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Aimbridge Hospitality Names Craig S. Smith as Chief Executive Officer

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Craig S. Smith, most recently Group President and Managing Director – International at Marriott International, appointed to lead the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, effective March 18, 2024

Steve Joyce, elevated to Executive Chairman, effective immediately, assuming the top position as Glenn Murphy, Chairman, transitions to board seat

Michael Barnello, former CEO and President of LaSalle Hotel Properties and Founder and Managing Partner of Badlands Hotel Capital joins Aimbridge board

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Aimbridge Hospitality announced that industry leader Craig S. Smith will join the global hospitality management company as Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2024. As only the third CEO in Aimbridge’s storied history, Smith is expected to leverage decades of deep operational experience and proven leadership with Marriott International to solidify Aimbridge’s position as the frontrunner in comprehensive, performance-backed hotel operations.

Having begun his hospitality career in hotel operations, Smith quickly rose to become a multi-time, award-winning General Manager before being tapped for top executive spots in several international markets, culminating with his rise to helm the entire international business prior to his retirement from the brand.

As Group President and Managing Director—International, Smith was responsible for the fastest growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, and:

Oversaw more than 2,500 hotels worldwide – two-thirds of which were brand-managed—across 28 iconic brands in 136 countries and territories

Led a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 hotel and regional support center associates with direct responsibility for operations, development, brand acquisitions, sales and marketing, legal, and human resources across the entire international business

Spearheaded the realignment and resourcing of the company’s international markets, including reorganizing the division into four autonomous regions, resulting in faster growth and $23 billion in sales

Provided direct oversight of four International Presidents and their teams with proven results in driving best-in-class topline growth, GOP, guest satisfaction, and associate culture; and

Served as lead strategist for Marriott’s global growth plan and managed a robust development pipeline of more than 1,000 projects around the world, including new and emerging markets

With a clear point of view on superb operating standards and unmatched success leading complex, global businesses, Smith is expected to leverage his extensive experience to design and accelerate plans at Aimbridge that put the General Manager at the center, drive greater value at scale, result in superior property performance, and create an industry-leading culture.

“Aimbridge’s reputation as a trusted global hotel operator and the team’s desire to outperform at every turn is what excites me about taking on the CEO role,” said Smith. “There is still tremendous opportunity to enhance our service offering to consistently deliver outstanding results for our owners and further drive brand expansion across all verticals domestically and abroad. As we go forward, we’ll put even greater emphasis on strengthening operations and simplifying our approach to be built around the General Manager, activating operational efficiencies that leverage our scale and create material value for us and our partners, and doubling down on our commitment to recruit, develop and train the best people in the industry, including helping the next generation of talent thrive.”

To ensure success, the company announced it was also making changes to its Board of Managers that will provide active support to Smith and additional CEO-level hospitality experience.

Effective immediately, Steve Joyce, who joined the Aimbridge board in November 2023, will step up to assume the role of Executive Chairman.

Joyce, a long-time global hospitality leader with more than four decades of multi-brand and franchisee experience, including a successful 10-year run as President and CEO of Choice Hotels International, is expected to work closely with Smith and the company’s Senior Management Team to advance strategic plans, including finalizing the previously announced streamlined structure in the U.S. and broaden the company’s global footprint.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Aimbridge can – and will be – the best third-party operator in the world, and it starts with embedding a seasoned leader with a deep track record of driving outsized performance across all key metrics—that’s Craig S. Smith,” said Joyce. “If you look at what Craig has achieved during his 35-year career as a hospitality leader, it’s clear that he knows how to develop winning strategies, set superior operational standards, and most critically, motivate and activate teams to get the best out of his people. In my role as Executive Chairman, I look forward supporting Craig as we take Aimbridge to the next level and work to deliver the best product offering the industry has seen to date.”

Joyce succeeds Glenn Murphy who has served as Chairman since 2019 and will remain on the board.

Joining Joyce and Murphy on the board is long-time industry veteran Michael Barnello, Managing Partner and Founder of Badlands Hotel Capital and the former President and CEO of LaSalle Hotel Properties. The company expects to tap into Barnello’s extensive understanding of the hospitality real estate market and leverage his unique, owner-centric point of view as it looks to ignite worldwide growth and build out its newly announced Owner Relations team, including standing up an Owners Advisory Council.

About Aimbridge Hospitality
Aimbridge Hospitality is the world’s leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets, Aimbridge delivers compelling results for hotel owners by leveraging proprietary data and insights as an authority in key markets and destinations, while creating exceptional guest experiences. Aimbridge continually strives to set the new standard in hospitality excellence, leading the industry into the future through a wealth of unmatched resources and best-in-class supplier agreements, while recruiting and developing top industry talent in all key verticals and geographies. To learn more, visit www.aimbridgehospitality.com. Connect with Aimbridge on LinkedIn.

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IQST – iQSTEL and Cycurion Form Exclusive Cybersecurity Partnership to Supercharge Expansion into High-Tech, High-Margin Markets

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NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — iQSTEL Inc. (OTCQX: IQST), a dynamic leader in telecommunications, fintech, electric vehicle (EV), and AI-driven solutions, is thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership with Cycurion, INC. This strategic collaboration will allow iQSTEL to offer Cycurion’s top-tier cybersecurity products exclusively to the U.S. telecommunications industry, while also expanding into other sectors internationally. Leveraging iQSTEL’s global presence across 17 time zones, from California to Melbourne, and 7 offices worldwide, this partnership is set to unleash a new wave of high-margin, high-tech offerings for telecommunications clients in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States, all while delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to an increasingly challenging market.

A Transformational Move for iQSTEL.

This partnership is a bold leap forward in iQSTEL’s ongoing journey to diversify and expand its portfolio. Over the past few years, iQSTEL has meticulously built a strong business platform, earning the trust of its global customer base. Now, with this deep foundation in place, iQSTEL is perfectly positioned to cross-sell high-margin, high-tech products such as Fintech, EV, and AI-based services. With this partnership, iQSTEL is adding cybersecurity to its offerings, further solidifying its presence in emerging markets.

Leandro Iglesias, CEO of iQSTEL, stated:

“This partnership with Cycurion couldn’t have come at a more pivotal time for iQSTEL. We’ve earned the trust of our clients by building a strong foundation, and now we’re amplifying that strength by offering the high-tech solutions they need, especially in cybersecurity. We’re delivering future-proof, high-margin services that not only meet the demands of today’s digital landscape but also cement our leadership in these rapidly growing sectors. Investors should take note: we’re just getting started.”

The partnership is laser-focused on addressing critical challenges faced by telecom operators, including meeting stringent security compliance requirements, navigating a global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and mitigating the increasing number of data breaches. By combining iQSTEL’s operational excellence with Cycurion’s advanced cybersecurity expertise, the companies are poised to deliver unparalleled security solutions to telecom customers, turning these challenges into high-margin growth opportunities.

A Next-Generation Cybersecurity Strategy

Cycurion’s portfolio of cybersecurity services, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), includes 24/7 monitoring, advanced threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessments, and compliance management. The AI-driven platform continuously adapts to emerging threats, enhancing its ability to detect and respond to cyber risks in real time. Trusted by government agencies such as FEMA, TSA, and the US Courts, Cycurion’s proven track record of delivering world-class security services will empower iQSTEL to enhance its product lineup, further increasing customer loyalty and securing long-term revenue growth.

This partnership is expected to drive significant revenue growth for iQSTEL, tapping into the rapidly expanding global cybersecurity market, projected to reach $376 billion by 2029.

Kevin Kelly, CEO of Cycurion, commented:

“Our partnership with iQSTEL opens up tremendous opportunities. We’re bringing our cybersecurity expertise to iQSTEL’s already strong business platform, enabling them to offer next-level protection to telecom clients. This isn’t just about security—it’s about enhancing customer confidence, increasing profitability, and ultimately growing both companies’ market share in the cybersecurity space.”

Key Benefits for iQSTEL Customers and Investors:

24/7/365 Threat and Risk Management: Immediate, real-time protection from the most advanced cybersecurity threats.Revenue-Driving Public Confidence: Enhanced security measures lead to greater trust from customers, preventing breaches that could undermine public and stakeholder confidence.Privacy Protection & Compliance: Strengthening privacy safeguards while ensuring clients meet evolving regulatory standards.Volume Pricing & Financial Advantage: iQSTEL’s purchasing power ensures significantly lower cybersecurity costs for customers, while maintaining a competitive edge.Expanding into High-Growth Sectors: With Cycurion’s services, iQSTEL will continue expanding its reach into high-margin markets such as Fintech, EV, and AI, reinforcing its leadership position.

Empowering the Future with iQSTEL’s Strong Business Platform.

This partnership exemplifies iQSTEL’s long-term strategy: leveraging the strong foundation of its customer relationships to seamlessly introduce high-tech, high-margin products. The trust that iQSTEL’s customers place in its services positions the company to capitalize on massive opportunities in rapidly growing industries like cybersecurity, fintech, electric vehicles, and AI.

Investors are invited to join iQSTEL on this exciting journey. With a projected revenue of $290 million for FY-2024 and plans to continue delivering innovative solutions, iQSTEL’s growth trajectory is stronger than ever. This partnership with Cycurion sets the stage for significant revenue expansion and positions iQSTEL as a major player in the high-margin tech markets of the future.

About Cycurion Inc.

Cycurion, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a premier cybersecurity provider specializing in multi-layered defense systems, monitoring, incident response, and compliance management. With a strong leadership team and a growing portfolio of services, Cycurion is dedicated to protecting its clients’ most valuable digital assets across both the public and private sectors.

Cycurion’s leadership team brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, including technology, finance, and cybersecurity:

Emmit McHenry, Chairman: Founder of NetCom Solutions International, which grew to nearly $300 million in revenue within six years, with operations in the U.S., UK, and South Africa. He also founded Network Solutions, which was later sold to SAIC. McHenry is a U.S. Marine Corps service-disabled veteran and has held executive positions at major firms like Allstate Insurance.Kevin Kelly, CEO: Former CEO of Halo Privacy, a cybersecurity company, and Heidrick & Struggles, a leading executive search firm. He also served as CEO and President of North America for APP – Asia Pulp and Paper. Kelly holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.Alvin McCoy, CFO: Former Managing Partner of Quantum Capital Partners and President & CEO of The McCoy Group, LLC. McCoy managed over $75 billion in new debt origination at Merrill Lynch and has served on the boards of financial institutions with assets up to $5 billion. He holds an MBA in Finance from Duke University.

Key Facts About Cycurion:

Headquarters: McLean, VirginiaR&D Center: Tel Aviv, IsraelStaff: 80 highly skilled employees, with an impressive list of industry certificationsDoD Cleared Facilities30% of employees hold Top Secret security clearances45 large active contracts2023 Year-End Revenue: $19.6 million

Cycurion Security Platform: Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Cycurion has developed an enhanced, multi-layered SaaS solution designed to protect clients’ digital assets while minimizing false positives. This AI-driven platform continuously improves its threat detection and incident response capabilities, delivering effective defense in an increasingly complex and evolving cyber landscape.

About iQSTEL (Updated Oct. 2024):

iQSTEL Inc. (OTC-QX: IQST) (www.iQSTEL.com) is a US-based multinational publicly listed company in the final stages of the path to becoming listed on NASDAQ. With FY2023 revenues of $144 million and a forecasted $290 million in revenue, alongside positive operating income of seven digits for FY-2024, iQSTEL is positioning itself for explosive growth. iQSTEL’s mission is to serve basic human needs in today’s modern world by making essential tools accessible, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, or identity. The company recognizes that modern human needs such as physiological, safety, relationship, esteem, and self-actualization are marginalized without access to ubiquitous communications, financial freedom, clean, affordable mobility, and information.

iQSTEL has been building a strong business platform with its customers, and by leveraging this trust, the company is now beginning to sell high-tech, high-margin products across its divisions. iQSTEL is strategically positioned to achieve $1 billion in revenue by 2027 through organic growth, acquisitions, and high-margin product expansion.

Telecommunications Services Division (Communications):
Includes VoIP, SMS, International Fiber-Optic, Proprietary Internet of Things (IoT), and a Proprietary Mobile Portability Blockchain Platform.Fintech Division (Financial Freedom):
Provides remittance services, top-up services, a MasterCard Debit Card, US bank accounts (no SSN required), and a Mobile App.Electric Vehicles (EV) Division (Mobility):
Offers Electric Motorcycles and plans to launch a Mid-Speed Car.Artificial Intelligence (AI) Services Division (Information and Content):
Features an enriched, immersive white-label proprietary AI-Enhanced Metaverse platform that provides access to products, services, entertainment, information, and customer support in a virtual 3D interface.Cybersecurity Services:
Through a new partnership with Cycurion, iQSTEL will offer advanced cybersecurity solutions, including 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessments, and compliance management, providing essential protection to telecommunications clients and beyond.

iQSTEL has completed 11 acquisitions since June 2018 and continues to develop an active pipeline of potential future acquisitions, further expanding its suite of products and services both organically and through mergers and acquisitions.

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this news release may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions, or any other information relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business based partly on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may and are likely to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release, and iQSTEL Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. This press release does not constitute a public offer of any securities for sale. Any securities offered privately will not be or have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Company Website
www.iqstel.com

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CULT Food Science Subsidiary Further Foods Welcomes New Head of Sales and Marketing

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Kevin Ryan joins Noochies! team to drive growth and innovation

TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – CULT Food Science Corp. (“CULT” or the “Company”) (CSE: CULT) (OTC: CULTF) (FRA: LN00), a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry, is pleased to announce that Kevin Ryan will be joining its subsidiary, Further Foods Inc., as the Head of Sales and Marketing for its innovative pet food brand, Noochies!

Key Takeaways:

Kevin brings a wealth of pet food industry experience to Noochies! Head of Sales and Marketing roleNoochies! brand is poised for retail sales growth both in North America and internationally

In his new role, Kevin will lead the development and implementation of all sales and marketing strategies aimed at achieving revenue targets and expanding distribution. He will guide the growth of the Noochies! brand into new markets and channels, while building and maintaining strong relationships with key clients, distributors and retail partners. Additionally, he’ll spearhead all consumer and digital marketing initiatives, overseeing the development and execution of the brand’s positioning, messaging and campaigns. Working closely with the Company’s CEO, Kevin will also focus on driving growth through direct-to-consumer platforms, including the company’s own website and 3rd party marketplaces like Amazon and Chewy.

No stranger to the pet industry, Kevin previously served as the International Sales Manager for Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. While there, he managed the brand’s presence, sales channel and profitability outside of the United States through proactive and assertive marketing initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the Global Marketing Director for TOP 1 Oil Products Co. USA, where he expanded the brand’s global presence, sales channels and profitability across 40 international accounts, while also setting five Guinness World Records.

Management Commentary

“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to the Noochies! team,” commented Mitchell Scott, CEO of CULT Food Science. “His expertise and ability to identify market opportunities, combined with his strategic approach to both sales and marketing, will be instrumental in driving our growth and establishing Noochies! as a top brand in the global specialty pet market.”

About CULT Food Science

CULT Food Science is a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry. CULT’s robust portfolio of investments in cutting-edge, venture-backed cellular agriculture and lab-grown meat companies provides widespread investor access to the future of food. Backed by a team of experts with extensive experience in food technology and launching consumer food products, CULT is committed to being at the forefront of the food revolution.

About Further Foods

Further Foods is revolutionizing pet nutrition through its innovative brand, Noochies! Noochies! leverages advanced cellular agriculture technologies to create pet food products with superior nutrition profiles and ethical standards. Noochies! recently introduced the world’s first freeze-dried, high-protein, nutrient-rich pet treats made without factory farming. Noochies! products are currently available for sale in the United States and Canada at select retailers and online at https://www.noochies.co/.

Additional information can be found by viewing the Company’s website at cultfoodscience.com or its regulatory filings on sedar.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

CULT FOOD SCIENCE CORP.

“Mitchell Scott”
Mitchell Scott, Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information:

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company’s expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, or “will” be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the following risks: those associated with marketing and sale of securities; the need for additional financing; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects; and the volatility of common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. For further information on risk, investors are advised to see the Company’s MD&A and other disclosure filings with the regulators which are found at sedar.com.

 

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Clario and PathAI Collaborate to Deliver Integrated Solution for GI Clinical Trials

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Partnership combines revolutionary digital pathology and endoscopy solutions, enhancing drug development for IBD and other GI disorders

Strategic Partnership: Streamlined, single-vendor solution improves diagnostic accuracy, boosts efficiency, and enables reliable turnaround times in gastrointestinal (GI) clinical trials.

Advanced GI Solutions: Enhances trial efficiency with AI-powered solutions, including reading for ulcerative colitis (UC) from Clario and histopathology services from PathAI.

Integrated Workflow: Combines endoscopic and histopathology endpoints with simplified processes for CROs, sponsors, and investigational sites.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Clario, a leading provider of endpoint data solutions to the clinical trials industry, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with PathAI, a leader in AI-powered digital pathology solutions aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. This collaboration offers a single-vendor solution for efficient anatomical pathology services and next-generation video endoscopy analysis.

This co-delivery model streamlines endoscopic and histopathology endpoints to improve efficiency in global GI studies. CROs and sponsors will benefit from an end-to-end process that covers training, logistics, tissue processing, slide digitization, image analysis, and data transfers all with the medical and scientific oversight of our experts. Sites will experience simplified workflows with improved training, reporting, and document management.

“At Clario we have long been at the forefront of supporting GI clinical trials, and we are excited to augment our strengths with PathAI’s capabilities in the area of discovery and patient care,” said Marcela Vieira, M.D., Clario’s Medical Director of Gastroenterology. “The combination of endoscopy and histopathology promises to unlock new avenues for clinical research, and we are proud to be in this leadership position with our partners at PathAI.”

Clario has extensive experience in GI trials, having supported over 130 studies through advanced imaging solutions like endoscopy, MRI, and ultrasound. Their scientists and technologies help reduce site burden and enhance trial efficiency with AI-supported reading for UC and HD-video endoscopy support.

PathAI bolsters the partnership with its expert GI pathologist network and cutting-edge anatomical pathology services while optimizing specimen handling and histological assessments. Their AI-powered tools enhance UC assessment, minimize variability in histological scoring, and expedite biomarker discovery.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Clario to provide a cutting-edge solution for IBD clinical trials,” said Matt Grow, Chief Business Officer & President of Biopharma at PathAI. “Our collaboration will offer an integrated approach in histology and endoscopy for assessing therapeutic efficacy, accelerating biomarker discovery and therapy development in IBD.”

About Clario

Clario is a leading provider of endpoint data solutions to the clinical trials industry, generating high-quality clinical evidence for our pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device partners. We offer comprehensive evidence generation solutions that combine eCOA, cardiac solutions, medical imaging, precision motion, and respiratory endpoints.

For more than 50 years, Clario has delivered deep scientific expertise and broad endpoint technologies to help transform lives around the world. Our endpoint data solutions have supported over 26,000 clinical trials in more than 100 countries. Our global team of science, technology, and operational experts have supported over 60% of all FDA drug approvals since 2012.

For more information, visit Clario.com or follow on LinkedIn.

About PathAI

Headquartered in Boston, PathAI is the only AI-focused technology company providing comprehensive precision pathology solutions, from wet lab services to algorithm deployment for clinical trials and laboratory use. Rigorously trained and validated with over 15 million annotations, its AI-powered models optimize pathology sample analysis, improving efficiency and accuracy in interpretation while gauging therapeutic efficacy and accelerating drug development for complex diseases.

For more information, visit pathai.com 

Media Contact:
media@clario.com

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