Category: Culture

Ethnic cultures as newsmakers

Categories
Business Culture Lifestyle

Q2 Yelp Economic Average finds consumers are experiencing inflation at record rates and reporting new experiences of ‘shrinkflation’

Amid inflation and rising gas prices, in Q2 consumers seek fewer higher-priced businesses and turn to electric vehicles

In the first half of 2022, consumers are booking reservations further in advance than ever before

 

SAN FRANCISCO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Yelp Inc. (NYSE: YELP), the company that connects people with great local businesses, today released second quarter 2022 data for the Yelp Economic Average (YEA) report, a benchmark of local economic strength in the U.S. The Q2 2022 YEA report reveals consumers are experiencing inflation at record rates, with review mentions of inflationary language up by 28% compared to Q2 2021, and up by 33% compared to the same time period in 2020.


For the first time, Yelp found that consumers are reporting experiences of shrinkflation in reviews published in Q2 2022. In response to rising gas prices, Yelp data in the second quarter also points to a nearly two-fold increase in searches for electric vehicles compared to Q2 2021. While fewer consumers sought out higher-priced businesses than earlier in 2022, according to Yelp data, people are still looking for more expensive businesses compared to pre-pandemic. In the first half of 2022, they’re also waiting longer than ever to get a reservation at restaurants.

 

“Despite rising inflation, activity on Yelp suggests that consumer spending remains strong as people search for higher-priced businesses more frequently than prior to the pandemic,” said Pria Mudan, data science leader at Yelp. “However, that doesn’t mean consumers and businesses aren’t feeling the pinch of inflation. We saw reviewers use inflation-related language at record levels, particularly in the dining, arts and entertainment and travel categories. And for the first time, reviewers are describing shrinkflation-related experiences where the size or quantity of goods are noticeably smaller, which is most referenced at restaurants serving more affordable fare.”

 

Consumers Report Inflationary Experiences at Record Rates

While inflation has been rapidly increasing since 2021, consumers have especially experienced inflation at an increasing rate in 2022, as mentions of inflationary language in Yelp reviews are up 7% in Q2 compared to Q1 of this year. When compared to Q2 2021, consumers are experiencing inflation most at more casual restaurants (up 38%) and food businesses (up 36%), followed by arts and entertainment (up 33%), nightlife businesses (up 30%), event services (up 22%), and hotel and travel businesses (up 20%).

 

However, inflation has not been felt equally across the U.S. In Q2 2022, 47 states (including Washington D.C.) saw an overall increase of inflation mentions in Yelp reviews compared to Q2 2021 – with 35 states seeing more than a 25% increase of inflation mentions. Six of the top 10 states with the highest inflation experiences are in the Northeast, including Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Washington D.C., New Jersey and New Hampshire.

 

Consumer Searches for Higher Priced Businesses Fell, Yet Remain Above Pre-pandemic Levels

In Q2 2022, the share of all searches on Yelp using the inexpensive “$” filter increased by 7% compared to Q1 2022, while the share of the highest “$$$$” filter had decreased by 12%. While quarter-over-quarter consumers are generally searching for lower-priced businesses, when compared to pre-pandemic levels (Q2 2019), consumers still searched for higher-priced businesses more frequently in the second quarter of this year. Searches on Yelp using the highest “$$$$” filter increased up by 55% in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2019, whereas the use of the inexpensive “$” filter decreased by 24%. While restaurants, food, and travel and hotel searches reflect a similar trend, auto services searches oppose the trend.

 

Consumers are Booking Reservations Further in Advance Than Ever Before

In Q2, the average time elapsed between booking a reservation on Yelp and the reservation date was 3.3 days – a 14% increase in time compared to Q2 2021 and 40% more than pre-pandemic (Q2 2019). Up-and-coming and growing cities saw the largest increase in the average time between booking a restaurant reservation and the date of the reservation in Q2 compared to pre-pandemic: Birmingham, AL; Jacksonville, FL; Grand Rapids, MI; Lancaster, PA; High Point, NC; Austin, TX and Nashville, TN.

 

The median wait time for Yelp Waitlist restaurants has also been longer this year. The median wait time for a table in Q2 2022 was 35 minutes; whereas the median wait time in the same period in 2021 and 2020, was 22 and 16 minutes, respectively.

 

Consumers Turn to Electric Vehicles in Response to Raising Gas Prices

Consumer searches for “electric vehicles” (EV) were up 97% in Q2 2022 from the year before, and up 175% compared to pre-pandemic Q2 2019. Additionally, searches for specific EV models were up 63% in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2021, and up 118% from Q2 2019. EV Charging stations also experienced a 23% increase in consumer interest in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2021.

 

Read the full Q2 2022 YEA report, as well as previous YEA reports, at yelpeconomicaverage.com. Assets and images from the report can be found here. For more information and Yelp’s latest company metrics, visit: https://www.yelp-press.com/company/fast-facts/default.aspx

 

Methodology

Review Text Mentions of Inflation

We analyzed review text from 2020 through Q2 2022 to observe how Yelp consumers are referencing inflation in reviews. These inflation references can include phrases mentioning inflation itself or higher or rising prices at businesses. The volume of review text phrases are normalized by the number of times per every million words the phrases appeared in reviews, and is calculated for each Yelp category and on a national and state basis. Changes in mentions are on a year-over-year basis unless otherwise specified. A minimum threshold of review mentions was implemented in nearly all states to uncover the most noteworthy inflation experiences.

 

Price Range Filter Usage

There are currently four pricing tiers ($, $$, $$$ and $$$$) on Yelp and the pricing tier of a business is voted on by Yelp consumer users (business users cannot alter this information). Consumers can use the price range filter when searching for businesses on Yelp. The share of different pricing tiers used by consumers in Yelp search results signals their general willingness to spend in various price ranges.

 

Reservation Booking Days in Advance and Wait Times

We used information from Yelp Guest Manager’s reservations and waitlist services to analyze how far in advance consumers are booking reservations and for how long they are waiting before being seated. Reservation booking days in advance are given as monthly averages, and wait times are given as monthly medians.

 

Electric Vehicle Search Text Mentions

For the data regarding electric vehicle mentions in searches, we measured the share of every million Yelp searches that contained phrases related to electric vehicles or specific models from electric vehicle manufacturers. For “electric vehicle” related searches, we excluded searches that were related to charging stations to better observe interest in the vehicles themselves.

 

Consumer Interest

We measure consumer interest by looking at select actions users take in connection with businesses on Yelp: such as viewing business pages, or posting photos or reviews.

 

Changes in consumer interest for each category were measured by comparing year-over-year data from Q2 2019-2022, focusing on each category’s share of all consumer actions in its root category.

 

About Yelp Inc.

Yelp Inc. (www.yelp.com) connects people with great local businesses. With unmatched local business information, photos and review content, Yelp provides a one-stop local platform for consumers to discover, connect and transact with local businesses of all sizes by making it easy to request a quote, join a waitlist, and make a reservation, appointment or purchase. Yelp was founded in San Francisco in July 2004.

 

Contacts

Yelp Inc.

Julianne Rowe

press@yelp.com

Categories
Culture Lifestyle Local News

Morris Day to bring funk, old-school R&B to Mercer County Park Friday

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — If you actually sang that phone number (777-9311) as you read it, then you know Morris Day and the Time, the group that epitomized cool as they sang and danced their way through the ‘80s.

With his zoot suit, pompadour and ever-present mirror in which to admire his own reflection, Morris Day kept his listeners dancing and singing to songs like “Jungle Love,” “Cool” and “The Bird.”

As a kid, Day developed a strong relationship with another aspiring Minneapolis musician, bonding because of their own unique talents. One brought his glamorous, androgynous style and soulful R&B. The other brought self-confident streetwise funk. They grew up and performed together as kids — but it was Day’s performance in the movie “Purple Rain” that helped connect him forever to the musical genius who at one time called himself the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.

 

On Friday, July 22, Morris Day is bringing the funk and old-school R&B to Mercer County Park in West Windsor. The Park Commission is expecting this concert to be one of the highlights of the year.

“We are very excited to bring Morris Day to Mercer County,” said Park Commission Executive Director Aaron T. Watson. “He and Prince made a profound impact on our musical culture during the ‘80s, and after 40 years in the business, Morris Day is still putting out hits. Getting him on our schedule was a big win.”

The $5 Friday Summer Concert Series at the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds began July 8 with the Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band and runs through Aug. 26.

Morris Day tickets are available at https://mercer-county-parks.ticketleap.com/morris-day/. Tickets are $15 per person and there will be a $5 parking fee.

For information on the concert series and free movie nights, which begin the first Saturday in August, go to https://mercercountyparks.org/#!/festival-grounds-events/.

Categories
Business Culture Healthcare

Inspira Health appoints Tony Reed as Senior Vice President, Chief Quality and Safety Officer

Health care industry veteran assumes new role to advance the network’s strategic and continued growth

 

MULLICA HILL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Inspira Health today announced the appointment of Tony S. Reed, M.D., to Senior Vice President, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, effective August 1. In this role, Reed will focus on executing and expanding Inspira’s role as a high reliability organization through patient safety, quality and excellence.


Reed has more than 22 years of experience in health care, most recently serving as the Chief Medical Officer at Temple University Health System. Reed was with Temple University Health System for more than six years, where he also served as an adjunct professor at the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

 

In his role as SVP, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, he will support Inspira’s goals of being a foremost high reliability and high safety organization by guiding us in continuing to achieve the highest quality outcomes and move us on our journey to zero harm under the leadership of Amy Mansue, President & CEO of Inspira Health.

 

“Dr. Reed brings with him an extraordinary amount of diverse clinical experience and is a respected member of the health care community,” said Mansue. “He has a very strong background in all aspects of what it takes to lead other clinicians in providing safe environments for our community members to get care. He will play a critical role in assisting in maintaining consistent, quality care across all Inspira Health sites in South Jersey.”

 

“Patient safety is the foundation of care,” said Reed. “I feel very fortunate to be part of such an outstanding health system at Inspira, and I look forward to being able to collaborate with all of the great clinicians here to improve the patient experience – from the moment they walk into any of our access points to when they are discharged. Our goal is to always provide safe, high-quality care to those who come to us.”

 

Reed graduated the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann School of Medicine. He then trained in family medicine at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, and then trained in sports medicine at The Ohio State University. From there, he began a diverse career in medicine as an educator and clinician. He has worked at hospital systems such as The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Christiana Care Health System, University of Delaware, AtlantiCare and Temple University Health System.

 

For more information about Inspira Health, please visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA. To stay connected with Inspira announcements and work being done in the community, please join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Inspira is proud to be the Official Health Care Partner of the Philadelphia Wings professional lacrosse team.

 

About Inspira Health

Inspira Health is a charitable nonprofit health care organization and a regional leader in physician training, with approximately 234 medical residents and fellows in 14 nationally accredited programs at its hospitals in Vineland, Mullica Hill and Elmer.

 

The system traces its roots to 1899 and comprises three hospitals, two comprehensive cancer centers, eight multi-specialty health centers, and more than 200 access points. These include urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; sleep medicine labs; cardiac testing facilities; behavioral health, digestive health, wound care centers; home care and hospice; and more than 35 primary and specialty physician practices in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Camden and Atlantic counties. Additionally, Inspira EMS services six South Jersey counties.

 

Inspira’s 1,300-member medical staff and 6,800 employees provide an unwavering commitment to delivering a superior patient experience at every point of the journey. Technology and innovation investments provide a robust provider directory and a range of services including online scheduling and virtual visits for both primary and specialty care providers. With a commitment to multi-channel digital access, Inspira is able to meet consumer demand for self-service and personalized care options.

 

Accredited by DNV Healthcare and committed to the principles of high reliability, the system’s clinical and support staffs are focused on clinical excellence and patient safety. For more information about Inspira Health, visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.

Contacts

Brownstein on behalf of Inspira Health

Madison Fertell

inspirapr@brownsteingroup.com

Categories
Business Culture

AM Best revises outlooks to positive for Frank Winston Crum Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance—AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Frank Winston Crum Insurance Company (FWCI) (Clearwater, FL).

The Credit Rating (ratings) reflect FWCI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

 

The revision in the outlooks reflects the expectation that corrective actions taken by management will lead to favorable reserve development, supported by management’s more conservative reserving practices and the elimination of prior-year loss reserve development. In early 2022, the company completed a loss portfolio transfer whereby all losses and allocated loss-adjustment expenses (ALAE) occurrences with a date of loss on or prior to Dec. 31, 2019, for general liability, and on or prior to Dec. 31, 2020, for workers’ compensation, were transferred as part of the transaction.

 

FWCI has experienced solid surplus growth, reflective of positive underwriting performance, steady investment income and capital contributions from the parent. As a result, AM Best expects FWCI to continue demonstrating strong operating performance and the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization to remain at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company’s limited business profile reflects its geographic concentration, predominantly in Florida, and its product concentration, primarily as a guaranteed cost workers’ compensation and general liability insurance company. FWCI’s ERM program benefits from a comprehensive reinsurance program and incorporates controls to manage risk concentration in its framework.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Christine DePalma, ARM, AINS, AIS
Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5649.
christine.depalma@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Michael Venezia
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5034
michael.venezia@ambest.com

Jeff Mango
Managing Director,
Strategy & Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204

jeffrey.mango@ambest.com

Categories
Culture Local News

Mercer County 4-H encourages public to exhibit at 103rd 4-H Fair

Event to be held July 30 and 31 at Howell Living History Farm

 

Showcase your creative talents and skills at this year’s Mercer County 4-H Fair!  There are many “Open Division” categories for public entries (youth and adult) – you do not need to be a 4-H member to exhibit. Any project created this past year can be entered in the fair, including arts and crafts, photography, gardening, clothing, baking, woodworking and more. 

 


Click here for more details about exhibiting at the fair as well as a complete schedule. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair on Thursday, July 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township. In addition to judging by experts, fairgoers will vote on their favorite exhibits in each category on Saturday, July 30, and those receiving the most votes will be recognized on Sunday, July 31

The 103rd annual Mercer County 4-H Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Admission and parking are free. Children’s activities, hay rides, animal shows, music, farm tours, pony rides, magic shows, archery and exhibits will take place throughout the fair. Plenty of food and drink, including homemade ice cream, will also be available.

 

Photos: A sheep show and a wagon ride at the Mercer County 4-H Fair. Children’s activities, hayrides, animal shows, music, farm tours, pony rides, magic shows, archery and exhibits will take place throughout the fair on July 30 and 31.

The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on July 30 in the Show Tent. A country dance with a string band and a caller is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 30.

4-H, a youth development program operated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for youth in Mercer County. For more information about 4-H or entering projects in the fair, please contact Altaira Bejgrowicz at the Mercer County 4-H Office at (609) 989-6830 or bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Howell Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, seven miles north of Washington Crossing. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530.

Categories
Business Culture Local News News Now!

Edison Partners promotes Robert Dickey to principal

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Edison Partners, a leading growth equity investment firm, has promoted Robert “Bobby” Dickey to principal. This promotion recognizes Dickey’s contributions as a key member of Edison Partners’ investing team and his work alongside its portfolio.

In 2018, Dickey first joined the firm as a summer associate while completing his MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In June 2019, he rejoined the firm as a senior associate, with a focus on investments in fintech and enterprise solutions. During his tenure, he has been involved in both diligence and post-deal support of portfolio companies including Solutions By Text, Overhaul, Health Recovery Solutions, PurpleLab, GoHenry, Budderfly, Kaiyo, and Lawnstarter, to name a few. His contributions to these investments pre- and post-closing have helped create significant value, including partnering with management teams to develop inorganic growth plans; driving alignment on strategic priorities; market mapping; M&A pipeline development and strategic exit opportunities.

 

David Baxter, CEO of Solutions By Text added, “Bobby’s experience in the fintech sector as an investor has helped SBT in its growth trajectory. His direct value-add to SBT’s corporate development priorities, particularly M&A, exemplifies the Edison ‘pull, not push’ model – a supportive investor and partner to our business.”

 

In addition to Dickey’s success on the deal side, he has been an active member and supporter of Edison Partners’ recruiting efforts, both on the personnel side and the investment candidate sourcing end. As a guest speaker at various industry conferences and events for the entrepreneurial community, he provides insight and guidance to companies at various stages in their growth trajectory.

 

“Bobby’s well-deserved promotion to principal is the culmination of his strengths as an investment professional and the value he brings to both the firm and our companies,” said Jennifer Lee, partner, Edison Partners. “We know Bobby’s accomplishments to date are only the beginning of his contributions at Edison and we look forward to seeing his continued success.”

 

“It’s rewarding to be part of a firm where the convergence of operational expertise and investor knowledge exists alongside a thriving value-add lever,” said Dickey. “Working with my colleagues to support, partner with and unlock value in our portfolio makes the day-to-day exciting. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity ahead at Edison Partners.”

 

Dickey’s full biography, portfolio of investments, and thought leadership are available here.

 

About Edison Partners

For 36 years, Edison Partners has been helping CEOs and their executive teams grow and scale their companies. The firm’s investment team brings more than 275 years of combined investing and operating experience to each investment. Through a unique combination of growth capital and the Edison Edge platform, consisting of operating centers of excellence, executive education programs, and the Edison Director Network, Edison employs a truly integrated approach to accelerating growth and creating value for businesses. With experts in enterprise solutions, financial technology and healthcare IT, Edison targets high-growth companies located outside Silicon Valley with $10 million to $30 million in revenue. Investments also include buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, and secondary stock purchases. Edison’s active portfolio has created aggregated market value exceeding $10 billion. Edison Partners manages $1.6 billion in assets. For more information on Edison Partners, please visit edisonpartners.com and follow on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Katie Morales

PRforEdison@bospar.com

Categories
Business Culture

AM Best to present Canada Insurance Market analysis, highlight Best’s performance assessments at annual briefing in Toronto

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best will host an insurance market briefing on the state of Canada’s insurance industry at the Sheraton Centre Toronto on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

During the half-day event, AM Best analysts will deliver market insights and present overviews of Canada’s main insurance sectors. Analysts also will explore emerging issues for carriers and hot topics at this complimentary annual event.

 

To register for AM Best’s Canada Insurance Market Briefing – Toronto, please go to www.ambest.com/conferences/regimbcanada2022/index.html

 

Sessions during the event include:

  • AM Best’s Canadian Market Outlooks: 2022 is proving to be a challenging year as a strong economic recovery and consumer demand, along with easy monetary policies, have led to increased inflation and rising interest rates. AM Best analysts will provide an economic overview, as well as analysis of the performance of Canadian property/casualty and life/annuity lines of business with outlooks for the coming year;
  • The Growing Role of Delegated Underwriting: AM Best Senior Director Greg Williams will lead a discussion on the Best’s Performance Assessment for delegated underwriting authority enterprises (DUAE), which was launched in early 2022. DUAEs such as managing general agents have become an important part of the insurance value chain, with premiums having doubled globally over the last decade. Williams will explain how the Best’s Performance Assessment provides insight to market participants contemplating a partnership with a DUAE, and present recent findings and other market insights; and
  • Canada 2022 Hot Topics Panel Discussion: George Longo, president & CEO, Excess Underwriting, and Ron Stokes, managing partner, E&Y Financial Services, will join a panel with AM Best participants to look at leading industry topics, such as the adequacy of cyber coverages, mergers and acquisitions, IFRS 17, managing general agents and environmental, social and governance practices.

 

The event begins at 8 a.m. EDT with a continental breakfast and registration, followed by the start of the sessions at 9 a.m. The event will conclude with a networking lunch for attendees to connect with AM Best and other industry professionals. To view the agenda and register, please visit http://www.ambest.com/conferences/imbcanada2022.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jeff Mango
Managing Director,
Strategy & Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204
jeffrey.mango@ambest.com

Categories
Culture Special/Sponsored Content

NJPF calls for entries: International juried photography exhibit

International photographers are invited to submit photographs to be considered for exhibition at the 28th Juried Photography Exhibit of the New Jersey Photography Forum being held November 1, 2022, through December 3, 2922, at the Watchung Arts Center on Stirling Road in Watchung, NJ.

 

How to photograph your artwork online workshop:  July 17, 11-2 p.m.

 

 

In the years since its founding, this exhibition by the NJPF has become one of the most important juried photography exhibits in the NY Metro area annually.

 

The prospectus for the exhibit is available at www.njphotoforum.comor by contacting nancyori@comcast.net. Submissions to the exhibit will be accepted from June 1 through July 14, 2022 at http://njpfsubmissions.com.

 

The cost for entry is $15 for every two photographs entered with no limit to the number of entries and can be charged through PayPal. There will be cash awards for Excellence and Merit as determined by the juror scores. There is no theme for the exhibit, so artists are encouraged to submit their best works. There will be a virtual exhibit on the NJ Photography Forum website as well as a physical exhibit at the Watchung Arts Center.

 

The public is invited to attend an online conference moderated by the curator to review the final exhibit and to interview several of the artists on November 12, 2022, from 3-5 pm EST. Contact Nancy Ori at nancyori@comcast.net to get the Zoom link. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 1-4 pm at the Watchung Arts Center, 18 Stirling Road in Watchung, NJ. All of the images will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Watchung Arts Center.

 

The jurors for the show are Harvey Stein, a NYC photographer, instructor at the International Center of Photography, author of 10 books, who is represented by Sous Les Etoiles Gallery in New York; Margarita Mavromichalis, an award-winning Greek photojournalist and street photographer currently living in Japan, and international fine art photography exhibitor; and Nancy Ori, exhibitor, curator, author, freelance photographer, educator, and the director of NJ Photography Forum and Digital Arts Group, and the owner of NJ Media Center in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

 

 Three years ago, The New Jersey Photography Forum celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding. The NJPF is dedicated to furthering the interests of professional and serious photographers living or working in the Metropolitan area. Over the past 28 years under the direction of Nancy Ori, the NJPF has become the largest and most recognized group of fine art exhibiting photographers in the state of NJ.

 

The monthly meetings are currently held virtually using Zoom. They will return to in-person meetings at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, NJ when possible. At the meetings, attendees are encouraged to share expertise and advance their skills. The meetings provide access to a wide variety of current creative and technical information through informal presentations and demonstrations by photographic artists. At each meeting, photographers have an opportunity to show their work for critique by their peers. Exhibition possibilities within the fine art community are constantly explored, producing as many as a dozen group exhibits each year at various venues. These opportunities have become an invaluable resource for photographers interested in becoming fine art exhibitors.

 

The Watchung Arts Center offers new art exhibitions each month, performances of music, comedy, improv and classes for children and adults in art, photography, dance, yoga, and more. Visit their website at www.watchungarts.org.

 

You can learn more about the New Jersey Photography Forum by visiting their web site at: www.njphotoforum.com or calling Nancy Ori at 908-790-8820.

 

Northern England & Lake District Tour

September 28-October 8, 2022

Categories
Business Culture Environment

Elizabeth Addonizio joins Vision Solar as a board member

Representing Sound Financial Growth and Development Expertise

 

BLACKWOOD, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Vision Solar continues to add new board members that come with tailored, highly- educated skill sets in order to strengthen their board, support their leadership, and contribute expertise to drive forward their success, both operationally and financially.


Elizabeth Addonizio is a seasoned finance professional with decades of experience in providing companies with strategic guidance on growth and development. Drawing on a long background in investment banking, private equity and venture capital investing with a focus on Impact and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, Elizabeth has an extensive background in the raising and deployment of capital to facilitate robust organic and inorganic growth. Addonizio will be responsible for providing strategic input on how Vision Solar can maintain a strong growth trajectory without losing sight of profitability and high customer satisfaction.

 

In addition to her experience in finance, Addonizio brings with her a wealth of experience in the utilities and renewables space in the United States, Latin America, and East Asia, and she has spent the better part of the past two decades as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve. She has a Ph.D. from Yale University, an M.P.A. from Princeton University, and a B.A. from Bucknell University.

 

“As the CEO, I am very keen on the idea of creating an advisory board of seasoned professionals who have the academic credentials along with the professional experience that can help guide us through the explosive growth we are experiencing – I am pleased to have Elizabeth Addonizio join our board.” – Jonathan Seibert, CEO of Vision Solar LLC

 

“Addonizio will be a great add to our Board team as she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge for guiding high growth companies with the right financial discipline.” – Faraz Khan, CFO at Vision Solar

 

“I am thrilled to join the board of Vision Solar, a dynamic, fast-growing company that has such a positive impact on climate, sustainability, and the pocketbooks of households across the country. I look forward to working with the company’s stellar leadership team to continue to advance the company’s growth and development goals.” – Elizabeth Addonizio, Board Member for Vision Solar

 

For any inquiries regarding this press release, please feel free to contact John Czelusniak at jczelusniak@visionsolar.com.

 

About Vision Solar:

Vision Solar is one of the fastest growing solar energy companies in the United States. Their full-service renewable energy company installs solar services for residential homes nationwide. Over the past three years, Vision Solar has grossed over $200+ million in revenue, with significant increase in projected growth to produce 1000+ high-quality Green Jobs by 2022. To learn more, visit: https://www.visionsolar.com

Contacts

John Czelusniak

jczelusniak@visionsolar.com

Categories
Culture Entertainment News International & World

Queen + Adam Lambert announce ‘Rhapsody Over London’

Concert spectacular to stream live and on-demand this July, powered by Kiswe, offering Queen + Adam Lambert fans global, unique access to experience the hottest tour of the year, alongside a live Q&A with the band

Tickets will be available from: livestream.queenonline.com

Print, socials & photo assets here: QAL RHAPSODY OVER LONDON MARKETING ASSETS

 

LONDON — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #adamlambert–Queen + Adam Lambert today announced details of Rhapsody Over London, an exclusive concert spectacular, filmed live at The O2 Arena, London during their current sold-out European Tour, that will premiere live on July 24 via Kiswe’s global streaming platform.


The exclusive Live Concert Film will feature a LIVE Q&A with Brian, Roger and Adam, speaking backstage from the penultimate show of their European tour. Fans around the world will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase tickets and submit their questions via video by July 19th, for the band to see and answer live during the Q&A.

 

The concert will only be available until 31st July on the platform and accompanied by special VOD packages, where fans will have access to additional concerts and interviews. The acclaimed documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ will be available exclusively for ticket holders for a full two days prior to the livestream.

 

The concert was filmed during the band’s sold out 10-day run at The O2 Arena, London in early June. Having been attended by over half a million concert goers during the 2022 36-date European tour, Queen + Adam Lambert’s “Rhapsody Over London” live concert film is set to reach a worldwide audience of millions more when the experience premieres online on July 24.

 

The broadcast will give fans around the world one more chance to experience the magic of the Rhapsody Tour. A massive undertaking, utilising 26 cameras and a crew of over 100 film technicians, the production presents the band’s two and half hour show in its entirety. The audience will also be able to interact with fellow fans throughout the show using Kiswe’s fan engagement features, including fan chat feed and cheer buttons, fan react videos enabling viewers to upload video selfies, purchase custom digital stickers, and the ability to buy exclusive in-concert merchandise.

 

In a dazzling 28 song performance, Queen + Adam Lambert’s live show honours Freddie Mercury’s dictum that “too far is never far enough” with state-of-the art video content, lasers and pyrotechnics.

 

Adam Lambert’s vocal prowess and showmanship is a special effect in itself, soaring to the ecstatic high notes of “Somebody to Love”, and appearing on a bejewelled Harley Davidson bike for “Bicycle Race”. But at its heart the Rhapsody show stays a very human honouring of the core band’s work, as Brian May simply strums his acoustic guitar to 20,000 people for his A Night at the Opera gem “‘39”, and duets with film of Freddie on a moving “Love Of My Life”. Roger Taylor performs a majestic “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” as moments from Queen’s history poignantly plays out on the expansive screens.

 

A full arsenal of hits are refreshed by the band’s live virtuosity, May’s Red Special guitar finding new sorcery in “A Kind of Magic” as well as reaching stratospheric heights in a towering guitar solo. Taylor and Lambert emulate Bowie and Mercury in a thunderous “Under Pressure”. “Bohemian Rhapsody” resurrects Queen’s glorious 1975 harmonies before a cyborg-masked May’s rousing solo, and Lambert’s rush to the front for the storming finale.

 

CONCERT FILM CREDITS

Executive Producers: Roger Taylor, Brian May, Adam Lambert

Director: Matt Askem

(music credits include U2, Muse, Santana, Fatboy Slim, Take That, Simple Minds)

Sound Producers: Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae and Kris Fredriksson

(Queen’s award-winning audio team)

Film Production company: Serpent Productions

(Producers: Dione Orrom & Celia Moore)

What the critics are saying about the shows:

“a sense-swamping banquet featuring lasers, pyrotechnics, confetti cannons and massive screens. The set list was pretty much wall-to-wall anthems too. Britrock pageantry enhanced with high-tech Las Vegas production values”

“Two and a half hours of jaw dropping spectacle and euphoria.”

Notes to editors:

VOD packages will be available until 31st July, consisting of additional concerts and interviews including:

Concerts:

“Queen + Adam Lambert – Summer Sonic – Live in Japan” (worldwide premiere)

“Queen + Adam Lambert – Live Around The World” – a visual odyssey of live performances compiled during the past 10 years

Interviews:

‘Queen + Adam Lambert – Meet The Press’ – Highlights from press conferences spanning the last 10 years

‘Live Around The World – album launch Q&A’ – live streamed in 2020 to celebrate the worldwide launch of the chart topping album

Documentary:

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

*Available exclusively to view 22 + 23 July only*

Four (4) ticket packages will be available as follows:

US$20 – Rhapsody

  • Rhapsody Over London Concert Film Ticket in 1080p HD
  • Live Pre-Show Q&A from Tampere, Finland
  • 2 day pre-show pass to documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ (22 + 23 July only)

US$30 – RhapsodyPlus

  • Rhapsody Over London Concert Film Ticket in 1080p HD
  • Live Pre-Show Q&A from Tampere, Finland
  • 2 day pre-show pass to documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ (22 + 23 July only)
  • VOD bundle (available until 31st July) includes:

Summer Sonic – Live in Japan

Live Around The World

‘Queen + Adam Lambert – Meet the Press’

‘Live Around The World – album launch Q&A’

US$40 – RhapsodyPlus 4K

  • Rhapsody Over London Concert Film Ticket in 4K Ultra HD
  • Live Pre-Show Q&A from Tampere, Finland
  • 2 day pre-show pass to documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ (22 + 23 July only)
  • VOD bundle (available until 31st July) includes:

Summer Sonic – Live in Japan

Live Around The World

‘Queen + Adam Lambert – Meet the Press’

‘Live Around The World – album launch Q&A’

US$75 – I Want It All Package

  • Rhapsody Over London Concert Film Ticket in 4K Ultra HD
  • Live Pre-Show Q&A from Tampere, Finland
  • 2 day pre-show pass to documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ (22 + 23 July only)
  • VOD bundle (available until 31st July) includes:

Summer Sonic – Live in Japan

Live Around The World

‘Queen + Adam Lambert – Meet the Press’

‘Live Around The World – album launch Q&A’

  • Plus exclusive Rhapsody Over London t-shirt

Tickets will be available from: livestream.queenonline.com

Media Assets: Click links for broadcast & print assets for Queen + Adam Lambert ‘Rhapsody Over London’

Print, socials & photo assets here: QAL RHAPSODY OVER LONDON MARKETING ASSETS

Band socials:

Queen

https://www.facebook.com/Queen
https://twitter.com/queenwillrock
https://www.instagram.com/officialqueenmusic
https://www.youtube.com/Queen
https://www.tiktok.com/@queenofficial

Adam Lambert

https://facebook.com/AdamLambert
https://twitter.com/AdamLambert
https://instagram.com/AdamLambert
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9SGC_32CZahPYkEY92xflA
https://www.tiktok.com/@adamlambert

About KISWE

Kiswe is the interactive video company that transforms live streamed events into immersive and socially connected experiences. Kiswe’s two-way video technology enables audiences to both consume and contribute to live digital content. With its award-winning cloud video technology, Kiswe has delivered the world’s largest digital pay-per-view events and serves the top sports, media, and entertainment companies with its production, content distribution, fan engagement, and audience data solutions. Kiswe is headquartered in New Jersey, USA and has offices in New York, Seoul and Hasselt. Learn more at http://www.kiswe.com.

Contacts

Press contacts:

Kiswe
Purpose Worldwide / Sydney Dennen, Associate Partner sydney@purposenorthamerica.com c. +1.616.648.9176

Universal Music Group
Communications: James Murtagh-Hopkins James.Murtagh-Hopkins@umusic.com

Hollywood Records / DMG North America
Sharrin Summers Executive Director, Publicity sharrin.summers@disney.com c: 818 425 3260

Queen
Phil Symes philsymes@theprcontact.com

Adam Lambert
Shoshanna Stone shoshanna.stone@edge-ent.com