Monthly Archives: May 2012

Healthcare

Botox Training with the IAPAM Helps Physicians Boost Revenues

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As physician incomes decline, physicians are looking to cash based services to boost their bottom lines.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – May 18, 2012 — Physician income has declined since 2010, according to the recent Medscape’s Physician Compensation Survey Report: 2012 Results. Even among the top earning specialties (radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologists) incomes declined, and the bottom earning specialties (pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine) saw no gains.

Also, proposed changes in healthcare reform worry physicians, and fifty-two percent of physicians believe that incomes will be further negatively affected under proposed initiatives.

So, to boost their bottom lines, many physicians are adding cash-based services, like botox, to their healthcare businesses. From lasers to hCG, physicians who attend the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium (http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com) receive the training they need to add $100,000+ a year in non-insurance based revenue to an existing practice.

To insulate a practice from any looming changes in healthcare compensation, physicians need to incorporate these key fundamentals, as taught at the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium:

• Understanding the latest trends in aesthetic medicine and how to use them to one’s advantage;
• How to develop a successful business plan including steps on how to integrated medical aesthetics procedures into a practice or build a patient base;
• How to perform aesthetic patient consultations;
• How to add the most profitable cosmetic injectable procedures, including: Botox ®, Dysport ® and dermal fillers (i.e. Juvederm ®, Restylane ®, and Perlane ®), chemical peels, and physician directed skin care;
• Extensive, physician-lead, hands-on training in Botulinum Toxin Type A (i.e. Botox®), IPL / laser technology, and medical microdermabrasion; and
• How to maximize profits by offering the most profitable aesthetic medicine procedures like physician strength chemical peels, tailored to meet a specific clinic’s patient profiles.

For additional information and to register for an upcoming Aesthetic Medicine Symposium with botox training, please contact the IAPAM at 1-800-219-5108 ext.704, or visit http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com.

About the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary global association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession worldwide. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits to members around the globe. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The IAPAM offers aesthetic medicine and hCG medical weight management programs, including: botox ® training, medical aesthetic training, laser training, physician hCG training, and aesthetic practice business training. Additional information about the association can be accessed through the IAPAM’s website (http://www.iapam.com) or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108 ext. 704
http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com/botoxtraining

Business

Rich Dad Poor Dad Co-Author to Speak in London on 26th May

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“Failings of our education system and financial services industry the root cause of financial illiteracy”

Dublin , Ireland, May 17, 2012 – “Failings of our education system and financial services industry the root cause of financial illiteracy”, says Rich Dad Poor Dad best-selling co-author and speaker Sharon Lechter.

Commenting on the lack of financial literacy, Sharon Lechter said: “We all have to deal with money issues throughout our lives. Unfortunately, the traditional education system fails to equip us with the right mindset, knowledge and skills we need to succeed at managing our own money. It takes a company like Horizon Speakers & Seminars to source and promote speakers like myself to provide the necessary education that the established education and financial services industry largely fails at.”

Commenting further, Lechter says: “No matter who you are, where you live or what your circumstances; whether you are an employee, a housewife, an entrepreneur or business person, you and your family can enrich your lives and secure your financial well-being by developing adequate financial literacy.” says Sharon Lechter.

A best-selling author, seasoned entrepreneur/business woman and Certified Public Accountant, Sharon will be sharing her insights and teachings on personal success and financial literacy at a unique 1-day event titled Think, Act & Grow Rich in London 26th May and Dublin 27th May 2012.

A rare female voice in the world of finance and public speaking her numerous accolades include being an international best-selling co-author of 15 books in the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series. In 2008, Lechter was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. She is also an Emissary of the Napoleon Hill foundation and CEO of Pay Your Family First.

Commenting further, Lechter said:”Whether it’s simply paying the bills or raising capital for some other personal or business investment, everyone is faced with financial decisions to make. Unfortunately, most people haven’t had the education to allow them to develop their financial IQ to such a level as to ensure their financial well-being”

Sharon’s training provides unique insights and specific steps to boost people’s levels of personal success, their financial IQ and their bank balance! “The 1-Day talk I will be giving with Horizon Speakers & Seminars will focus on providing people with the knowledge, skills and tools people need to ultimately think, act and grow rich,” says Sharon.

Keelan Cunningham, CEO of Horizon Speakers and Seminars (the organisers), commented on the upcoming event with Sharon saying: “We are delighted to host such a world-class authority in the field of personal success and personal finance in both Dublin and London at the end of May. At a time where money issues and finances are centre stage in every household we feel this is a great opportunity for people in both Ireland and the UK to learn from a genuine world-authority on personal success and financial well-being”

“This seminar will be particularly of use to professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, investors and anyone in general who’d like to improve their financial situation. Everyone can benefit from becoming better at managing their mind, their money and their finances,” said Keelan Cunningham.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Sharon Lechter please contact Keelan Cunningham or Ian Lawlor at media@horizonspeakers.com, T: +44 (0)20 323 95220 or go to www.horizonspeakers.co.uk for more details.

We’ll be happy to extend invitations to journalist who’d like to attend, simply email us at: media@horizonspeakers.com if interested.

Sharon Lechter’s “Think, ACT and Grow Rich” event is on:
– Saturday, 26th May 2012 in London at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel
– Sunday, 27th May 2012 in Dublin at the Ballsbridge Inn Hotel, Dublin 4
– Times: 9.00am – 7.00pm

Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe, AZ 85284
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Business

Consumer-Driven Deal site, SoRewarding Connects Merchants with Revenue Retention, Customers and Community

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SoRewarding merchant members keep 75 percent of deal revenue for life

Denver, Colorado, May 17, 2012 – Denver-based SoRewarding, a new social network that lets consumers create and request their own deals from area businesses, is reinventing the way group buy deal sites work with merchant partners. In the time it takes to set up a merchant profile page on SoRewarding.com, businesses can begin accepting deals requested by their customers…and keeping 75 percent of the profits.

SoRewarding doesn’t impose any pre-negotiated terms or restrictions on deals; instead it allows merchants the freedom to directly accept, reject or counter any deal a customer requests. Merchants can also create and publish custom deals they would like to offer, at any time, in order to best suit their business, and their customer’s needs. And, SoRewarding donates five percent of every deal buy to one of more than a dozen local non-profit partners that each consumer can select to support.

SoRewarding merchant partners benefit from the ability to:

Create and publish deals at their point of need.
* No more time spent working with sales representatives from a thousand different deal companies. Merchants can create customized deals that benefit their business and customers the most.

Receive deal requests automatically.
* Requests from paying customers are sent directly and immediately to the business which can then accept, reject, or counter-offer with the click of a button from a mobile device or at SoRewarding.com.

Enjoy new customers.
* SoRewarding connects businesses with local customers, and provides a forum for direct social networking; building loyalty and keeping them coming back again and again.

Get paid.
* Once a merchant page is created at SoRewarding, there are no other upfront conditions, contracts or terms to begin offering and accepting deals. On the day a deal runs, buyers purchase the deal directly and the merchant receives payment just a few days later.

Connect with the community.
* Each time a deal is purchased, SoRewarding donates to a local non-profit. The business offering the deal will receive recognition for making these donations possible and gain exposure among the supporters of different charity organizations and the community as a whole.

SoRewarding is currently an invitation-only network. Consumers, merchants and non-profits interested in joining should visit www.SoRewarding.com to request an invitation.

About SoRewarding
SoRewarding is your social marketplace for creating offers in your community while supporting the causes you love. SoRewarding enables consumers to use the power of group buying to get discounts on the things they actually want, without being inundated with offers they don’t need.

Contact:
Marion Mariathasan
SoRewarding CEO
marion.m@soreawarding.com
www.SoRewarding.com

About SoRewarding, LLC
Established in 2011, the founders of SoRewarding came from a technology startup that created the Consumer Driven Deals (CDD) platform. The team, burned out by all the unwanted “deals” they were receiving, created the CDD platform to empower consumers and merchants while creating a simple way to give back.

Contact:
Amy Larson
CSG | PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
alarson@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Software, Technology

Zevrix Updates InPreflight Pro for Adobe InDesign CS6 Compatibility

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Zevrix Solutions announces InPreflight Pro 2.10, a compatibility update to its document preparation solution for Adobe InDesign. Described as “delightfully simple to use” by Macworld, InPreflight is an all-in-one solution to check InDesign documents, collect them for output and ship to final destination. It combines powerful batch-packaging, quality control and graphic reports. The new version makes InPreflight Pro compatible with the recently released InDesign CS6.

Toronto (ON), Canada – May 17, 2012 — Zevrix Solutions today announces the release of InPreflight 2.10, a compatibility update to its document preparation solution for Adobe InDesign. InPreflight is a powerful all-in-one solution to check InDesign documents, collect them for output and ship to final destination. InPreflight helps graphics and print professionals uncover hidden problems, save disk space through smart batch-packaging, and reduce production time and costs.

“InPreflight is delightfully simple to use and does its job well,” writes James Dempsey in Macworld.

The new version makes InPreflight Pro compatible with recently released InDesign CS6. The update is free to the licensed InPreflight Pro users. The same version of InPreflight can be installed with any version of InDesign from CS3 to CS6.

InPreflight Pro provides a robust, fast, reliable and easy-to-use solution for printers, service providers, ad agencies and publishing houses.

Batch-packaging and job delivery:
InPreflight Pro is the only program that can package multiple jobs automatically with the option to collect all files into one folder. It eliminates the need to collect the same links multiple times for each design, saving users gigabytes of disk space and hours of production time. In addition, users can automatically send collected jobs over the Internet and locally with automatic email notifications, compression and other options.

Quality control:
InPreflight quickly checks InDesign documents for common problems, as well as for hidden issues, otherwise not reported by InDesign (for example, TIFF and EPS compression, embedded fonts and illegal link locations).

Graphic preflight reports:
Users can print graphic preflight reports and save them as PDF with detailed image info saved in PDF notes. The reports can be set up interactively with an option to include detailed paragraph styles report for typography professionals.

Pricing and Availability:
InPreflight Pro can be purchased from Zevrix web site for US$99.95, as well as from authorized resellers. Trial version is available for download. Update is free for licensed users of version 2, and US$55.98 from earlier versions. InPreflight is available for Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.7, a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS2-CS6. File delivery services require Deliver or Deliver Express, which InPreflight users can purchase from Zevrix at a discount.

About Zevrix Solutions

Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Suite software, PDF and graphic file diagnostics and Microsoft Office on Mac OS. Zevrix Solutions is dedicated to helping professionals achieve more while doing less through automating their everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting production costs. For more information, visit http://www.zevrix.com.

Contact:
Leo Revzin
Owner
Zevrix Solutions
105 McCAUL St, Suite 301
Toronto Ontario M5T 2X4 Canada
858-206-0607
media@zevrix.com

Solutions for Adobe InDesign & the Graphics Industry

Marketing, Travel

Luxury Travel Ltd is Offering Five Day Luxury Summer Escapes to Northern Vietnam for Less this Summer

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This tour package will allow visitors to enjoy Vietnamese beauty in combination with cultural relics and nature sightseeing.

Hanoi, Vietnam, May 17, 2012 — Vietnam -based Luxury Travel Ltd (http://www.luxurytravels.asia) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel for serving today’s most sophisticated travelers, in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Vietnam is a tropical paradise of charming people, heavenly beaches, brilliant green rice paddies and lush emerald rainforests. The country’s first high end tour operator, Luxury Travel, immerses guest in Vietnamese culture by providing insider access to private events and extraordinary people. Travelers get their interactions with these people will be stimulating, edifying and enlightening, and travelers will have a well-rounded and profound learning experience that they will value forever.

“Discerning visitors often plan a journey to Vietnam with a single query in head, “Is the summer is a good time to discover the place and enjoy beach holiday getaways?” The simple answer is, absolutely!”. This special short trip is designed for people who are keen to experience the best of North Vietnam but with limited time to spare. This tour package will allow visitors to enjoy Vietnamese beauty in combination with cultural relics and nature sightseeing. You will stay in luxurious accommodations, transfer in private vehicles and enjoy fine dining. On the second day, visitors will be free to enjoy any of the city tours they are interested in or simply enjoy the free time and discover the area on their own. You can visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, or some of Hanoi’s museums, in particular the Museum of Ethnology, which is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority peoples, or Hoa Lo Prison, formerly known by its inmates as ‘The Hanoi Hilton’. Visitors can then stroll around the French quarter, where many of the embassies are located. You’ll be provided with private, professional guides who will ensure that you get the most out of Vietnam by sharing their local knowledge and passion for art, culture and nature. Welcome to Vietnam in this summer and enjoy our promotion for bookings made during May and June!” said David Nguyen, Sales and Marketing Manager of Luxury Travel Ltd. (http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com).

Tour cost at 766 USD per person for a private party of 4 people including private pick up and drop off service, drinking water, meals, all activities, 1 night cruise, 5 star deluxe accommodation and English or French speaking tour guide. This offer is valid until 30 Sep 2012.

Opened in 2004, Luxury Travel Ltd is the first luxury tour operator and DMC in Vietnam specializing in the art of travel for serving today’s most sophisticated travelers. It boats a fleet of luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors and serves thousands of high-end travelers every year. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfil client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: “Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam”.

Visit http://luxurytravelvietnam.com/EN/Vietnam_tours/Vietnam_Stopover_Tours/Vietnam_Escape_5days_4nights.htm

Media Contact:
David Nguyen
Sales and Marketing Manager
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Travel

Luxury Summer Escapes to Northern Vietnam

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Luxury Travel Ltd is Offering Five Day Luxury Summer Escapes to Northern Vietnam for Less this Summer

Hanoi, Vietnam, May 16, 2012 – Luxury Travel Ltd is Offering Five Day Luxury Summer Escapes to Northern Vietnam for Less this Summer

Vietnam –based Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravels.asia) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel for serving today’s most sophisticated travelers, in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Vietnam is a tropical paradise of charming people, heavenly beaches, brilliant green rice paddies and lush emerald rainforests. The country’s first high end tour operator, Luxury Travel, immerses guest in Vietnamese culture by providing insider access to private events and extraordinary people. Travelers get their interactions with these people will be stimulating, edifying and enlightening, and travelers will have a well-rounded and profound learning experience that they will value forever.

“Discerning visitors often plan a journey to Vietnam with a single query in head,“Is the summer ia good time to discover the place and enjoy beach holiday getaways?” The simple answer is, absolutely!” This special short trip is designed for people who are keen to experience the best of North Vietnam but with limited time to spare. This tour package will allow visitors to enjoy Vietnamese beauty in combination with cultural relics and nature sightseeing. You will stay in luxurious accommodations, transfer in private vehicles and enjoy fine dining. On the second day, visitors will be free to enjoy any of the city tours they are interested in or simply enjoy the free time and discover the area on their own. You can visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, or some of Hanoi’s museums, in particular the Museum of Ethnology, which is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority peoples, or Hoa Lo Prison, formerly known by its inmates as ‘The Hanoi Hilton’. Visitors can then stroll around the French quarter, where many of the embassies are located. You’ll be provided with private, professional guides who will ensure that you get the most out of Vietnam by sharing their local knowledge and passion for art, culture and nature. Welcome to Vietnam in this summer and enjoy our promotion for bookings made during May and June!” said Dav Nguyen, Sales and Marketing Manager of Luxury Travel Ltd.

Tour cost at 766 USD per person for a private party of 4 people including private pick up and drop off service, drinking water, meals, all activities, 1 night cruise, 5 star deluxe accommodation and English or French speaking tour guide. This offer is valid until 30 Sep 2012.

Opened in 2004, Luxury Travel Ltd is the first luxury tour operator and DMC in Vietnam specializing in the art of travel for serving today’s most sophisticated travelers. It boats a fleet of luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors and serves thousands of high-end travelers every year. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfil client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: “Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam”

Visit
http://luxurytravelvietnam.com/EN/Vietnam_tours/Vietnam_Stopover_Tours/Vietnam_Escape_5days_4nights.htm

Contact:
David Nguyen
Sales and Marketing Manager
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Business, Travel

Travelpro, Atlantic Luggage and Austin House Announce the 2012 Gift Guide for Dads

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Boca Raton, Fla., – May 16, 2012 – Travelpro, Atlantic Luggage and Austin House are pleased to announce their “2012 Gift Guide for the Travelling Dad.”  This Father’s Day, show your appreciation to that special man in your life with a gift for Dads who love to travel from their superb lines of luggage and unique travel accessories.

 

“The ‘2012 Gift Guide for the Travelling Dad’ offers a variety of products from our newly launched innovative luggage collections,” said Scott Applebee, Vice President of Marketing for the Travelpro family of brands. “We offer high quality, lightweight and durable luggage and a variety of practical, inexpensive travel accessories that are perfect gifts for fathers who travel for business or leisure.”

 

The new Travelpro Crew™ 9 20” Business Rollaboard Carry-On is perfect for the Dad who travels on business and doesn’t want to carry multiple pieces of luggage. This Business Rollaboard has a large front pocket with a padded laptop computer/tablet sleeve and a convenient business organization for easy access to pens, business cards and other business essentials. It also includes the durable, patent-pending Powerscope extension handle system that minimizes wobble when fully extended.  The Polypropylene Honeycomb Frame provides durable and lightweight construction, and a removable suiter system and extra-wide tie-down straps minimize wrinkling during travel.  The stylish Crew 9 20” Business Rollaboard Carry On is available in black and titanium gray fabric colors and the suggested retail price is $199.99.

 

Another great option for hassle-free travelling for Dad is the Travelpro Platinum 7 Soft Duffel Bag. The bag features a large U-shaped opening to the main compartment, an adjustable, padded shoulder strap and a unique zippered bottom pocket that provides easy storage and access to last minute items. The Platinum 7 Soft Duffel Bag is available in wine and black fabric colors with elegant black nickel zipper pulls and herringbone trim.  It includes the “Travelpro Worry-Free” warranty, which guarantees that your luggage is free from defects in materials and workmanship, and also covers repairs of damage caused by airline baggage handlers for the life of the bag. The suggested retail price for the Platinum 7 Soft Duffel is $169.99.

 

If Dad is a frequent business traveller, the Travelpro Executive Pro Checkpoint Friendly Computer Brief is an ideal Father’s Day gift.  The intelligently designed brief is lightweight and durable and will allow Dad to pass through airport security without the hassle of removing his laptop. Just unzip the back and lay it flat to pass it through the X-ray machine. This collection includes a Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The Executive Pro Checkpoint Friendly Computer Brief is available in black fabric with a suggested retail price of $119.99.

With the spike in checked-baggage fees, the lightweight Atlantic Compass 2 21”Spinner Carry-on will allow Dad to pack more without the cost of checking-in his bag.  Carry handles on three sides make it easy to lift into and out of cars and airplane overhead bins. The Compass 2 four-wheel Spinners can roll in multiple directions or move easily through airports like a two-wheel Upright. Compass 2 is available in black and cranberry with stylish satin accents.  It carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty. The suggested retail price for the Atlantic Compass 2 21” Spinner is $99.99.

 

Austin House, a leading brand of clever and cost effective travel accessories, features a multitude of cost-effective items that will make unique and practical gifts for this Father’s Day. The Austin House Universal Adapter with USB is compatible with outlets in more than 160 countries.  For Dad’s who are always on-the-go, the new Austin House Travel Charging Kit is an all-in-one kit that allows you to charge most devices with a USB, Mini USB or Micro USB port. It includes a USB car charger adapter, wall adapter, mini USB and Micro USB-to-USB cables. Another great gift guide for Dad is the new Austin House Digital Stereo Earphones, featuring lightweight earbud design blocks background noise while delivering great sound; additional buds are included.

 

About Austin House

 

Austin House started in 1974 to make travel as safe, comfortable and hassle-free as possible. Today, the strength of Austin House is its vast selection of travel essentials and clever ideas, including safety locks, travel clocks, luggage straps, luggage tags, passport and document holders, personal security, comfort and care items, leather goods, adapters and converters and electronics accessories. A one-stop shop for travel accessories, Austin House is the essential resource for the serious traveler.

 

Please visit Austin House at www.austinhouse.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

 

About Atlantic Brand Luggage

Since 1919, the Atlantic brand has been synonymous with affordable, value-added and lightweight luggage.  As a market leader in the lightweight luggage segment, including neatly designed uprights and spinners to trendy and smart garment bags and totes, all Atlantic branded luggage is of superior quality and durability.  Whether for business or pleasure, travel is easier with Atlantic luggage, now part of the Travelpro family of brands.

 

Please visit Atlantic Luggage at www.atlanticluggage.com  for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

 

About Travelpro

For twenty five years, Travelpro International has prided itself on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest quality luggage for travellers worldwide. Since transforming the ease of modern day travel with The Original Rollaboard wheeled luggage, Travelpro has been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide. Travelpro is dedicated to building a lifelong relationship with its customers by consistently understanding and exceeding their needs. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs; each aimed at a specific user lifestyle and rigorously tested. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.”  Travelpro is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard throughout 2012.

 

Please visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

Education

Towson University Partners With Learning House to Offer Professional Certification Classes Online

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Learning House fulfills university’s goals of creating its own faculty-developed online courses and addressing Maryland’s workforce needs

Louisville, KY, May 15, 2012 – The Learning House, Inc., an online education solutions partner that helps colleges and universities develop and grow high-quality online degree programs and courses, announced today that Towson University’s Center for Professional Studies (CPS) has selected Learning House to help expand its online continuing education course offerings. CPS offers programs that focus on meeting identified workforce shortages for the region and address skill gaps and career advancement needs.

Towson University has a robust set of existing continuing education programs, but CPS identified a need to develop self-paced, industry-driven, professional certification programs that leverage the expertise of the University’s faculty.

“We wanted to develop our own courses and truly control the content, deployment and quality of the curriculum,” said Jeff Beeson, Director of the Center for Professional Studies at Towson University. “We selected Learning House because they represented what we needed—a partner that could help us turn classroom curriculum into dynamic online courses that engage non-campus-based learners. Their dedicated team approach is a plus because we feel very supported. Additionally, the assurance that Learning House can help with all our online education needs from course design and development to marketing, as well as provide IT and tech support is a true value add.”

Together, Learning House and CPS will create workforce and professional certification courses online that align with Towson’s core academic mission of business, IT and the health professions. The first courses will include a project management professional (PMP) certification course, an A+/Net+ certification course and a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course with a health information supplement. All of these courses will directly address workforce needs in Maryland.

“Developing online courses takes a deep understanding of both the subject matter and the technology. A big mistake institutions often make is simply taking existing curricula and posting it online using a simple learning management system. Towson University’s CPS team understands that reaching online learners takes something more, and we are excited to work with them to expand their professional certification courses,” said Dr. David Clinefelter, Chief Academic Officer at Learning House. “Having the involvement of faculty is critical to the way we develop online courses. We plan to work closely with the faculty at Towson University to ensure they have the support they want to build engaging courses and the professional development they need to help their students achieve success.”

Learning House collaborates with schools that have various levels of online education experience to achieve each institution’s unique goals and create a positive student experience. For more information about how Learning House works with institutions to achieve their online education goals, visit www.learninghouse.com.

About The Learning House, Inc.
The Learning House, Inc. is an online education solutions partner that helps colleges and universities develop and grow high-quality online degree programs and courses. Partnering with more than 100 colleges and universities, Learning House offers a business model that enables institutions to efficiently and affordably achieve their online education goals. Learning House provides a comprehensive solution to success, including curriculum development and management, faculty training and professional development, marketing and lead generation, admissions and enrollment management, student retention, 24/7 technical support, learning management systems, and management and consultation.

About Towson University (www.towson.edu)
Founded in 1866, Towson University is recognized among the nation’s best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. With more than 21,000 students, Towson University is the second-largest public university in Maryland. As a metropolitan university, Towson combines research-based learning with practical application. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).

Contact:
Lindsey Mikal
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
lmikal@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

UK most investors keen on Alternatives claims AAA

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A new survey by Friends Provident, which has won the support of AAA, has discovered that investors in the UK are particularly keen to invest in alternative asset classes at the moment.

Boston, MA, May 15, 2012 – A new survey by Friends Provident, which has won the support of Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), has discovered that investors in the UK are particularly keen to invest in alternative asset classes at the moment.

AAA claims that the Friends Provident International (FPI) Investor Attitudes Report’s results reflect the growing trend for investing in collectibles and real estate instead of equities and other transitional investments.

The report found that nearly half (48 per cent) of the British investors questioned in the survey said that now was a good time to be investing in real estate. Among those surveyed in Hong Kong, however, real estate was towards the bottom of their list of asset classes at the moment – demonstrating how different investments are favored in different regions of the world.

The survey also found that UK investors were keen to put their cash in collectibles such as fine wines, classic cars, art and antiques. Some 40 per cent of those asked said that now was the time to invest in these asset classes.

Friends Provident Investments chief investment officer, Mark Versey, gave his response to the findings. He said, “Investors in the UK are displaying a more varied approach to what they consider as good investment strategies in the current economic climate compared to their peers overseas.

“Our survey uncovered a lack of appetite for long-term investments but showed that UK investors remain cautious in their outlook with almost a third keen to preserve their savings through risk free investments.”

AAA’s Anthony Johnson said they the appetite for alternative investments in the UK was a positive thing in response to the global economic crisis. He stated, “It’s not a surprise that those most affected by the downturn are now keen to get something tangible in exchange for their investments.”

AAA supports ethical investments, including sustainable forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management which runs sustainable forestry plantations in Brazil.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Education

SalutetoSpouses.com Hosts Webinar for Military Spouses Addressing How to Manage Every Day Stress

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Webinar to be held on May 21; Expert and veteran Retired Colonel James Martin to discuss strategies military families can use to ensure the four pillars of well-being are part of their lives

Buffalo, NY, May 15, 2012 – SalutetoSpouses.com today announced the next installation in its Salute to Homecoming webinar series, “Is it Supposed to be Like This?” focusing on topics surrounding the family transition that happens after a deployed service member returns home. The webinar, titled “Is it Supposed to be Like This: Coping with the Change, Stress and Chaos of Military Life,” will be held on May 21 at 11 a.m. EDT and will highlight coping strategies military spouses can use to navigate the ups and downs of military life. The webinar is offered for free for all military spouses and their families.

The webinar will be led by combat veteran and Retired Army Colonel James (Jim) Martin. Colonel Martin spent 26 years in the Army Medical Department and is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and has more than 40 years of professional social work practice. As a combat veteran Colonel Martin is very in tune with the unique issues military families face. Additionally, both during his active and duty and since his retirement, he has served in many roles that address mental health issues among members of the military and their families. Some of his published work includes serving as one of the primary authors of “What We Know About Army Families: 2007 Update” (Technical Report & Video), contributing to the development of the “Army Chief of Staff’s White Paper on Army Families” and editing “The Gulf War and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide” (Praeger, 1996).

“Military life is challenging and a unique experience for every family. The well-being of military family members is especially challenged during times of transition, such as while PCS-ing and during deployment and reintegration because the change can often alter routines making even every day tasks seem impossible,” said Colonel Martin. “Addressing the four pillars of well-being: exercise, diet, managing stress and building social connections, is important for all individuals and especially for military families whose lives are in constant motion. Creating a plan that encompasses all four pillars will help spouses, and others, manage those more hectic moments of military life.”

The webinar is offered for free by SalutetoSpouses.com. Military spouses interested in attending are invited to register at http://www.salutetospouses.com/webinars.

SalutetoSpouses.com is an online resource edited by military spouses for military spouses that features personal stories, advice, tool and tips. The site was launched in 2011 as a complement to Bryant & Stratton College Online’s Salute to Spouses Scholarship, which provides eligible spouses up to $6,000 for online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online. All Salute to Spouses Scholarship recipients must meet Bryant & Stratton College scholarship guidelines to receive the full award. In 2012, SalutetoSpouses.com started the Salute to Homecoming campaign in order to provide specific resources around navigating the highs and lows of military homecoming and reintegration.

As a member of the Service Members Opportunities College (SOC) consortium*, Bryant & Stratton College Online adheres to the SOC principles for service members and their families. They are also an approved institution for the training of U.S. veterans and their family in accordance with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Bryant & Stratton College Online participates and accepts transfers from CLEP, DANTES, ECE and other SOC Colleges. In recognition of the schools support of veteran and military students, G.I. Jobs Magazine named Bryant & Stratton College Online a Military Friendly School for 2012.

*The Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach campus is also a SOCNAV and SOCAD consortium member.

About SalutetoSpouses.com
SalutetoSpouses.com is a go-to resource for education and career news for military spouses. Sponsored by the Bryant & Stratton College Online’s military relations department, SalutetoSpouses.com was launched as a complement to Bryant & Stratton College Online’s Salute to Scholarship, which provides eligible spouses up to $6,000 for online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online. The articles, tips, advice columns and personal accounts on SalutetoSpouses.com uniquely support the needs of military spouses because they are created and edited by military spouses. For more information please visit http://www.salutetospouses.com.

About Bryant & Stratton College Online
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment.  The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For over 155 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and professional certificates. Bryant & Stratton College Online offers five online bachelor’s degree programs, eleven online associate’s degree programs and eleven online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology. Some online programs are not yet available in all states. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of graduates and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.  General information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degrees can also be found at www.online.bryantstratton.edu.

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