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Calgary’s First Esports Arena Opens at Bow Valley College

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CALGARY, AB, Sept. 25, 2024 /CNW/ – Bow Valley College unveiled its much anticipated 70-seat esports arena Wednesday as a new hub for competition, innovation, and game development.

The arena is the first in Calgary and features 40 competition ready gaming stations, two full motion-rigged racing simulators, a state-of-the-art broadcast suite, and a dedicated varsity esports training room.

“We’re proud of the facility we’ve created here, but even more proud of the contribution it will make to the future of Calgary’s esports and digital entertainment industry,” says Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College. “We exist to give students the skills they need to take their talents and dreams and apply them to careers that grow our province.”

The new 3500sq. ft (325sq. m) arena in Bow Valley College’s South Campus holds over $1 million in state-of-the-art technology, and can be used to host tournaments, test game play and as a workspace for the college’s accelerator programs.

“The facilities that come together here will allow students in our Esports Business Management Program to get hands on experience in all aspects of the business, including broadcasting,” says Eddie Sargent, Associate Dean of the Chiu School of Business.

Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus received $5.5 million in funding from Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund in 2023, money that was separate from the esports arena, but allows the training of 675 people and growth of 125 companies by 2028, supporting Canada’s $5.5 billion gaming industry.

Calgary’s game development community has been building mass for years,” says Mike Lohaus, Manager of Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus. “It’s inevitable that before long, some team of creators will hit it big. This space means students don’t have to leave the province to succeed in esports.”

The esports arena project was funded by the college and forms a key pillar of the Alberta Esports Strategy.

“The opening of this arena is a game-changing moment, igniting a wave of growth and investment in Calgary’s digital media and entertainment arts sector,” says Luke Azevedo, Vice-President – Creative Industries, Operations and Film Commissioner with Calgary Economic Development. 

OCIF’s investment will enable access to cutting-edge programs in 3D animation, game development, esports, virtual reality, podcasting and more. This strategic funding is set to drive innovation, expand career opportunities, and foster entrepreneurial ventures in the creative sector, while also serving as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification across the region.

“We’re driving disruptive growth by thinking beyond traditional industries. The opening of BVC’s esports arena is a prime example of how we’re fostering innovation and capturing investment in sectors that are reshaping the future of our economy,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development and CEO, OCIF.

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is the largest college in the Calgary area, with over 15,000 students. We focus on preparing our graduates for in-demand jobs across Canada. Our graduates contribute to the economy and community through careers in business, entertainment arts, technology, health care, social services, and more. We are proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top 80 employers and one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges. Our innovative applied research, focused on health and health technology, educational technology, and social innovation, is helping shape the future of college education. Learn more about the opportunities we create for students, employees, and our province at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Esports Arena Fact Sheet

The arena cost approximately $5 million to build and equip, including $1 million in computer, simulator and broadcast technology. Direct funding came from Bow Valley College’s capital improvement and reserve fund budgets.The esports arena is approximately 3500sq. ft (325sq. m)There are 40 individual gaming stations connected with 10,500 ft of cable – roughly 3.2kms.Holds up to 70 people for events with additional large screen spectator space in the adjacent Market areaIncludes a variety of accessibility devices to enable maximum inclusionState-of-the-art broadcast booth allows game play, commentary/analysis and live shots from the arena to be streamed or broadcast anywhere in the world in real timeSeparate, fully integrated Shoutcast boothCutting edge, highly intense immersive driving simulator offers a hyper-realistic experience that mimics real-world driving conditions with stunning precision.Dedicated training room for team play, coaching and coordinationThe arena will be used by Bow Valley College’s Accelerator program, supporting a minimum of 18 companies each year in building their products and services, and taking ideas to market. Currently there are 20 businesses enrolled in the Fall 2024 accelerator term.Accelerators can include game developers, content creators, coaching and league businesses

SOURCE Bow Valley College

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IGT Named FanDuel Sportsbooks’ Exclusive Retail Sports Betting Platform Provider in North America for Four Additional Years

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IGT PlaySports and FanDuel Group team up for retail sports betting through 2028

LONDON, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — International Game Technology PLC (“IGT”) (NYSE: IGT) announced today that it recently renewed a multi-year retail sports betting agreement with FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company and an operating unit within Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT). Under the terms of the agreement, IGT PlaySports™ will continue as the exclusive retail sports betting platform provider for FanDuel’s retail sportsbooks across North America for four additional years, starting September 1, 2024. IGT PlaySports and FanDuel have worked together since 2019, when FanDuel opened its first sportsbook in the U.S. at The New Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in New Jersey.

“For more than five years, IGT PlaySports’ team and technology have helped FanDuel’s retail sportsbook operation deliver a best-in-class customer experience while helping us maintain our position as America’s #1 Sportsbook,” said Christian Genetski, FanDuel President. “Given IGT’s experience as a global land-based casino supplier, we believe it offers the experience and capabilities we needed supporting our retail locations.”

“IGT PlaySports looks forward to supporting FanDuel as its exclusive retail sports betting platform provider in North America for four additional years,” said Joe Bertolone, IGT Senior Vice President, Sports Betting. “IGT PlaySports is committed to helping our customers realize the full potential of the retail sports betting market and differentiate their products through exceptional player experience and reliable technology.”

IGT PlaySports has been FanDuel Group’s exclusive retail platform provider in the U.S. since 2020. In addition to leveraging the IGT PlaySports platform, FanDuel Sportsbooks offer players a range of self-service betting technologies including the IGT PlaySports Kiosk and IGT PlaySports Pad. IGT PlaySports technology is currently powering 27 FanDuel Sportsbooks across 20 gaming jurisdictions.

For more information, visit IGT.com, or follow IGT PlayDigital on LinkedIn.

About IGT
IGT (NYSE:IGT) is a global leader in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Lotteries and Gaming Machines to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 jurisdictions around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately 11,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning International Game Technology PLC and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions, and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, products and services, customer relationships, results of operations, or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of the Company as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. Forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “shall,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project” or the negative or other variations of them. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those predicted in the forward-looking statements and from past results, performance, or achievements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) the factors and risks described in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 and other documents led from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.IGT.com. Except as required under applicable law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these factors and other risks and uncertainties that affect the Company’s business. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to International Game Technology PLC, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Contact:
Phil O’Shaughnessy, Global Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada +1 (401) 392-7452
Francesco Luti, Italian media inquiries, +39 06 5189 9184
James Hurley, Investor Relations, +1 (401) 392-7190

© 2024 IGT

IGT and IGT PLAYSPORTS are trademarks of IGT, its parent, subsidiaries, or affiliates.

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SOURCE International Game Technology PLC

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Jacobs Declares Quarterly Dividend

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DALLAS, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of Jacobs (NYSE:J) has declared a quarterly cash dividend payable to shareholders in the amount of $0.29 per share of Jacobs common stock. This dividend will be paid on Nov. 22, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Oct. 25, 2024.

About Jacobs

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With approximately $16 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of more than 60,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, InstagramLinkedIn and X.

For additional information contact:

Investors:
Ayan Banerjee
JacobsIR@jacobs.com

Media:
Louise White, 469.724.0810
media@jacobs.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-declares-quarterly-dividend-302260532.html

SOURCE Jacobs

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Hawkes Outdoors, An Authority In Outdoor Adventure, Appoints Kristen Ramirez As President

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Company Poised for Significant Growth in Overlanding, Off-Road, and Outdoor Industry

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Hawkes Outdoors (www.hawkesoutdoors.com), a leading authority in the overlanding, off-road, and outdoor adventure market, today announced the appointment of Kristen Ramirez as President. Ramirez will lead the company into its next phase of expansion and innovation, further cementing Hawkes Outdoors’ leadership in the industry.

Your Adventure. Your Terms.

Since joining the company in 2022, Kristen Ramirez has brought her expertise in customer service, sales, and retail operations to the forefront. As the company looks to continue its growth, her leadership is expected to propel Hawkes Outdoors into new markets and strengthen its position as a top-tier provider in the sector.

“Kristen brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach that aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Brian Booker, Owner of Hawkes Outdoors. “We are excited about the future and confident that Kristen will drive our company to new heights, continuing to deliver exceptional value to our customers and partners.”

In her new role, Kristen Ramirez will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, with a focus on expanding product offerings and enhancing customer experience. Under her leadership, Hawkes Outdoors is poised to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the overlanding, off-road, and outdoor adventure markets.

“I am honored to take on this role and look forward to leading Hawkes Outdoors into an exciting new chapter,” said Kristen Ramirez. “Together with our talented team, we will explore new opportunities for growth, enhance our offerings, and maintain our commitment to excellence.”

About Hawkes Outdoors Based in San Antonio, Texas, Hawkes Outdoors is a leading authority in the overlanding, offroad, and outdoor adventure industry, recognized for its extensive product range and outstanding customer service. The company remains dedicated to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences as it continues to shape the future of outdoor adventure.

www.HawkesOutdoors.com

Media Contact

Kristen Ramirez, Hawkes Outdoors, 1 2106249195, info@hawkesoutdoors.com, https://hawkesoutdoors.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/hawkes-outdoors-an-authority-in-outdoor-adventure-appoints-kristen-ramirez-as-president-302258291.html

SOURCE Hawkes Outdoors

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