Multisitio 2

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Skål International, the world’s largest Travel and Tourism Association, held its 81^st annual General Assembly Meeting last week and honored Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, as the Skål  International «Ambassador of the Year» in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Skål  International in 2020. Skål International President Peter Morrison, speaking from New Zealand, presided over the first-time ever virtual annual meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. 281 delegates representing over 90 countries, along with 1,266 virtual attendees via YouTube, attended the ceremony when Roger was honored with the news about this incredibly special award.

«His support of the global tourism industry has been outstanding and his tireless efforts has brought the importance of the hospitality industry to the world through endless virtual meetings with the media and global hospitality leaders,» said President Morrison. This citation recognizes Dow’s role in advocating support for the struggling travel industry nationally at both the White House and Congressional levels and for being an international tourism policy leader on the board of the World Travel and Tourism Council, where he helps formulate plans to address the return of the travel industry from the pandemic and communicate these plans back in the United States.

«Roger has been a member of Skål International Washington DC for many years and has helped countless Skål members,» exclaimed Morrison. Roger has shown the importance of the travel industry to the United States economy as 11% of the nation’s (U.S.) jobs are from the travel industry.

Several other Skål USA Washington DC members received accolades from Skål International President Morrison including Steve Richer, for going that «Extra Mile in the Unprecedented Year» and William (Bill) Moyer, also from Skål  Washington DC, who was bestowed with the Membre d’Honneur distinction by a vote from all of the assembly delegates. Bill remarked, » I was completely taken by surprise and humbled….I was truly blessed when I joined Skål and had no idea of the powerful impact it would have on me throughout my life and hopefully into the future, I am more than grateful, he added.»

«The 45 Clubs of Skål USA were proud to participate in the Skål  Annual Assembly,» said Dave Ryan, Skål USA President. This was the first time in the history of Skål International every club in the world was represented and had a vote.  «We are especially proud of Burcin Turkkan, Skål USA Atlanta, who was elected as the Senior Vice President of Skål  International and the members of Skål USA Washington DC, who were recognized for extraordinary awards,» said Ryan. «I am humbled by the support of the membership worldwide in electing me senior Vice President on the Skål International Board. I will continue to serve for the best interest of the membership in general while proudly representing the United States on the Executive Board.» said Burcin Turkkan, Vice President-Elect Skål EB 2021.

«It was a great day for Skål USA and especially for Skål Atlanta and Skål Washington, DC and their Presidents, Monika Pasquerello and Barry Biggar,» added Ryan.

«Skål International Atlanta is proud to have our own long-time and certainly most active member, Burcin Turkkan,  elected as Senior Vice President, Skål International. Burcin is the epitome of what Skål represents and she works tirelessly to promote Skål in the USA and around the world. We have no doubt that she will continue to do good things on behalf of the entire organization,» remarked Monika Pasqerello, President Skål Atlanta.

Skål Washington DC is one of the largest and most active clubs in the United States. Washington DC Club President Barry Biggar, CEO of Visit Fairfax, said, «The Skål Washington, DC Club has always had exceptional members, and to receive so many individual awards among the few given internationally is just outstanding. The awards and recognitions are some of the highest honors which Skål International bestows on members of distinction worldwide.»

«A big congratulation to Skål Atlanta and Skål Washington DC on these tremendous honors was shouted out by the Skål USA delegates.»

Skål International is the world’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1934. Its members are Directors and Executives of the Tourism sector who relate to each other to address issues of common interest, improving a business network, and promoting destinations. Skål International has 14,000 members in 342 clubs in 102 countries around the world. Skål International USA is currently the largest National Committee in Skål  International with over 1,800 members and 45 clubs nationwide. For more information about Skål International and membership, please visit SkålUSA.org.

Contact: Tom Moulton, 520.940-2755, info@skalusa.org

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SOURCE Skal International USA

TORINO, Italy, Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — How design will have to approach the new world? On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, Pininfarina launches an international design competition that challenges students from all around the world to create something that expresses their dreams for the future: «Design Reset: New Dreams for a New World«. An initiative engaging prestigious international schools that enables the community of creative young people to rethink what human experiences will be like in the New Normal.

Design has the ability to innovate continuously while enhancing the lives of people. As the whole approach to designing and life has been questioned during these times, Pininfarina, which operates in such various areas of design from product to architecture, UX/UI and all forms of transportation, has been particularly sensitive to the kind of future experiences that Design should deliver and that people might want to rethink or change completely after the pandemic.

The contest will involve the new generations to re-think a positive future way of moving and living thus submitting projects where product and experience come together.

The contest is free to enter for anyone over the age of 18 attending the following schools: China Academy of Art (China), Coventry University (UK), FH JOANNEUM Industrial Design (Austria), Hochschule München (Germany), IAAD-The Italian University for Design (Italy), Istituto Europeo di Design – Torino (Italy), ISD Rubika (France/India), National Institute of Design Ahmedabad (India), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), PRATT Institute (USA), Royal College of Art (UK), Strate School of Design (France), TsingHua University (China), Umeå Institute of Design- UID (Sweden), USP (Brazil).

Until March 2021 students will have the chance to submit their solutions inspired by three different themes:

• Smart Individual Mobility: a new way to move that is easier, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, safe and comfortable for the individual
• Smart Social Mobility: a new way to move together, namely create new forms of collective mobility that promote the concept of sharing and a sustainable lifestyle.
• Smart Spaces: a new way to live together, namely create a temporary outdoor pavilion to be completely built off-site through rapid prototyping, digital fabrication and/or robotic technologies.

The competition closes on March 31^st, 2021. The winner of each category will be awarded a 6-month Internship at Pininfarina’s design studios in Torino, Miami and Shanghai. A Special Chairman Award will go to the work that reserves a special attention to the Pininfarina design values. The DesignWanted Special Award to the best architectural vision will be awarded with the publication on designwanted.com.

More info: designcontest.pininfarina.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1317611/Pininfarina_Design_Contest.jpg

NORTH TUSTIN, Calif., Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. today announced the 2020 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), recognizing vehicles that best meet owners’ expectations for the product. The 2020 awards are based on responses from more than 73,000 owners of new vehicles across all major manufacturers. Based solely on owner input, AutoPacific IVAs link owner expectations with their actual vehicle experiences by measuring respondent desire for change with 14 vehicle attributes ranging from interior storage to power and acceleration. «IVA’s speak to a vehicle’s layout and design by revealing which vehicles best meet their owner’s needs and expectations,» says AutoPacific president George Peterson.

Winners Spread Across 17 Brands; 11 Manufacturers
Highlighting a diversity of offerings, the twenty-four winning vehicles come from seventeen different brands. Mercedes-Benz and Honda receive the most brand wins with three wins each, followed by Tesla, Toyota and Volvo with two wins each, and one win from each of the remaining twelve brands. «Not only do this year’s winners span the market in terms of brand, they also span the segments within each brand,» says AutoPacific market research manager Deborah Grieb. «Honda’s three wins come from the car, truck and SUV segments, while the three wins from Mercedes-Benz come from both the car and SUV segments, showcasing each brand’s knowledge of their customer base.»

Tesla and Land Rover tie for Most Ideal Brand
Tesla, a 2018 Ideal Brand winner, returns to the top by providing owners with an ideal amount of info and entertainment technology, interior storage and power and acceleration. Tying for Most Ideal Brand, Land Rover hits the right mark with owners by providing ideal interior quietness, safety features, and center screen size.

Info and Entertainment Technology Presents an Industry Challenge
Only 56% of new vehicle buyers are content with their vehicle’s info/entertainment technology, an area that has been a challenge for automotive manufacturers for years. «The challenge with info and entertainment technology is in the user interface, as well as the type and amount of content provided,» explains Peterson. AutoPacific data reveal that of the 44% of new vehicle buyers who would change their info/entertainment technology, 30% want more advanced info/entertainment technology in their vehicle and 14% want it to be simpler or easier to use. Desire for changes to info and entertainment technology is often dependent on the age of the vehicle buyer, as 42% of buyers under age 40 say they want more advanced info/entertainment technology compared to 24% of those 40 and older.

2020 Ideal Vehicle Award Summary

2020 Overall Winner: GMC Acadia
2020 Most Ideal Brand Overall: Tesla and Land Rover (tie)
2020 Most Ideal Premium Brand: Tesla and Land Rover (tie)
2020 Most Ideal Popular Brand: Volkswagen                                   

About AutoPacific
AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary research, forecasting, and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters are in North Tustin, California, with affiliate offices in the Detroit, Michigan area, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific’s website: http://www.autopacific.com/.

The 2020 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on scores developed using results from AutoPacific’s national New Vehicle Satisfaction Survey. Respondents to this survey are owners of new model year cars and trucks. The questionnaire was administered from March through July 2020.

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SOURCE AutoPacific

TORINO, Italy, Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — How design will have to approach the new world? On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, Pininfarina launches an international design competition that challenges students from all around the world to create something that expresses their dreams for the future: «Design Reset: New Dreams for a New World«. An initiative engaging prestigious international schools that enables the community of creative young people to rethink what human experiences will be like in the New Normal.

Design has the ability to innovate continuously while enhancing the lives of people. As the whole approach to designing and life has been questioned during these times, Pininfarina, which operates in such various areas of design from product to architecture, UX/UI and all forms of transportation, has been particularly sensitive to the kind of future experiences that Design should deliver and that people might want to rethink or change completely after the pandemic.

The contest will involve the new generations to re-think a positive future way of moving and living thus submitting projects where product and experience come together.

The contest is free to enter for anyone over the age of 18 attending the following schools: China Academy of Art (China), Coventry University (UK), FH JOANNEUM Industrial Design (Austria), Hochschule München (Germany), IAAD-The Italian University for Design (Italy), Istituto Europeo di Design – Torino (Italy), ISD Rubika (France/India), National Institute of Design Ahmedabad (India), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), PRATT Institute (USA), Royal College of Art (UK), Strate School of Design (France), TsingHua University (China), Umeå Institute of Design- UID (Sweden), USP (Brazil).

Until March 2021 students will have the chance to submit their solutions inspired by three different themes:

• Smart Individual Mobility: a new way to move that is easier, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, safe and comfortable for the individual
• Smart Social Mobility: a new way to move together, namely create new forms of collective mobility that promote the concept of sharing and a sustainable lifestyle.
• Smart Spaces: a new way to live together, namely create a temporary outdoor pavilion to be completely built off-site through rapid prototyping, digital fabrication and/or robotic technologies.

The competition closes on March 31^st, 2021. The winner of each category will be awarded a 6-month Internship at Pininfarina’s design studios in Torino, Miami and Shanghai. A Special Chairman Award will go to the work that reserves a special attention to the Pininfarina design values. The DesignWanted Special Award to the best architectural vision will be awarded with the publication on designwanted.com.

More info: designcontest.pininfarina.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1317611/Pininfarina_Design_Contest.jpg

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SOURCE Pininfarina