with every customer can get in the way of salespeople doing what they do best—selling vehicles and closing deals,» said Tracy Fred, vice president of operations for Cox Automotive brands VinSolutions, Xtime and Dealertrack DMS. «As the consumer path to purchase continues to evolve and default to digital, it also means a 24/7 sales cycle. Dealerships need to be ready to engage with prospects around the clock in a scalable and cost-effective way.»

Using CRM artificial intelligence, machine learning and data provided by the dealership, Vinessa can answer questions from online and showroom sales leads about inventory availability, vehicle features and more, as well as schedule follow-up tasks for staff. Vinessa provides more qualified leads and ensures that no sales opportunity falls through the cracks whether an early-stage lead or one submitted after hours. With data provided by the dealership, Vinessa is also supported by VinSolutions Performance Managers who will help ensure the dealer gets the most out of the tool so partners can be confident that Vinessa is effectively guiding customers through their unique paths to purchase and delivering sales conversions.

Vinessa’s key features include:

CRM Integration that captures all customer communication from Vinessa directly within the customer record, with in-CRM alerts to ensure preparedness when meeting the customer where they are in the car buying process.
Appointment Setting that enables salespeople to stay focused on advanced selling tasks with Vinessa’s ability to schedule showroom appointments with customers on a salesperson’s behalf.
Lead Nurturing to engage customers 24/7, Vinessa can respond to leads after hours and follow up on conversations when salespeople are unavailable.
Smart Conversations using powerful artificial intelligence and natural language processing Vinessa can understand customer questions and provide real-time answers about inventory and schedule follow-up appointments to keep customers moving through the journey to purchase.
Reporting Features record and detail all of Vinessa’s customer interactions in a dashboard to help dealership staff better understand and measure Vinessa’s contribution to sales.
Customizable Engagement Settings allow dealers to control how and when Vinessa responds to leads, including who to assign appointments to and if Vinessa should automatically turn off when a salesperson takes over customer communication directly.
Connect Automotive Intelligence Integration enables Sentiment Analysis on customer interactions with Vinessa when the products are combined, which allows dealers to identify trends in customer communication and quickly resolve issues in the event of dissatisfaction.

«Vinessa is not only a backstop for missed communications; it’s also a strong driver for two-way communications. I strongly believe our two-way connections, appointment set rate, and customer satisfaction will all continue to improve,» said Chad Humm, Digital Performance Manager at D-Patrick Auto Group in Evansville, Indiana. «We chose Vinessa over other virtual assistant tools based on its integrations with all of our Cox Automotive tools especially with Connect CRM. Vinessa’s conversations live in the CRM.»

To learn more about Vinessa, the VinSolutions Virtual Assistant, visit www.VinSolutions.com.

About VinSolutions
As the provider of Connect CRM, Connect Automotive Intelligence, and the supporting suite of Connect solutions, VinSolutions helps more than 6,000 dealers make every connection count. VinSolutions’ industry-leading tools—including customizable customer relationship management, artificial intelligence, and desking—help dealerships drive more leads, increase profits, and accelerate the path to purchase. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Mission, Kansas, VinSolutions fosters dealership success by providing a fully customizable suite of solutions, including equity mining, market pricing and desking tools, combined with the continuous, personal support of a designated Performance Manager. VinSolutions is OEM certified by every major manufacturer and is Autosoft, CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds and Dealertrack DMS certified. www.vinsolutions.com

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company’s more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader^®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com^®, Dealertrack^®, Kelley Blue Book^®, Manheim^®, NextGear Capital^®, VinSolutions^®, vAuto^® and Xtime^®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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SOURCE VinSolutions

Bbot Increases Funding to $7.3 Million with New Seed Investment from Rally Ventures

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Bbot Inc., a restaurant and hospitality tech startup dedicated to simplifying and improving the ordering and payment process, today announced the closing of a $4 million seed extension funding round. Rally Ventures, a national leader in early-stage business technology investing, led the round, with participation from existing investor Craft Ventures, an early-stage venture fund. With this latest seed extension round, the company’s total funding is now $7.3 million.

The financing will allow Bbot to hire new talent, accelerate its product development and deepen its focus on providing exceptional service to its hundreds of hospitality customers. In 2021, the company will deliver a new feature that reinvents the traditional bar tab by allowing guests and servers to both add to and place orders on a joint tab. Additionally, this year Bbot plans to release its own API, to give hospitality tech partners the ability to build on the Bbot infrastructure.

«We are proud to partner with restaurants, bars and hotels to provide technology solutions that help them make their operations more efficient, convenient and safer for guests, as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for what’s next,» said Steven Simoni, CEO of Bbot. «Making our robust and configurable platform available to other industry partners through our own API was a natural next step and opportunity to deepen our exposure within the industry. With this additional funding in place, we will be able to continue to grow Bbot’s reach and deliver a more seamless experience to all of our hospitality customers.»

Founded in 2017, Bbot helps restaurants, bars, hotels, food halls and other hospitality organizations create digital menus and enable guest-controlled ordering and payment. With Bbot, guests can easily access menus and pay through any smartphone by using QR or location codes right from their tables at the venue. No sign up or app download is required. The company recently won the Hotel Tech Report Award for best in mobile ordering & room service.

«Bbot has a truly impressive infrastructure and has out-built other, more seasoned tech companies in their category by a long shot, with a fraction of the resources,» said Justin Kaufenberg, managing director of Rally Ventures. «In the wake of COVID-19, the hospitality industry has a bigger need than ever for seamless technology solutions that can help them streamline operations and increase their margins. Bbot is well-positioned and proven to help them achieve both.»

«We’re excited to work with Rally Ventures and Bbot to support the evolution of the hospitality industry,» said Jeff Fluhr, general partner at Craft Ventures. «Our continued investment in Bbot reflects our confidence in the company’s ability to expand their footprint, develop exciting technology, and serve as a valuable partner to the hospitality industry as they navigate a new normal.»

Bbot Inc. Press Contact:
Cara Morgan, Tandem Marketing Communications
caramorgan@tandemcomms.com

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SOURCE Bbot Inc.

In Honor of National Plan for Vacation Day, Discover Puerto Rico and JetBlue Invite You to Block Time Off for a Future Vacation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Discover Puerto Rico, the Island’s non-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), JetBlue and San Juan Marriott invite travelers to pick any week of 2021 and block their calendars to vacation in Puerto Rico and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win round-trip travel certificates and lodging to Puerto Rico. Studies show that taking the simple first step of blocking the time for a future vacation will increase chances of following through with plans, while also increasing happiness levels.

Starting today on National Plan for Vacation Day, through February 10, travelers are encouraged to simply block time off for an upcoming trip. Participants itching for an escape to Puerto Rico can then enter the sweepstakes by following three easy steps after reading the official rules:

Pick any week in 2021 to block on a digital calendar as vacation
Include «Fly JetBlue to Puerto Rico» as the subject line
Include Vacation@DiscoverPuertoRico.com as a participant on the calendar entry and press send

Three (3) Grand Prize winners will be selected to win two roundtrip JetBlue travel certificates to Puerto Rico (not inclusive of government taxes and fees), plus a 6 day/5 night stay at the San Juan Marriott, a beachside resort in the heart of Condado, with easy access to explore the city or spend time on the beach. Additionally, one hundred (100) participants will receive a goodie bag with travel swag to use once they take a vacation.

«Puerto Rico is a great option for travelers seeking warm temperatures, rich history, abundant natural attractions, delectable cuisine and an international flair,» said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. «The Island is an ideal place to visit when responsible travelers are ready, given the prioritization of health and safety measures and entry requirements in place to ensure a safe vacation.»

«As the largest airline in Puerto Rico, we’re excited to launch a partnership with Discover Puerto Rico encouraging travelers to choose days for a future vacation to the island,» said Elizabeth Windram, vice president of marketing, JetBlue. «With so much pent up travel demand, we look forward to welcoming customers whenever they are ready to Fly JetBlue to Puerto Rico, knowing they can count on us to deliver a safe travel experience and an award-winning service.»

For more information about Puerto Rico and travel inspiration, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Discover Puerto Rico
Discover Puerto Rico is a newly established private, not for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO brings prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively promoting the Island’s diversity and uniqueness for leisure and business travel, and events. It is responsible for all global marketing, sales and promotion of the destination and works collaboratively with key local governmental and non-governmental players throughout Puerto Rico’s visitor economy and community at large, to empower economic growth. To discover all the beauty the Island has to offer, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

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SOURCE Discover Puerto Rico

Dana Unveils Expanded TM4 SUMO™ HP Motor and Inverter Series, Empowering Adoption of Electrification Technologies

MAUMEE, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) today unveiled an expanded family of Dana TM4 SUMO™ HP electric motors and inverters, including the HV1000 and HV2500. The TM4 SUMO family is specifically designed for battery-electric, range-extended, and fuel-cell vehicles. These high-performance motors and inverters are engineered to offer maximum flexibility, enabling direct-drive, series-hybrid, or parallel-hybrid applications. The…

«The demands of urban delivery trucks, city buses, long-haul trucks, and other high-power on- and off-highway vehicles require electrified solutions that meet their demanding duty cycles. A compelling combination of compact design and heavy-duty power, the TM4 SUMO HP series is precisely engineered to address the requirements of Class 6-8 commercial vehicles,» said Seth Metzger, senior vice president of electrification at Dana.

The product is designed to allow OEMs to replace internal combustion-based components with a compact, highly efficient package that does not require major modifications. It can therefore be coupled to diesel engines, natural gas engines, and multi-speed transmissions, as well as integrated as part of an e-Axle in heavy-duty and off-highway applications.

Packaged for Power and Optimal Value

Reaching up to 800 volts DC, Dana’s TM4 SUMO HP series offers up to 430 kW of continuous power and 540 kW of peak power, as well as a peak torque value of 2,500 Nm.

Among its core design, performance, and price benefits, the series is:

up to 30 percent lighter and delivers up to 65 percent more continuous power and up to 45 percent more peak power compared with other heavy-duty electric powertrains available for the market;
designed to match the efficiency map of an internal-combustion engine when used as a range extender and can reduce operating costs by more than 35 percent when compared with a conventional diesel-powered vehicle.

Innovative Motor and Inverter Designs

The TM4 SUMO HP series features a new motor with compact concentric winding technology to deliver maximum torque density and leverages Dana’s proven internal permanent magnet technology for optimal efficiency and cost.

For the high-power version, the CO200 six-phase inverter has been upgraded with higher power and current output, as well as new connectors that improve ease of installation. This versatile and powerful inverter now delivers twice the power density at 23kW/kg up to 800 volts DC.

Further demonstrating its robustness, TM4 SUMO HP technology has been combined with Dana’s field-proven axle designs to support e-Powertrains for heavy-duty vehicle applications.

For more information on Dana’s lineup of electric and hybrid powertrain systems, visit danatm4.com.

About Dana Incorporated
Dana is a world leader in providing power-conveyance and energy-management solutions that are engineered to improve the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway equipment. Enabling the propulsion of conventional, hybrid, and electric-powered vehicles, Dana equips its customers with critical drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $8.6 billion in 2019 with 36,000 associates in 34 countries across six continents. Founded in 1904, Dana has been recognized by Forbes magazine as a World’s Best Employer with a high-performance culture that focuses on its people and has earned recognition globally as a top employer. Learn more at dana.com.

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SOURCE Dana Incorporated

Trending Destinations for Travel-Starved Americans Revealed: Tripadvisor Announces 2021 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards

NEEDHAM, Mass., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Tripadvisor^®, the world’s largest travel platform, released its annual Travelers’ Choice^® Best of the Best Awards for Destinations, highlighting the Popular, Trending, and Emerging Destinations around the world, as well as a new category for 2021: National Parks. The awards are based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations worldwide on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period.

The awards reveal where travelers ventured in 2020, while travel was still open, as well as where they dreamed of going while the pandemic kept them stuck at home. With travel restrictions in place for much of the year, travelers explored the world very differently — they took more local trips closer to home and favored outdoor spots, away from crowded cities. According to a recent survey of Tripadvisor travelers, more than half (52%) say they are more likely to take an outdoor or nature trip than they were before the pandemic¹. As a result, the Travelers’ Choice Trending Destinations for 2021 are almost entirely outdoor destinations. Sun Belt destinations dominated the U.S. list, with Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taking the top spot in the United States. On the global stage, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is the number one Trending Destination, seeing the biggest spike in top reviews and ratings last year.

While COVID-19 kept travelers from exploring too far from home last year, it couldn’t stop them from indulging their wanderlust dreaming of the destinations that would be on their go-to list once travel opens up again. Topping the world’s Travelers’ Choice Emerging Destinations list — the places travelers are «saving» on Tripadvisor, and that everyone will be talking about next— is Martinique in the Caribbean.

«Alongside the latest vaccine developments, pent-up demand is prompting the world to think more about travel in 2021,» said Christine Maguire, vice president and general manager, global media business at Tripadvisor. «But one result of the pandemic may be the destinations they’re interested in. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 74% of travelers will spend more time selecting a destination when planning their next trip². If you’re like me and already imagining your first post-vaccine vacation, this list of travelers’ favorite destinations can serve as your inspiration.»

Top 10 Trending Destinations in the U.S.
Trending Destinations recognize destinations that saw the biggest increase in a combination of positive ratings and reviews over the last year.

Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Good for: hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park, fishing, rafting
St. Augustine, Fla.
Good for: history buffs, beaches, wildlife
Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
Good for: beach lovers, exploring barrier reefs, kayaking
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Good for: hiking, camping, rollercoasters and bluegrass at Dollywood
Moab, Utah
Good for: mountain biking, rock-climbing, hiking
Marco Island, Fla.
Good for: beach lovers, seashell hunting, playing golf
Estes Park, Colo.
Good for: wildlife sightings, hiking Rocky Mountain National Park, backcountry skiing
Hilton Head, S.C.
Good for: sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, playing golf
Clearwater, Fla.
Good for: beach lovers, family activities, sailing
Jackson, Wyo.
Good for: skiing, rafting, fly-fishing

Check out the full list of the top Trending Destinations in the world here: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-TrendingDestinations

Top 10 Emerging Destinations in the World
Emerging Destinations showcase the spots with the greatest year-over-year increase in «saves» on Tripadvisor around the world. Different from the other categories, which highlight where travelers have already visited, the Emerging list identifies where they want to visit. These are the destinations travelers were dreaming of while they were stuck at home all year — and where they may go next.

Martinique
Panama City Beach, Fla., United States
Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil
Holbox Island, Mexico
St Ives, United Kingdom
Mazatlan, Mexico
Colorado Springs, Colo., United States
Shoalhaven, Australia
Wroclaw, Poland
Mudgee, Australia

Check out the full list of top Emerging Destinations in the world here: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-EmergingDestinations

Top 10 National Parks in the U.S.
When indoor activities shuttered in 2020, travelers headed to the great outdoors. Here are their favorite National Parks in the United States.

Check out the full list of the top National Parks in the world here: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-NationalParks

Popular Destinations include the locations that travelers raved about most on Tripadvisor in the past year, comprising iconic world cities. Bali is the most popular destination in the world for 2021, rising from #4 last year to dethrone London. Check out the full list of Popular Destinations here:
www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations.

Methodology
The Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Destinations honor travelers’ favorite destinations worldwide based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings from Tripadvisor travelers for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations worldwide over a 12-month period (December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020).

The Popular Destinations category honors the locations that are the most popular among Tripadvisor reviewers. The methodology takes into account quality and volume of reviews to surface destinations that consistently deliver the best overall experience for travelers.
The Trending Destinations category honors the locations that showed the greatest year-over-year increase in a combination of positive traveler reviews and ratings for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do on Tripadvisor.
The Emerging Destinations category honors the locations that showed the greatest year-over-year increase in «saves» for accommodations, restaurants and things to do on Tripadvisor. Travelers can «save» their travel ideas and plans on Tripadvisor by tapping the heart icon on places to stay, restaurants, and things to do. Saves is a great indicator of what travelers are interested in doing in the future, as opposed to what they have done or are booking now.
The National Parks category honors the scenic and historically significant parks that are the most popular among travelers, according to reviews and ratings for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do on Tripadvisor.

Note to Editor

Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of up to 2,400 consumers per survey, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted approximately every two weeks from 3/27/20 through 10/21/20 across six countries – U.S., UK, Australia, Italy, Singapore and Japan.
Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of 2,330 consumers, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted between 12/28/20 through 1/10/21 across six countries – U.S., UK, Australia, Italy, Singapore and Japan.

About Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform*, helps hundreds of millions of travelers each month** make every trip their best trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to browse more than 878 million reviews and opinions of 8.8 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises. Whether planning or on a trip, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to compare low prices on hotels, flights and cruises, book popular tours and attractions, as well as reserve tables at great restaurants. Tripadvisor, the ultimate travel companion, is available in 49 markets and 28 languages.

The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps, including the following websites:

www.bokun.io, www.cruisecritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.bookatable.co.uk, and www.delinski.com), www.helloreco.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.seatguru.com, www.singleplatform.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, and www.viator.com.

* Source: SimilarWeb, September 2020
** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files

TRIP-G

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SOURCE Tripadvisor

Ansys 2021 R1 Unlocks Unlimited Possibilities for Engineering Teams

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —

<img src="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1426325/Ansys_2021_R1.jpg" title="Ansys 2021 R1 expands sensor simulation capabilities with scanning and rotating lidar models to improve AV simulation reliability." alt="Ansys…

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —

/ Key Highlights

With the newly launched Ansys 2021 R1, engineers harness advances in simulation technology together with ever-increasing computing power to drive new levels of product innovation
Ansys 2021 R1 equips engineers to design the next generation of products that are safe, reliable and deliver breakthrough performance

Recently launched Ansys 2021 R1 products deliver improvements in simulation technology along with the immense compute power of high-performance computing to reimagine what is now possible for global engineering teams. Ansys‘ (NASDAQ: ANSS) industry-leading simulation solutions offer new levels of collaboration, providing insight into product safety, reliability and performance.

Companies of every size in every industry are challenging traditional ways of working in pursuit of breakthrough innovation. The simplified workflows and unique product enhancements in Ansys 2021 R1 create opportunities for engineers to accomplish design and product development goals that were previously thought unattainable. With Ansys 2021 R1, engineers no longer need to develop workarounds because of technology limitations and make workflow compromises that increase design cost and risk.

Ansys 2021 R1 provides advancements for large electromagnetic system simulations that previously were not possible while including vendor components in those simulations with greater efficiency and scalability. These components can be encrypted, so vendors can share proprietary 3D component designs and create high-fidelity simulations.

Ansys 2021 R1 pushes semiconductor engineering boundaries, delivering comprehensive analysis of signal integrity, power integrity, thermal and mechanical stress on 3D multi-die systems. While thermo-mechanical stresses and warpage can damage 3D-IC packages, leveraging proven Ansys flagship technology enables users to increase product lifespan and reliability.

The advances in Ansys 2021 R1 coupled with Ansys^® Cloud^™ drive faster simulations, simpler workflows and additional solver capabilities, making simulation accessible for companies of all sizes. Ansys Cloud improvements have empowered Ansys fluids, structures and electronics customers to quickly scale up to solve computational issues.

«With Ansys Cloud, the ability to immediately scale up machines is unparalleled,» said Benjamin Turner, mechanical engineer at Hargrove Engineers + Constructors. «It eliminates the need to install any software and delivers pure convenience. I can use my smartphone to check my simulation’s status.»

As leading companies accelerate the pace of their autonomous vehicle (AV) and electric vehicle (EV) development, safety continues to be a top priority. Ansys 2021 R1 provides a comprehensive sensor solution for AVs, including an industry-leading, real-time, physics-based radar sensor capability, combined with closed-loop simulation validation to enhance AV safety. Also, new scanning and rotating lidar models boost AV simulation reliability. Additionally, Ansys’ embedded systems and software solutions increase communication among team members and reduce embedded software certification costs. This delivers improved modeling and code generation flexibility for AUTOSAR automotive software components and provides support for the FACE 3.0 Technical Standard for military avionics. Lastly, Ansys’ cutting-edge systems safety solution helps enhance EV and AV safety analyses by graphically pinpointing where potential system failures may occur, simplifying the software safety review process.

«Using medini analyze for software safety analysis (SSA), Robert Bosch GmbH can reduce the effort for SSA,» said Sven Bergmann, project safety manager, Robert Bosch GmbH. «This enables reusability of information in one integrated tool, improves acceptance of software architects and eases review.»

This new release makes comprehensive development of EV components a reality. Harnessing a new battery designer tool helps engineers optimize materials selection for creating next-gen batteries, while a new EV powertrain library speeds system simulation of electrified components. New software enhancements also add alarm sounds to vehicle advanced driver assistance systems that better EV driving safety, while new battery models equip engineers to tackle different scenarios including battery crush, cooling, nail penetration and module crush.

New customer requirements and increasingly shorter product development timelines present engineering teams with an unprecedented number of new challenges, ranging from system-level issues to fundamental component-level physics. With the acquisition of Analytical Graphics, Inc., Ansys now offers a comprehensive solution, enabling simulation from the component level all the way to a customer’s entire mission. Ansys 2021 R1 also continues to push boundaries at the detailed physics level, equipping teams to make smarter decisions earlier in the product design process, empowering them to avoid costly mistakes that can negatively impact product quality and reliability.

Additionally, Ansys 2021 R1 makes it easier for engineering teams to collaborate on projects in this work-from-home era through latest advances in simulation process and data management provided by Ansys^® Minerva, powered by Aras. Improved workflows help even novice engineers learn how to use this software quickly, while improving the sharing of data among expert users.

This release drives new levels of design exploration through capabilities like automated fluid-solid thermal analysis to easily predict fluid and solid thermal behaviors for the design and evaluation of electronics cooling and heat management devices. To create their unique 3D printers, Qualup SAS leverages Ansys^® Discovery^™ to visualize thermal and cooling design variations.

«Ansys Discovery allows us to quickly evaluate the influences of design variations on the thermal and internal ventilation of the print chamber as well as the influence of the design on the cooling of certain components,» said Philippe Boichut, owner, Qualup SAS. «Discovery gives us the incredible possibility to modify the modeling live and to visualize the effects instantly — a perfect tool for designers.»

Ansys 2021 R1 also helps manufacturing companies fill the gap between injection molding and structural simulation for short fiber reinforced composites that are increasingly used in automotive components and consumer goods. thyssenkrupp Presta AG uses these advances in simulation technology to help them steer toward the future of mobility with the short fiber workflow.

«Ansys 2021 R1’s newest release of Ansys^® Mechanical^™ provides the ability to model the realistic and complex details of injection molded plastics, like the orientation of fibers and the presence of injection stresses in the parts,» said Francesco Fiorini, structural and durability engineer at thyssenkrupp Presta AG. «This significantly increases the accuracy of our engineering developments.»

«Ansys 2021 R1 will provide companies and engineering teams of every size with the industry-leading technology needed for developing products that will shape the future of our global community,» said Shane Emswiler, senior vice president, Ansys. «Ansys 2021 R1 delivers unique capabilities that equip engineers to pioneer innovations that previously might have been impossible to imagine, creating a significant competitive edge and a faster path to market for their organizations.»

For specific updates on each of Ansys’ product suites, please visit:

/ About Ansys

If you’ve ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you’ve used a product where Ansys software played a critical role in its creation. Ansys is the global leader in engineering simulation. Through our strategy of Pervasive Engineering Simulation, we help the world’s most innovative companies deliver radically better products to their customers. By offering the best and broadest portfolio of engineering simulation software, we help them solve the most complex design challenges and create products limited only by imagination. Founded in 1970, Ansys is headquartered south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Visit www.ansys.com for more information.

Ansys and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

ANSS–T

/ Contacts

Media	Mary Kate Joyce
	724.820.4368
	marykate.joyce@ansys.com

Investors	Annette N. Arribas, IRC
	724.820.3700
	annette.arribas@ansys.com

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SOURCE Ansys

Say «I Do» to Zoom Weddings at World Famous Las Vegas Chapel

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Couples from around the world planning their upcoming wedding have been anxiously waiting for word of when it will be safe to gather for their special day. With many states limiting the capacities of weddings during the global pandemic, newly engaged couples have decided to postpone their ceremonies or elope in Las Vegas.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day weddings, Chapel of the Flowers has come up with a creative…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day weddings, Chapel of the Flowers has come up with a creative solution to have wedding guests safely attend ceremonies at their iconic Las Vegas wedding venue. The chapel just released their new «Zoom Wedding Broadcasting» feature that allows loved ones to virtually attend a ceremony from the comforts of home. Simultaneously, newlyweds getting married at the chapel will see their wedding guests on high-resolution television screens wall mounted in the back row of the chapel.

«Our couples have loved our online broadcasting for over 20 years,» says Donne Kerestic, CEO at Chapel of the Flowers. «The wedding live stream has always been a one-way viewing experience, and couples don’t know who is watching. We are excited that we now have the option where couples can see their guests during their ceremony as they are exchanging vows and have their first kiss.»

Chapel of the Flowers was one of the first Las Vegas wedding chapels to offer live wedding videos on their website. Each of their four indoor ceremony locations is equipped with high-definition cameras and operated by a highly skilled video technician. The professional videographer will edit the live online feed in a control room outside the ceremony space to avoid being captured in the background of candid wedding photos.

Like many other businesses, Chapel of the Flowers had to adapt to performing ceremonies during the pandemic. Some weddings have guest counts that exceed the Government mandated reduced capacity.

«We have also been using the TV monitors for overflow viewing,» exclaims Donne. «Some guest counts are larger than the capacity allowed. If the Victorian Chapel is available, we can take the late arrivals or guests that don’t fit in the chapel space and live stream the ceremony to watch on-site. This way, guests won’t miss the ceremony.»

With couples opting for small weddings now and celebrating with larger receptions later, the chapel is excited to offer the new «Zoom Wedding Broadcasting» exclusively in their Victorian Chapel location. Ceremony broadcasting is included in most of the chapel’s all-inclusive wedding packages, along with Facebook Live options in their simple celebrant ceremony packages.

About Chapel of the Flowers

Chapel of the Flowers has been celebrating 60 years of love on the Las Vegas Strip. Located near the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas (1717 Las Vegas Boulevard South), they are the largest free-standing chapel in Las Vegas.

Marrying over a quarter of a million couples, Chapel of the Flowers is known for its first-class wedding planners, ceremony & reception wedding packages, professional wedding photographer, and on-site floral shop. The expansive acre property features five newly renovated indoor and outdoor wedding locations perfect for an intimate elopement or larger celebrations with space up to 88 guests. From garden weddings to elegant ceremonies, the chapel has a ceremony space for almost any style.

The top-ranked chapel has earned top recognition and awards on TripAdvisor, The Knot, and Las Vegas Review Journal’s Best of Las Vegas. Chapel of the Flowers has also been featured in the media on TLC shows, «Say Yes to the Dress» and «90 Day Fiancé», as well as music videos for Carrie Underwood «Last Name» and Rascal Flatts «Why Wait».

In 2020, Chapel of the Flowers rolled out their «Safe and Clean Program,» which is their initiative to keeping couples, guests, and employees safe while performing unforgettable Las Vegas weddings. This COVID safety program was created to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by using CDC and Government guidelines with a robust cleaning routine using EPA/ FDA certified products and safety equipment. For more information, visit the company’s coronavirus Safe and Clean Program post, available on Chapel of the Flowers’ wedding blog.

Chapel of the Flowers aims for excellence and is honored to be one of the preferred Las Vegas chapels in the «Wedding Capital of the World».

###

Media Contact
Michelle Goldberg,
Head of Marketing
http://www.littlechapel.com
Phone: 702-735-4331
Email: media (at) littlechapel.com

Media Contact

Michelle Goldberg, Chapel of the Flowers, 702-735-4331, media@littlechapel.com

Twitter, LinkedIn

SOURCE Chapel of the Flowers