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  • New Book, ‘Create More,’ Explores Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Mindset Needed to Drive Innovation and Change

    Len Jessup, PhD’s “Create More”, offers a thoughtful exploration of entrepreneurial leadership and the mindset required to drive innovation and transformation.

    Entrepreneurial leaders are creative, visionary risk-takers who turn ideas into action and persist in the face of adversity.”
    — Len Jessup, PhD

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Entrepreneurial leader, educator, and investor Len Jessup, PhD, shares hard-earned insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience in his new book, “Create More: Lessons Learned from a Life at the Edge of Entrepreneurship, in Five Acts.” In “Create More,” Jessup distills decades of experience across higher education, entrepreneurship, and venture investing into a practical and reflective guide for leaders seeking to navigate uncertainty, drive transformation, and build lasting impact.

    “Entrepreneurial leaders are creative, visionary risk-takers who turn ideas into action and persist in the face of adversity,” Jessup writes. “This kind of leadership isn’t limited to founders—it belongs anywhere change is needed.”

    Drawing on his journey as a university president, academic, and venture capital leader, Jessup explores what he defines as entrepreneurial leadership: the combination of creativity, vision, charisma, drive, and resilience. Through real-world examples ranging from Steve Jobs to intrapreneurs working inside established organizations, “Create More” demonstrates how leaders can apply entrepreneurial thinking to solve complex problems, inspire teams, and lead meaningful change.

    Structured in five acts, the book traces how entrepreneurial leadership is developed—from early creative experiences to professional reinvention—and how it can be applied not only to startups, but also to corporations, universities, and public institutions. Jessup emphasizes that entrepreneurial leadership is not an innate trait reserved for a few, but a mindset that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.

    “Sometimes, you must create opportunities for yourself,” Jessup writes. “And sometimes, you must help others see what’s possible before they believe it themselves.”

    Blending research, personal narrative, and practical leadership lessons, “Create More” offers readers a framework for navigating change with clarity and purpose. It challenges leaders to rethink how they approach risk, innovation, and people—and to recognize their responsibility to create environments where others can grow and succeed.

    “Leadership isn’t just about results,” Jessup notes. “It’s about expanding what people believe they’re capable of—and then helping them achieve it.”

    About Len Jessup, PhD
    Len Jessup, PhD, is an award-winning educator, author, and visionary leader with a distinguished career in higher education, innovation, and organizational change. He has served as president of Claremont Graduate University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and held senior leadership roles at the University of Arizona, Washington State University, and Indiana University, with a long track record in entrepreneurship, academic strategy, and institutional transformation. Jessup is the author of “Self Less: Lessons Learned from a Life Devoted to Servant Leadership, in Five Acts,” a book that reflects his philosophy on selfless leadership, and “Create More: Lessons Learned from a Life at the Edge of Entrepreneurship, in Five Acts,” which offers insights on entrepreneurial leadership for today’s leaders. He holds a PhD in Management and Organizational Behavior from the University of Arizona, an MBA, and a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Studies from California State University, Chico.

    About Entrepreneur® Books
    Entrepreneur Books is an imprint of Advantage Media, launched in collaboration with Entrepreneur Media. Entrepreneur Books empowers business leaders, innovators, and visionaries to share their expertise and amplify their voices through expertly crafted business books. Entrepreneur Books authors can effectively build authority within their industries and reach global audiences through trusted platforms like Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and beyond.

    Shandi Thompson
    Advantage Media
    +1 843-414-5600
    email us here

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  • 2026 America’s Most Trusted® Rankings for Chainsaws, Hedge Trimmers, and Leaf Blowers Led by STIHL

    Stihl earned five-star trust ratings and the highest Net Trust Quotient Scores across all three product categories.

    NEWPORT BEACH, CA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Lifestory Research today announced the results of three national America’s Most Trusted® consumer studies examining brand trust across the outdoor power equipment market. In each study, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers — Stihl was ranked the most trusted brand among shoppers actively considering these products for their homes.

    Stihl’s leadership across multiple outdoor equipment segments highlights a consistent pattern of consumer perception around reliability, performance, and safety, qualities that are central to trust in equipment used for yard care, tree maintenance, and landscape upkeep. All three studies report results use the America’s Most Trusted® Net Trust Quotient Score and Star Rating framework, which provides a standardized, shopper-validated measure of brand trust across categories.


    America’s Most Trusted® Chainsaw Brand

    The Lifestory Research 2026 America’s Most Trusted® Chainsaw Study identified STIHL as the most trusted chainsaw brand among consumers evaluating chainsaw options over the past year. Stihl achieved a Net Trust Quotient Score of 119.2 and a five-star trust rating, the highest performance among the most widely recognized chainsaw brands included in the study.

    The 2026 results are based on 4,192 consumer opinions from individuals across the United States who reported actively shopping for a chainsaw within the past 12 months. The study included seven leading brands: STIHL, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Echo, Remington, Troy-Bilt, and Poulan Pro.
    This is the third year of the study, and the third year STIHL has been ranked America’s Most Trusted® Chainsaw Brand, reinforcing its long-term position of strength in consumer trust in the chainsaw market.

    For more information, visit the study page: https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2026-americas-most-trusted-chainsaw-brands.


    America’s Most Trusted® Hedge Trimmer Brand

    The Lifestory Research 2026 America’s Most Trusted® Hedge Trimmer Study also ranked STIHL as the most trusted brand among consumers shopping for hedge trimmers. Stihl earned a Net Trust Quotient Score of 112.7 and a five-star trust rating, finishing first among nine of the most recognized hedge trimmer brands.

    The 2026 rankings are based on 4,960 consumer opinions gathered from verified shoppers who reported evaluating hedge trimmers within the past year. Brands included in the study were Stihl, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Craftsman, Black+Decker, Toro, Ryobi, Skil, and Kobalt.

    Stihl’s top ranking in the hedge trimmer category reflects strong perceptions of cutting performance, durability, and handling, attributes that play a key role in trust formation for precision landscaping tools.

    For more information, visit the study page: https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2026-americas-most-trusted-hedge-trimmer-brands.


    America’s Most Trusted® Leaf Blower Brand

    In the 2026 America’s Most Trusted® Leaf Blower Study, STIHL was again identified as the most trusted brand among consumers evaluating leaf blowers for their homes. Stihl received a Net Trust Quotient Score of 115.6 and a five-star trust rating, leading the seven major brands included in the study.

    The 2026 findings are based on 4,106 consumer opinions from individuals nationwide who reported shopping for a leaf blower within the past 12 months. The study evaluated STIHL, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Ryobi, Troy-Bilt, Toro, and Black+Decker.

    This is the third consecutive year Stihl has been ranked America’s Most Trusted® Leaf Blower Brand, underscoring the brand’s sustained trust performance across multiple outdoor power product segments.

    For more information, visit the study page: https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2026-americas-most-trusted-leaf-blower-brands.

    About the America’s Most Trusted® Study
    The Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® study is the longest-running independent research program that examines consumers’ opinions on brand trust. Lifestory Research conducts the annual survey in which people anonymously assess brands encountered while searching for specific products. This research uses the highest-quality social and opinion science practices to provide consumer-driven data insights. America’s Most Trusted® is a registered trademark of Lifestory Corporation. For more information, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/americas-most-trusted.

    About Lifestory Research®
    Leaders, companies, and brands know that great ideas are only helpful if they move people toward action. Lifestory Research is an independent, science-driven consumer insights and strategy consulting firm that ignites relationships between companies and their audiences. We are passionate about customers, employees, brands, and the science of influence. For more information, please visit www.lifestoryresearch.com.

    About America’s Most Trusted® Advertising/Promotional Rules:
    www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release-info-rules

    Any information extracted from this release for use by the media must be accompanied by a statement identifying Lifestory Research as the source. No advertising or promotional use of the information in this release is permitted without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research.

    Eric Snider
    Lifestory Research
    +1 949-234-6940
    email us here

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  • Public Invited to Nominate Teachers for Award from Idaho Humanities Council

    Submit nomination online by February 28th.

    We love to celebrate Idaho’s incredible teachers! We rely on nominations from the public to help us recognize teachers in every corner of the state and every year it is a joy to see so much support!”
    — Johanna Bringhurst

    BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Idaho Humanities Council (IHC) needs your help celebrating the amazing teachers in your community! The IHC invites members of the public to nominate teachers across Idaho, who are doing exceptional work in Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms, for the newly-named Hester Spackman Outstanding Educator Award. This award, named for the teacher whose family built the home of the IHC, recognizes humanities teachers around Idaho who are making outstanding contributions to teaching history, literature, law, foreign language, government and philosophy. In 2025, the IHC recognized teachers from Boise, Moscow, and Rexburg for this award.

    Submit your nomination, see past winners, and learn more details about the award at https://idahohumanities.org/about/educatoraward/.

    Johanna Bringhurst
    Idaho Humanities Council
    + +1 208-345-5346
    email us here

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  • CAL FIRE Selects Intterra’s ‘AwareCA’ to Deliver Real-Time, Authoritative Public Safety Information to All Californians

    By partnering with Intterra on AwareCA, we are ensuring that the public receives accurate, real-time updates directly from CAL FIRE and our allied responders.”
    — Chief Joe Tyler, Director & Fire Chief of CAL FIRE

    SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Intterra today announced that CAL FIRE has selected AwareCA as California’s new statewide public safety information platform to deliver fast, trusted, first-responder–verified updates to every person living in or visiting the state. The application is developed by Intterra as part of its Community App solution and will be available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in early spring 2026.

    With this decision, CAL FIRE takes a major step toward modernizing how critical information reaches the public — ensuring Californians hear directly from the agencies responsible for protecting them.

    CAL FIRE Puts the Public First

    Chief Joe Tyler underscored CAL FIRE’s commitment to transparency and trust in announcing the selection of AwareCA.

    “Californians deserve timely, trusted information straight from the agencies that protect them,” said Chief Joe Tyler, Director & Fire Chief of CAL FIRE. “By partnering with Intterra on AwareCA, we are ensuring that the public receives accurate, real-time updates directly from CAL FIRE and our allied responders. This platform reflects our commitment to putting life-saving information into the hands of every resident and visitor in California and will complement our already robust website.”

    AwareCA is built on the principle that the public should never have to pay for public safety information. Californians already fund emergency response, so the information that protects their lives and properties should be accessible, fast, and authoritative.

    One Trusted Source for Critical Information

    AwareCA will deliver:

    • Near Real-time incident updates verified by first responders
    • Wildfire activity and hazard information from authoritative data sources
    • Official push notifications for nearby threats
    • Statewide consistency so users no longer juggle multiple apps or social feeds

    The platform establishes a modern, unified way for California’s fire agencies, law enforcement partners, and emergency managers to speak with one trusted voice during rapidly evolving incidents.

    A Growing Movement Across California

    CAL FIRE joins a fast-expanding group of California-based first response agencies adopting AwareCA as their primary communication channel for delivering near real-time public safety information. This statewide shift reflects a collective belief that authoritative information must first come from the badge.
    Robert Wolf, CEO of Intterra, emphasized why AwareCA resonates so strongly with public safety leaders.

    “Public safety agencies must own their voice. When seconds matter, the public can’t afford guesswork,” said Robert Wolf, Chief Executive Officer at Intterra. “AwareCA gives Californians fast, authoritative information from the badge itself, not from third-party aggregators or private apps. We believe CAL FIRE’s leadership in adopting this platform sets a new statewide standard for transparency, trust, and protection.”

    Designed for Every Californian and Visitor

    From residents in high-risk wildland areas and families traveling along the coast, to hikers in the Sierra and commuters in urban centers, AwareCA ensures everyone receives the same trusted, up-to-date information that first responders rely on.

    This is not another tech experiment or private notification service. It is California’s official channel, powered by the agencies the public already depends on and built specifically to strengthen the trust between first responders and the communities.
    Availability

    AwareCA will be available for download via the iOS App Store and Google Play Store in early spring 2026.

    Robert Wolf
    Intterra
    media@intterra.io
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn

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  • The Impact House Redefines Super Bowl LX Week With “Impact After Dark,” Where Luxury, Culture, and Nightlife Collide

    The Impact House will offer an elevated evening of immersive brand activations, world-class DJs & a special performance from Grammy Award-nominated artist, Wale

    LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Impact House is redefining what it means to celebrate culture during football’s biggest weekend. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Impact After Dark will transform Pier 27 (27 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111) into an elevated evening of immersive brand activations, premium hospitality, world-class DJs, and curated social environments designed for tastemakers, creators, and industry leaders. The night will feature a special guest appearance and performance by Grammy Award-nominated artist Wale, bringing elite energy and cultural credibility to the Bay Area’s most refined Super Bowl weekend celebration. Tickets are on sale now.

    Purchase tickets HERE.

    San Francisco has long been a hub of innovation, creativity, and cultural richness and is a city that moves to its own rhythm setting its own standards. The Impact House is coming to town to honor that legacy and add an extra layer of intention, sophistication, and soul to the pre-game experience. Impact After Dark is not a typical party but a high-vibe, high-touch social experience where guests unwind, celebrate, and spark meaningful connections in an environment built for the cream of the crop. From immersive brand moments and elevated hospitality to a curated guest list of talent, executives, creatives, and leaders, this is San Francisco’s most culturally charged and intentionally designed celebration of Super Bowl weekend full of camaraderie and elite energy for a moment that matters.

    Impact After Dark is the vision of The Impact House founders; Bay Area natives who created the platform to be more than just an event, but a movement that celebrates culture, amplifies voices, and creates enduring moments across music, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and community. The founders, celebrity Chef Reign Coleman, Marqus Coleman, and Anu Batra, bring a deeply cultural lens and shared commitment to intentional, high-impact experiences. Reign Coleman’s career has taken her into some of the most high-profile culinary spaces in the world, crafting unforgettable experiences for President Barack Obama, Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, and countless A-list talent. Marqus Coleman is a seasoned executive operator and people-first leader with decades of experience leading teams, building systems, and delivering excellence at scale. Anu Batra is the creative force behind some of California’s most intimate and impeccably produced experiences, known for translating personal stories and brand identities into immersive, emotionally resonant environments.

    “Impact House represents a new standard for nightlife experiences during major cultural moments. It’s elevated, exclusive, and designed to bring together the people shaping culture in a way that feels organic, immersive, and unforgettable.”
    — Reign Coleman, Marqus Coleman, Anu Batra

    Together, they represent a rare unity of vision, execution, and cultural authenticity. Impact After Dark is their statement to the Bay and the world: a one-night-only evening that honors the city’s roots, elevates its future, and sets a new standard for what culture looks like during Super Bowl weekend. This is not just a celebration. This is a legacy moment. Learn more about The Impact House HERE.

    For more information please contact: The Forefront Group
    Austin Thach | austin@theforefrontgroup.co
    Kelley Tarver | kelley@theforefrontgroup.co
    Andres Sanchez | andres@theforefrontgroup.co
    Derrius Edwards derrius@theforefrontgroup.co

    Austin Thach
    The Forefront Group
    email us here

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  • Hawaii Digital Marketing Agency: AI Search Queries 900% Longer, Businesses Must Adapt Strategy in 2026

    Hawaii Digital Agency Plate Lunch Collective reports users now input detailed queries to AI platforms, and businesses must optimize for “super intent.”

    Users provide 900% more context to AI search than traditional search. Visibility now depends on answering the detailed, multi-constraint questions people actually ask.”
    — Hayden Bond, founder of Plate Lunch Collective

    HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — In 2025, the data showed a fundamental shift in how people seek information online. According to Similarweb’s 2025 analysis of user search behavior, informational query length on AI platforms averaged 31.2 words, a 900% increase compared to the 3.4-word average on traditional search engines. Plate Lunch Collective, an AI-native digital marketing agency in Hawaii, reports this pattern defines 2026 as the year businesses must restructure content: not for keyword matching, but for how AI systems across all platforms actually retrieve and synthesize answers.

    “The numbers from 2025 were a revealing lead indicator,” said Hayden Bond, Founder and Chief Strategist at Plate Lunch Collective. “Whether someone uses ChatGPT, Google’s AI Mode, or Gemini, they’re providing dramatically more context than they ever typed into traditional search: constraints, preferences, specific situations. That’s a 900% increase in the information they’re sharing about what they actually want.”

    The shift changes how content gets discovered in AI-assisted search. When AI systems like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and AI Overviews receive a detailed query, they search multiple sources for content addressing the user’s specific context. Keyword-based optimization focused on short phrases that recalled ranked documents or web pages. Plate Lunch Collective works with and advises businesses on how to structure content so AI systems can extract and cite relevant answers when users describe their actual situations.

    “We’re seeing this pattern across our entire client base: from airline staffing agencies in the Pacific Rim to luxury resorts in the Caribbean, from transportation providers in Costa Rica to hospitality operations in Canada,” Bond explained. “A Costa Rican resort doesn’t just optimize for ‘luxury accommodation’ anymore. Potential guests describe complete scenarios to AI: ‘What Costa Rican resorts have ocean-view suites under $400, offer both zip-lining and surfing, accommodate families with teenagers, and include transportation from Liberia airport?’ AI platforms, including Google’s own AI features, search for content that addresses those specific constraints together, then synthesize an answer citing the most relevant sources.”

    This pattern, what Bond calls “super intent,” requires businesses to address the specific combinations of needs users actually describe, not just individual keywords. A business optimized for generic terms won’t surface when AI platforms search for content covering multiple specific constraints simultaneously. Industry data shows that AI-referred traffic, while smaller in volume, converts at significantly higher rates, with visitors spending 68% more time on websites than those from traditional organic search.

    The implication for digital visibility extends across all AI-assisted search interfaces: ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and AI Mode, Perplexity, voice assistants, and browser agents. Plate Lunch Collective’s approach focuses on structuring content around the scenarios and constraint combinations users actually describe in detailed queries. Plate Lunch Collective works with businesses to optimize their entire digital presence for AI retrieval, from semantic structure and schema implementation to intent-driven content strategies that address the specific scenarios users actually describe.

    “2025 showed us the pattern in the data,” Bond said. “Users provide 900% more context to AI-assisted search than they ever gave traditional search. AI systems, including Google’s own, retrieve content based on how well it addresses that full context. In 2026 visibility will depend on how well businesses structure their entire digital presence to answer detailed questions people are asking across all these platforms.”

    Key Questions About the Shift to AI-Assisted Search

    What is “super intent”?
    “Super intent” refers to the detailed, multi-faceted queries users submit to AI assistants, which combine multiple constraints like location, budget, and specific features. This contrasts with traditional, short keyword searches.

    How does optimizing for AI search differ from keyword-focused approaches?
    AI systems match content to the full context of a user’s query. Content optimized for generic terms like “luxury resort” won’t surface when users specify constraints on price, amenities, and location. Effective optimization requires addressing the specific needs, wants and expectations users describe.

    How does this shift impact businesses in 2026?
    Businesses must restructure their content to directly answer the specific, combined needs that users describe in long-form queries. Visibility in 2026 depends on providing context-rich answers, not just matching keywords.

    About Plate Lunch Collective
    Plate Lunch Collective is a Hawaii-based AI-native digital marketing consultancy specializing in retrieval layer optimization, optimizing the technical and semantic infrastructure determining how AI systems discover and cite businesses.

    Hayden Bond
    Plate Lunch Collective
    +1 8086571074
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
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  • Arts Garage Announces 2026 “Off the Wall: From Canvas to Conversation” Artist Talk Series Lineup

    Free series highlights Photography and Storytelling, Shining Through Community, and Exploring Ekphrastic Connections

    DELRAY BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Arts Garage, a Visual & Performing Arts Center in Downtown Delray Beach, announces its 2026 lineup for “Off the Wall: From Canvas to Conversation,” a seasonal artist talk series designed to bring audiences face-to-face with visual storytellers and cultural voices shaping today’s creative landscape. Hosted in Arts Garage’s Black Box Gallery, the free series features three speakers and invites the public to engage directly with the artists through intimate conversations that extend beyond the gallery walls.

    Anchored by exhibitions in the Marshall Family Foundation Gallery and Black Box Gallery and enriched by guest artists, curators, and thought leaders, the series transforms the gallery into a dynamic forum for dialogue. Each event centers on storytelling as a bridge between art, identity, and lived experience, reinforcing Arts Garage’s commitment to cultural exchange, creative expression, and community connection.

    “Off the Wall: From Canvas to Conversation” encourages visitors to take the ideas sparked by visual art and carry them into everyday life—creating space for reflection, curiosity, and shared understanding.

    All events are free and open to the public; RSVPs are encouraged. Event schedule is as follows:

    Photography and Storytelling

    -Date & Time: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    -Location: Arts Garage – Black Box

    Featured Speaker: Laura Crawford Williams is an internationally published wildlife photographer whose work invites viewers to rediscover curiosity and wonder for the natural world. Her images have appeared in National Wildlife and National Geographic Magazine. With a background in biomedical and scientific illustration, medical animation, and software development, Williams has worked with organizations including DARPA and Workiva, Inc. She now serves as Director of We Are Wildlife, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering connection with nature, and has recently expanded into wildlife documentary filmmaking.

    More information: artsgarage.org/event/off-the-wall-laura-crawford-williams/

    Shining Through Community

    -Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    -Location: Arts Garage – Black Box

    Featured Speaker: Mark Delmont is a Miami-based multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on storytelling within overlooked communities and the architecture of city life. Influenced by music, cinema, and his blue-collar upbringing, Delmont creates dramatic portraiture and large-scale iconography using construction materials, fabrics, and paint. His work explores black identity, masculinity, and collective memory, celebrating the depth, resilience, and vitality of lived experience.

    More information: artsgarage.org/event/off-the-wall-mark-delmont/

    Exploring Ekphrastic Connections

    -Date & Time: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    -Location: Arts Garage – Black Box

    Featured Speaker: Arsimmer McCoy is a poet, performance artist, and interdisciplinary storyteller from South Florida, known for weaving poetic narratives with civic memory and environmental justice. Her work has been presented internationally, including at the Venice Biennale, and commissioned by institutions such as Pérez Art Museum Miami. A recipient of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Poetry Award and the 2025 Miami-Dade Arts & Environment Award, McCoy’s practice centers on cultural preservation, intergenerational care, and community-rooted collaboration.

    More information: artsgarage.org/event/off-the-wall-arsimmer-mccoy/

    About Arts Garage
    Arts Garage is a Visual & Performing Arts Center in Downtown Delray Beach, Florida that delivers innovative, diverse, and accessible arts experiences to the South Florida community. From Grammy Award-winning musicians to renowned regional talent, Arts Garage showcases performers representing a wide variety of cultures. The Marshall Family Foundation Gallery at Arts Garage features exhibitions by emerging visual artists from South Florida and provides educational programs for adults and children to grow their talents and knowledge of the arts. Located at 94 NE 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove Arts District (33444), Arts Garage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported in part by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach. For more information, call 561-450-6357 or visit artsgarage.org.

    Melissa Perlman
    BlueIvy Communications
    +1 561-310-9921
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn
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  • Tatum Games Expands Tatum Tech After Reaching Over 1,000 Attendees in 2025 and Opens Early Access for the Tatum Tech App

    Tatum Tech initiative has distributed 125+ computers, helped youth build over 350+ original games, and now launches a mobile app to track long-term impact.

    The Tatum Tech App allows us to stay connected with participants, measure real outcomes, and support their growth into future creators, developers, and technologists.”
    — Leonard Tatum (Founder of Tatum Games)

    LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Tatum Games today announced the continued expansion of Tatum Tech, its bi-annual community initiative designed to bridge the digital divide in South Los Angeles by providing underrepresented youth with access to technology, education, and career pathways in the videogame and technology industries. Alongside this announcement, Tatum Games is opening early signups for the Tatum Tech mobile app, a new platform built to extend engagement, skill development, and opportunity beyond the event itself.

    In 2025 alone, Tatum Tech reached more than 1,000+ total attendees, with 700+ youth participating directly in hands-on workshops, mentorship sessions, and laptop giveaways across multiple events. Participants learned from top industry professionals and received free computers to continue their creative and technical journeys at home.

    Across combined Tatum Tech events, participants collectively built more than 350+ original games from scratch, all created within five-hour guided sessions. These projects spanned a wide range of genres, including 2D platformers, action platformers, classic RPGs, and Fortnite UEFN experiences. In parallel, ongoing art and illustration workshops resulted in 500+ uniquely designed characters and original intellectual properties, giving youth exposure to both technical and creative disciplines within game development.

    Tatum Games also partnered with AT&T in 2025 to host the Annihilator Cup, a third major event focused on competitive gaming and esports. During the tournament, AT&T awarded $250,000 in prizes to winning teams, while Tatum Games distributed an additional 50 free computers to participating youth and families.

    Throughout the year, Tatum Tech welcomed speakers, mentors, and partners from across the entertainment, gaming, and non-profit sectors. Contributors included professionals from Disney, The Laughing Otter, MW Entertainment, Sony PlayStation, and game studios such as Shero Games, Elevator Jam, and Black Point Studios, alongside non-profit partners serving youth including Better Youth, Create Now, and Delete the Divide.

    In total, 125 free computers were distributed in 2025 to kids, teens, and families in need, helping ensure that access to technology does not become a barrier to learning or creativity.

    Building on this momentum, Tatum Games is launching the Tatum Tech App to support participants before, during, and after events. The app provides real-time event notifications, workshop sign-ups, participation tracking, and interactive coding and skill-building challenges. Post-event, it enables ongoing engagement through networking tools, job and internship opportunities, and continued learning resources. The app also connects users to games within the broader MIKROS ecosystem, allowing participants to discover and engage with games created by active developers.

    “Tatum Tech is not a one-day experience. It is a long-term pipeline from access to opportunity,” said Leonard Tatum, CEO of Tatum Games. “The Tatum Tech App allows us to stay connected with participants, measure real outcomes, and support their growth into future creators, developers, and technologists.”

    Tatum Games is now inviting game developers/studios, students, parents, educators, mentors, and community members to sign up early for the Tatum Tech App and receive updates about upcoming events and early access to the platform.

    Early signup is available here:
    https://forms.gle/Xv2ScpihtFEyysSH7

    Through Tatum Tech and the Tatum Tech App, Tatum Games continues its mission to expand access, measure impact, and build sustainable pathways into the gaming and technology industries for underrepresented youth.

    Leonard Tatum
    Founder of Tatum Games
    leonard.tatum@tatumgames.com
    Visit us on social media:
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  • Branded Hospitality Ventures Announces Portfolio Exit with Acquisition of Spendgo by Olo

    Branded announces a portfolio exit as Spendgo is acquired by Olo, reinforcing consolidation trends in restaurant technology.

    This acquisition validates our conviction that loyalty and first-party guest data are becoming core platform capabilities, not standalone features, as restaurant tech continues to consolidate.”
    — Jimmy Frischling

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Branded Hospitality Ventures today announced another portfolio exit with the acquisition of its portfolio company Spendgo by leading restaurant technology platform Olo. The transaction marks a significant investment milestone for Branded and further validates its long-standing thesis around consolidation in restaurant technology.

    The acquisition, which closed just ahead of year-end, brings Spendgo’s loyalty capabilities into Olo’s platform, expanding Olo’s ability to offer an integrated guest engagement and data solution. In its announcement, Olo cited growing customer demand for a unified loyalty platform that integrates seamlessly with ordering and marketing tools.

    While the acquisition formally concludes Branded’s role as an investor in Spendgo, it also marks the beginning of Branded’s relationship as a stakeholder in Olo. The transaction represents a strategic outcome for all parties and underscores the increasing importance of loyalty and first-party guest data within the restaurant technology stack.

    “Loyalty is not a marketing add-on; it’s a core differentiator,” Jimmy Frischling, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Branded noted. “The market is clearly rewarding companies that enable deeper personalization, richer guest profiles, and measurable repeat engagement. Single-point solutions are giving way to unified ecosystems designed to reduce tech-stack fragmentation and unlock real operational value for operators.”

    As Branded looks ahead to 2026, the Spendgo acquisition reinforces a clear theme: loyalty is no longer a standalone feature—it is a core platform capability. Integrating loyalty, identity, and guest data with ordering, payments, and marketing signals a premium placed on technologies that drive repeat visits, personalization, and measurable guest retention.

    The acquisition also represents Olo’s first transaction since being taken private by Thoma Bravo, reflecting a classic private-equity bolt-on strategy designed to expand addressable market and deepen customer value.

    Branded expects M&A activity in 2026 to continue favoring technologies that unlock richer guest profiles, reduce tech-stack fragmentation, and enable unified engagement across channels. As restaurant operators demand deeper insights and more connected systems, acquisitions like Spendgo signal where value creation in restaurant technology is increasingly concentrated.

    About Branded Hospitality:
    Branded Hospitality (www.brandedstrategic.com) is the leading investment and solutions platform dedicated to the hospitality & foodservice industry. As experienced restaurant operators, hospitality experts, venture capitalists, strategic investors, advisors and corporate matchmakers, we leverage relationships with industry leading restaurant & hospitality operators, software vendors, and corporate enterprises to best create and capture value for our clients and partners.


    – END –

    Julie Zucker
    Branded Hospitality
    julie@brandedstrategic.com
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  • Intelligent Waves Named a 2025 Tech Culture Award Recipient by TMCnet

    Intelligent Waves Named a 2025 Tech Culture Award Recipient by TMCnet.

    This recognition reflects the intentional culture our people have built and the standard we hold ourselves to as a technology organization supporting national security missions.”
    — Tony Crescenzo, CEO

    RESTON, VA, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Intelligent Waves, a leading technology integrator delivering mission-focused multi-domain solutions to government clients, today announced it has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Workplace Excellence Award for Tech Culture. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to workplace excellence, employee engagement, and professional development within the technology sector.

    Launched in 2015, the TMCnet Workplace Excellence Awards for Tech Culture highlight companies that cultivate outstanding environments for collaboration, innovation, recruitment, retention, and overall employee well-being. Winners are selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of their culture initiatives, benefits, leadership vision, and programs that empower employees to grow and succeed.

    Tony Crescenzo, CEO of Intelligent Waves, said, “We are honored to receive the 2025 TMCnet Tech Culture Award,” said Tony Crescenzo, CEO of Intelligent Waves. “Strong technology culture does not happen by accident. It is built on trust, a clear mission, and an environment that encourages technical teams to think critically, collaborate openly, and take ownership of outcomes. This recognition reflects the intentional culture our people have built and the standard we hold ourselves to as a technology organization supporting national security missions.”

    About Intelligent Waves
    Intelligent Waves, a veteran-owned organization, delivers secure, innovative technology solutions for defense and intelligence missions. Specializing in cybersecurity, data science, systems and network engineering, software development, and cognitive human performance, we empower those who serve by delivering mission-focused solutions that enhance resilience, readiness, and national security across operational domains. For more information, visit www.intelligentwaves.com.

    About TMC
    For over 25 years, TMC has recognized technology companies with awards in multiple categories. The TMCnet Workplace Excellence Award for Tech Culture celebrates organizations that demonstrate workplace excellence, employee engagement, and innovation across the communications and technology sector. For more information, visit www.tmcnet.com/awards.

    Media Contact:
    Gal Borenstein, CEO
    The Borenstein Group
    Email: Gal@BorensteinGroup.com
    Phone: 703-385-8178

    Jenny Pittman
    Intelligent Waves
    +1 703-766-7999
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
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