The Keynote Panel “Ripple Effect: Unlocking New Applications and Innovations for Radar through Industry Standardization” will Provide Insights on the Work Towards Developing an Open Radar API Standard

NEW YORK, May 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex and the Fierce Technology Group today announce that technology leaders from Ford, Google, Blumio, Infineon, and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® will join the keynote panel “Ripple Effect: Unlocking New Applications and Innovations for Radar through Industry Standardization” at Sensors Converge 2022. Sensors Converge takes place June 27-29 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Register here.

“We are bringing together industry thought leaders to share their thoughts on some of the most pressing issues in the industry,” said Charlene Soucy, Senior Director, Technology – Sensors & Electronics. “Sensors Converge is the place to be to hear the latest trends, see the cutting-edge technologies and applications and speak with industry leaders and peers.”

Panel participates include:

Nick Colella, Senior Engineering Manager, Digital Cockpit Technologies & AIML Solutions, Ford Motor Company

Brandon Barbello, Senior Product Manager, Research & Machine Intelligence, Google

Catherine Liao, Co-Founder and CEO, Blumio

Raj Khattoi, Sr. Director of Sensor Systems and IoT for Americas, Infineon Technologies

Kerri Haresign, Director, Technology & Standards, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)

Ripple, hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, is an open radar API standard to enable hardware/software interoperability and accelerate the growth of applications for general purpose consumer radar. In this panel, technology experts from across the silicon, sensing, automotive, and electronics industries will discuss how they partnered with the Consumer Technology Association to develop this industry standard to help unlock new applications and innovations for radar.

“Radar technology is becoming an essential part our vehicles, homes, jobs, health and so much more. By making interoperability a standard practice for radar software, we are enabling this technology’s next major breakthrough. Fewer barriers to entry and clear standards will fast-track radar innovation,” said Kerri Haresign Director, Technology & Standards, Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

In addition to the keynote panel, Sensors Converge will present keynotes on Technology & Sustainability from actor and environmentalist, Adrian Grenier, and The Future of Human Robot Interaction from Dr. Kate Darling.

The Sensors Converge Conference Program provides top-notch education and training for professionals who design with and integrate sensors, sensor systems, and sensor applications and are shaping the future roadmap of the electronics industry. In addition to the main conference program, Sensors Converge will offer Pre-Conference Symposia providing a deep dive into critical sensors topics and technologies. And on the Sensors Converge Expo Floor over 200 exhibitors will showcase the latest sensing technologies and identify new ways to improve products and expand their capabilities using sensors. Cutting-edge technology areas will also be highlighted in Zones and Theaters on the Expo Floor with an exclusive focus on IoT & Wireless, 5G, Power, MEMS & Emerging Tech, Autonomous, MedTech and Startups.

Sensors will be co-located with Embedded Technologies Conference & Expo, Autonomous Technologies Conference, and Metaverse Global Congress.

Sensors Converge offers several registration options, including the All-Access Pass, which provides access to the entire event, Conference passes to Sensors and co-located events, and the Expo Hall Pass, which offers access to the Expo Hall. Advance registration rates are available. For more information, visit: https://www.sensorsexpo.com/register.

For exhibit or sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Stay connected with Sensors Converge on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Sensors Converge
Sensors Converge (www.sensorsconverge.com), formerly known as Sensors Expo & Conference, got its start 37 years ago bringing together the design engineering community to network, share ideas, and define the future roadmap for the sensors industry. Sensors Converge is part of the Fierce Technology Group, a division of Questex, which also produces the Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference, Autonomous Technologies Conference, Best of Sensors Awards, Fierce Electronics, Fierce Sensors, Fierce AutoTech, and Fierce EmbeddedTech, as well as daily content and newsletters on Fierce Electronics at www.fierceelectronics.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Sonal Patel
Sensors Converge
sonal@sonal.io

Hotel Investors Represented More than $500 Billion in Global Hotel Assets Under Management

NEW YORK,, May 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), the place where the global hotel community joins together as one, took place May 3-5 in Berlin, bringing together over 2,400 forward-thinking professionals, including investors, owners and developers, who represented more than $500 billion in hotel assets under management. The 2022 event was larger than the 2019 event and included 67% more investors and 33% new delegates. IHIF sponsors included the world’s largest and leading hotel companies, such as Marriott, Jin Jiang, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham and Accor, which collectively brand over 50% of global hotel supply.

Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Questex said, “IHIF is more than just a three-day forum. It’s a touchstone for the best and brightest in hospitality investment, operations and development to convene, connect and do business. Every industry needs that opportunity and we’re proud that IHIF is the platform for the hospitality sector to gather in spite of the challenges the sector has faced the past two years.”

Coley Brennan, Partner and Head of Europe, KSL Capital Partners said, “I really enjoyed the conference. I feel very fortunate to be part of the IHIF Hotel Investment Committee. IHIF brings together a great group of people. It was great to reconnect with counterparties we’ve sold, people we’ve transacted with to people we’ve borrowed from and advisors.”

Here’s what IHIF delegates said about the event:

“The conference attracts everyone you could possible need to know in the hospitality industry under one roof.”
“It’s simple. It’s the best hotel conference in Europe, probably in the world.”

The appeal and relevance of IHIF for the largest global players in hotel capital markets is clear based on the following:

The top ten investors by European hotel assets under management, equivalent to c. $39.29 billion in value, were all present at IHIF and despite a slowdown in the capital markets because of the pandemic, have acquired $3.65 billion of hotel stock in the European region over the last 24 months.
The top 35 hotel investors at IHIF, by European AUM ($67.28 billion) have acquired $7.6 billion of hotel stock and have sold stock to the value of $2.84 billion in the last 24 months. Collectively, they own 2,300 hotels in the European region.   

IHIF received a Net Promoter Score of 60 by event attendees.

To learn more about IHIF, visit https://www.ihif.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact 
Kate Spellman 
Chief Marketing Officer 
Questex 
kspellman@questex.com 
212 895 8488 

NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Fierce Education, where higher education leaders, administrators and faculty, and those driving technology adoption decisions in a blended learning world, today announces it is partnering with The EdUp Experience, America’s leading higher education podcast, to deliver a dynamic podcast experience to its audience. The podcast will feature thoughts, ideas and insights from higher education leaders and guests ranging from university presidents and CEOs to venture capitalists to education technology entrepreneurs.

Fierce Education will leverage EdUp’s podcast platform and interviews on the most important topics in education while opening up EdUp to Fierce Education’s 100,000 weekly newsletter subscribers.

“It is a natural fit for Fierce Education to partner with EdUp,” said Elliot Markowitz, head of content for Fierce Education. “The EdUp Experience is constantly and consistently showcasing the leaders in higher education and covering the most pressing issues facing the industry bringing the same passion of moving the industry forward as Fierce Education.”

The EdUp Experience is hosted by Dr. Joe Sallustio and produced by Elvin Freytes.

“It is a complete honor to partner with Fierce Education,” said Co-Founder Dr. Joe Sallustio, who is also senior vice president-global of Lindenwood University. “Elvin and I have made a point to partner with organizations that will redefine how higher education news, professional development, and solutions are researched, explored, and created.”

The first two podcast include:

Dr. Jennifer Mathes, CEO of the Online Learning Consortium was interviewed regarding the key differences between remote and online learning, and what is emergency response remote learning.

Dr. Drew Van Horn, President of Young Harris College on how student’s really feel about the college experience and the importance or responding to their needs.

Stay connected to Fierce Education on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Fierce Education
Fierce Education is the place where higher education leaders, administrators and faculty, and those driving technology adoption decisions in education can access proven methods and best practices as they rethink pedagogy and business models in the new blended learning world. Through its website (www.fierceeducation.com), virtual events and newsletters, Fierce Education focuses on “Rethinking Higher Education in a Blended Learning World.” Fierce Education’s key tenants are: using technology for teaching better and reaching learners everywhere; addressing business model changes required to move forward; and workforce preparation/Back to School Adult Learners reskilling.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Elliot Markowitz
Head of Content, Fierce Education
emarkowitz@questex.com

NEW YORK, May 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex, a leading information services company, today announces it has won five national and eight regional AZBEE awards. AZBEE Awards are the most competitive awards programs for trade media, produced by the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

The awards were won by Fierce Biotech, Fierce Pharma, Bar & Restaurant and Club Industry.

“Every day our content teams report on the news and share information in their target industries and turn that into essential, actionable insights for our audiences,” said Paul Miller, CEO, Questex. “It is an honor to be recognized by this prestigious awards program and we are very proud of our content team for their commitment to serve their audiences.”

National AZBEE awards:

Silver – Web Feature Series: Forced into a Virtual World, Fierce Biotech 
Bronze – Web Feature Series: LGBTQ+ in Biotech, Fierce Biotech 
Bronze – Online Single Topic Coverage by a Team: Biogen’s Aduhelm Launch, Fierce Pharma
Bronze – Best Social Media Campaign: Social media coverage from Bar & Restaurant Expo and Instagram Live series “Side Bar” 
Bronze – Original Research: Club Industry’s Top 100 Health Clubs of 2021

Regional AZBEE awards:

Gold – New England region: Web Feature Series, Forced into a Virtual World, Fierce Biotech 
Gold – New England region: Online Single Topic Coverage by a Team, Biogen’s Aduhelm Launch, Fierce Pharma
Silver – New England region: Online State of the Industry, Fierce Pharma Special Reports
Silver – New England region: Online – Web Feature Series, LGBTQ+ in biotech, Fierce Biotech 
Silver – New England region: Online Breaking News Coverage, Biogen’s Aduhelm approval, Fierce Pharma staff
Bronze – New England region: Online – Online State of the Industry, Fierce Biotech Special Reports
Bronze – Northeast region: Best Social Media Campaign: Social media coverage from Bar & Restaurant Expo and Instagram Live series “Side Bar”
Bronze – Northeast region: Original Research: Club Industry’s Top 100 Health Clubs of 2021

To learn more about Questex, visit questex.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Kate Spellman
Chief Marketing Officer
Questex
kspellman@questex.com
212 895 8488‬

LONDON, May 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Industry-leading event The International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), produced by Questex, returned to Berlin on 3-5 May, bringing together 2,400 forward-thinking investors, owners and developers and 267 speakers for unmissable opportunities.

The conference’s core focus of people, planet and profit was covered in a raft of dynamic sessions, delivering 50 hours of exclusive content. Here are some of the key takeaways from the event.

      1)   ESG is at the heart of every decision

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities are leading the way in every decision being made across the industry, including investment.

In the panel discussion Hospitality Investment with Purpose, Miguel Casas of Stoneweg Hospitality and Adrian Flueck of Invesco Real Estate said ESG was already integrated into their companies’ investment strategies while Gilles Clavié, CEO of AccorInvest, described ESG as the hotel owner and operator’s ‘growth engine’.

Ufi Ibrahim, CEO at the Energy & Environment Alliance, told those attending session Sustainable Operations: How to Operate Sustainably and Profitably, she had engaged investors in her sustainable mission before anyone else ‘to create a pyramid effect’ and urged the industry to take meaningful on sustainability action now.

“The industry has been damaged by greenwashing so don’t promote something unless it is genuinely making a difference,” she said.

      2)   Guests want sustainable travel options

Along with the return in travel demand is a rising interest in sustainable travel, according to Finnbar Cornwall of Google.

Cornwall revealed that there had been a 4,500% increase in the number of searches asking ‘what can I do about climate change? ’ in the last year, with a 2,500% rise in the number of searches looking for businesses running more sustainably.

Accor CEO Sebastien Bazin said ESG ‘won’ over brand standards when questioned which factor was more important in live interview The Big Conversation – Experience, Innovation, Profit.

The hotel leader, responsible for 54 global hotel brands, said: “What people want to know is what are you doing for children and the planet? Go for planet-friendly decisions.”

      3)   Flexibility is essential

The industry must be flexible in many areas to operate successfully in a post-Covid world. That was one of the key messages coming through in discussions covering a host of topics, from people to profitability.

Sharan Pasricha of Ennismore, speaking in The Future Focus Panel: Hybrid Concepts and Hospitality Innovation, said the events of the last two years had led them to reassess how they operated and what guests were offered.

“We became more flexible because that’s what customers wanted. You can now check into the Hoxton at midnight and check out at 11:59pm the next day.”

The conference concluded with a keynote from Nick Jones, CEO and Founder, Soho House Group. In his humble opening Jones likened his brand to a warm bread roll: “Not too cold, not too hot, but we make people feel good but the most important thing is that we are relevant.”

Inflexibility was identified as a barrier to retention and recruitment in The People Issue: Addressing the Talent Shortage. Panellists echoed the thoughts expressed in sessions throughout the conference – the way the industry approaches recruitment needs to be braver and not rely on prescriptive job descriptions, but instead tailor the role to the person.

      4)   Innovate, innovate, innovate

Moving on from flexibility was innovation, a key theme running throughout the day’s discussions. At Adjacent Spaces, the think-tank for hospitality’s innovators and game-changers held alongside IHIF, Stephen McCall, CEO Edyn said the pandemic had given operators the impetus to be more disruptive.

“We don’t have data from the last two years but intuitively we do things that feel right. Sometimes you have to take a punt and model a future you want.”

This was mirrored by Natalia Kolotneva from La Salle Investment Management in the Adjacent Spaces session Investing in Hybrid Hospitality, as she urged operators to be innovative: “Be proud of the products you are developing and develop products people want to use. Be more nimble, more creative, more forward looking.”

In his concluding keynote Nick Jones, CEO and Founder, Soho House Group added: “People want flexibility and a hybrid version of the life they had before the pandemic. We have to offer that. There is no cookie cutter, every time we open a house we start again with a blank sheet of paper, we look at how we can make things better for the customer. It’s the most important thing to get right! This is why hospitality has to innovate, to continue to improve and grow.”

      5)   Technology can aid efficiency

Hospitality should embrace technology to streamline operations and allow staff to focus on guests was a point made across the two days.

In tech-focused session How Can the Hospitality Industry Drive Innovation? Rami Zeidan of Lifehouse revealed how he’d used technology to improve recruitment and training to help mitigate high staff turnover levels and reduce costs.

In Aligning with Profitability, Neil Kirk of L&R Hotels told delegates how his business had focused on IT solutions and digitalisation to improve profitability with online-check-ins and improvements to back office inventory aiding this move.

      6)   Prices WILL rise (but as a last resort)

Hoteliers were given tips to improve profitability in a number of sessions, but streamlining operations and restructuring internally are not considered enough with food and energy prices on the rise.

In its session Optimizing F&B Revenue CGA said its survey of hospitality operators had found 83% of venues are concerned about food and beverage costs and are looking to raise menu prices by 8% on average.

Panellists, including Rob Hornman of Flemings Hotels Group and Niels Schroeder of Fairmas, in Getting Back to Profitability, outlined the challenges associated with these rising costs, especially as ‘customers are not willing to pay more.’

They concluded that prices would need to shift – ADR rates are going up for the first time – and customers would need to be educated of the necessity while also making cost-savings elsewhere.

ADR rates were discussed in Aligning for Profitability Neil Kirk of L+R Hotels suggested drilling down to the big KPIs to examine what is driving them, such as true net ADR, as well as focusing more on distribution.

“The true net ADR is something we all need to work harder on,” he said. “Net ADR is the one we all have to get better at.”

      7)   Deals are being done

Activity continues in hotel investment and IHIF saw a number of partnerships being signed and deals being done throughout the two days.

Among those completing deals were Cheval Collection and 141WRS, announcing a management agreement for Cheval Collection to operate their 70-unit property in Glasgow under the Cheval Maison Brand while Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), the executive arm of the Sultanate for tourism development, announced its partnership with the international beach club, hotel and resort operator, Nikki Beach at IHIF.

Room distribution, revenue and yield management provider HotelPartner Yield Management also announced its partnership with the febc group – one of the largest procurement and turnkey supply companies in the hospitality sector, to offer investors and owners alike, an alternative ‘independent’ operating model.

      8)   There’s no such thing as an original idea

Inspiration can be found everywhere and panellists in a number of sessions revealed where they sought it to improve their businesses. Adaptation was the name of the game.

In the Future Focus Panel: Hybrid Concepts and Hospitality Innovation Michael Widmann of PKF hospitality group, encouraged hoteliers to ‘steal ideas and adapt them’.

“We need to go through the world and pick up the best ideas. Stealing and adapting them to your needs is not a crime.”

ENDS

About Questex Hospitality Group
Questex Hospitality Group, a division of Questex LLC, represents a senior audience of $650 billion in hotel assets, reaching one in two hotel owners and operators across the globe. With a portfolio of both media and live events, including Hospitality Insights, The Annual Hotel Conference (AHC), The International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), and The Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum (R&R), Questex Hospitality Group brings together leaders in hospitality investment, development and operations to make the deals that shape recovery and growth in the sector.

Advisory Board members are consulted regularly to shape the content and direction of IHIF to keep it being the most productive and engaging event for hospitality investment. The IHIF 2022 Advisory Board features senior leaders from global hotel brands including Accor, IHG, Marriott, Radisson and Melia, alongside representatives from hospitality real estate and investment such as PPHE Hotel Group, Deutsche Hospitality, Invesco, Bain Capital Credit and BNP Paribas Real Estate.

To find out more about the IHIF 2022 Advisory Board, visit https://www.ihif.com/ihifcom/advisory-board

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

For media requests, images or more information, please contact:

Leah Braithwaite
Marketing Director – Hotel Investment
+44 (0)203 318 8340
lbraithwaite@questex.com

Nova Lorraine, Fashion Designer & Founder, Metagame Hub and Karen Root, Customer Experience and Digital Transformation Thought Leader to Keynote Event

NEW YORK, May 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex today introduced Metaverse Global Congress, a new event where innovators, marketers and strategists connect to discuss the future of cyberspace. Metaverse Global Congress will bring together the most active brands and enterprises that are leading the metaverse revolution as well as those that are looking to get started, searching for ideas, strategies and solutions to move their organizations into the future. The event takes place June 28-29 in San Jose, CA.

Nova Lorraine, Fashion Designer & Founder of Raine Magazine will present “State of the Industry – Where the Metaverse is Today.” Lorraine is an award-winning couture designer, Author, 2x Award Nominated Podcast Host, as well as an Advisor for fashion and lifestyle brands and startups. Lorraine is a poet and storyteller at heart and has found success in her newly released book and podcast, Unleash Your Supernova. Beyond launching the Pink Kangaru Podcast Network, Lorraine has expanded her digital pursuits into Web3 as the Founder of Raine Drops NFT Art House and as a Strategist for NFTs, DAOs, and the Metaverse. She is also the co-host of the Apple Ranked Crypto for Creatives podcast.

Lorraine said, “I began my crypto journey about five years ago and was excited to be able to combine my interests in crypto, NFTs, and the Metaverse with my background in fashion and branding. I am thrilled to share my insights with the Metaverse Global Congress attendees.”  

Karen Root Director of Experience Strategy, Boehringer Ingelheim will present “Understanding Experience Strategy, NFT/Smart Contracts, and Bridging Metaverse Technology to Practical Applications Today.” Root is a strategic operations and marketing executive with more than two decades of experience in healthcare including medical devices, biopharma, and pharmaceuticals. She is a customer experience and digital transformation thought leader and is adding innovative experience design in the Metaverse. Her background spans more broadly to include computer software, publishing, and consumer package goods. She has lead strategy, brand, marketing, CX and digital as a global senior executive for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 multi-national organizations.  She was at the forefront of partnering with hospital administrators in value analysis and supporting the triple aim from the manufacturer perspective. Certified in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and as a metaverse expert, she has a patent pending in smart contracts and is exploring integrating NFTs and meta realities into the healthcare space.

Root added, “The metaverse is in its infancy and it’s a really exciting time to be part of something new. With expertise in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, NFTs and more, I am looking forward to discussing how to create practical meta applications in the healthcare industry with Metaverse Global Congress attendees.”

Kevin Gray, Vice President, Metaverse Global Congress said, “The Metaverse is going to change the world as we know it over the coming decade. Technology and communications companies are quickly pivoting their businesses to help support and enable the future. A wave of new vendors are popping up to help organizations market and monetize new products across sprawling virtual worlds, and live entertainment companies and game developers are providing successful early use cases for the potential of what the metaverse could be. Amidst it all, almost every brand in the world is taking a hard look at what the metaverse will mean for their business. If you are in the technology or communication space I hope you will join us this June for Metaverse Global Congress, as we dive into these issues, and help brands and enterprises build their strategies for the next evolution of the digital age.”

Metaverse Global Congress is co-located with Sensors Converge, Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference, and Autonomous Technologies Conference.

For exhibit or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Metaverse Global Congress Team.

To learn more about Metaverse Global Congress, click here or register here. Stay connected with Metaverse Global Congress on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Sonal Patel
Sensors Converge
sonal@sonal.io

Provides Hands-On Training for Engineers on the Latest Development Boards, Technology through Interactive Booth Demos and Avnet’s Overall Capabilities

NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Fierce Technology Group today announces Avnet will be exhibiting and sponsoring at Sensors Converge 2022, the only in-person event covering the biggest design engineering trends. In addition to a robust show floor experience, Avnet will be offering two full-days of workshops providing hands-on training for engineers on the latest development boards.

Charlene Soucy, Senior Director, Technology – Sensors & Electronics said, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Avnet to deliver the latest technologies and in-depth training to Sensors Converge attendees.”

“Beyond our interactive booth experience at Sensors Converge 2022, Avnet is pleased to provide two practical hands-on training workshops where engineers can learn some quick tips on prototyping sensor applications,” said Jim Beneke, Avnet VP of Products and Emerging Technologies. “It has been a while since we’ve been able to offer hands-on workshops and we’ve selected two that attendees will not only find useful, but they can take what they’ve started in the workshop and finish it back in their own workspace.”

The two workshops include:
Prototyping Secure Sensor Applications Using Click Boards and the Azure Sphere Starter Kit:
Creating quick, accurate, and secure proof of concept prototypes can reduce risk in IoT applications. In this mini workshop, a complete Microsoft Azure IoT connected sensor system is explained and demonstrated by an Azure Sphere specialist. Attendees are then guided though the hands-on process of configuring Avnet’s Azure Sphere Starter Kit for a variety of sensor-to-cloud applications. Attendees will take home an Avnet Sphere Starter Kit and two MikroE click boards to enable follow-on experimentation and learning.

Enhancing an Embedded Sensor Application with a Custom Voice Command Interface:
Incorporating voice recognition / command detection is a growing trend in embedded systems. In this mini workshop, a full-featured, voice-interfaced sensor system with webserver and embedded media player is demonstrated. Attendees are then guided though the rapid implementation steps of adding their own custom voice-command interface using NXP’s online VIT Voice Model Generation tool. The final building and running of a voice-enabled application using Avnet’s NXP i.MX RT1176 based MaaXBoard RT concludes the workshop, with attendees taking home the MaaXBoard RT kit for further experimentation.

The workshops are available to all attendees at a limited time rate of $49. Sign up is available through registration at www.sensorsconverge.com/register.

The Sensors Converge Expo Floor will feature more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest sensing technologies and identify new ways to improve products and expand their capabilities using sensors. Cutting-edge technology areas will also be highlighted in Zones and Theaters on the Expo Floor with an exclusive focus on IoT & Wireless, 5G, Power, MEMS & Emerging Tech, Autonomous, and Startups. In addition, the Sensors Converge Conference Program provides top-notch education and training for professionals who design with and integrate sensors, sensor systems, and sensor applications and are shaping the future roadmap of the electronics industry. Sensors Converge will also offer Pre-Conference Symposia providing a deep dive into critical sensors topics and technologies.

Sensors Converge takes place June 27-29 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Sensors Converge will be co-located with Embedded Technologies Conference & Expo, Autonomous Technologies Conference, and Metaverse Global Congress.

Sensors Converge offers several registration options, including the All-Access Pass, which provides access to the entire event, Conference passes to Sensors and co-located events, and the Expo Hall Pass, which offers access to the Expo Hall. Early bird rates end April 22. For more information, visit: https://www.sensorsexpo.com/register.

For exhibit or sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Stay connected with Sensors Converge on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Sensors Converge
Sensors Converge (www.sensorsconverge.com), formerly known as Sensors Expo & Conference, got its start 37 years ago bringing together the design engineering community to network, share ideas, and define the future roadmap for the sensors industry. Sensors Converge is part of the Fierce Technology Group, a division of Questex, which also produces the Embedded Technologies Expo & Conference, Autonomous Technologies Conference, Medical Technologies Design Conference, Best of Sensors Awards, Fierce Electronics, Fierce Sensors, Fierce AutoTech, and Fierce EmbeddedTech, as well as daily content and newsletters on Fierce Electronics at www.fierceelectronics.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Sonal Patel
Sensors Converge
sonal@sonal.io

 

NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex named tea industry veteran Ellainy Karaboitis-Christopoulos the new Business Development Manager for the World Tea Conference + Expo, the most influential event in the global tea industry, and World Tea News, the premier source of information and news for the international tea community. In her new role, Karaboitis-Christopoulos will be the primary contact for all exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers, helping them elevate their presence in the industry and reach key buyers.

“I’m so excited to be back working with the tea community,” said Karaboitis-Christopoulos. “I’m especially excited to be working with the internationally recognized World Tea Conference + Expo. The event is the only platform that brings professionals from all levels and areas of the tea industry together. It’s the only gathering where buyers can meet tea growers and leading suppliers from around the world and taste new teas before ordering. It’s the only event that gives the tea industry access to important vertical market buyers to conduct business, in addition to in-depth education to strategize for future growth. I look forward to connecting with tea business leaders, top brands, producers and suppliers from around the globe, as we gear up for World Tea Conference + Expo 2023.”

Karaboitis-Christopoulos has nearly 15 years of experience in the tea industry. She previously managed the Specialty Tea Institute (STI) – the educational division of the Tea Association of the USA – overseeing the STI Certification program, corporate training, membership and association trips to origin. She’s had the opportunity to experience the magic of the tea leaf in person, traveling and meeting tea growers and producers around the world. Most recently, she worked as a Conference Operations Manager with Questex’s Wellness Group, focused on the International Beauty Show and International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference. In addition, she worked with Questex’s Hospitality Group on operations for Bar & Restaurant Expo and the World Tea Conference + Expo.

Tim McLucas, Vice President for the Bar & Restaurant Group at Questex, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Ellainy to the World Tea team. Her background and expertise in the tea industry makes her the perfect fit to support tea brands, tea suppliers and other tea-related businesses through the World Tea Conference + Expo, as well as World Tea News. The annual tea industry event – along with its companion news and information site – provides companies with valuable opportunities for business growth and evolution.”

According to Karaboitis-Christopoulos, tea has gained significant attention from consumers over the last few years in North America, fueled by the leaf’s health and wellness benefits. In fact, in 2021, Americans consumed almost 85 billion servings of tea, or more than 3.9 billion gallons, per the Tea Association of the USA.

“Besides being the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, and having so many variations of tea, the health benefits of tea are beyond amazing,” noted Karaboitis-Christopoulos. “Consumers are more educated about what is healthy and what they are putting into their bodies. That’s why it’s such an important time for tea and tea-related businesses to increase their presence and connect with buyers. Of course, the World Tea Conference + Expo is at the center of it all – especially for brands that want to break into the North American market in a major way.”

The next World Tea Conference + Expo takes place March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event will once again be co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo, the nation’s largest and most influential gathering of bar and restaurant owners and operators. For the recent 2022 events, more than 10,000 attendees gathered for the combined expos.

To learn more about the World Tea Conference + Expo and World Tea News, visit WorldTeaExpo.com and WorldTeaNews.com (be sure to sign-up for your free e-newsletter subscription at the site). To book your exhibit space or to become a sponsor or advertiser, connect with Ellainy Karaboitis-Christopoulos at ekaraboitis@questex.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Michelle Osborne
Questex
mosborne@questex.com

Unveils New Successful Service Professional Track; Event Takes Place October 9-10, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida

NEW YORK, May 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference (IECSC) Florida, the most influential gathering of spa and wellness professionals in the Southeast, today announces it is expanding the event’s attendance by partnering with Caribbean Wellness & Education (WE) and the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA). IECSC Florida will be held at the Palm Beach Convention Center, October 9-10, 2022.

Jill Birkett, Vice President, Wellness Group, said, “We are always thinking of new and innovative ways to help our attendees learn, while also driving traffic to our event. We are delighted to be partnering with Caribbean Wellness & Education and the Florida State Massage Therapy Association to accomplish this. We look forward to bringing the industry together this Fall.”

IECSC Florida will unveil a new Successful Service Professional track at the event, which is geared to estheticians and massage therapists, as well as any service provider looking to expand their skills. The track will include a workshop featuring cannabis massage techniques, a business-focused session that will offer National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) credits and more.

New Partnerships Drive Event Attendance
IECSC Florida has created partnerships with WE and FSMTA that will drive attendance at the event.

Caribbean Wellness & Education (WE) is a collaborative of spa & wellness professionals, improving standards in the Caribbean and Latin America through professional development, continuing education, and networking events. WE has a history of commitment to the Caribbean wellness tourism community and delivers consulting services and business events, in addition to community outreach throughout the islands. WE will hold its fourth annual 2022 Wellness Mastermind meeting at the IECSC Florida event.

The FSMTA is the only association that works exclusively for massage therapists in Florida. The FSMTA is the oldest professional massage therapy association in the country. Since its inception, the FSMTA has been involved in the legislative process concerning the massage therapy profession. The FSMTA will host a half day meeting at IECSC Florida for its members.

The IECSC Florida will host over 200 industry suppliers of the top brands in the skincare and wellness industry, alongside an educational conference with leaders of the industry addressing the current needs and opportunities of the spa and wellness community.

IECSC Florida takes place October 9-10, 2022 at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Palm Beach, Florida. IECSC Florida is celebrating its 24th year in Florida. In addition to the Florida event, IECSC also takes place annually in New York, Chicago and Las Vegas.

Registration for IECSC Florida opens in the Summer of 2022. Sign up here for the IECSC Florida Guest List for registration details.

Stay connect with IECSC Florida on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About WE
Caribbean Wellness & Education (WE) is a collaborative of spa & wellness professionals, improving standards in the Caribbean and Latin America through professional development, continuing education, and networking events. WE believe the Caribbean is the “World’s Spa” and work with 32 countries towards the continual advancement of delivering the highest quality wellness tourism product. WE are here to assist you and be the bridge for the region on industry-specific solutions that matter the most.

About Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA)
FSMTA is a Florida-based Massage Therapy Association formed in 1939. FSMTA members are proud professional Massage Therapists from Florida and beyond. Together, FSMTA members can make the profession stronger – through legislative efforts, education and mutual support. FSMTA goes above and beyond to help our members by offering optional professional liability insurance, free and discounted CE classes at 19 chapters throughout the state, monthly webinars, and more.

About IECSC
Produced by Questex, the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conferences (IECSC) are for professionals only and reach a wide cross‐section of participants from spa and wellness product manufacturers and distributors to spa owners, directors and managers, estheticians, massage therapists, cosmetologists, medical estheticians, and dermatologists. With dynamic trade show floors, in-depth conference programs, and presented by America Spa, IECSC events provide the perfect meeting ground for the world’s most elite and qualified spa professionals looking to meet the top skin, cosmetic and wellness companies.

About Questex 
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. 

Media Contact
Amanda Butcher
Marketing Manager, Wellness
Questex
abutcher@questex.com 

Hospitality, Hotel, Restaurant, Bar and Associated Businesses Such as Travel, Gyms, Salons and Spas are Interconnected Markets Fueling $6.8 Trillion in Consumer Market Spend by 2030

NEW YORK, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex lives in the experience economy bringing people together in the markets that help communities live better and live longer and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences in fast growing markets. Questex today announces it is combining its hospitality, hotel real estate investment and related businesses in the wellness and travel markets into one portfolio consisting of four sub-markets deeply integrated within Hotel Investments, Hotel Operations, Food & Beverage and Travel & Wellness. This will give Questex and its customers the ability to tap into adjacent verticals as these markets continue to intersect.

Questex is focused on extending a leadership position in each of its core sectors. The hospitality, hotel, restaurant, bar and related businesses such as travel, gyms, salons and spas are all interconnected and Questex’s new Hospitality portfolio connects owners, investors and operators through events and content. The global hospitality industry, including wellness, is worth more than $6.8 trillion and is growing at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 15%. Operators across these businesses share similar needs around information, products and solutions, which offers Questex an opportunity to scale for growth while serving each of the sub-markets with sector specific research, insights and connections to drive its businesses forward.

Despite a challenging two years for the hospitality and travel sectors, Questex’s portfolio of 2022 media and events are pacing 70% higher in revenue than 2021 and only 10% down on 2019 revenue levels which itself was a record high for the Hospitality, Travel & Wellness Group before the pandemic began in 2020.

Capital investment into the experience economy via the underlying real estate and operating platforms is increasing as consumers spend more of their income on experiences. Questex’s prominence within the hospitality real estate investment sector led by its International Hospitality Investment Forum event is a platform for further growth, connecting capital with the real estate and operators in the growing sector.

“Questex is focused on fast-growth sectors to drive its growth,” said Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Questex, who will manage this new group. “Our new portfolio ties to our mission of serving the communities that help people live better and live longer by bringing them together though business experiences and solidifies our strategy of connecting buyers and sellers building for the future. With a deep understanding of each of the industries we serve and the professionals working within the experience economy, our events and content helps our audiences find the information they need to help them make smart decisions and grow their businesses.”

Questex’s Q Activate technology framework will help the new hospitality portfolio deliver deep insights into the verticals. With a focus on audience engagement, Questex’s forward-thinking approach combines event and content intelligence with trends and demographics to deliver insight into audience interests.

The new Questex Hospitality portfolio leadership team:

Jill Birkett, Vice President/Market Leader, will lead Travel & Wellness Operations and industry veteran, Ruthanne Terrero will expand her responsibility and will serve as Head of Content for the Travel & Wellness group properties. The Travel & Wellness Operations portfolio includes: Luxury Travel Advisor, Luxury Travel Advisor’s ULTRA Summit, Travel Agent University, Meeting Spotlight, Global Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange, Caribbean & Mexico Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange, Travel Agent, American Salon, International Beauty Show, American Spa, International Esthetics Cosmetics & Spa Conference, Spa Industry Association, Spatec, Sibec and Club Industry.

Amy Vaxman will expand her responsibility and will serve as Vice President/Market Leader for the Hotel Operations market. This portfolio includes: Hotel Management, Hotel ROI and the Hotec portfolio of hosted buyer meetings.

Tim McLucas will head the Food & Beverage market as Vice President/Market Leader. This portfolio includes: Bar & Restaurant, Bar & Restaurant Expo, World Tea News, World Tea Conference & Expo, World Tea Academy and Vibe Conference.

Joe Stather, Vice President/Market Leader, has joined Questex from CBRE to lead the Operational Real Estate Investment portfolio. In this newly created position, Stather will be responsible for leading Questex’s industry leading hospitality real estate investment events and media. The Operational Real Estate Investment portfolio includes: International Hospitality Investment Forum, Resort & Residential Investment Forum, The Annual Hotel Conference, Israel Hotel Investment Summit and Hospitality Insights.

Khajavi added, “We are in a very strong position with the right people, the right products and the right processes. Jill, Ruthanne, Amy and Tim are all terrific leaders that deeply know their markets and we’re pleased to grow their careers and elevate them from within. Additionally, Joe is a well-known advisor in the real estate investment industry and will be a tremendous asset to lead our real estate investment portfolio.”

These changes clearly benefit the communities Questex serves by combining insights across the entire Hospitality, Wellness, Travel and Fitness spectrum, connecting buyers and sellers to help grow their businesses.

To learn more about Questex, visit questex.com.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. 
  

Media Contact
Kate Spellman
Chief Marketing Officer
Questex
kspellman@questex.com
212 895 8488