Category: Travel & Leisure

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Trenton-Mercer Airport manager receives leadership award from aviation professionals’ organization

EWING, N.J. — Trenton-Mercer Airport, Manager Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E, received the Leadership Award for her “outstanding” work as Committee Advisor to the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Young Professionals Committee, and for her “dedication and commitment to the aviation industry.”

 

Photo: Melinda Montgomery, Trenton-Mercer Airport manager, accepts the American Association of Airport Executives Leadership Award from AAAE Chairman Laurence J. Krauter, AAE, AICP, at the 94th Annual Conference and Exposition in Seattle June 6-8, 2022.

 

The award was presented to Ms. Montgomery by AAAE Chairman Laurence J. Krauter, AAE, AICP, at the 94th Annual Conference and Exposition, held this year June 6-8 in Seattle.

 

“Melinda Montgomery’s work at Trenton-Mercer Airport has never been contained by a perimeter fence,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “She eagerly shares her enthusiasm about our airport and the industry in general, and I heartily congratulate her on being recognized by her peers for her leadership with young professionals in the field of airport management.”

 

At the conference, Ms. Montgomery, of Hamilton Township, passed the gavel after completing her term as president of the Northeast Chapter of AAAE, and was named to the organization’s Board of Directors. Additionally, she sits on the AAAE Policy Review Council.

 

Photo: Melinda Montgomery, seventh from left, with members of the AAAE Young Professionals Committee at the 94th Annual Conference.

 

Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest airport professional organization representing individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports.

 

Trenton-Mercer Airport, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2019, serves as a valuable transportation hub and economic engine for the entire region. As airport manager, Ms. Montgomery directs, plans, manages and organizes the daily operations of the airside, landside and terminal operations of the county-owned facility, one of three commercial airports in New Jersey.

 

Located in Ewing Township, the airport is home to commercial air carrier service connecting nearly 1 million customers each year to an array of destinations. More than 20 aviation tenants including the aviation units of a number of Fortune 500 companies, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard, and two general aviation service facilities also are located at Trenton-Mercer.

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Culture Regulations & Security Travel & Leisure

UNITE HERE Local 54 launches Atlantic City travel alert website in advance of possible labor dispute

The site–ACTravelAlert.org–will provide visitors with updates on casino contract negotiations

 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $BALY–Today UNITE HERE Local 54 launched a website to alert travelers to a potential labor dispute in Atlantic City. As the industry’s gaming operating profits surpass pre-pandemic levels, wages for Atlantic City’s casino workers have not kept pace. Contracts at all nine casinos are set to expire May 31. In the upcoming negotiations, casino workers see an opportunity to demand substantial raises across the board.

“Now that the casinos have recovered from the pandemic, it’s time for our members to recover, too. The Atlantic City gaming industry was established to create good middle class jobs, and our members are prepared to do whatever it takes to win the raises they need to get by in this economy,” said Bob McDevitt, President of Local 54. “Visitors to Atlantic City deserve to know the status of our contract negotiations, because when contracts expire, a labor dispute is always possible.”

 

Casino workers have sacrificed wage increases over the years for the health of the industry. Workers persevered through casino closures, Hurricane Sandy, and a global pandemic. Now, these same workers are getting left behind.

 

“I have to buy less because I need to pay the rent and utilities,” says Fabiola Sarmiento, a housekeeper at Harrah’s. “If I don’t, I will get my services cut. Electricity and gas have increased. The rent also increased. Food is super expensive, so I try to eat once per day. I am a cancer survivor and when I was ill with cancer, I applied to the state for help. The state did not give me any help. Supposedly, what I earn is enough to live on but that is not true.”

 

The website, ACTravelAlert.org, was last used by UNITE HERE Local 54 to update the public on the status of the Taj Mahal boycott and 2016 strike. Workers on strike held continuous picket lines in front of the Taj Mahal for 102 days.

 

Organizations that book business in Atlantic City should continue to check the website to keep up-to-date on contract negotiations. Travelers can also sign up to receive email updates about possible labor disputes.

 

The following casino contracts will expire on May 31, 2022:

  • Bally’s (NYSE:BALY) Atlantic City
  • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City
  • Caesars ((NASDAQ:CZR) Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
  • Golden Nugget Atlantic City
  • Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
  • Ocean Resort Casino
  • Resorts Atlantic City
  • Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City

 

For updates on this potential labor dispute, follow @UHLocal54 on Twitter.

 

UNITE HERE Local 54 Atlantic City has been representing hospitality workers in the hospitality industry for over 100 years. Our members work as housekeepers, bartenders, cocktail servers, cooks, bellmen, doormen, and other service jobs in the casinos and hospitality industry of South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With over 10,000 members, Local 54 is the largest private sector union in the region. Local 54 is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international labor union that represents 300,000 working people across North America.

Contacts

Bethany Holmes, 213-675-0905, bholmes@unitehere.org

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Business Lifestyle Travel & Leisure

Cenntro Electric Group expands global production capacity with acquisition of advanced manufacturing facility in China

Production Capacity of 50,000 Vehicles Annually Once 474,000 Square Foot Facility Becomes Fully Operational

 

FREEHOLD, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Cenntro Electric Group Limited (NASDAQ: CENN) “(Cenntro, or the “Company),” a leading EV technology company with advanced, market-validated electric commercial vehicles, today announced the acquisition of a new manufacturing facility in Changxing, Huzhou City, China, for a purchase price of approximately $19.5 million. The new 474,000 square foot facility will allow Cenntro to expand its production capacity.

The facility, built in 2018, is expected to provide Cenntro with advanced manufacturing capabilities. In addition to expanding capacity, the new site is expected to enable Cenntro to obtain ISO 9000 certification. The new facility will support the production of a new Metro® series and have an expected capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually once fully operational. The facility is expected to begin trial production in the third quarter of 2022.

 

“This is a critical acquisition for Cenntro. The new facility will allow us to expand and respond to the growing demand for our products, especially as we begin distributing into new markets,” said Peter Wang, Chairman and CEO.

 

About Cenntro Electric Group Ltd.

Cenntro Electric Group Ltd. (or “Cenntro”) (NASDAQ: CENN) is a leading designer and manufacturer of electric light and medium-duty commercial vehicles. Cenntro’s purpose-built ECVs are designed to serve a variety of organizations in support of city services, last-mile delivery and other commercial applications. Cenntro plans to lead the transformation in the automotive industry through scalable, decentralized production, and smart driving solutions empowered by the Cenntro iChassis. As of December 31, 2021, Cenntro has sold or put into service more than 3,700 vehicles in over 25 countries across North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit Cenntro’s website at: http://www.cenntroauto.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. Such statements may be, but need not be, identified by words such as “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “aim(s),” “can,” “would,” “expect(s),” “estimate(s),” “project(s),” “forecast(s)”, “positioned,” “potential,” “goal,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding assembly and distribution capabilities, decentralized production and fully digitalized autonomous driving solutions. All such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in this communication. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are the following: our limited operating history and historical losses from operations; our ability to develop and manufacture ECVs of sufficient quality, on schedule and on a large scale is still evolving; our ability to introduce new models; potential delays in launching and ramping up production of our new ECV models; our reliance on our channel partners to market, sell and service (and in certain cases, assemble and/or homologate) our vehicles; the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operating results, in particular due to the increase in shipping costs and shortages of shipping containers and raw materials; our reliance on third party manufacturing partners and suppliers for substantially all of our vehicle kits and components, respectively, for our new vehicles; our material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; risks associated with our global operations and expansion, including unfavorable regulatory, political, legal, economic, tax and labor conditions; changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies; and changes in U.S. and international trade policies, particularly with regard to China. For additional risks and uncertainties that could impact Cenntro’s forward-looking statements, please see the disclosures contained in Cenntro’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including “Risk Factors” in Cenntro’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2022 and which may be viewed at www.sec.gov.

Contacts

Investor Relations Contact:
Chris Tyson

MZ North America

CENN@mzgroup.us
949-491-8235

Company Contact:
PR@cenntroauto.com
IR@cenntroauto.com

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Business Lifestyle Travel & Leisure

Travel + Leisure Co. names Fiona Downing chief membership officer to lead travel club businesses

ORLANDO, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $TNL—Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) announced today that Fiona Downing was promoted to the role of Chief Membership Officer of Panorama and Travel + Leisure Club to align the company’s business-to-business (B2B) travel clubs and the direct-to-consumer (D2C) subscription club businesses.


Ms. Downing’s leadership will help optimize organizational and technology resources, to gain greater efficiencies and to support the growth strategy of its travel membership business. In this new role, Downing will also lead product development, and strategic growth initiatives for the Panorama travel and membership business line, and digital marketing and CRM for the company.

 

“Our company’s mission to put the world on vacation is more important than ever, as people around the globe are once again experiencing the connection, inspiration, and respite that travel offers,” said Olivier Chavy, president of Panorama and Travel + Leisure Club. “We are well-prepared to meet the pent-up demand for travel through our portfolio of clubs, programs, and services — and our leadership team continues to evolve to best support the growth of our business segments. Downing brings more than 30 years of experience with the company’s membership travel business to this new role and her depth of expertise will drive the growth of these new businesses.”

 

In 2021, Travel + Leisure Co. announced new extensions of its travel business to leverage its nearly 50 years of leadership in membership travel. The Panorama business line operates white-labeled B2B membership clubs through the Panorama Travel Solutions brand, providing customized discount travel solutions to membership organizations, companies, and other affinity groups. The growing portfolio of prominent clients with tailored membership travel services includes the National Association of Realtors and NFL Alumni Association. Travel + Leisure Club is the company’s consumer travel club that brings the inspiration of Travel + Leisure magazine to life through bookable experiences. The must-have membership for the savvy traveler, the club offers preferred pricing, personal concierge and travel booking service, plus members-only perks and valuable benefits from the world’s most influential travel brand.

 

A native of Scotland, Downing currently resides in Orlando, Fla, where Travel + Leisure Co. is globally headquartered. She is passionate about the development and advancement of women in the workplace and serves as the Chair of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) WIN Committee, and serves on the ARDA International Foundation board of directors. She is also a board member of the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group New Jersey.

 

About Travel + Leisure Co.

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) is the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, with nearly 20 travel brands across its resort, travel club, and lifestyle portfolio. The company provides outstanding vacation experiences and travel inspiration to millions of owners, members, and subscribers every year through its products and services: Wyndham Destinations, the largest vacation ownership company with more than 245 vacation club resort locations across the globe; Panorama, the world’s foremost membership travel business that includes the largest vacation exchange company and subscription travel brands; and Travel + Leisure Group, featuring top travel content and travel services including the brand’s eponymous travel club. At Travel + Leisure Co., our global team of associates brings hospitality to millions each year, turning vacation inspiration into exceptional travel experiences. We put the world on vacation. Learn more at travelandleisureco.com.

Contacts

Steven Goldsmith

Public Relations

(407) 626-5882

Steven.Goldsmith@travelandleisure.com

Categories
Culture Lifestyle Local News Perspectives Regulations & Security Travel & Leisure

Friend forever, factor in Twin Towers tribute

The adage is still true: Time heals. As passionate as I used to be about a close male friend, who is and nearly two years older than me, time seems to change everyone as well as everything.

 

From time to time, I still think and even dream about my old, now estranged friend. And especially when we approach each anniversary of the World Trade Center Twin Towers tragedy, I remember him. I still remember visiting New York on my 27th birthday in July, 2001, with this male friend.

Michelle Dryden
Prof. Michelle Dryden is an experienced newspaper journalist who has a master’s degree in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University, and a bachelor’s in traditional journalism from Rider University.

 

This was the last time I saw the Twin Towers still standing.

 

By the way, it was my friend who pointed to them as we stood across the Hudson River banks in New Jersey. Yes, as an American-born citizen, he was proud of them.  And, as an immigrant to this country, he knew I would marvel at their stature.

 

I was certainly amazed and proud to see those tall buildings, that I always associated with the island of Manhattan in New York City. I was excited when I told him that my family who lived in NYC when we first arrived here, took my siblings to see these buildings up close. I did not mention that I was told they took an elevator ride up one of these towers.

 

As different as we were, I felt really closely connected to this friend at the time; and as if we were twins, these towers represented us I said to him. I remember saying to him that one is you and the other one is me.

 

I could not wait to take the train across the river to NYC where we would get closer to these buildings. Who knew that would be the last time that I saw them?  Just like the towers are now a sad part of my memory, likewise is my friend.  As closely connected as we were, I am still appalled that our friendship has abruptly ended. Really, who knew we could be apart for so long?  I sometimes wondered if he died. How could he not call or reach out to me if he is still alive?

 

Luckily, I saw his now teenage son late 2010 and so I used the opportunity to ask him about his dad’s whereabouts. I was happy to know that he is alive. My healing began.

 

As we approach the 11th anniversary of the Twin Towers devastation, many families are still remembering and mourning their lost loved ones. The psychological, economical, social and even cultural impact that this tragedy still has on NYC, America and the world at large, remains overwhelmingly tremendous.

 

America and its allies will have to continue their mission of zero-tolerance for terroristic attempts and activities.  No doubt, all those closely affected by the heinous activities of September 11, 2001, will have to find a way to heal. As we approach that upcoming anniversary day, anti-terrorism individuals and groups will have to still be vigilant, as we plan, propose and prepare to have a better and safer future here in America.

 

As for me and my forever friend, I still feel a sense of connection each September 11 since then.  I have faith we will see each other again. And, going forward, I will pray that my Christian beliefs and his Islam upbringing, have not been factors keeping us apart as friends. We can be an example to this nation and others that when we unite as one people, nothing should separate us.