All posts by staronepr

Art, Entertainment

The Animals Art Exhibition Now Online and Ready to View

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Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is pleased to announce that its August 2012 art exhibition is now posted on their website and is ready to view online.

Jupiter, Florida, USA – August 1, 2012 — Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is pleased to announce that its August 2012 art exhibition is now posted on their website and is ready to view online. The theme for this art exhibition is “Animals” and artists were asked to apply to this competition in July by submitting their best animal art for inclusion into the gallery’s August online group exhibition.

An art competition was held in July 2012 which determined and judged the art for this exhibition. The gallery received submissions from 23 different countries from around the world and they also received entries from 36 different states. Overall, there were 734 entries from 237 different artists that were judged for this art competition.

Congratulations to the artists who have been designated as this month’s category winners, along with the winning Special Recognition artists. The gallery commends all of the winning artists for their artistic skill and their creativity, as this online art exhibition is indicative of their creativity.

To proceed to the gallery’s “Animals” online art exhibition follow this link: http://www.lightspacetime.com/animals-art-exhibition-august-2012/

Each month Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery conducts themed online art competitions for 2D artists. All participating winners of each competition have their artwork exposed and promoted online through the online gallery to thousands of visitors each month. If you know of a talented 2D artist who may benefit from the exposure and the publicity that the gallery can provide to them, please forward this press release to them.

About Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery conducts monthly art competitions and monthly art exhibitions for new and emerging artists on a worldwide basis. It is Light Space & Time’s intention to showcase this incredible talent in a series of monthly themed art competitions and art exhibitions by marketing and displaying the exceptional abilities of these worldwide artists.

The art gallery website can be viewed here: http://www.lightspacetime.com

Media Contact:
John R. Math
Light Space & Time Online Gallery
118 Poinciana Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458
888-490-3530
info@lightspacetime.com
http://www.lightspacetime.com

Business

Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016 at Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012

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Building off of the momentum of past conferences, Golden Networking brings back Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016”, now in New York, Chicago and London (www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com).

New York City, NY, USA (August 1, 2012) — Global assets invested with hedge fund firms could rise from today’s record $2.1 trillion to more than $5 trillion by 2016, according to a recently released survey from Citi Prime Finance. The study found that pension funds, endowments, foundations and other institutional investors are increasingly embracing the risk management and diversification that hedge funds offer, and that hedge funds are developing new products that compete with traditional, long-only managers.

Indeed, the potential for institutional investors to increase allocations to hedge fund strategies by $1.0 trillion in order to better insulate against risk and to help ensure more diversified portfolios is there. Equally relevant, the survey revealed a “convergence zone,” in which hedge funds and traditional asset managers will increasingly compete head-to-head to offer a broad set of equity and credit strategies. There could be an additional $2.0 trillion in new allocations to hedge fund firms in the form of regulated alternatives and long-only products. Supporting this, mature hedge fund firms are leveraging their infrastructures and resources towards creating the offerings investors will demand.

How can your firm take advantage of these structural trends impacting the alternative investments industry? How to successfully face the new post-crisis legal and regulatory challenges? How to manage the exploding data requests from investors and regulators? How to identify opportunities in frontier markets? Which other opportunities can be exploited to offer investors positive alpha at all times? Finally, how can you position yourself to capture the significant asset inflows in the next years?

On September 25 in New York, October 9 in Chicago and December 12 in London, hundreds of the most important players in alternative investments will gather for all-star agendas at Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” (http://www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com). A virtual who’s who will soon follow as one legendary manager after another will take the stage. Billions of investable assets will be represented by influential local and international investors who will listen with rapt attention as star managers and analysts discuss and debate the biggest issues facing the industry today.

Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” will provide attendees in New York, Chicago and London with the most up-to-date review of where this ever-changing industry stands and how regulatory and alpha expectations will impact it. Recognized managers, investors, experts, regulators, and strategists will return to Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012 to provide the information practitioners are looking for in an open and unbiased environment, highly conducive to the most efficient and effective networking.

Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012 is produced by Golden Networking (http://www.goldennetworking.net), the premier networking community for business executives, entrepreneurs and investors. Panelists, speakers and sponsors are invited to contact Golden Networking by sending an email to info@goldennetworking.net.

Media Contact:
Julia Ye
Media Relations Coordinator
Golden Networking
516-761-4712
jye@goldennetworking.net
http://www.goldennetworking.net

Energy, Environment

Florida Power & Light Company Encourages Customers to get ‘Energy Fit’ and make their Bill even Lower

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“We’re committed to helping our customers manage their energy use to help keep their bills low,” says Sondra Houhoulis, an FPL Energy Expert.

Juno Beach, FL (August 1, 2012) — Have you ever wondered what it costs to power your television or your refrigerator?

Florida Power & Light Company‘s new “energy fit” campaign answers those questions and wants customers to think about energy savings in a new way. The campaign shows the benefits of applying simple energy-saving tips by comparing how those savings could power popular household appliances.

Sondra Houhoulis, an FPL Energy Expert featured in the campaign, says customers may not realize the effect from a few simple changes. “By making simple changes like turning your air conditioner’s thermostat up by one degree, it gives you enough savings in one month to be able to power: your home for one day, your refrigerator for 29 days or your 50-inch TV for 40 days. This simple change is just one of the ways you can save with the improved FPL Online Home Energy Survey.”

Houhoulis recommends FPL customers take advantage of free tools like the Online Home Energy Survey. Furthermore, she adds, not only is it well worth your time, but taking the improved Online Home Energy Survey is easier than ever. “It’s the most convenient way to get personalized, expert advice on how to save energy and money.”

“We’re committed to helping our customers manage their energy use to help keep their bills low,” says Houhoulis. FPL residential customers have the lowest bills out of all 55 utilities in the state and bills 25 percent below the national average.

To get energy fit and make your bill even lower, visit http://www.FPL.com/energyfit. Take the Online Home Energy Survey between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 for a chance to win a $5,000 Energy Fit Makeover. For videos, please visit: http://www.newsroom.fpl.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com

Business

Florida and Turkey set to be Next Real Estate Hot Spots – AAA

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Investors looking to buy properties abroad as an investment should consider Florida and Turkey as they are likely to be among the next places to experience a boom and retain value, according to AAA’s Anthony Johnson.

Boston, MA, USA, July 31, 2012 — Investors looking to buy properties abroad as an investment should consider Florida and Turkey as they are likely to be among the next places to experience a boom and retain value, according to Alternative Asset Analysis’ Anthony Johnson.

These two countries will offer good value for money for investors, claims the advocacy group’s analysis partner. He said, “As far as grabbing a bargain in an up-and-coming region goes, investor could do worse than investing in Florida and Turkey real estate.”

AAA claims that a growing number of people are looking to buy up real estate as a form of alternative investment. This follows a period of economic slowdown, when investors lost huge amounts of money on the equity markets and are now looking for something tangible in return for their cash.”

Part of the reason that Turkey and Florida are proving to be real estate hot spots is the fact that investors are steering clear of the Eurozone at the moment. The US real estate market in general is improving and Florida has always been popular with people looking for second homes in the sun.

Alternative investment in general is proving increasingly popular, according to AAA, which supports a wide range of alternative investment options. Investing in real estate can be a great option for those who want to avoid tying money up in the volatile stocks and bonds markets.

Turkey and Florida, being popular tourist destinations, will often see their property process maintaining value when spots in similar destinations are seeing house process fall. “Investing in holiday spots can prove an intelligent choice as people will always want to buy property there,” added My Johnson.

AAA also advocates investing in forestry that is sustainably managed through projects run by firms like Greenwood Management, which operates sustainable plantations in Canada and Brazil.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

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

Travel

Luxury Travel Ltd attracts Luxe MICE travelers to Vietnam

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Vietnam is emerging for MICE sector, Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) targets MICE Groups.

Hanoi, Vietnam, July 30, 2012 — Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition, MICE for short, has become increasingly important in business context as this model provides elegant facilities with a wide variety of recreational activities during the pleasure holiday business.

Vietnam is recognized as a good destination for MICE. The tourism industry, especially luxury hotels and airlines promote Centre Vietnam for new MICE venues.

With its unique, incredible and fabulous culture and natures destination’s beauty, Centre can be a better place to celebrate MICE smoothly, reaching both a successful business meeting, and an enjoyable business stay.

“Vietnam is for everyone all sizes of MICE in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and newly Centre Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoian). The international standard hotel in Central Vietnam with modern conference facilities, resort and meeting rooms and variety of attraction suiting all tastes for nature and culture lovers, golf, relaxation activities, health and spa enthusiasts, cuisine, day trip. Nature and culture are waiting to sustain, ably serve and satisfy most discerning guests. The Central Coast of Vietnam has more varied products to offer the MICE market than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.” said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

Luxury Travel Co., Ltd is a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company. Luxury Travel specializes in planning and organizing incentive trips and have been one of the leading MICE destination companies in the region for over 8 years. Recently the company has opened its new Danang office to tap tourism boom.

The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Among Luxury Travel’s clients are ambassadors, ministers, Deputy Prime Minister, Royal Families … and others.

Luxury Travel is headquartered in Hanoi and has offices around Vietnam and management offices in Laos and Cambodia. Luxury Travel has won numerous travel awards for excellence.

“MICE is a part of luxury, Our company, which has conducted research, has created the Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition Department. Luxury Travel is the first travel company in Indochina specializing in incentive holidays. We have first hand knowledge on MICE, and excellent relations with suppliers in the MICE industry for whatever event or incentive holiday you want. Name it we make it happen,” added Pham Ha.

Luxury Travel organizes successful MICE trips in Vietnam Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

“We need to promote Vietnam as a preferred destination for both domestic and international MICE travels. We will foster closer and more effective partnerships between the private and government sectors. This will help build Vietnam’s ability to compete internationally in the long term,” explained Ha.

MICE planers can go to http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com for inspiration successful meeting incentive conference and exhibition options.

Media Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Business

Winning the High-Frequency Trading Olympics with The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 DVD Video Package

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Edgar Perez, Author, The Speed Traders, Now Introducing The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 DVD Video Package, How Algorithmic and High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX (Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Warsaw, Kiev, New York, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Ho Chi Minh, New York, Dubai and Chicago).

New York City, NY, USA (July 30, 2012) — Edgar Perez, author of The Speed Traders, and former McKinsey & Co. consultant and New York University Adjunct Professor, is presenting The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 DVD Video Package: How High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX (http://TheSpeedTradersWorkshopDVD.eventbrite.com), the most comprehensive review of high frequency trading now available for the very first time on DVD in an insightful 4-disc set.

As Mr. Perez covers in The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 DVD Video Package, high-frequency trading is the use of sophisticated technological tools to trade securities like stocks or options, and is typically characterized by several distinguishing features: highly quantitative, employing computerized algorithms to analyze incoming market data and implement proprietary trading strategies, investment positions are held only for very brief periods of time, from seconds to hours, and rapidly traded into and out, sometimes thousands or tens of thousands of times a day, no net investment position at the end of a trading day, mostly employed by proprietary firms or proprietary trading desks in hedge funds and banks, and very sensitive to the processing speed of markets and of their own access to the market. The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 DVD Video Package displays an agenda full of information and insights:

1. Understanding High Frequency Trading in Equities and other Asset Classes
– The need for speed and sophisticated computer programs in generating, routing, and executing orders
– Co-location and individual data feeds to minimize latency
– Time-frames for establishing and closing highly-liquid positions
– Review of the most important strategies: market making, trend following, value arbitrage and others

2. Key Enablers for High Frequency Trading
– Technological innovation: computing power, complex event processing, and low-latency bandwidth
– Shift to electronic trading and the rise of alternative trading systems
– In-depth look at strategies high frequency traders leverage to find alpha in equities, options, futures and FX
– The profitability of typical high frequency trading strategies and its evolution

3. Global Regulatory Overview: from the U.S. and Europe to China and Brazil
– Regulations in place before the “flash crash”
– Proposed regulatory initiatives after the “flash crash” in the U.S. and Europe, circuit breakers, limit up limit down and consolidated audit trail
– High frequency trading in Asia, from Japan, Singapore and India to Hong Kong and China
– Regulating speed trading to samba beats: Brazil and Mexico

4. The Future of High Frequency Trading
– Enhancing profitability: from equities to FX to cross-asset trading
– High frequency trading in the world: from the U.S. and Europe to China and Brazil
– Adding ammunition to the high frequency trader toolkit, FPGA, GPUs and enhanced technologies
– Turning the tables on high frequency trading: the transparency challenge for the buy-side

Mr. Perez is widely regarded as the preeminent global expert in the specialized area of high-frequency trading. He is author of The Speed Traders, An Insider’s Look at the New High-Frequency Trading Phenomenon That is Transforming the Investing World, published in English by McGraw-Hill Inc. (2011), in Mandarin by China Financial Publishing House (2012) and currently being translated into Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese. He is course director of The Speed Traders Workshop 2012, How High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX (Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Warsaw, Kiev, New York, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Ho Chi Minh, New York, Dubai and Chicago), and was Adjunct Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, where he taught Algorithmic Trading and High-Frequency Finance. He contributes regularly to China’s International Finance News.

Mr. Perez has been interviewed on CNBC Cash Flow, CNBC Squawk Box, BNN Business Day, CCTV China, Bankier.pl, TheStreet.com, Leaderonomics, GPW Media, Channel NewsAsia Business Tonight and Cents & Sensibilities. In addition, Mr. Perez has been featured on Yicai, eastmoney, Caijing, ETF88.com, 360doc, AH Radio, CNFOL.com, CITICS Futures, Tongxin Securities, ZhiCheng.com, CBNweek.com, Caixin, Futures Daily, Xinhua, CBN Newswire, Chinese Financial News, ifeng.com, International Finance News, hexun.com, Finance.QQ.com, Finance.Sina.com, The Korea Times, The Korea Herald, The Star, The Malaysian Insider, BMF 89.9, iMoney Hong Kong, CNBC, Bloomberg Hedge Fund Brief, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Valor Econômico, FIXGlobal Trading, TODAY Online, Oriental Daily News and Business Times.

Mr. Perez has been engaged to present to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington DC), CFA Singapore, Hong Kong Securities Institute, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, University of International Business and Economics (Beijing), Hult International Business School (Shanghai) and Pace University (New York), among other public and private institutions. In addition, Mr. Perez has spoken at a number of global conferences, including Harvard Business School’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Conference (Boston), High-Frequency Trading Leaders Forum (New York, Chicago), MIT Sloan Investment Management Conference (Cambridge), Institutional Investor’s Global Growth Markets Forum (London), Technical Analysis Society (Singapore), TradeTech Asia (Singapore), FIXGlobal Face2Face (Seoul) and Private Equity Convention Russia, CIS & Eurasia (London).

Mr. Perez was a vice president at Citigroup, a senior consultant at IBM, and a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Co. in New York City. Mr. Perez has an undergraduate degree from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima, Peru (1994), a Master of Administration from Universidad ESAN, Lima, Peru (1997) and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, New York, with a dual major in Finance and Management (2002). He belongs to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Mr. Perez resides in the New York City area and is an accomplished salsa and hustle dancer.

Media Contact:
Julia Ye
Media Relations Coordinator
The Speed Traders
516-761-4712
jye@thespeedtraders.com
http://www.thespeedtraders.com

Marketing, Travel

Luxury Travel Ltd Offers Fresh Chic Adventure Vietnam Tour

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The award winning Luxury Travel Company is experienced in providing special services and unique tourism products to luxury global travellers.

Hanoi, Vietnam, July 29, 2012 — Luxury Travel is pioneering in luxury adventures in Vietnam, Luxury Travel promotes luxury tour “Vietnam Luxury Adventure Travel 12 days – code VCLA12D” covers Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Nha Trang and Saigon.

Tour prices at 3767 USD per person, double occupancy, including private transfer, pick up and drop off services, half board meals, English speaking guide, entrances, and accommodation. The tour can be booked at the last minute, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. This offer is valid until 30 Sep 2013.

“Touring is flexible, with your own expert guide and driver in each destination, and each day is tailored to your personal interests, schedule, level of energy, and travel preferences” said David Nguyen, sales and Marketing Manager.

For Vietnam holidays, visit http://luxurytravelvietnam.com/EN/Vietnam_tours/Culturetours/Vietnam_Luxury_Adventure_Travel_12day.htm

Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd (http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers, in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel excels in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator.

Media Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Technology

Touron Premieres at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum

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Developers of TourOn announced the web-based mobile tour app’s premiere at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami.

Miami, FL, USA – July 27, 2012 — Developers of TourOn announced the web-based mobile tour app’s premiere at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami. By scanning a QR code or typing in a web link, visitors can read additional information about the historic engines, train cars and railroad equipment on display, view photos and learn about upcoming events.

“Museums, gardens, parks and zoos are looking for opportunities to create robust experiences for guests while staying on top of emerging trends,” explains David G. Taylor, creator of the app. “TourOn’s ease of use and cost effectiveness can assist with this.” says Taylor.

In 2007 the Gold Coast Railroad museum celebrated its 50th anniversary. Over the years, they have collected premium railroad equipment and cars including the “Ferdinand Magellan,” a former presidential pullman used by presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower. TourOn can help visitors learn more about the history of each railway antiquity.

TourOn’s features* include a GPS enabled map for outdoor venues, an audio player for guests to access audio tours, detailed information for stops and exhibits, and a photo gallery amongst others. It also allows venue administrators to easily update information with a user friendly back-end. TourOn is compatible on most smartphones including iPhone and Android.

*Some of these features are available at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

For more information please visit: http://www.touronapp.com or http://www.gcrm.org.

Media Contact:
David G. Taylor
Taylor Software Development
P.O. Box 430854
South Miami, FL 33143
305-742-7020
david@touronapp.com
http://www.touronapp.com

Healthcare

IAPAM Announces Date for its Aesthetic Medicine Business Bootcamp: September 24, 2012

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From social media marketing to developing a custom business plan, the IAPAM offers the industry’s most comprehensive business workshop for physicians looking to add botox or other aesthetic medicine modalities to their practices. The IAPAM’s Aesthetic Practice Start Up Workshop is the only medical spa business program highlighting the latest business and marketing intelligence, and is taught by an actual medspa owner who knows the facts.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – July 27, 2012 — Both business and clinical training (Botox ® training, laser training, hCG training, etc.) are the best foundation upon which a successful medical spa can be launched. The IAPAM‘s Aesthetic Practice Start Up Workshop (http://iapam.com/aesthetic-practice-startup-workshop) is the only business bootcamp offering sound information on how to avoid many of the common pitfalls of the aesthetic industry. The program is taught by experts who own and operate medical spas, hCG medical weight loss clinics and aesthetic medicine practices, so attendees are learning from experts who have practical experience.

Attendees at the Aesthetic Practice Start-up Workshop leave with a business plan for their specific aesthetic medicine practice, including:

1.Financing Options.
2.Target Demographics for your Procedures.
3.Developing a menu of Treatments and Pricing Strategy.
4.Establishing Aesthetic Practice Protocols for your staff (examples included on CD).
5.Creating an effective Marketing Plan, including incorporating low-cost internet marketing strategies (SEO web sites and press releases) and the latest social media marketing strategies (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).
6.Finding the Right Location.
7.Staffing (job descriptions included on CD).
8.Federal and State legal and regulatory issues.
9.How to Read Financials.

A complementary training program, offered by the IAPAM, is the Aesthetic Medicine Symposium with Botox ® Training. The weekend Symposium, the Friday hCG Training and the Monday Aesthetic Practice Start Up Workshop offer new medspa managers, owner-physicians, and key staff involved with an aesthetic medical practice, all the tools to ensure their business is profitable, customizable and sustainable.

For additional information and to register for the next Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop on September 24, 2012, or the next Aesthetic Medicine Symposium with Botox ® Training, please contact the IAPAM at 1-800-219-5108 ext. 704.

About the IAPAM: The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), 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 x704
http://iapam.com/aesthetic-medicine-symposium-botox-training

Business

FPL Researchers helping ensure Lightning’s Effects are gone in a Flash

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Since 1997, FPL has reduced the number of service interruptions for its customers by 15 percent. FPL is the only one of the 55 utilities in the state to have a research lab to simulate lightning and its potential impact in this manner.

Juno Beach, FL (July 27, 2012) — A team of engineers at Florida Power & Light Company works diligently to protect the electric grid from one very persistent and potentially destructive foe: lightning.

Florida sustains more lightning strikes than any other state in the U.S., and more than almost any country, too (second only to Rwanda, the world’s lightning capital). Within FPL’s 35-county service territory, there are approximately 250,000 lightning strikes each year. That “striking” distinction puts Florida’s electric infrastructure under siege. When a lightning bolt hits electrical equipment, it can cause power outages and flickers.

At a high-voltage “Lightning Lab” within FPL’s Reliability Assurance Center in Riviera Beach, Fla., engineers test equipment and research ways to reduce lightning’s impact on the grid, ultimately helping to reduce the number and duration of power outages. The engineering team tests the performance of its own equipment and insulators in the lab by zapping them with up to 2 million volts of electricity. Experimenting with simulated lightning allows the team to gather detailed data about the effects of lightning on FPL equipment and helps it discover ways to prevent future lightning-related problems.

“This is the one center to handle product evaluation, forensic and application research needs,” said FPL Reliability Assurance Center Manager John Fischer. “It is a hub where experts can do hands-on analysis and subject matter experts can quickly get analytic capabilities. During my 40 years at FPL as an engineer, I’ve used this lab many times on complex issues and would not have been able to find solutions without the range of advanced possibilities here.”

Since 1997, FPL has reduced the number of service interruptions for its customers by 15 percent.

FPL is the only one of the 55 utilities in the state to have a research lab to simulate lightning and its potential impact in this manner. Fischer says this is one of the ways FPL is able to provide its customers with reliable service the lowest bill in the state.

“The lightning lab, the entire Reliability Assurance Center and the talented engineers and experts who work here are definitely a benefit to our customers both in ensuring reliable service and keeping costs down,” Fischer said.

To view photos, please visit http://www.fpl.com/newsroom.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com