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VIRTUOSO® BRINGS ITS 2024 SYMPOSIUM TO DUBAI, ENGAGING OVER 400 TOP TRAVEL EXECUTIVES

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DUBAI, June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® hosted its annual Symposium May 20-24 in Dubai, attracting over 400 of the industry’s top professionals from 37 countries. Virtuoso’s Symposium brings together key decision-makers within luxury travel, including Virtuoso’s own leadership and senior executives from the network’s travel agency members and preferred partners, for industry discussions, deep dives into travel insights and peer-to-peer networking, all in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

During the General Session, Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch discussed AI’s impact on the industry, while maintaining the value of human connection. A self-declared AI optimist, Upchurch has closely followed its development and impression on the travel industry. He remains steadfast in his belief that AI can be a helpful tool for travel advisors, creating efficiencies that allow them to focus on the aspects of client management that are inherently human. Upchurch has famously coined the phrase: “Automate the predictable, so that you can humanize the exceptional.”

“The advent of the internet just decades ago showed us that technological advancements enhance the capability of advisors, rather than replacing them,” he said. “AI combines human touch with advanced technology, and as advisors integrate it into their business, they should also keep in mind a unique definition of AI – Appreciative Inquiry – a process that aids in asking clients the right questions, which in turn promotes solid relationships between them and their advisor. There are no shortage of answers in the world, but knowing the right questions to ask is where value exists for the future.”  

Executive Vice President David Kolner shared insights into Virtuoso’s high-value travelers, indicating optimism continues. Sales made between January-April 2024 for travel in 2025 and 2026 are up 49 percent and future cruise sales are up 52 percent, compared to transactions made during same timeframe in 2023 for future travel. Big bookings are increasing as well, with bookings over $50,000 up 86 percent, and $50,000+ cruise and safari bookings up 102 percent and 159 percent, respectively.

When looking at the annual Virtuoso Brand & Traveler Trend Tracker Study, a proprietary survey of high-value travelers across 15 countries conducted by YouGov, Kolner revealed the top benefits of using a travel advisor according to Virtuoso clients: expertise on accommodations (66 percent), expertise on destinations (65 percent) and saving time (54 percent). The most valuable traits of an advisor according to respondents are good communication (65 percent), attention to detail (64 percent) and problem-solving skills (57 percent).

The General Session also hosted guest speakers. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), joined Upchurch for a fireside chat, where they discussed Dubai‘s future growth. Attendees also heard from Gloria Fluxà, Vice Chair and Chair of the Sustainability Committee at WTTC, as well as Vice Chairman & Chief Sustainability Officer at Iberostar Group; Courtney Scharf, Chief Client Officer at Trend Hunter; and Jenny Southan, Founder and CEO of Globetrender. 

Another highlight of the Symposium was Virtuoso’s Travel Tech Summit, which brought together  innovators, startups and the Virtuoso network for meaningful discussions about emerging technology. Led by entrepreneur and Virtuoso board member Gilad Berenstein, the summit covered key trends to watch in travel tech, AI, social commerce and more.

While business is at the forefront of Symposium, another hallmark of the event is bonding through shared experiences. With the help of Virtuoso partners, attendees immersed themselves in some of Dubai‘s most dynamic offerings. From perfume making and history tours to cooking classes and private water experiences, there were no shortage of opportunities to explore this vibrant city.

Virtuoso’s emphasis on relationship building continued with one-on-one appointments between members and partners, while professional development sessions, workshops and panel discussions explored topics including the evolution of the luxury traveler, sustainable travel, industry growth and more.

Virtuoso thanks Dubai Economy and Tourism and additional partners that aided in the success of 2024 Symposium. Host hotels included Atlantis The Royal, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Al Naseem, as well as sponsors AmaWaterways, Arabian Adventures, Armani Hotel Dubai, The Bicester Collection, Kerzner and The Palace Downtown Dubai.

For more information on Virtuoso and its events, please visit www.virtuoso.com.

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 20,000 travel advisors in 54 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with more than 2,300 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Normalized annual sales of (U.S.) $28$32 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Media Contacts:
Misty Belles, Virtuoso – Vice President, Global Public Relations
+1.202.553.8817 / mbelles@virtuoso.com

Lauren Wintemberg
Alice Marshall Public Relations – Senior Account Director
+1.212.861.4031 / lauren@alicemarshall.com

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Schneider Electric India Recognized by Frost & Sullivan as the Indian Company of the Year 2024

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Recognition for boosting customer value with its technologically powered solutions and market-leading position.Schneider Electric India has become a celebrated name in India’s smart metering market, leveraging six decades of operational excellence, industry expertise, and business success.

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the metering industry, and based on its analysis, it has recognized Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd (SEIPL) for the 2024 Indian Company of the Year Award. Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd (SEIPL) is the Indian arm of Schneider Electric, a global leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation . A recognized name in India’s metering industry, Schneider Electric India draws on over 60 years of expertise and thought leadership in industrial sustainability, universal and software-centric automation, data privacy and security. Serving various sectors, including buildings, infrastructure, industries, data centers, and homes, the company demonstrates its solutions’ scalability, scope, and applicability . It has a robust Indian footprint with 31 factories (including five smart factories) and more than 39,000 employees serving customers in over 500 cities.

Over the years, Schneider Electric India has solidified its leadership position in India’s smart metering market, and the company has a dominant market share in the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) segment. This superlative performance underscores its ability to deliver innovative and reliable solutions consistently. Schneider Electric’s advanced smart metering devices, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, empower both utilities and consumers. By enabling real-time data transmission and eliminating manual meter readings, these solutions optimize grid management, enhance billing accuracy, and drive operational efficiency—all while empowering consumers to monitor and control their energy consumption, contributing to sustainability and cost savings.

Iqra Azam, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, observed, “Schneider Electric’s rich history of accomplishments and best practices implementation demonstrates its focus on continuous growth, harmonizing with economic and social sustainability-focused initiatives and fortifying its market leadership.”

Speaking on this recognition, Mr. Deepak Sharma, Zone President, Greater India, and MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India, said, “This recognition underscores our team’s dedication to delivering scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that set us apart in the smart metering industry. Our strong emphasis on research and development, innovation, and localizing components allows us to meet market demands and provide enhanced value to our customers. Our Mysuru smart metering plant further reinforces our commitment to delivering on this promise.”

The company is strengthening its leadership position in the metering market by actively working to increasing the localization component of its electricity meters sold in India, providing customers with greater value and supporting local economies. By adopting a transparent business approach, Schneider Electric India is building strong, long-lasting customer relationships , providing a clear understanding of its value proposition from the outset.

“Schneider Electric India proves its commitment to sustainability with outstanding initiatives that align with the Indian Government’s approach to a green India. It maintains transparent, reliable, and continuous communication with customers, addressing their unmet needs, evolving demands, and regular queries,” added Neha Tatikota, industry analyst for Energy & Environment at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation in products and technologies and the resulting leadership in customer value and market penetration.

The Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Tarini Singh
P: +91 9953764546
E: tarini.singh@frost.com

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.

We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation, and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI-enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software, and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers.

We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

www.se.com  

Follow us on: 

https://twitter.com/SchneiderElechttps://www.facebook.com/SchneiderElectric?brandloc=DISABLEhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electrichttps://www.youtube.com/user/SchneiderCorporatehttps://www.instagram.com/schneiderelectric/http://blog.se.com/

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.

Contact: Binni Rawat
Phone: +91-9999646207
Email ID: binni.rawat@se.com 

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ATFX won “Best Online Trading Company Global 2024” at World Business Outlook Awards 2024

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HONG KONG, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ATFX, a leading global forex and CFD broker, has been awarded the “Best Online Trading Company Global 2024” by the World Business Outlook Awards. This accolade highlights ATFX’s unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and delivering a superior trading experience for its clients worldwide.

This recognition underscores ATFX’s ability to combine cutting-edge trading technology with a client-centric approach. Offering robust platforms, personalized solutions, and extensive educational resources, ATFX ensures traders of all experience levels can navigate financial markets with confidence. Its global reach, paired with localized support, further solidifies its reputation as a trusted trading partner.

The World Business Outlook Awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate exceptional performance and leadership. By earning this award, ATFX has affirmed its position as an industry leader, committed to innovation and transparency. ATFX’s leadership credited this achievement to the trust of its clients, the dedication of its employees, and the company’s focus on staying ahead of industry trends.

Winning the “Best Online Trading Company Global 2024” reflects ATFX’s mission to redefine online trading standards. Moving forward, the company remains focused on enhancing its offerings, supporting financial literacy, and empowering traders globally with unparalleled tools and services.

About  ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 23 locations and licenses from regulatory authorities including the UK’s FCA, Australian ASIC, Cypriot CySEC, UAE’s SCA, Hong Kong SFC and South African FSCA. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX provides exceptional trading experience to clients worldwide.

For further information on ATFX, please visit ATFX website https://www.atfx.com.

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THE STATE OF GLOBAL OPTIMISM REVEALED BY LG IN NEW SURVEY

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Company Unveils the Biggest Topics of Global Optimism: Entertainment, AI and Healthcare.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to the latest research by LG Electronics (LG), 48 percent of consumers say they are more optimistic now than they were compared to six months ago.

The survey, conducted across 16 markets, provides extensive data on global optimism, its drivers and the demographics that feel the most optimistic and happy. The global average optimism score is 7.49/10. France, the UK and Australia were revealed to be among the least optimistic countries, scoring 14.5 percent below the average. Conversely, Saudi Arabia (12 percent above), India (10.8 percent above) and the UAE (8.1 percent above) were the most optimistic. Consumers were most optimistic about their personal growth and development (69 percent) and family dynamics (66 percent), but least optimistic about their finances.

Entertainment, including movies, TV, music and art, was identified as the most significant factor driving optimism (60 percent), followed by AI (56 percent). Less than half of the respondents chose social media (48 percent), while international crises such as war generated the least optimism.

LG conducted the survey to support and understand the nature of happiness, aligning with its brand philosophy, Life’s Good. The results are part of LG’s broader effort to assess the potential and influence of optimism globally, reflecting the company’s commitment to enhancing consumer optimism.

The survey also reveals key aspects of generational attitudes towards optimism. Optimism and happiness both decrease with age, although the latter was found to reduce at a slower rate. Interestingly, despite younger age groups averaging higher rates of happiness and optimism, individuals under 18 reported some of the lowest scores. Additionally, 50 percent of Gen Zs expressed that optimism can be harmful, the highest of any age group. This caution may be due to their life stage, as Gen Zs were twice as likely to disagree about having the tools needed to succeed (16 percent) compared to millennials.

The Role of Social Media

Younger age groups are more likely to search online for positive content and like-minded people to improve optimism. 86 percent of consumers say social media impacts their personal lives, more than those who believe it impacts society (67 percent). Gen Zs are also more likely to talk to a therapist, indulge in shopping or take drastic actions to counter negativity, such as deleting a social media account.

In contrast, older groups tend to seek offline comforts, such as spending time outdoors, seeing family or engaging in hobbies. Younger people appear more willing to seek external methods to boost optimism and happiness compared to their older counterparts.

Optimism your feed

“As a brand that is passionate about spreading optimism, we strive every day to be the most customer-focused we can possibly be.” said Kim Hyo-eun, vice president and head of LG’s Brand Management Division. “Consumers want tools to feed their optimism and belief in the future, and providing this is a key part of LG’s mission. That is why we launched our ‘Optimism your feed‘ campaign, which empowered users to pull more optimistic content into their social media feeds. The campaign has been proven to help consumers boost positive feelings, with 78 percent of people saying they felt more optimistic after seeing the campaign versus before exposure.”

The “Optimism your feed” playlist can be found on LG’s global TikTok channel (@lge_lifesgood) and global YouTube channel (@LGGlobal). More details can be found on the campaign page on www.lg.com/lifesgood/.

Survey Methodology
Global survey conducted by GWI 
Fieldwork conducted from August 26 to October 7, 2024 
Age: Between 16 – 64 years old, all income levels 
Sample size: 300 respondents each across 16 markets, except for 70 respondents in KSA

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG’s four Companies – Home Appliance Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, Vehicle Solution and the Eco Solution – combined for global revenue of over KRW 82 trillion in 2023. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.

 

 Media Contacts:

LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc.

Lea Lee 

Jenny Shin

+82 2 3777 3981

+82 2 3777 3692

lea.lee@lge.com 

jungin.shin@lge.com 

www.LGnewsroom.com  

www.LGnewsroom.com 

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Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2585362/LG_logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-state-of-global-optimism-revealed-by-lg-in-new-survey-302337561.html

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