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News Release Digital Asset Direct

Sharp App Joins HPL Digital Sport and Cardinal Sports Capital Accelerator Program After Year of Significant Growth

Sharp App

Sharp App, a sports betting app dedicated to the empowerment of bettors through AI-powered tools, analytics and educational programming, announced today its inclusion into the HPL Digital Sport and Cardinal Sports Capital Accelerator Program. The Accelerator Program has raised capital for Sharp App during the current 2022 NFL season to exponentially grow its subscriber base. Since its launch in August 2021, Sharp App has rapidly scaled its capabilities, expanded programming based on user demand and trends, and shown strong user growth, engagement and retention rates. Since 2021, Sharp App has: Held an 80% month-over-month premium subscriber retention rate Provided upgrades and scaled content for its Game Center, a centralized hub of news, trends, lines and betting information, and Sharp Academy, a multimedia masterclass that will teach all skill levels different aspects of sports betting, led by sports betting expert John Alessia Seen a 200% increase in daily and monthly active users in the first month of the 2022 NFL season Identified nearly half of all users engage on the Sharp App Discord add-on during NFL games “One of the most significant advances to our app is our extremely popular AI-powered props tool. In getting feedback from our users and understanding the data leveraged, we were able to quickly develop one of the most comprehensive prop tools to identify the value of player statistics across various markets,” said Sharp App co-founder and CEO Kevin Epstein. “With our inclusion into the Accelerator Program, we’ll be able to utilize the capabilities of both HPL Digital Sport and Cardinal Sports Capital to scale innovations, like our prop tool, faster and get our superior products and services in front of new investors, partners and potential users.” The vision behind the Accelerator Program is to help streamline a company’s access to essential tools needed for entrepreneurs to obtain capital, network in the right channels, effectively articulate their value proposition and get their products and services into the hands of the right audiences. “In today’s sports betting economy, capital is harder to raise. It’s more important than ever to not just have a vision, but a clear path for how the company will generate revenue and prove profitability,” said Ed Moed, CEO of HPL Digital Sport. “In a little over a year, Sharp App has shown its product provides exceptional service and value to its users through its stellar engagement and retention statistics. Sharp App is the exact type of company we built the company for and are looking forward to helping bring them to the next phase in their entrepreneurial journey.” For more information please visit: https://sharp.app/ To download the app: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sharp-app/id1557592668 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharpapp ABOUT SHARP APP Founded in 2020, by sports betting and fantasy experts and executives from Win Daily and DFS Army, Sharp is a first-of-its-kind sports betting app. Sharp provides an all-in-one platform experience of multimedia content, tools and solutions developed specifically to educate and empower sports bettors to make smarter decisions and manage their actions. Follow Sharp on social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Contact Details Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://sharp.app/

October 26, 2022 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife Partners with Health Resource Advisors

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Health Resource Advisors, a Baltimore-based field marketing organization (FMO). Health Resource Advisors specializes in supporting independent, licensed Medicare agents with proprietary tools, training and resources to cultivate meaningful client relationships, grow their books of business, and maximize their potential. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "Health Resource Advisors has always been – and will continue to be – focused on its most important asset: our agents,” said Andrew Rosenberg, president of Health Resource Advisors. “With AmeriLife and its industry-leading resources at our side, we’re excited to create more opportunities for the incredibly talented agents within our community.” Since Health Resource Advisors’ founding in 2007, the firm has grown from a single agent and client to several hundreds of affiliated agents serving thousands of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. The firm boasts some of the deepest carrier relationships in the markets and communities it serves, and has excelled at identifying and nurturing top producing agents that consistently set industry standards. “Partnering with AmeriLife means gaining an advocate that will champion your growth and the development of your agents,” said Mike Vietri, AmeriLife’s Chief Distribution Officer. “Health Resource Advisors is a fiercely independent firm whose approach and values are perfectly aligned with ours. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the AmeriLife family, and look forward to accelerating their success.” ### About Health Resource Advisors Health Resource Advisors is a field marketing organization (FMO) in Baltimore, Md., specializing in Medicare coverage. The company supports independent insurance agents by providing the tools and resources they need to grow their portfolio and serve their clients better. For more information, visit HealthResourceAdvisors.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

October 26, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Culinary Institute of America Elects John C. Metz Jr. Chairman of the Board

The Culinary Institute of America

Thirty-year restaurant and hospitality industry veteran and Culinary Institute of America (CIA) alumnus, John C. Metz Jr. has been elected the 22 nd chairman of the CIA’s board of trustees. He succeeds restaurateur Ralph Brennan in this role. “John Metz embodies the best of all worlds—a solid culinary and business foundation, combined with a warm and gracious personality,” said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “He gives 110 percent to everything he does and as an alum, brings keen insight into the student experience. I look forward to continuing to work with him to help lead the Institute—and the industry—into the future.” Metz currently serves as CEO, executive chef and co-founder of the newly opened the Woodall, in Atlanta, as well as Marlow’s Tavern, and the upscale contract foodservice company Sterling Culinary Management. Through Sterling, he reimagined corporate dining through chef-driven, upscale restaurant concepts including Bistro del sol, The Grove, Market Street Café, Bistro 191, Social Kitchen, and Central Provisions as well as 55+ luxury communities. In addition, in 2018, he and his partner opened The Spinning Room in Dalton, GA, an upscale wine and beer bar, offering small plates and live music. From an early age, Metz nurtured his passion for the industry, moving up the ranks from dishwasher to running the kitchen in one of his father’s restaurants. His formal education began with The Pennsylvania State University’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program. From there, he went on to Switzerland—where he staged at two Michelin -starred restaurants—prior to enrolling at the CIA, from which he graduated at the top of his class in 1992. In 2020, Metz was named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle ’s “Atlanta 2020 Most Admired CEO” list. An active community member and philanthropist, he serves on the boards of both national and local organizations, including The National Restaurant Association’s and Georgia Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors, The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau’s board. He was appointed vice chairman of the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNa) in 2005 and served as their board chairman in 2007 and 2008. In addition, he is a fervent supporter of Special Olympics Georgia and Share Our Strength, and Sterling Hospitality, the parent company of the Woodall, Marlow’s Tavern, and Sterling Culinary Management, has raised more than $1.7 million for these and other community organizations. “I am humbled & honored to serve as chairman of The Culinary Institute of America,” said Metz, who joined the college’s Board of Trustees in 2014. “Today’s CIA students are truly poised to lead our industry into the future and redefine the restaurant and hospitality industries. I can’t think of a more rewarding position than to help shepherd that process.” The CIA Board of Trustees consists of 22 highly respected leaders in the foodservice industry and business world. They provide expert governance and guidance for the not-for-profit college and are not compensated for their services. About The Culinary Institute of America Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu. Contact Details Culinary Institute of America Amanda Secor +1 845-451-1457 Amanda.Secor@culinary.edu Company Website http://www.ciachef.edu/

October 26, 2022 08:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Lisa Frank and ORLY Expands Collaboration with a Brand NEW Holiday 2022 Collection

ORLY

A match made in rainbow heaven, iconic brand Lisa Frank and legacy nail care line ORLY are expanding their magical pairing this holiday season for a new collection aimed to delight fans and inspire creativity. Launching October 24, 2022, the vibrant collection features four new toppers and gel nail strips–a new nail category for ORLY. The gel nail strips feature characters like Kitten Bubbles™ and Spotty & Dotty™ for fans to immerse themselves in Lisa Frank’s colorful and vibrant world. Each topper and gel nail strip retails for $11.99 at Ulta Beauty Stores, Ulta.com, and ORLYBeauty.com. After seeing the demand of last year’s collection where products sold out repeatedly, it was clear that fans wanted more. Specifically, they want more toppers that allow for bright, easy-to-DIY nail art. By incorporating creative direction from the Lisa Frank team and feedback from ORLY fans, ORLY sought to create more innovative, more fun toppers and nail strips than before. The new nail strips feature a gel-like finish with long-lasting wear, easy application and removal, without the need of an LED/UV lamp or special tools. Meanwhile, the toppers go beyond basic glitter—they feature bright, vibrant heart and star-shaped confetti die cuts suspended in clear lacquer. “In teaming up with Lisa Frank for a second collection that hits just in time for the holidays, all of us challenged ourselves to outdo ourselves in product development, design, and quality,” said Tal Pink, Vice President of Business Development at ORLY. “We’re thrilled to offer fans new nail products to fully explore their creativity and imagination, inspired by Lisa Frank.” “Lisa Frank nail art continues to take over our world,” says Forrest Green, Head of Brand at Lisa Frank, Inc. “We’re excited to introduce our second collection with ORLY, packed with fun glittery toppers and iconic character nail wraps. Our strong expressive community fully embraces the bold Lisa Frank lifestyle and chooses to stand out and sparkle every day.” The full collection launches at the end of October at Ulta Beauty stores nationwide, Ulta.com, and ORLYBeauty.com. About ORLY: It all starts with innovation. From the conception of the iconic Original French Manicure® to revolutionary, patented Gripper Cap, ORLY® has been solidified as the global nail leader trusted by nail professionals and salons around the world, thanks to cutting-edge formulations, pigment-rich color collections, and award-winning nail treatments. Through the extensive range of formulas, trend-forward effects, dynamic finishes, and an inclusive shade range ORLY aims to spark creativity and empower both professionals and novices alike to channel their inner artist. The brand’s expansive portfolio includes the Pro Lacquer line, GELFX Gel Color, Builder in a Bottle, Breathable 1-Step Color, and essentials for salons and professionals. Aside from bringing the bold and beautiful effects, all products have serious purpose, with vegan formulations made without harmful chemicals, each bearing the Leaping Bunny certification and created by ORLY’s team of talented color experts in Los Angeles. For more, visit us at ORLYBeauty.com and @orly on social media. About Lisa Frank: Lisa Frank® is beloved around the world for its whimsical character world and colorful aesthetic. For over four decades, Lisa Frank® has spread happiness and joy with millions of Fantastic products! For more, visit LisaFrank.com and @lisafrank on social media. Contact Details Glow Yang PR Gloria Yang +1 310-381-9964 gloria@glowyangpr.com Company Website https://www.orlybeauty.com

October 25, 2022 01:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Dorai Home Launches Instant-Drying Plant Saucers

Dorai Home

Dorai Home, a leading developer of eco-chic home products that help prevent mold with instant-drying materials, today announced it has expanded its modern essentials product line with instant-drying Plant Saucers. Created with diatomaceous earth, a natural material designed to remove moisture, the saucers help keep counters and floors clean and dry rapidly. To rid homes of moisture in unwanted places, the Plant Saucers were added to Dorai Home’s product line to replace unappealing plastic water trays that are typically found beneath plants. The product's eco-chic design is an elevated approach that enhances a home's aesthetic in addition to protecting floors and counters from water damage. Diatomaceous earth holds up to 150% of its weight in moisture, causing water to quickly dissipate. This prevents bacteria and mold through the elimination of moist environments where these organisms thrive. “Over the years, our customers have inquired about which products they could use to catch water from the plants within their home instead of the standard plastic water trays. We have typically suggested the use of our Bath Stone, but based on customer feedback, we now have our Plant Saucers that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing,” said Alicia DeFinis, CEO of Dorai Home. “It’s a great alternative that reduces water in unwanted places and fits perfectly with your home's decor. We’re continuously expanding our products into other areas of the home through customers' feedback in our journey to maintain clean and chic spaces for people to thrive.” With a natural stone feel, the saucers pair perfectly with house plants to create a nature-inspired indoor environment. The versatile saucers are made from all-natural, non-toxic materials and come in a pair of two with rubber feet to protect your surfaces and floors and promote rapid drying. The Plant Saucers are available in Dorai’s popular slate color and three bundle options: Two small plant saucers (5.5”) - $50 Two large plant saucers (11.8”) - $65 Mixed, one small (5.5”) and one large (11.8”) - $60 To purchase, visit www.doraihome.com. About Dorai Home Dorai Home, eco-chic home products that help prevent mold with instant-drying materials, is a rapidly growing D2C brand that creates thoughtfully designed housewares made of sustainable materials that dry instantly. Dorai products are made from Diomat®, Dorai’s instant-drying technology that combines the moisture-banishing properties of diatomaceous earth with recycled paper fibers—a natural, eco-friendly way to prevent mold. Dorai Home was started in 2018 by two founders, Jason Klug and Kelsey O’Callaghan, with product design and operational expertise that has enabled 300% YOY growth. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City. Learn more at https://doraihome.com/. Contact Details Dorai Home Sara Reister +1 215-896-3243 sjollycommunications@gmail.com Company Website https://doraihome.com/

October 25, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AmeriLife’s The Senior Resource Group Acquires Secure Benefits to Accelerate Growth

AmeriLife

The Senior Resource Group, (SRG), a leading, national field marketing organization (FMO) for the industry’s top insurance carriers and an affiliate of AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has acquired Secure Benefits, a Florence, Ala.-based field marketing organization (FMO). Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We met [Secure Benefits owner and CEO] Stephanie Kirk for lunch a few years ago and we connected from day one,” said Shane Souders, co-founder and managing partner of The Senior Resource Group. “She’s an exceptional leader and businessperson, who has a selfless passion – one that is perfectly aligned with SRG’s mission – to help her brokers and employees succeed in this industry. We’re excited to grow together with Secure Benefits and proud to call them our partner.” Founded in 2010 by Kirk, Secure Benefits specializes in distributing Medicare Advantage solutions to beneficiaries throughout Alabama and Tennessee. As an “agent-first” organization, Secure Benefits prides itself on nurturing longstanding, successful agents and cultivating a family-oriented culture that’s become the hallmark of its brand and business. The acquisition expands The Senior Resource Group’s geographical footprint while bringing Secure Benefits under the umbrella of AmeriLife’s all-star distribution network. The deal also provides Secure Benefits – alongside its partners Benefits Solutions Group, Senior Benefits Advisors, Silver Benefit Solutions and The Providence Group – with access to SRG’s and AmeriLife’s industry-leading technology, tools, resources and top-level contracts to help them grow and thrive. “Over the past 14 years, Secure Benefits has steadily grown to include agents in multiple states across the Southeast,” said Kirk. “We’re not your typical FMO – our agents and team members are like family, many of whom have been with us since the beginning. We’re proud of our focus on helping agents build strong businesses and ensuring they feel fully supported. We’re thrilled to partner with Shane, SRG and AmeriLife, and look forward to the many opportunities ahead of us.” “We’re excited to welcome Secure Benefits and its partners to the AmeriLife family,” added AmeriLife Chief Distribution Officer Mike Vietri. “Under Shane’s leadership, there’s no doubt that they will continue to thrive and help accelerate AmeriLife’s mission of helping people live longer, healthier lives.” Secure Benefits will continue to operate as a stand-alone organization out of its Florence headquarters and under the leadership of Kirk, who will report to Souders. ### About The Senior Resource Group The Senior Resource Group was founded in 2008 by insurance brokers who understand the needs of agents in the field. Today, The Senior Resource Group is a premier field marketing organization for an array of national insurance carriers providing Medicare Supplement policies, Medicare Advantage plans, life insurance, final expanse plans and financial products in 25 states. The team at The Senior Resource Group provides the tools, support and training necessary for success in the insurance industry. For more information, visit TheSeniorResourceGroup.com. About Secure Benefits Founded 14 years ago by Stephanie Kirk, Secure Benefits is a leading and growing Medicare Advantage solutions field marketing organization (FMO) that serves agents and their communities across the southeast United States. Based in Florence, Ala., with additional offices in Lebanon, Tenn., Secure Benefits is an “agent-first,” family-focused FMO that emphasizes education, advocacy and relationship building to help its agents deliver on their promise to their clients. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

October 24, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Get Ready! The First Light Art Show of 2022, TAITUNG LIGHT FESTIVAL, Illuminates East Taiwan in Zhiben’s Hot Springs

Taitung County Government

TAITUNG, TAIWAN - Media OutReach – 21 October 2022 - The Taitung County Government is holding the 2022 Taitung Light Festival at the century-old Zhiben hot spring area. From October 15, until November 13, using the most futuristic light, shadows and sound equipment, the public can experience the brand-new hot spring tourism and art show. On a moonlit night following a musical performance, the Keyframes show uses stage lighting and computer programming to illuminate each of its characters individually. The show emphasizes humanity is as one, and we stand together. The show evolved into a night dance. Among them, French group, Group Laps, will put their lightshow, known as Keyframes, on display during the light festival. The exhibit uses fluorescent lights placed onto a human body-like frames—which look like keyframes of a video—in combination with music and strobing light patterns that individually light up each “ keyframe, ” creating a dynamic image that transcending the limits of spoken language by telling a story full of personality and humor bring about a kind of warmth and delight. The inaugural TAITUNG LIGHT FESTIVAL invites 12 top-class art groups from France, Australia and Taiwan to collaborate using the theme of amassing energy to put on a show that brings the people a brand-new experience to the hot springs and art they already have come to enjoy. The show’s exhibits create an extreme futuristic vibe through the use of audio equipment, lights and shadows. Taitung County Magistrate April Yao has said this is the first ever light festival to be held in eastern Taiwan. Everyone is welcome to come to on down to hot springs and see the new artistic side of Zhiben now. TAITUNG LIGHT FESTIVAL Event Details Exhibition Time: October 15 to November 13, 2022 Where: The vicinity next to No. 18, Ln. 376, Wenquan Rd., Beinan Township, Official Website: https://www.taitunglightfestival.com/ | Google Maps: tinyurl.com/2022TAITUNGLIGHTFESTIVAL Contact Details Media Contact Jin Zh n4111@taitung.gov.tw

October 21, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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CITY GEAR LAUNCHES ‘FRESH OFF THE BLOCK’ SERIES SPOTLIGHTING MEMPHIS SNEAKER CULTURE

Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, Inc., (NASDAQ:HIBB), an athletic-inspired fashion retailer with more than 1,100 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores nationwide, today announced the launch of City Gear’s Fresh Off The Block (FOTB), a digital lifestyle series created to celebrate the stories of sneaker enthusiasts from cities across America. The first FOTB project takes place in Memphis, Tennessee and spotlights two inspiring individuals who grew up in the historical and tight knit community of Memphis. The two talk candidly about how the Memphis vibe has shaped their hobbies, interests, musical taste and sneaker style. “Memphis is the birthplace of City Gear and it seems fitting to kick off Fresh Off The Block in this culturally-rich community that has so much to offer from fashion and style to music and basketball,” said Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett. “We are grateful to our partners at Nike for helping us bring this project to life and look forward to seeing these stories gain momentum in more neighborhoods across the country.” The FOTB crew followed and filmed Kennedy Moore and PreauXX in and around Memphis and captured their perspectives and experiences with Memphis street culture. Viewers first hear from Kennedy Moore, @kmoorethegoat, a street baller, actor and comedian who’s love of basketball runs through his blood. He shows viewers around his hometown of Orange Mound, a cultural hub and storied part of Memphis built solely by and for African Americans in 1890. Cameras captured Moore on the court as he shared his true love of all things basketball and fashion. Moore recalls that growing up in Memphis, all the kids would wear all white Nike Air Force 1’s. “Everyone knew that you had to have all white Forces, it’s a rule, don’t come to school without them. In Memphis we’re gonna put a flavor on something. You can give us a basic outfit and we’ll make it feel like the best thing ever. If I have on a basic outfit, but I have on white Force’s, I’m good. And as far as basketball in Memphis, everyone wanted to play basketball and everyone wanted to be like Alan Iverson growing up. My favorite player that came from Memphis is Penny Hardaway. Probably the best player that ever played for Memphis and now we got Ja Morant, we just keep getting better.” Next, the crew meets up with PreauXX, @preauxx, a rapper and performing artist who has strong ties to his Memphis community. PreauXX says his favorite things about Memphis are the people and culture, the ease of navigating the city and the wings. The crew catches up with PreauXX in the studio where audiences hear his musical style, which is as unique as his fashion. “The Memphis music scene is indoctrinated in my sound, the bounce, the rawness of the people. I truly believe if you make it in Memphis you can make it anywhere. We don’t care how fly you are, how much money you have, it’s who you are and that stands the test of time.” Discussing the 40 th Anniversary of the Nike Air Force 1, PreauXX recalls how he was inspired by the Nelly era. “You had to have the Air Force 1 hightop with the tongue hanging out and they had to be crispy. If you step outside with dirty Forces there is something wrong with you.” PreauXX describes his personal style as eclectic, very colorful, very sly, very smooth and luxurious. “I love a shoe that tells a story and stands out in a way that only a few people can pull off. A cream shoe with some natural earth tones is so player to me. Memphis fashion has made me fearless, in your face as much as possible. Not in what I wear, but how I wear it.” FOTB debuts today with two episodes that can also be viewed across multiple platforms including; Hibbett | City Gear, Nice Kicks, and on social channels at @CityGear and @NiceKicks. About Hibbett, Inc.Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1,117 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 36 states nationwide. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact Details Wendy Yellin pr@hibbett.com Company Website https://www.Hibbett.com

October 20, 2022 12:00 PM Central Daylight Time

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Adventure Together Industry Event Wraps with a Record Attendance and Inspiring Discussions from 37 International Speakers

TourRadar

TourRadar, the Adventure Booking Platform that offers more than 50,000+ multi-day organized adventures across the globe from 2,500+ reputable and niche operators, hosted its second annual Adventure Together event which was a hybrid, held both online and in Vienna, Austria Oct. 18-19, 2022. Furthermore, the company announced increasing travel advisor commissions to up to 12 percent for bookings for the rest of 2022. With more than 2,100 people in attendance, the event brought together thought leaders and practitioners in multi-day touring including travel agents and agencies, tour operators and suppliers, influencers, OTA, and airlines, to provide inspiration, education, and insights into the technology and trends that shape the industry. Sessions covered subjects ranging from marketing, sustainability, distribution, and technology, to indigenous and inclusive tourism. The event theme ‘‘Now What?’ kept topics focused on what adventure travel and multi-day tours will look like in the future and how to plan for success. “Adventure Together gathered industry leaders together for much-needed discussions around the trends and opportunities for organized adventures and group travel in today’s global landscape,” said Travis Pittman, CEO, and Co-founder of TourRadar. “We recognized that there wasn’t a single global event or conference dedicated to the multi-day tour industry with a focus on technology, so we created one.” In his opening keynote, Pittman announced the company is raising commissions on its Agent Marketplace for both new and current travel advisors from up to 8 percent to up to 12 percent until the end of 2022. Agent Marketplace launched in November 2021, and now has more than 3,500 advisors. Pittman told attendees that since the company launched it has had 100 million travelers visit the platform, who have booked more than half a billion dollars in travel, experiencing 4 million days of adventures. Pittman revealed his three predictions for What’s Next; 1. trust, payments & financial technology products will be more critical and top of mind than ever, 2. data-driven storytelling will highlight and drive community impact and sustainability, and 3. digital distribution & tooling will come of age in the multi-day adventure market. In the session Targeting Net Zero – How Is the Multi-Day Tours Industry Responding to the Climate Crisis? Michael Edwards, CEO of Explore! shared insights on their comprehensive carbon-reducing strategy and Nadine Pino shared how The Travel Corporation is collaborating with destinations to build a shared agenda for climate action. Moderator Graeme Jackson, Head of Strategic Partnerships at the Travel Foundation, and one of the co-authors of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism reinforced the need for travel businesses and destinations to make a commitment publicly and set a deadline for action. The panel also addressed the need to move beyond measurement and offsetting and to start looking at all strategic business decisions through a climate lens. In the Adventuring through Data session, Sher Khan, Industry Lead at Google, and Lia Costa, Analytics Lead at TourRadar discussed how a post-pandemic world brought on different user behaviors and unveiled new travel trends. The two shared data about search terms and shorter booking windows. Costa indicated that 42 percent of TourRadar sales were booked less than 2 months in advance and that Google search volume for multi-day tour & adventure-specific terms increased 44 percent YoY. In addition, Costa reported that the top 10 destinations for summer 2022 TourRadar bookings were all in Europe with Italy, France, England, German, and Switzerland taking the top 5 slots. A panel on Responsible and Sustainable Indigenous Tourism included Anniina Sandberg, Founder of Visit Natives, Sebastien Desnoyers-Picard, Vice President of Operators of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), and Aurélie Debusschère a Europe agent for World Indigenous Tourism Alliance. Together, they discussed how the travel trade can make indigenous tourism more responsible by ensuring that businesses are working with majority-owned, operated, and/or managed indigenous people. The panel suggested operators directly engage indigenous people, their elders, and the community to ensure they share the right experiences and content. They also encouraged operators to ensure communities are benefiting from tourism. TourRadar also announced its new brand positioning ‘Adventure Begins Here’ which came from months of consumer and industry research and collaboration with agency partner Park & Battery. TourRadar, the Adventure Booking Platform, helps people seize and savor every opportunity global travel has to offer. “TourRadar has built considerable bonds with its customers but there is an opportunity to form a deeper connection, said Pittman. “The range of options TourRadar provides in the multi-day sector gives us a differentiator that no one else can own.” The announcement, film, and all sessions from the event were recorded and can be found here. About TourRadar TourRadar is the world’s first Adventure Booking Platform, where you can effortlessly book private, group, and tailor-made multi-day organized adventures from 160+ countries worldwide. Founded in 2010, TourRadar was the first to transition multi-day tours to an online marketplace, making them the global leader in the industry today. In 2021, TourRadar further revolutionized the industry by introducing the Adventure Booking Platform, connecting travelers, operators, and travel agents to organized tours through one, easy-to-use platform. www.tourradar.com Contact Details TourRadar Lisa Verbeck +1 310-254-0039 press@tourradar.com Company Website https://www.tourradar.com/

October 20, 2022 12:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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