Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Time is Ticking to Submit an Entry for Center for Productive Longevity’s Later Life Story Contest

$1,000 Prizes Honor Older Americans Who Epitomize Entrepreneurship and Inspirational Living

Boulder, CO, July 25, 2012 - The Center for Productive Longevity’s (CPL) Later-Life Story Contest is now at its mid-way point, with less than seven weeks left to submit a story. This national competition, which was launched June 1, 2012, highlights entrepreneur success stories and inspirational life stories from people 55 and older. The deadline to enter the contest is August 31, 2012, and CPL will announce the two winners on October 1, 2012. Boulder-based CPL serves as the bridge between people 55 and older and opportunities that enable them to continue in productive activities.

A panel of three influential, highly-regarded judges will select one winner in each of the following two categories: (1) Entrepreneurship Success Stories and (2) Inspirational Life Stories. The winners will each receive $1,000 and a specially designed trophy. From the entries, CPL will select a variety of entrepreneur success stories to post on its website and publish the stories of the two winners. Here are some tips on what to include in your contest submission:

For the Entrepreneurship Success Stories Category, some optional areas to include:

* Describe your business, the need it fulfills, and the practices that contributed to its success.

* What motivated you to pursue entrepreneurship in this next stage of life?

* What “lessons learned” can you share with Baby Boomers just starting on the entrepreneurial path?

* A full outline of considerations can be found at: www.ctrpl.org/entrepreneurship-success-stories

Entrepreneurship Success Story submissions will be judged on how well they:

* Tell a compelling story.

* Describe an innovative/creative/interesting new business or way of doing business.

* Demonstrate a measurable impact/success.

* Provide practical guidance for overcoming the adversities or obstacles of new-business creation.

* Provide advice for other Baby Boomers starting on the entrepreneurial path as a career after retirement.

A few things to consider when submitting for the Inspirational Life Stories Category:

* In what ways have your later years been extraordinary?

* Did you have “a bucket list” that influenced your decisions?

* What inspirational thoughts and messages can you share with others on making the later years more fulfilling and impactful?

* Additional considerations can be found at: www.ctrpl.org/inspirationallifestories

Inspirational Life Story submissions will be judged on how well they:

* Capture the imagination.

* Describe an extraordinary/creative/innovative later-life story or experiences.

* Inspire the reader to do/learn/experience something new.

* Provide tangible advice for other Baby Boomers working after retirement on making their later years more fulfilling, inspirational and impactful.

To submit a story, visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest and complete a submission form. Entrants must be 55 and older and be willing to have their story posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be sent to James Hooks at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL and the Later Life Story Contest, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Media Contacts:
Jenny Foust or Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
303.433.7020

Company Contacts:
William K. Zinke or James R. Hooks
Center for Productive Longevity
303.499.3939

About the Center for Productive Longevity
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
CSG|PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020

Hundreds of Community Banking Executives Meet in Austin to Strategize Against Megabanks

Today, hundreds of community bank and credit union executives from across the country gathered for the first Kasasa Family Reunion to strategize around how to take back market share from the megabanks.

Austin, TX, July 25, 2012 - Today, hundreds of community bank and credit union executives from across the country gathered for the first Kasasa Family Reunion to strategize around how to take back market share from the megabanks.

The event, held at BancVue’s corporate headquarters in Austin, centered around Kasasa®, the powerful national brand of banking products offered exclusively by community banks and credit unions. The main objective of the ‘Reunion’ was to rally community financial institutions and celebrate the growing momentum behind the Kasasa movement.

Along with hundreds of executives representing community banks and credit unions that offer Kasasa, a contingent of non-Kasasa financial institutions that had been invited by their peers were also in attendance to learn more about the strategy of uniting behind a national brand to take back market share.

“I’ve been working in the banking industry for over 35 years and I never thought I would see the day when community banks and credit unions come together in mass to talk about ways to take it to the megabanks,” says Paul Peterson, CFO at Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union in Biddeford, Maine. “Kasasa has already taken off in our market and based on this year’s Kasasa Family Reunion, it’s clear that it’s also taking off all across the country.”

In addition to strategic planning, the event also celebrated the success of Kasasa. In short order, more than 300,000 Kasasa accounts have been opened, representing some $41 million in non-interest income to partner institutions. In aggregate, Kasasa partners, currently represented in 38 states, rank 17th in branch network size.

Another key part of the ‘Reunion’ involved financial institutions sharing best practices with each other, and BancVue sharing the newest developments that the community banking industry can expect from Kasasa in the near future.

“Looking around the crowd at Kasasa Family Reunion, it’s safe to say, these are the bankers who will survive and thrive over the next five to ten years,” says Gabe Krajicek, CEO of BancVue. “Kasasa has really taken off and we fully expect for that trend to continue into 2013. In short order, we’ve built a powerful network of community banks and credit unions that have united under a national brand of banking accounts. It’s just a matter of time before we catch up to the mega banks and retake market share.”

BancVue has been bringing game-changing innovations to the marketplace since its founding in 2004. With offerings like Kasasa and the latest innovation, Kasasa 360, a superior online money management platform designed to help drive revenues and facilitate more cross-sales activities, BancVue has helped its network of over 5,000 branches nationwide compete and win against the megabanks.

About BancVue
BancVue is the leading provider of innovative products, world-class marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions across the U.S. Featuring offerings like Kasasa, a dynamic suite of banking solutions that make a difference with innovative accounts and money management tools, BancVue products are designed to deliver controlled new account growth, higher profitability, and increased customer retention. For more information, visit www.bancvue.com.

Contact:
Katie Weathers
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(404) 791-8245

Vietnam attracts Luxury M.I.C.E Travelers

Vietnam’s First Luxury Travel and Tour Operator (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) Invites Professionals to Discuss about MICE and Business Trip to Vietnam at ITB ASIA 2012 in Singapore.

Hanoi, Vietnam, July 24, 2012 - The Luxury Travel Company (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) will participate in the largest International Tourism Fair in Asia “ITB Asia 2012,” to be held from 17 to 19 Oct 2011 in Marina Sands Singapore for the five time.

ITB Asia features the full range of travel products, services and goods from the supply side of the industry, not only from leisure markets, but also corporate and MICE travel.

Luxury Travel Ltd double their booth space at ITB Asia this year again, the aim is to promote the Vietnamese tourism product in the luxury segment. Vietnam’s first luxury tour operator and DMC, Luxury Travel, is founded in 2004 to promote niche tourism products to high end travelers.

Luxury Travel Company (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) targets on Mice group planners, luxury travel agents and tour operators around the globe.

“With new luxury hotels and world class golf courses having recently opened or set to open soon, and the introduction of luxury train journeys, exclusive cruises and upscale private tours spanning the length of the country, Vietnam is fast emerging as an exciting destination for high-end M.I.C.E travellers," said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

Luxury Travel’s main business activities – luxury inbound/outbound operator, luxury adventures, custom tours, romance, wellness and spa, MICE… and so on.

“We are pleased to invite all professionals to Vietnam to inspect our destinations, hotels, resorts, MICE venues, our own luxury sedans and vehicles, our service and our people. They come back as luxury travel specialists so they sell our niche luxury travel products with more confidence,” added Pham Ha.

Leisure, M.I.C.E, Cooperate travel partners who are interested in promoting 5 destinations with one company, book in appointment with Pham Ha and Hung Nguyen at itb12 (at)luxurytravelvietnam.com

The first luxury tour operator (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) and full travel service agency based in Hanoi with offices throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, Luxury Travel is exceptional in 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 sales offices in California, Paris, and Melbourne. 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 won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam.

Contact:
Link Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120