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Exciting New Findings Highlight Summer Camps’ Role in the US Economy

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University of Michigan and the American Camp Association Identify the Positive Economic Impact of Summer Camps Nationwide

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Through innovative research conducted by the University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute (EGI) in collaboration with the American Camp Association (ACA), a new report identifies the camp industry composition and economic contribution across the United States at both national and state levels.

The U.S. youth camp industry contributes $70 billion to the national economy, accounting for the total value of the camp industry’s production and its ripple effects, which include business-to-business purchases and labor income, according to a study from the University of Michigan and ACA.

This figure represents the industry’s overall economic impact across the nation while also supporting more than 986,428 workers. The industry plays a key role in fostering youth development and workforce skills throughout the country.

“This project is the first national economic impact study for the industry conducted since 1982 and builds on state-level and regional economic impact analyses conducted over the last 15 years,” said Sarah Crane, director of research at U-M’s Economic Growth Institute, who conducted the study with EGI Research Project Manager Eli McClain.

The study, a collaborative effort between EGI and ACA, identified the youth camp industry’s total annual economic impact, with $23 billion in labor income attributed to a combination of direct, indirect, and induced impacts.

Direct impacts: These are the immediate economic contributions from the industry’s core operation. They include camp staff wages and the money spent to operate the camps.Indirect impacts: These effects come from camps buying goods and services from other businesses, which creates a spending chain that boosts economic activity across sectors.Induced impacts: This is the economic activity that occurs when employees from the camps and the businesses supplying them spend their wages, which further stimulates economic growth.

Crane and McClain to date have compiled an extensive dataset on day and overnight camp operations, encompassing more than 20,000 records and survey data from 1,137 camp operations. The comprehensive study enabled researchers to assess economic impacts both nationally and on a state-by-state basis. In Michigan, for example, the camp industry generates a total economic impact of $836 million, comprising $446 million in camp revenue and an additional $390 million through business-to-business and employee-related purchases.

ACA President and CEO Tom Rosenberg says the study “provides the camp industry a critical launching point for demonstrating its national presence as an important context for youth development, workforce development, and state and local economic impact.

“We have strong research supporting the developmental and social benefits of summer camp experiences for young people,” Rosenberg said. “This new view of camps across the U.S. suggests there are more camps — which means more opportunities for young people to attend camp — than we knew before. This study also elevates the unique nature of the camp workforce and the ways working at camp can provide critical workforce development skills for emerging adults. We are excited to use these findings to ensure every child, youth, and young adult has access to an impactful camp experience.”

Study: https://bit.ly/4bGGC3R

About American Camp Association:

The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 20,000 year-round and summer camps in the US that annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit ACAcamps.org.

About U-M’s Economic Growth Institute:
The Economic Growth Institute (EGI) at the University of Michigan leverages resources and expertise to foster innovation, development, and positive economic impact for communities and businesses.

For nearly four decades, EGI has led programming and collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to support communities and industries. EGI provides resources and expertise to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers through innovative programming and further supports communities through engagements that address regional economic impacts.

EGI’s research team has led numerous studies providing guidance to policymakers, industry leaders, and community champions. These studies have informed stakeholders as they navigate the changing landscape of innovation, workforce and economic development, and equitable growth.

Dedicated to equitable economic growth, the Economic Growth Institute operates under the Office of Government Relations at the University of Michigan, reflecting the institution’s commitment to impactful public service.

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SOURCE American Camp Association

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2025 Chinese economy: robust capacity in coping with pressure and risks

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BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference:

 

From China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week, one can see clear targets and detect the continuity in the rationale behind the country’s economic roadmap for 2025. The tasks listed at the conference are in line with China’s development needs in the current phase, and can to a degree respond to the external risks.

Firstly, the meeting urged efforts to vigorously boost consumption, a top-of-agenda task. Expanding domestic demand is not only a long-term priority for China, but also a coping strategy for the tougher challenges faced in exports. China’s efforts to stimulate consumption mainly fall into two categories. For one, enabling its citizens to have more to spend, by means of increasing income and alleviating burdens of low- and middle-income groups, and enabling more to enter the middle-income bracket; meanwhile, China will continue to diversify consumption scenarios, such as the debut economy, ice and snow economy and silver economy, for consumers to spend their disposable income.

Secondly, China is determined to let scientific and technological innovation drive the building of a modern industrial system, serving as a compass for China’s industrial economy development. In 2025, China is going to invest more in technological innovation, and strengthen studies in basic sciences and key core technologies, to drive industrial innovation, and furthermore achieve high standards in sci-tech self-reliance and strength.

Thirdly, China will maintain its high-level opening-up, and keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable. The size, quality and good reputation of China’s business with the world have been ever-growing, and that’s because the goal of China is to “make the cake bigger,” not “steal others’ shares of cake,” let alone “seize the whole cake.” To that end, China has improved the quality of its exports, explored new investment models, and made more countries stakeholders along the global value chain; meanwhile, it has also been ameliorating its market-access policies, and bettering the treatment of foreign-invested companies, so that more countries can benefit from the Chinese market. By November, China has removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, and service sectors including telecommunication and medical care are also opening their doors wider at a stable pace.

China shows great willingness to open up to the world, and boasts a good many partners; at the same time, the country’s economy has a solid foundation with many advantages, strong resilience and great potential, which means it possesses robust capacity in coping with pressure and risks.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2025-chinese-economy-robust-capacity-in-coping-with-pressure-and-risks-302338092.html

SOURCE China.org.cn

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India-born Avaada Group Commits $12bn to Transform Rajasthan into a Global Renewable Energy Hub

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MUMBAI, India, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Avaada Group, a leading name in the renewable energy sector, has announced an unprecedented investment of $12bn in Rajasthan, India, for accelerating green energy transition, thereby establishing the region as a global renewable energy powerhouse. This landmark announcement was made during the prestigious Rising Rajasthan 2024 Summit, attended by India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Highlighting Rajasthan’s strategic importance, Avaada Group’s Chairman Vineet Mittal, Guest of Honour at the event, stated, “Rajasthan’s vast solar and wind resources, coupled with the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Chief Minister, present an unparalleled opportunity to redefine the global renewable energy landscape. Avaada’s commitment of $12bn while driving green industrial manufacturing will also create millions of jobs, shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.”

Rajasthan stands out as a global hub for renewable energy, with over 142 GW of unmatched solar potential, supported by 325+ sunny days annually. The state’s pro-business policies, including the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2024 and the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, have attracted investments worth $78bn.

Avaada Group’s journey in Rajasthan began with a modest 150 MW solar project and has since evolved into multiple ventures, including one of the world’s largest single location renewable energy projects by an IPP. Key investments announced at the summit include:

1,200 MW Pumped Storage Project (PSP): A $700mn initiative to enhance energy storage and grid stability.Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Projects: Investments aimed at driving global decarbonization goals.Utility-Scale Solar and Wind Projects: Across Jhalawar, Kota, Barmer, and Bikaner, contributing significantly to India’s renewable energy targets.

With its strategic alignment to international sustainability frameworks like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Rajasthan offers a unique advantage for zero-carbon manufacturing and green industrial growth, positioning itself as a magnet for industries seeking sustainable operations while creating over 1mn green jobs.

“As a global renewable energy leader, Avaada is proud to participate in Rajasthan’s vision of becoming a green hub of industrial growth,” Mr. Mittal remarked. “Our investments aim to double the region’s economy by 2030, aligned with global efforts to combat climate change.”

With its strategic initiatives, Avaada Group is poised to attract international collaborations, setting a benchmark for renewable energy innovation and sustainable industrial development.

About Avaada Group

Avaada Group is a leader in the global energy transition, specializing in solar module manufacturing, renewable power generation, and the development of green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel projects. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Vineet Mittal, Avaada has become a significant global player in clean energy. Avaada Energy, the group’s renewable power generation arm, aims to achieve a capacity of 11 GWp by 2026. The group’s strong execution capabilities have attracted substantial international investment, including a $1.3bn commitment in early 2023, with $1bn from Brookfield’s Energy Transition Fund and $300mn from GPSC, a subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Group.

Contact

Kiren Srivastav
kiren.srivastav@avaada.com

Charu Sehgal
charu.sehgal@avaada.com 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/india-born-avaada-group-commits-12bn-to-transform-rajasthan-into-a-global-renewable-energy-hub-302337340.html

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The Shining Achievements of Busan MICE in 2024

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BUSAN, South Korea, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Amid intensifying competition among MICE host cities to attract large events, 2024 saw Busan take bold steps that led to impressive results, proving its potential as a prime MICE destination. The efforts made by Busan in 2024 in attracting major international conferences, promoting ESG management, enhancing networking, and strengthening city identity are outlined below.

International Conferences Held in the Global MICE City of Busan

Busan hosted several significant international conferences in 2024. In July, it welcomed the 45th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR 2024), drawing around 2,700 space scientists from 60 countries to Korea. This was the first time the event was held in the country. In August, after eight years of preparation, the city hosted the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC 2024), a prestigious event with a 146-year history, at BEXCO. In November, Busan hosted the 5th Session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5). With participation from 193 institutions and countries, INC-5 was the final dialogue in a series of international discussions on controlling plastic pollution, making it a crucial conference on the future health of Earth’s marine environment and placing Busan at the forefront of global attention.

Wide-ranging ESG Activities for the Sustainability of MICE

Busan’s selection to host INC-5 was made possible by its strong track record of ESG initiatives within the MICE industry. The Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) CVB’s exhibition hall was decorated using recyclable wood, and with the assistance of eco-friendly suppliers, recycling stations were set up to facilitate the collection of waste generated during the event. Aiming for a paperless conference, digital materials and multifunctional electronic platforms were also used. Continuous efforts in various ESG initiatives were made through collaborations with Busan MICE Alliance (BMA) members. Environmental reports were made, containing carbon reduction amounts for all products used at event venues and greenhouse gas reduction indicators for transportation during each event, to create more eco-friendly events.

Improvement of Busan’s MICE Network Through Communication

The Busan MICE Alliance and the Busan MICE industry, in general, grew in solidarity through strong networking this year. The BTO CVB worked to fundamentally enhance Busan’s MICE industry by increasing local demand for MICE events and maintaining an efficient collaboration network. Regular meetings of the BMA focused on the concerns of its members to improve communication. Additionally, Busan MICE Alliance Day was held to strengthen ties among members of Busan’s MICE industry, fostering discussions on industry developments both locally and internationally, and exploring joint marketing opportunities. New members were recruited into the BMA in both the first and second halves of the year, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors for the success of Busan’s MICE industry. The Busan MICE Business Innovation Platform, which provides users with access to news and information about Busan’s MICE industry, was launched and well-received.

Unique Venues That Capture Busan’s Local Identity

Participants in MICE events now expect more than just the exchange of knowledge. They seek a special experience, and MICE destinations should leverage their local identity to provide experiences that can only be found in their cities or regions. Recognizing this industry trend, Busan has identified a variety of unique venues that highlight the history, culture, and distinctiveness of the city. Venues such as Domoheon, the former residence of Busan’s mayor; Space OneZ, a renovated old warehouse; and Holi Lounge, offering a surfing workation, exemplify this approach. The MICE events held at these unique venues are also organized in a way that showcases the best of Busan’s local identity.

As another busy year draws to a close, Busan, as a MICE city, is looking forward to making even greater strides next year. The 18th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM) in 2028, along with many other international MICE events, are set to take place in Busan, and the BTO CVB is actively working toward this goal.

With aspirations of reaching the pinnacle of the MICE industry, Busan will continue its efforts to be a sustainable, cooperative, and unique MICE city that is globally recognized.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-shining-achievements-of-busan-mice-in-2024-302338095.html

SOURCE Busan Tourism Organization

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