Technology

ReThink HK 2024 puts sustainability at the forefront of Hong Kong’s development

Published

5 months ago

August 13, 2024

#OnlyWayForward

HONG KONG, Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Eager to leave an even bigger mark on the sustainability landscape in Hong Kong, the fifth edition of ReThink Hong Kong anticipates 8,000+ delegate attendees, from 12-13 September 2024 at Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Through their showcase of 250+ sustainable solutions and 120+ sessions across 8 themed theatres and stages, the unparalleled business ecosystem event fosters an environment of collaboration between leading industry experts, corporations, social enterprises, and non-profit organisations to collectively drive an equitable and climate-smart future for Hong Kong.

Placing collaboration at the forefront of their high-value event model, ReThink HK not only catalyses cross-sectoral partnerships within the Hong Kong sustainability ecosystem, but simultaneously builds the event through extensive partnerships. Their multi-tiered partnership framework is playing an even larger role in this year’s edition, in the founder’s ambition in curating a visionary conference model across a dynamic content matrix structured by topic, industry and job function for corporates, enterprise businesses and SMEs.

“ReThink HK’s event sponsors, supporting organisations, and content partners, are not only supporters, but co-creators of event sessions designed to inspire thousands of delegate attendees. The mission of reaching global net-zero emissions to protect and restore the balance of global ecosystems can only be achieved through collective action to build the foundation for a resilient and sustainable Hong Kong economy. As organisations are collectively recognising how sustainable development and business success are inextricably linked, we must join forces to grapple the challenges it brings.” said Mr Chris Brown, Founder & CEO of ReThink HK.

Rethink HK is proud to have secured extensive support from corporate partners and sponsors, all united by their shared vision for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city, for all. This year’s leading Headline Theatre and Programme Sponsors are BNP Paribas, HSBC, JLL, Lufthansa Group, MTR Corporation, RESET Carbon, Schneider Electric, and UNIFi3D.

Extended Partnership with Business Environment Council

As the exclusive co-organiser, Business Environment Council (“BEC”) will once again partner with ReThink HK to present a new vision for a circular and net-zero Hong Kong economy. “As we embark on our fourth consecutive year of collaboration with ReThink HK, we remain steadfast in our commitment to drive transformative change in both the business sector and the wider community. By joining forces, we have successfully amplified the impact of ReThink HK to foster a revolutionary movement empowering businesses to embrace environmental and social responsibilities.” said Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer of BEC.

This year, BEC will gather members to showcase a range of products, services and solutions at the BEC Pavilion and foster meaningful exchanges between industry stakeholders. The 2-day BEC Business Transformation Theatre will also take place along with six other content-themed Theatres at the expo, converging more than 60 business leaders and expert sustainability practitioners to discuss a framework for embracing circularity for sustainable living, rethinking how communities function in Hong Kong, and rethinking how SMEs approach sustainability.

Strong Sustainable Solution Exhibitors Line-up

To allow attendees to apply key learnings from panel discussions in their respective organizations, ReThink HK presents 250+ companies’ sustainable solutions. From newly established sustainable start-ups to Hong Kong’s largest corporations, the expo strives to offer a diverse showcase of sustainable products, services, and solutions. The event will bring together a range of transformative solutions including integrated waste systems, energy-efficient solutions, revolutionary climate tech, sustainability consulting platforms, and more. Across the event you’ll find curated displays brought to you in collaboration with leading organisations, including the European Pavilion, Canadian Pavilion, BEC Pavilion, FSES (Fullness Social Enterprises Society) Pavilion and Cyberport Pavilion will make their first appearance at ReThink HK.

Tackling the massive shift towards sustainable mobility and transportation, ReThink HK 2024 will also launch its Smart Mobility and Transportation Sector, with supports from strategic partners, eMobility Network and HK E-Vehicles Business General Association, showcasing low-carbon fuel solutions, sustainable infrastructure & vehicles for aviation, and net-zero marine & road transportation.

Unparalleled Access to Expert Insights

Comprising eight theatres and stages, a series of deep-dive workshops, and stimulating roundtable discussion, the conference will bring together over 500 experts to shape the sustainability discourse across 120+ sessions. The theatres and stages represent the prevalent facets of sustainable development, including the Net Zero & Nature Positive Theatre (Keynote), BEC Business Transformation Theatre, Sustainable Buildings & Facilities Theatre, People & Purpose Theatre, Liveable Cities & Transportation Theatre, Sustainable Finance & Supply Chains Theatre, along with the European Stage and Change Makers Stage. Striving to facilitate open dialogue and knowledge sharing, a series of Roundtable Workshops have been introduced, rethinking talent development, artificial intelligence, food systems, diversity and inclusion, marketing and communications, and Hong Kong streets.

The conference will kick off with the opening programme “Sustainable Horizons: Hong Kong’s Progress on the Road to Net Zero”, and a Keynote address by Mr Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology. Other featured speakers include Mr Siddarth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China; Ms Shuyi Li, Principal, RMI China; Ms Valerie Kwan, Director of Stewardship and Corporate Engagement, Asia Investor Group on Climate Change; Mr Bing Leng, ISSB Member, IFRS Foundation, amongst many others. Business leaders, sustainability practitioners, researchers and change makers will delve deep into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities of sustainability to empower attendees with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to drive change within their organisations and industries.

Carbon Offsetting in Action

ReThink HK is dedicated to mitigating the carbon footprint of the event, upholding its commitment to environmental sustainability. Partnering with Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, ReThink HK is working to advance the carbon offsetting “Wood Recycling Programme”. The project strives to recycle wood debris generated from routine tree works through investing in a biochar machine, which converts bulky, rotten or diseased wood into valuable biochar, a soil amendment that benefits the soil and plant growth.

For more details, please visit: https://www.kfbg.org/en/caring-for-our-hillside/working-the-ground/wood-recycling-programme.

About ReThink HK

ReThink HK is a unique annual event that helps organisations align sustainable business practices at every stage of their value chain, showcases innovation and solutions accelerating sustainable transformation. ReThink unites the ecosystem so all stakeholders and communities can contribute to and look forward to a climate-smart and equitable city, for everyone. All delegate fees contribute to funding local impact projects with Hong Kong charities.

For ReThink HK 2024 Event Programme, please visit: https://rethink-event.com/conference/

For more event information, please visit ReThink HK’s website: https://rethink-event.com/.

For enquiries, please contact:

Ms Maggie Tse

Event Director

maggie.t@rethink-event.com

Ms Jessica Chan

Head of Marketing & Partnerships

jessica.c@rethink-event.com

About ReThink Foundation

The ReThink Foundation serves as a platform for rethinking how Hong Kong’s NGOs can harness partnerships to maximize collective social impact. Through their leading initiative, the ReThink NGOs Program, the foundation empowers NGOs to leverage strategic partnerships, offering a funding and fellowship programme for chosen highly-impactful partnership-focused NGO projects. All proceeds generated from the ReThink HK 2024 delegate pass sales will contribute to support and fund the ReThink NGOs Program. From their flagship event, ReThink HK, to the foundation’s ReThink NGOs program, the ethos of collaboration lies in the heart of all initiatives.

For more details, please visit ReThink Foundation’s website https://rethink-foundation.org/.

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SOURCE ReThink HK

Technology

Who’s Working Remotely? Virtual Vocations Survey Highlights Evolving Jobseeker Demographics

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2024

This survey underscores the diverse backgrounds and experiences of remote jobseekers, highlighting the growing demand for flexible work arrangements across various demographics.

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — With over 500 participants from the U.S. (69%) and international locations (31%), Virtual Vocations‘ 2024 demographics survey offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of remote work. By comparing responses across these groups, the survey highlights shared experiences and unique challenges faced by jobseekers worldwide.

“Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.” –Laura Spawn, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Vocations

Although Virtual Vocations is a U.S.-based company, it supports international jobseekers through its fully remote job board and career resources, addressing the global demand for remote work opportunities. The company frequently receives inquiries from international members seeking to access fully remote roles, punctuating the worldwide appeal of flexible work arrangements.

“The 2024 demographics survey results reinforce what we’ve known for years—professionals around the world are seeking flexibility, balance, and opportunities to work from home,” said Virtual Vocations CEO Laura Spawn. “Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.”

Fully Remote Jobs Remain Most Desired

A significant 43% of U.S.-based jobseekers and 42% of international respondents named fully remote, no-travel jobs as their top preference. These roles, which allow employees to work entirely from home, offer flexibility, aligning with both personal and professional goals. Although occasional in-person requirements may arise, fully remote roles are favored over hybrid, partially remote, and “work from anywhere” options. These positions provide businesses with access to a broader talent pool and enable employees to prioritize workplace values and culture.

Top Industries for Remote Jobseekers

The survey also highlights four key industries attracting remote jobseekers worldwide. Information Technology (IT) stands out as the leading industry for remote roles, with significantly more job postings than any other field. Healthcare follows closely, benefiting from the growth of telehealth and remote medical roles. Customer service offers engaging opportunities for professionals interested in client interaction, while education presents a wide array of roles in online teaching, tutoring, and instructional design, fueled by the expansion of virtual learning.

Jobseekers’ Common Frustrations

Both U.S. and international jobseekers shared frustrations, particularly with online job scams. Jobseekers expressed dissatisfaction with the prevalence of scams, especially when searching for work-at-home positions. Despite relying on online job boards, only a quarter (23% of U.S. respondents and 24% of international respondents) use dedicated remote job boards, like Virtual Vocations, where job postings are thoroughly vetted to ensure they are free of scams. Additionally, many jobseekers expressed frustration with excessive job requirements and employers failing to provide feedback or “ghosting” applicants during the hiring process, with one-third of respondents from both groups reporting these issues.

Income Insecurity: A Global Concern

Income insecurity remains a pressing issue for both U.S. and international jobseekers, with many reporting their earnings as insufficient for comfortable living. Sixty-five percent of U.S. respondents and 77% of international respondents reported inadequate household incomes. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. jobseekers earn less than $60,000 annually, while 68% of international jobseekers earn under $30,000. To improve financial stability, many jobseekers have set income targets, with 30% of U.S. jobseekers aiming for $60,000–$89,999 and another 30% targeting at least $120,000. In contrast, international respondents generally require lower salaries, with 38% seeking $30,000–$59,999 and 32% aiming for $60,000–$89,999.

For a comprehensive analysis and additional insights, read the full demographics survey report here: https://www.virtualvocations.com/blog/annual-statistical-remote-work-reports/remote-work-demographics-survey-results-2024/

ABOUT VIRTUAL VOCATIONS
Founded in 2007 by CEO Laura Spawn and her brother, CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations is a small company with a big mission: to connect jobseekers with legitimate remote job openings. To date, Virtual Vocations has helped more than four million jobseekers in their quests for flexible, remote work.

In addition to providing a database of current, hand-screened, and 100% remote job openings, Virtual Vocations offers jobseekers a number of tools to aid in their job searches, including exclusive career courses, downloadable jobseeker content, and career coaching and resume writing services. Virtual Vocations also releases several data-driven reports each year on current trends in remote work.

Virtual Vocations, Inc. is a private, family-owned, and 100% virtual company incorporated in Tucson, Arizona.

Media Contact

Kimberly Back, Virtual Vocations, Inc., 1 (800) 379-5092 x. 703, kim@virtualvocations.com, https://www.virtualvocations.com

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SOURCE Virtual Vocations, Inc.

Technology

Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families Provides Notice of Data Security Incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2024

BOSTON, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families (“The Baker Center”), a nationally recognized provider of services for children’s mental health, has learned of a data security incident that may have impacted certain personal and / or protected health information. On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center formally notified potentially affected individuals with available address information and provided resources to assist them.

On July 28, 2024, The Baker Center discovered unusual activity within its local digital storage environment. After taking immediate steps to ensure the environment was secure, The Baker Center enlisted independent cybersecurity experts to conduct an investigation to determine what happened and whether sensitive information may have been impacted. According to the investigation, an unauthorized actor gained access to The Baker Center’s systems between July 26 – 28, 2024 and may have downloaded certain files. Following a thorough review of the impacted files, on October 28, 2024, The Baker Center determined that certain individuals’ personal and/or protected health information was potentially impacted during the incident.

The information affected during this incident varies between individuals but may have involved the following: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license or other government identification number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical treatment or diagnosis information, and/or clinical information.

On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center mailed notification letters to potentially impacted individuals with verifiable address information. The letters include information about this incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to monitor and help protect their personal and protected health information. The Baker Center has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 844-920-8988, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time.

The Baker Center takes the security and privacy of information in its possession very seriously and is taking steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. The Baker Center deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

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SOURCE The Baker Center for Children and Families

Technology

outboundIQ Achieves Certified Implementation Partner (CIP) Status with Five9

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Delivering Optimized, Outbound-Focused Contact Center Solutions for Modern Businesses

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — outboundIQ www.outboundiq.com proudly announces its accreditation as a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner (CIP), a distinction that reflects its deep expertise in optimizing and streamlining outbound-focused contact center operations. With a team of seasoned Five9 veterans, expert programmers, and industry thought leaders, outboundIQ is uniquely equipped to help businesses of all sizes unlock the full potential of Five9’s Virtual Contact Center platform.

Optimized Solutions for Complex Contact Center Needs
outboundIQ specializes in providing expedited, outbound-focused contact center implementations, integrating advanced features such as inbound and outbound Voice, SMS, Chat, Email, Salesforce Integration, and other third-party app integrations. Clients can also leverage ongoing optimization engagements and monthly retainers for strategic consulting designed to support long-term, outreach-focused success.

“Who better to handle your domain configuration than the experts that understand the outbound contact center world. To be an outbound expert, you must know 3 things; how to configure the domain front end, how the architecture interprets that design, and how carriers respond to your dialing behavior as a result of the build. outboundIQ has the advantage of deeply understanding all 3 things. Our experts are seasoned professionals that will guide toward the best build for your business. You tell us about your business, your needs and your processes, and we will build you a domain fit for purpose. outboundIQ offers best in class Domain Optimization, Implementation and Consulting for customers of all sizes and complexity. Due to our methodology and proprietary automations, we are able to bring our customers’ projects to life within accelerated timeframes.”

– Jessica Clay, VP Support and Services

“We launched our business in June and were fortunate to connect with the incredible team at outboundIQ early on. Navigating the world of outbound calling and building efficient prospecting systems isn’t easy, but the entire team at outboundIQ brought our vision to life seamlessly. They implemented our ideas quickly and executed them flawlessly. Since partnering with them, our contact rates have significantly improved, our conversions have increased, and our overall business is thriving. We’re deeply grateful for this collaboration and look forward to continuing our work together on future endeavors!”

– Tim, Lit Financial

“I genuinely don’t know enough ways to thank the entire outboundIQ team. I inherited a domain riddled with mistakes, tangled beyond belief, and I had essentially planned to scrap the whole thing and start over. That’s when this team, led by Jessica Clay’s brilliance, took over to understand exactly what I wanted to create and completely revitalized my domain. We are all beyond thankful as they continue to consult for us to this day and I see no reason to stop. Thank you, Jessica, Jason, Rudy, Bruno, Sandy and everyone who gets the pleasure of working with these domain geniuses!”

– Michael, Lifetime Home Remodeling

A Holistic Approach to Outbound Excellence
Creating a competitive, consumer-focused outreach program requires more than just advanced technology. As outboundIQ explains, a thriving contact center functions like a high-performing racing team:

The Car: Five9 Virtual Contact Center provides a cutting-edge technology foundation.The Driver: Strong Dialer Administrators who skillfully manage operations.The Pit Crew: IT/Support teams ensuring seamless functionality.The Spotters: Data Analytics and Reporting experts optimizing performance.The Fuel: High-quality data driving better outcomes.

outboundIQ’s professional services team brings these critical elements together, ensuring clients achieve best-in-class outbound operations that prioritize consumer experience while maintaining a competitive edge.

A Call to Collaboration
With its new CIP certification, outboundIQ invites businesses to explore select partnership opportunities and projects to reimagine their contact center operations. Whether through expedited implementations or ongoing strategic consulting, outboundIQ is committed to driving measurable results for its clients.

About outboundIQ
outboundIQ delivers optimized, outbound-focused contact center implementations, combining years of Five9 expertise with cutting-edge strategies to help businesses achieve exceptional outreach outcomes. As a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner, outboundIQ provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of modern organizations.

About Five9
Five9 is a digital enterprise’s leading cloud contact center and software provider. The Five9 Intelligent CX Platform is reliable, secure, compliant, and scalable, designed to create exceptional personalized customer experiences.
www.five9.com

Media contact:
Sandy Tafur
Phone: 404-660-5314
mail: sandy@outboundiq.com

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SOURCE outboundIQ