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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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SOURCE Virtuoso

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In Turfan, Xinjiang, China’s first commercially operated microgrid has generated nearly 100 million kWh of electricity

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TURFAN, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 13, the Turfan New Energy City Microgrid Demonstration Project, China’s first commercially operated microgrid demonstration project, generated nearly 100 million kWh of electricity, equivalent to saving 29,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 77,600 tons.

A microgrid refers to a small-scale power generation and distribution system organized by distributed power sources, power loads, distribution facilities, monitoring and protection devices, etc., which can realize flexible control and autonomous management. Since the end of 2013, the project had been the largest and most comprehensive solar energy utilization and building integration project in China up to that time, with 8.7 MW of photovoltaic power installed on the roofs of 223 residential buildings, generating an annual power capacity of about 10 million kWh.

To promote the physical operation of the project, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company invested more than 2 million yuan to cooperate in the construction of microgrid infrastructure, fully supporting the online operation of surplus new energy power generation, promoting the comprehensive utilization of renewable resources in urban buildings, and helping Turfan build a high-quality development demonstration area and a green and low-carbon pilot area.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/in-turfan-xinjiang-chinas-first-commercially-operated-microgrid-has-generated-nearly-100-million-kwh-of-electricity-302306810.html

SOURCE State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company

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Innovations in Guiyang: Adhering to New Industrialization and Promoting High-End, Intelligent and Green Manufacturing

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GUIYANG, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report by Huanqiu.com

The wave of new industrialization in Guiyang is driving the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in ways like never before. Guiyang is always strategically oriented toward “industrial structure optimization with a focus on industries”, and has made all efforts to develop “four major industrial bases”, highlighting its industrial economy as the “primary driving force” behind development. Especially relying on its policy edge in renewable energy, Guiyang has rapidly emerged as a national new-energy power battery and materials research, development and production center, injecting strong momentum into the city’s economy.

In October 2023, the CATL (Guizhou) New Energy Power and Energy Storage Battery Production Base, located in Gui’an New Area, Guizhou Province, was put into production. The first phase of the base boasts cutting-edge design standards, characterized by “lighthouse + zero carbon factory”. The high-standard facility employs advanced, high-speed, highly automated, and flexible production lines. It is designed to have an annual production capacity of 30 GWh. After the base achieves the designed production capacity, its annual output value is expected to reach 15 billion yuan. According to statistics, the base realized an industrial output value of 618 million yuan in the first half of 2024, and the year’s industrial output value is expected at about 2 billion yuan.

The Chery (Guizhou) industrial base has also yielded unusually brilliant results in the field of new energy vehicles (NEVs), where Chery Automobile’s self-developed “CHEVOO” new-generation light truck KL71 project is undergoing four-pillar car road tests. The advanced pressing, welding, painting and assembly lines, as well as the R&D lab and the all-electric truck production line, together constitute this “digital intelligent” NEV factory. Moreover, the Chery (Guizhou) industrial base has built, extended and strengthened its vehicle manufacturing industry chain so as to master key parts supply chains and reduce development costs.

The Gui’an FinDreams battery project, as an important move of BYD in Guiyang, is also showing its strength in power batteries for NEVs. FinDreams Battery Co., Ltd. at Longshan Industrial Park in Gui’an New Area has four automatic production lines that are operating at high speeds in the workshop, which produce “blade batteries” which are well-known both in and out of the industry. According to reports, 300 battery packs and 40,000 cells can be produced per day.

Guiyang’s “four bases” – a new energy vehicles and battery materials production base, a resource deep-processing base, a computing power assurance base, and an industrial backup base, contribute greatly to the development of NEV and battery materials industry, electronic information manufacturing industry, and advanced equipment manufacturing industry, etc. Data show that in the first three quarters, the added value of Guiyang’s industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 11%, and the contribution of industrial economy to economic growth reached 39.4%.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558773/image.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/innovations-in-guiyang-adhering-to-new-industrialization-and-promoting-high-end-intelligent-and-green-manufacturing-302306825.html

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Premialab appointed by Lombard Odier Investment Managers to scale Quantitative Investment Strategies

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Premialab’s technology chosen to enhance QIS scaling, operational efficiency, and risk management.

PARIS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM), the institutional asset management business of the Lombard Odier Group, has integrated Premialab‘s industry-leading technology to support the management of their soon-to-be-launched DOM Global Macro strategy. This partnership underscores LOIM’s commitment to onboard innovative strategies in an evolving market landscape.

“Our decision to partner with Premialab is driven by their comprehensive risk management and regulatory compliance expertise,” said Didier Anthamatten, Portfolio Manager at LOIM. “With a strong track record in alternative investments, LOIM remains focused on delivering innovative investment solutions and high-quality returns for our clients. Premialab’s advanced data capabilities are essential in helping us maintain our rigorous standards and provide robust, risk-adjusted performance. Additionally, their platform perfectly matches the DOM Global Macro strategy’s needs, enhancing our risk monitoring capabilities and streamlining portfolio management.”

The DOM Global Macro strategy expects to leverage Premialab’s unique dataset. The full lookthrough across all DOM’s proprietary systematic strategies allows granular risk decomposition and scenario-based analysis at the entire portfolio level. This should help monitoring exposures’ attractiveness, from both time-series and cross-sectional perspectives, and optimizing asset allocation.

Neil Richards, Head of EMEA Business Development at Premialab, said the collaboration with LOIM is a significant addition to Premialab’s growing business in Switzerland and within the wider European markets.

“Institutions such as LOIM, which oversees a substantial portfolio across various asset classes, need continuous monitoring and adjustment to keep their investments on track,” he explained. “Premialab provides the tools for benchmarking and stress testing their systematic investments, ensuring that LOIM’s mandates are effectively managed in terms of cost, risk, and value.”

Premialab CEO Adrien Géliot highlighted that the QIS sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by institutional investors seeking liquid, transparent, and cost-efficient investment strategies. “Premialab sits at the centre of the QIS landscape, uniquely positioned to aggregate and make sense of the vast and growing universe of data,” he stated. “We are thrilled to be partnering with LOIM to deliver our unique data and risk monitoring capabilities to one of the top global investment firms.”

Premialab’s multi-asset, multi-region platform handles 10 million data points daily. It analyzes over 5,000 investible systematic strategies, with client assets under management totalling approximately USD $20 trillion. Combining the Premialab platform with Premialab Pure Factors®, it provides comprehensive cross-asset quantitative strategy selection and thorough due diligence on strategies available worldwide. Additionally, the platform enhances risk management and reporting capabilities, including expedited and detailed regulatory reporting.

With its unique combination of systematic strategies and discretionary trading, the DOM Global Macro strategy clearly benefits from Premialab’s state-of-the art data analysis capabilities and computational efficiency. The Portfolio and Risk Managers can thus use a shared dataset for risk analysis and performance decomposition, enhancing the portfolio’s robustness and operational efficiency.

About Premialab
Premialab is the leading independent platform that collaborates with leading investment banks and institutional investors globally, providing data, analytics, and risk solutions for systematic, factor, and multi-asset strategies. With offices in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai and Sydney, the company has forged strong partnerships with the top 18 investment banks, asset managers, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies globally.

About Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM)
Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM) is the institutional asset management business of the Lombard Odier Group, wholly owned and funded by its partners since its establishment in 1796.

We provide a range of investment solutions to a diverse group of long-term oriented clients. Our heritage, and our combination of the best of conservatism and innovation, keeps us well positioned to create lasting value for our clients. Our investment capabilities span fixed income, convertible bonds, equities, multi-asset, and alternatives. Sustainability is central to our investment philosophy; we believe it is the founding principle of long-term economic and investment outcomes and will drive returns over the long term.

With over 200 investment professionals, we are a global business with a network of 13 offices across Europe, Asia and North America and have assets under management of CHF 64 billion (as at 31 September 2024).

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/de/pressemitteilungen/premialab-appointed-by-lombard-odier-investment-managers-to-scale-quantitative-investment-strategies-302306411.html

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