As the stress and craziness of the holidays continue into New Year’s Eve and the ensuing new year, New York Laser & Aesthetics in Manhasset, NY wants to remind you that this is the perfect time to start treating yourself to the better things in life!
Manhasset, NY, December 31, 2012 - As the stress and craziness of the holidays continue into New Year’s Eve and the ensuing new year, New York Laser & Aesthetics in Manhasset, NY wants to remind you that this is the perfect time to start treating yourself to the better things in life! They offer many services to make your life easier and give you your confidence back! Make 2013 your year…to finally get rid of that unwanted hair through laser hair removal, those sun and age spots with laser treatment, uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, aging skin, and acne with chemical peels, and even your stubborn toenail fungus with the Q-Clear Foot Laser! Resolve to finally start treating yourself and your skin better with New York Laser & Aesthetics’ advanced, cutting edge technology and caring, experienced staff.
New York Laser & Aesthetics is conveniently located in the elite Americana Manhasset shopping center, close to many Long Island communities such as Jericho, Woodbury, Syosset, Garden City, Great Neck, Port Washington, and Oyster Bay. New York Laser & Aesthetics strives to offer their clients convenient hours, and offers Saturday appointments as well as weekdays. Many treatments are quick and can be fit into a lunch break or combined with a day of shopping and other errands in Manhasset. Their office is welcoming, discreet, clean and comfortable, and their staff is New York State licensed, insured and bonded. The safety and comfort of their clients are their utmost concern. To that end, they are well-trained in the operation of the state-of-the-art, medical-grade technology they use on clients. From laser hair removal services to chemical peels, toenail fungus removal to dark spot removal, they offer the newest, most effective FDA-approved treatments available.
New York Laser & Aesthetics is one of Long Island’s leading laser hair removal clinics. They offer laser hair removal for men and women, on all different sites on one’s body, including arms, legs, underarms, chest, stomach, back, chin, upper lip, sideburns, and bikini areas. These treatments are especially popular with athletes, including runners, swimmers, cyclists and weightlifters, as well as regular folks. Laser hair removal saves people precious time grooming in the morning, saves them the pain from plucking, threading or electrolysis, and saves money over time by ending the need for costly waxing appointments and razors, shaving cream, and other grooming supplies.
Another popular treatment offered by New York Laser & Aesthetics is sunspot, liver spot, age spot and brown spot laser removal. The laser treatment is not considered painful, and permanent removal of the unwanted spots is common. Optimal results generally take two or more treatment sessions to achieve. Sessions are approximately only twenty minutes long, depending on how many spots are being treated at a time. Laser spot removal can be used to treat birthmarks, café au lait spots and freckles, as well as spots acquired over time by sun exposure and aging. New York Laser & Aesthetics employs the Q-Clear Yag Laser, which is the same technology used for tattoo removal. The Yag Laser is able to target the hyperpigmented spot and “zap” it, all while leaving surrounding skin tissue completely unaffected. This is a huge improvement from other remedies in the past, which resulted in permanent scarring. Many of those suffering from these pigmented lesions have been resigned to just using makeup everyday as a temporary fix to cover up these unwanted spots, but can now see permanent results with as little as two visits.
The New Year is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and treat yourself to evenly pigmented skin without these spots giving away your age or making you look older than your years! New York Laser & Aesthetics is ready to help jump-start your new year’s resolutions with a current promotion—receive a $200 gift certificate for just $100! Get $100 worth of free services for you or a loved one, good on any treatments New York Laser & Aesthetics offers. Make 2013 the year you finally decide to make your life easier and give yourself more confidence!
New York Laser & Aesthetics is confident you will love the results of their treatments. To this end, they stand behind their services and offer special package deals, including an initial six-treatment laser hair removal package with a “lifetime guarantee” afterwards of any additional treatments at 50% off for life! Whether it’s laser hair removal, age spot removal, toenail fungus removal or other skin needs you have, New York Laser & Aesthetics will be happy to help you. Please contact New York Laser & Aesthetics for a free consultation and to find out about any additional current promotions. Call them at (516) 627-7777, or contact them through their website at www.nylaser1.com, or on their Facebook page. Have a healthy and happy new year from everyone at New York Laser Aesthetics Group!
Contact:
Ofra Grinbaum
New York Laser Aesthetics
Americana at Manhasset
2110 Northern Blvd. (Suite. 202)
Manhasset, NY 11030
516-627-7777
info@nylaser1.com
http://www.nylaser1.com
AAA is endorsing comments from Schroders senior adviser Alan Brown, who claims that some of the finest wine labels are currently experiencing a period of depressed values and this is the time to snap them up.
Boston, MA, December 29, 2012 - Alternative Asset Analysis is endorsing comments from Schroders senior adviser Alan Brown, who claims that some of the finest wine labels are currently experiencing a period of depressed values and this is the time to snap them up.
AAA explains that although the wine investment sector has come under fire recently, after 30 per cent was knocked off some top labels’ values, this has left them more affordable. The alternative investment advocacy group, alongside Alan Brown, claims that taking a long term view of wine investment is the best way to make it work for you.
Mr Brown explained that the drop in the wine prices has reflected the drop in stock prices recorded last year. "Wine prices usually follow the equity markets though there may be some disconnect and differences at times," he explained.
AAA’s analysis partner Anthony Johnson, added that the popularity of alternative investments such as wine, art, antiques and precious metals have increased since the credit crunch hit. He explained, "After the economic collapse, investors started to look for a way of diversifying their portfolios against risk, and this is where alternative investments come in."
"Investing in something you love, like a hobby such as wine, means you will remain interested in the product you are investing in and are more likely to respond to the market in the best way."
Brown himself has a collection of over 3,000 bottles and he claims that money is still to be made from investing in the right wines and just keeping hold of them over time. He claims that cases of wine can lose value here an there but will often regain those values if investor take long-view.
AAA advocates investing in alternatives to diversify portfolios against risk and recommends forestry as an ethical and profitable option.
Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com
Roving Coach International (RCI) announces the launch of its new and improved website at RovingCoach.com. The new website has a fresher look that is easier to navigate and more focused on the company’s benefits to clients.
Clayton, NC, December 28, 2012 - Roving Coach International (RCI) announces the launch of its new and improved website at www.RovingCoach.com. The new website has a fresher look that is easier to navigate and more focused on the company’s benefits to clients. The site also features access to resources and articles about the ROI of coaching, as well as the critical role alignment and engagement play in employee retention and productivity.
“The Roving Coach team is committed to Creating World Peace in the Workplace™… one employee at a time, and I believe our new site better reflects this commitment,” said RCI’s Chief Rover CJ Scarlet. “Our overarching goal is to enable companies to create the workforce of the future and boost their bottom lines by coaching their employees to be more highly engaged and aligned to the mission, vision and goals of their companies.”
The RovingCoach.com website features an “I Want to…” tab that helps visitors quickly navigate to the content they are most interested in. The site also focused heavily on the benefits of coaching Millennial employees—composed of young people born between 1977 and 1997 who make up a full quarter of the U.S. population, and are entering the workforce and making a dramatic impact on their organizations.
About Roving Coach International
Roving Coach combines situational coaching and customized talent analytics into one experience, called the Roving Coach Experience™—two powerful tools to help employees shift to higher levels of aligned engagement in 30 minutes. The company helps leaders help themselves and captures what matters most to their employees, because what matters to employees, matters to the bottom line. Be a HERO and join the movement to Create World Peace in your Workplace by contacting Roving Coach immediately at 800.611.3161 or by visiting www.RovingCoach.com.
Contact:
CJ Scarlet
Roving Coach International, Inc.
9 Seven Oaks Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
800-611-3161
cj@rovingcoach.com
http://www.rovingcoach.com
Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) to showcase its expertise and teach Luxury Tour Operators and Travel Partners ATF Laos (atflaos.com) 2013 in VTE Laos from 21 to 25 Jan 2013. Stand G11.
Hanoi, Vietnam, December 26, 2012 - Each year, the hosting of ATF is rotated among the member countries. ATF 2013 marks the 32nd anniversary of this event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981. Lao PDR will host ATF for the second time come 2013. The country and its host city Vientiane is all geared up to welcome over 1,600 delegates which includes some 150 ASEAN tourism ministers and officials, 800 ASEAN exhibitors, 400 international buyers, 150 international and local media as well as 100 tourism trade visitors.
The representatives of Luxury Travel Ltd from the USA, Laos Office and Hanoi offices will participate in the ATF 2013 as exhibitor and buyer. The aim is to promote the Vietnamese high end tourism product in the leisure luxury segment, which is addressed to people who want to live a unique experience, with personalized service, privacy, tranquility and simplicity. Different destinations combining history, culture and cuisine or an exotic destination with an excellent service and unique experience.
“Head quarter is based in Vietnam, with our management offices in Laos, ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 is a chance for us to establish our business relationship with all of you who look for a reliable full travel service agency and a luxury tour operator,” said Pham Ha Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.
Benefits of the face to face meeting at the ATF show, according to the company include:
· Meet and talk with a multi-languages team: Vietnamse, Laos, French, German, English
· Updating fresh Indochina tourism products
· Understanding what luxury and luxury travel really means to you
· Discussion about fam trips to Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia/Myanmar
· Seeing for yourself before you sell your real experience to customers
· What niche travel products are available for luxury travelers
· How to sell luxury travel products to the mass, class and everyone in between
· How to increase your sales volumes and maximize profits for luxury tour operators, travel agencies with worry free to work with local experts
· How Luxury Travel Ltd’s brochure and luxury travel guide book help travel professionals reach their peak sales performance
· How local luxury travel advisor team works and collaborates with the travel experts effectively around the clock for the benefits of their customers
· How to exceed customer’s expectations and become lifetime customers for the travel company
· Get a confidential tariff book for 2013-2014 with 3 French, Engish and German
All local tour operators are the same? If the tour operators you are looking for are an award winning luxury tour operator to Vietnam/Indochina destinations. Luxury Travel Ltd is promoting five countries in one destination. For further business discussion with Luxury Travel representatives, book an appointment in advance at ATF13@luxurytravelvietnam.com , check website at www.luxurytravelvietnam.com or drop by Lux’s stand G11.
Vietnam’s first luxury tour operator/DMC (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is based in Hanoi, with offices throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel is exceptional at designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences. Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company Limited has its own offices, luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors, and representative offices in California, London, Berlin, Paris, and Sydney. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent “The Years’ Best” of the Guide Awards in 2012. www.facebook.com/luxurytravelcompany
Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com
Land Surveyors, Home Inspectors and Engineers Weigh In on Important Criteria
Warren, PA, December 17, 2012 - McKissock, a leader in continuing education, has compiled the top criteria that land surveying, home inspection and engineer professionals consider when selecting continuing education courses required by states and industry associations.
“We invite everyone to use these criteria to scrutinize their education choices,” says Annie Creek, Market Research and Compliance Specialist at McKissock. “The licensed professionals we work with are required to take courses, but have the freedom to select their education partners. Hopefully we can help shed some light on how continuing education can be enjoyable.”
According to ongoing research among licensed professionals, the following criteria top the list.
1. Price – The cost of courses is clearly a top priority. Take the time to compare courses, look into discounted course packages and ask about price matching.
2. Relevance – Review home inspection, engineering and land surveying courses with a lens of relevancy. In addition to what’s required, select courses that will make your job easier or better. Education providers should strive to offer classes, webinars and resources that apply directly to your daily tasks.
3. Acceptance – Most of the time, professionals seeking continuing education need to meet strict requirements for their state or industry associations. It’s critical to ensure that the courses you take meet their standards and requirements.
4. Access – Busy professionals require extra coursework to be quick and easy to find and complete. Consider courses that can be taken on-the-fly at any time.
5. Expertise – Don’t be afraid to ask about instructors’ and course authors’ experience in their respective industries. The best courses are almost always written and taught by subject matter experts who have real-world experience.
McKissock is a trusted resource for state-specific, state-approved home inspector, engineer and land surveying courses, regulation information and compliance.
McKissock also serves as a resource to stay on top of license renewals. To help remove the potential of license lapse or expiration, McKissock offers a free reminder service that will notify you when your license renewal date is pending. Visit http://reminder.mckedu.com to sign up.
Visit www.mckissock.com and select a state for information on approved land surveying, engineering and home inspection courses. McKissock offers customizable packages, individual courses and affordable webinars.
About McKissock:
McKissock is an education company that educates, empowers and enriches professionals in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, land surveying and engineering. McKissock gives specialists a place to go to access relevant, easy-to-use and high-quality courses that provide the hours and information necessary to meet state compliance and regulation requirements. Founded in 1990, McKissock offers more than 100 courses and serves thousands of professionals daily. The company is focused on providing a superior customer experience that will help professionals move their career forward. To learn more, visit www.mckissock.com.
Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
720-933-8119
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com
Comprehensive Online Database Outlines How Campuses Showcase Sustainability
Denver, Colorado, December 20, 2012 – The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF’s) Campus Ecology program recently released 112 new case studies featuring the best green projects of 2012. These innovative efforts, from renewable energy systems to campus organic farms, can now be seen in a single online resource from NWF. The comprehensive database of case studies outlines how colleges and universities around the country, including Ecotech Institute, are making a substantial investment in the sustainability of their campuses, communities and curriculum. Ecotech Institute now has three sustainability case studies included in NWF Campus Ecology’s resources.
The NWF Campus Ecology sustainability case study database, the only resource of its kind, is available online now at thanks in part to the support of The Kendeda Fund. More than one hundred new case studies highlight efforts to dramatically reduce pollution, waste, and costs, including recycling, energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy installations and green jobs training programs.
Published each year since 1989, NWF’s Campus Ecology sustainability case study database has become an indispensable resource for students, faculty, administrators, community leaders and others interested in the role of colleges and universities in protecting the health of our planet. The database is searchable by topic, year, school, and state and includes information on each institution’s project goals, successes, challenges, funding strategies and project leaders.
“This resource helps colleges and universities learn how campuses are tackling their energy and water consumption challenges, and about their strategies to protect and restore green space. The database also gives campuses an opportunity to share their successes nationwide while receiving recognition for their commitment and hard work,” says Kristy Jones, Sr. Manager of Campus Ecology Programs, National Wildlife Federation.
NWF’s Campus Ecology program works with several hundred campuses nationwide each year on efforts to advance student leadership, reduce carbon pollution and support career education.
Since its inception in 1989, National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology program has gained respect as a national leader in campus sustainability and the climate action movement. The program has long recognized the opportunities for higher education to lead society to a clean, just, and economically sound energy future. By providing tools, training and expertise, NWF has empowered students and inspired conservation stewardship on hundreds of campuses nationwide. Schools wanting to learn more about NWF’s Campus Ecology program can go to www.CampusEcology.org.
About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers six highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.
Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
720-933-8119
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com
AAA is backing a recent feature by Market Watch, which claims investments in green asset classes will increase alongside general interest among the US population.
Boston, MA, December 21, 2012 - Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) is backing a recent feature by Market Watch, which claims investments in green asset classes, such as timberland, agriculture and sustainable energy will increase alongside general interest in these issues among the US population.
A crisis such as Superstorm Sandy can really make the threat of climate change hit home to people in the US, who don’t generally have to worry about the impact of climate change in their day-to-day lives. Experiencing some of the weather phenomena that blight other areas of the world can make Americans sit up and take notice of the issues and want to help through their investment choices.
This is according to AAA, an alternative asset analysis group, which endorses green investment. It is keen to underline the claims made in the Market Watch article, which talks about how climate change is increasingly an issue in the public consciousness. It stated that people who are taking green issues seriously can make a difference through impact investing. It said, ‘Globally, the environment has been woven into impact investing through programs and products that address water, waste and energy.’
The article adds that things like an upcoming program about climate change that is due to air on the Showtime Network in 2013 and the recent climate talks in Doha being covered on the news all help to inform people about the threats.
Those who then go on to discover how green investments can help to reduce the impact of climate change, while helping investors to see generous returns, often decide to take the plunge and try alternative investments and impact investing.
AAA supports forestry investment through businesses like Greenwood Management, which runs sustainably managed plantations in Brazil and Canada. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained, “Investing in trees can help to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, providing timberland is managed sustainable.”
Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com
FRA has endorsed a report from a forestry market analyst claiming that Chinese demand for Canadian timber will increase in 2013.
Bainbridge Island, WA, December 21, 2012 - Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has endorsed a report from a forestry market analyst claiming that Chinese demand for Canadian timber will increase in 2013.
British Columbia, one of the main timber growing regions in Canada, exported a total of 5.4 million cubic metres of softwood lumber in the first nine months of the year. Although this was a slight decline on the exports in the same period of 2011, Mark Kennedy of CIBC World Markets claims this is all to change.
Kennedy said that the small decline is actually quite a good result in light of the slight weakening of the Chinese real estate industry. The timber imported into China from Canada is generally used to reinforce concrete in apartment buildings and also for door and window frames. This means that imports will always be strongest when the country is building lots of homes.
FRA, a research and analysis consultancy, backs Mr Kennedy’s claims that social housing support and other stimulus moves announced by the Chinese government could mean more timber imports. He claims that between 2013 and 2015, timber imports could increase by as much as 20 per cent. Canada, in turn, supplies more than 80 per cent of all the lumber exported from the US.
In terms of China’s demand for new homes, some two million homes that were previously demolished need to be rebuilt and, even without this, China plans is to build some 10.75 million new homes every year for the coming 15 years.
FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins, said, “With this kind of real estate development happening, we are confident that demand for sustainable timber will increase over the coming years. In fact, evidence suggests that demand will outstrip supply by some margin, which will also lead to rising prices.”
FRA claims that this all means strong returns for those who invest in sustainable forestry projects in Canada, through firms like Greenwood Management.
Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com
“The message in this song is about coming to terms with your mistakes and learning from them so you can move forward with your life.”
Los Angeles, CA, December 18, 2012 - Luke Potter is a young UK singer/songwriter who has gained support and endorsements having been working with from some of the industry’s top music producers including Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat), Steve Power (Robbie Williams, McFly) and Bleu (Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers).
Luke’s catchy and melodic songs are easy for the young generation to relate to. His fresh, understated, boyish good looks make him particularly appealing to teen girls as evidenced during recent school tours in the UK where he has been 'mobbed' for autographs and photos.
If people are looking for the next teen idol then Luke is it! Don’t be fooled though, this heartthrob is a serious songwriter eager to make an impression stateside.
“One Day” is the lead-off song from his forthcoming U.S. debut EP of the same name. Incorporating his natural leanings and influences for pop and rock, “One Day” describes ‘starting over...’
The tone is his voice is all but pleading, “One day I’m gonna find a way to say the things that I mean, I’m gonna rewrite my story...”
Honest and to the point “One Day” and its music video is understated but Luke showcases that he is a highly talented, young songwriter and a true artist in the making with the backdrop of a great production by Bleu. “One Day” is the perfect coming-of-age and inspiring song for what’s to come from his debut EP.
Links: Website – YouTube – Facebook - Twitter
Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
P.O. Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com
BNH Services, a cloud solution development company, located in the heart of Silicon Valley has just recently announced the Google site development services.
Los Gatos, CA, December 19, 2012 - Google sites are simply a website hosting platform which lets you design your own site without having any prior knowledge of computer programming or any computer skills. Also it will automatically become Google search friendly. However, that is not all that the technology has to offer, with Google sites, you don’t need to pay any fee while setting up the website because it is created under your Google account.
The platform basically makes use of HTML coding, like Wordpress and guarantees that you will not be disappointed with the end result. Google sites now have functionalities which help you create just as powerful and popular designs as you could with Wordpress. BNH Services knows what Google sites can offer you, and understands and fulfill your needs using their technology.
BNH Services is not just limited to public site building; instead, it also offers you the chance to build intranet websites as well. This means that BNH Services can help you develop a collaborative website which can only be accessed by authorized personnel such the internal staff or partners.
BNH Services presents you with a reasonable price in industry. The base price for Google Site Design Package is $499 (one-time fee) and it includes Google Sites design with two drafts with a slideshow and can decorate up to five web pages. Also, BNH Services offers premade Google site templates with a slide you can instantly create and custom for your website at only $50 and you will get a 20% discount if you order by the end of the year.
“We understand that our customers need assistance to help them migrate from the current traditional websites to a Google based friendly website, so we lend a hand whenever we can to make their site the best among the best using Google sites.” says Harry Jung, director of marketing in BNH Services.
There are many benefits of creating your website with BNH Services and one of the greatest is that BNH Services can expand your Google Site to custom applications. For example, you can run Google Sites as enterprise portal and build cloud based information systems on a Google cloud platform, like the Google app engine.
To learn more about the services that BNH Services has to offer, visit BNH Services website at www.bnhservice.com. BNH Services also has a partner program which works with Google Apps so that the needs of the Google app customers are met.
Location: San Jose, Calif.
Company name: BNH Services, Inc.
PR contact: (408) 982-7363
About BNH Services:
“BNH” stands for Big Dreams and Happiness. BNH Services is an organization which offers you the chance to develop a website using Google Sites. The technology that is being used is free and secure; search engine optimized and has made editing so much easier. With BNH Services, you will able to create websites which are Google integrated and collaborated. PR contact: (408) 982-7363
Contact:
Harry Jung
BNH Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 321417
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 982-7363
billing@bnhservice.com
http://www.bnhservice.com
ProKyma, a spin-out from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and founded by Ploughshare Innovations, today announced a £482K grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) i4i programme.
Hampshire, UK, December 18, 2012 - ProKyma, a spin-out from the Defence Science and Technology laboratory (Dstl) and founded by Ploughshare Innovations, today announced a £482K grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) i4i programme. The funding will help it to apply its technology to improve the detection of cancer and monitor changes during treatment.
The investment will allow ProKyma to apply its ‘KymaSep’ technology, which automates the manipulation of magnetic particles to purify and concentrate very low numbers of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) from a blood sample. The cancer cell, once purified, can be sequenced using tools developed for the human genome project to find the patient’s specific and individual cancer mutation. This information then allows cost effective measurement of CTC numbers, which should decrease during treatment. Oncologists will use this unique tool to adapt and change therapy in real time if the CTC numbers do not decrease.
ProKyma is working with a world-class multi-disciplinary team in Merseyside to deliver the challenging technical breakthroughs needed in this project. A unique cell capture technology has been licenced from CellCap Technologies, which is currently being optimised to harvest millions of stem cells for cellular therapies. Through a long-standing collaboration with the UK Centre for Tissue Engineering at the University of Liverpool, ProKyma will adapt this technology for the very low-number of cell captures needed for CTC detection (5 CTC cells per test-tube of blood). The Liverpool Pancreatic Biomedical Research Unit will then optimise the method for capture, sequencing and enumeration of CTCs. This will then be translated into a device for routine use, which will be tested against samples from the Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit to measure its usefulness on real patient samples.
Damian Bond, chief executive of ProKyma, stated, “The NIHR support has come at a very good time for us and builds on six years of expertise and development. We are excited to collaborate with the teams from CellCap and the University of Liverpool to develop this much needed, but challenging technology.”
KymaSep is a small, portable system that is based around an injection moulded device, providing simple operation at low cost - making it ideal for clinic or point-of-care use. It is the result of six years development at ProKyma that started from Dstl’s work to develop continuous detection systems for biothreat agents. It has been funded by investment from the Rainbow Seed Fund; Merseyside Special Investment Fund’s Liverpool Seed Fund; and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
With the funding and support of NIHR, ProKyma is looking to develop its technology to a point where it can raise a Series A funding round to begin manufacture of the CTC monitoring product in Merseyside by the end of 2014.
Notes to the editor:
For further information, please contact Damian Bond on 07798 600 833 or e-mail damianbond@prokyma.com
CellCap Technologies (www.cell-capture.com)
CellCap is an early stage business developing products to harvest adult stem cells from body tissues for research and cellular therapies. Supported by grants from the Technogy Strategy Board and imvestment from the NWFund Biomedical LP, its lead product is due to start external evaluation in 2013.
Dstl (www.dstl.gov.uk)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its 3,500 strong workforce includes some of the nation’s most talented and creative scientists with the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government are supported in-house by the very best impartial scientific and technological advice. Dstl’s position at the heart of the MOD means that its advice is trusted by overnments academia, industry and international partners. It offers timely and accurate advice at all levels of military planning and operations, both overseas and on the home front.
NESTA (www.nesta.org.uk)
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts. With endowed funds of over £300 million, our mission is to transform the UK’s capacity for innovation. We do this in three main ways: by working to build a more pervasive culture of innovation in this country; by providing innovators with access to early-stage capital; and by driving forward research into innovation, with a view to influencing policy.
The Liverpool Seed Fund
Merseyside Special Investment Fund’s (MSIF) Liverpool Seed Fund is a £27m fund which invests in companies with new ideas, innovations and intellectual property. Seed funding can support three stages of development: proof of concept (£50,000 to £100,000) commercialisation (up to £350,000) and first round venture capital (up to £750,000). Liverpool Ventures, a subsidiary of MSIF, was set up specifically to provide pre and post investment support to businesses invested in by the Seed Fund to help give them the best possible chance of success.
About Rainbow Seed Fund:
http://www.midven.co.uk/Rainbow-Seed-Fund/
The £8.5m Rainbow Seed Fund was established in 2001 with funding from the Office of Science and Innovation to commercialise scientific research in a leading group of the UK publicly funded institutions, our partners. The Fund, which is independently managed by Midven Ltd, made its first investment in 2002, and currently has a portfolio of 16 companies with one exit.
The Fund invests at the earliest stages of a technology’s development, and helps to turn an idea into a business by actively identifying and supporting experienced management and facilitating additional coinvestment. Rainbow's partners spend over £1 billion on research and development every year giving the Fund privileged access to high quality investment propositions at the earliest stage.
ProKyma is a spinout from Dstl. Founded by Ploughshare Innovations in 2006 with initial investment from the Rainbow Seed Fund, it has developed novel approaches in sample handling to enhance diagnostic technologies to provide improved information and simplified handling.
About Ploughshare:
Ploughshare Innovations manages the commercial licensing to industry of intellectual property developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Ploughshare’s goal is to give clients a competitive edge, by lowering technology risk, reducing R&D costs, speeding time to market, and maximizing the business opportunity. It provides leading edge, application focused technology, backed up with the assurance of advanced IP support and protection. Ploughshare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dstl.
Contact:
Chris Goff
Ploughshare Innovations Ltd.
Unit 2, Nine Mile Water Business Park
Nether Wallop, Stockbridge
Hampshire SO20 8DR
+44 (0) 1794 301602
info@ploughshareinnovations.com
http://www.ploughshareinnovations.com
Enterprise Founded with Education Veteran with Deep Expertise Developing Innovative Products in Higher Education
San Francisco, CA, December 18, 2012 - University Ventures, the premier investment firm uniquely focused on the global higher education sector, today announced the launch of UV Labs, a company that will partner directly with universities and other providers of higher education to build innovative products and technologies to help solve the serious issues of accessibility, affordability, quality and accountability facing higher education.
UV Labs will be led by Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Satish Menon. Over the past two decades, Menon has steered the development of multiple technological innovations in education and digital media, including the development of several mobile products, personalized learning management platforms and a suite of education-to-career tools for postsecondary learners. Prior to co-founding UV Labs, Menon served as Chief Technology Officer for Apollo Group, a Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s largest private education providers. He also previously served as Vice President at Yahoo’s Consumer Platforms division.
A team of product designers, social scientists, and experts in education, cognitive science and technology will support him in developing new products for students, higher education institutions and employers.
“This is an exciting collaborative new venture. For too long higher education has remained unchanged by the technological advances taking place in other industries. If universities around the world want to meet the need for a more skilled and prepared workforce, innovative products and technologies are needed,” said Menon. “In partnership with global thought-leaders in higher education and the private and public sectors, UV Labs has the opportunity to deploy products that will adequately prepare learners to meet and solve the pressing needs facing our world today.”
“We are thrilled to have Satish at the helm of this new enterprise. His knowledge of the education, media and consumer sectors and his strong technology expertise, paired with the team’s experience and passion for higher education, will aid UV Labs in becoming a great resource for innovative education products and technologies,” said Ryan Craig, Managing Director at University Ventures. “This foray into development helps advance the core mission of University Ventures and move higher education as a whole closer to where it needs to be to better serve students.”
UV Labs is funded by University Ventures, and follows its differentiated strategy of “innovating from within.” By partnering with top-tier universities and colleges, UV Labs will create products and solutions for universities to set new standards for student outcomes, rather than competing against them. Through this partnership, University Ventures aims to expand its role in advancing the development of the next generation of colleges and universities on a global scale.
Product designers, social scientists and others interested in becoming a part of this unique venture should visit www.uvlabsinc.com for more information.
About UV Labs;
UV Labs is a company that seeks to build innovative products and technologies to help solve the increasingly complex issues facing higher education today. By collaborating with universities and working with experts in the field of social science and technology, UV Labs aims to assist learners find more efficient pathways to meet their goals through education. By doing this, UV Labs will create a more skilled and prepared workforce to solve social and economic challenges. To learn more, visit www.uvlabsinc.com.
About University Ventures
University Ventures is the premier investment firm focused exclusively on the global higher education sector. University Ventures pursues a differentiated strategy of ‘innovation from within’. By partnering with top-tier universities and colleges, and then strategically directing private capital to develop programs of exceptional quality that address major economic and social needs, University Ventures expects to set new standards for student outcomes and advance the development of the next generation of colleges and universities on a global scale. For more information, visit www.universityventuresfund.com.
Contact:
Kavitha Thimmaiah
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
kthimmaiah@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com
Luxury Travel Ltd is recruiting a California-based team to sell its Vietnam and Indochina tours and holidays to other tour operators on the West Coast of America.
Hanoi, Vietnam, December 12, 2012 - Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is recruiting a California-based team to sell its Vietnam and Indochina tours and holidays to other tour operators on the West Coast of America.
Over 50 million American people travel abroad each year. The U.S. plays a pivotal role in Asia Pacific and Vietnam, especially with diplomatic and business relationships better than ever since the end of the war. Vietnam is considered one of the emerging luxury destinations in Southeast Asia for American travellers.
Luxury Travel Ltd. announced that, next month, it will open a sales office in California, U.S.A. responsible for developing business and supporting travel agents on the West Coast and in Canada for Luxury Travel’s destinations in Southeast Asia.
With many years in the tourism industry as a destination Asia specialist, Paul Ciaccio has been engaged as Regional Sales Manager of Luxury Travel Ltd. in the U.S (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com).
According to Paul, the bulk of growth from the U.S. to Asia derives from the upper-middle to luxury-end of the market, which comprises a small portion of the US outbound market.
“The US outbound engine is revving up once again. After having suffered heavy blows in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, we see a surge in bookings to Vietnam from the U.S.A. We recorded a 30 percent rise in booking volume from the U.S. to Indochina so far this year, compared to 2011. Particularly Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar were experiencing the strongest uplifts, and the U.S.A. is one of our top ten markets.” said Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.
The opening of the U.S.A. office is part of the company’s effort to elevate its business profile in the American market when the economy is getting better and Vietnam and the Indochinese Peninsula are becoming more popular with American travelers. American tourists, according to Ha, picked Vietnam for their vacations for its history, safety, affordable prices, exotic landscape, authenticity, and the hospitality of the Vietnamese people.
The U.S. is a very multicultural society and many Americans are familiar with Vietnamese food and culture, especially on the West Coast. Further, Vietnam now has world class hotels and resorts, beaches and cuisine, in addition to its natural beauty, rich history and traditional culture. The past few years have seen the completion of many luxurious resorts with names such as Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Intercontinental Peninsula Danang Sun Spa and Six Senses Con Dao, entering the market, plus Hilton and Marriot offering more choices for travelers. The country received roughly 340,000 American tourists in the first 9 months of 2012, up % 20 compared with the same period last year.
According to Pham Ha, the U.S. has been a great market for the company, which has appealing high-end products for Americans’ tastes and preferences. The company targets the right clients with personalized products and services and has increased the number of private, small groups that it serves, primarily with tailor-made holidays and special interest tours. This has been a winning strategy since American holidaymakers like family travel and custom, private tours, more than big group trips.
“According to statistics of international tourism organizations, over 50 million American people travel abroad each year. The U.S. plays a pivotal role in Asia Pacific and Vietnam, especially with diplomatic and business relationships better than ever since the end of the war. Vietnam is considered one of the emerging luxury destinations in Southeast Asia for American travellers and receives roughly 340,000 American tourists yearly. Many are cruise passengers who want quality holidays and are big spenders. The top-end never really took a hit in the 2008-09 crises and business is now better than ever. American tourists like the sea, haute cuisine, shopping, golf, spas, and high quality services and we have it all to offer to American travelers. With our sales office in California, we are targeting double digit growth in this market for 2013." added Ha.
Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers with luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel excels in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. Has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator. www.facebook.com/luxurytravelcompany
Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com
