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Aimbridge Hospitality Names Craig S. Smith as Chief Executive Officer

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Craig S. Smith, most recently Group President and Managing Director – International at Marriott International, appointed to lead the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, effective March 18, 2024

Steve Joyce, elevated to Executive Chairman, effective immediately, assuming the top position as Glenn Murphy, Chairman, transitions to board seat

Michael Barnello, former CEO and President of LaSalle Hotel Properties and Founder and Managing Partner of Badlands Hotel Capital joins Aimbridge board

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Aimbridge Hospitality announced that industry leader Craig S. Smith will join the global hospitality management company as Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2024. As only the third CEO in Aimbridge’s storied history, Smith is expected to leverage decades of deep operational experience and proven leadership with Marriott International to solidify Aimbridge’s position as the frontrunner in comprehensive, performance-backed hotel operations.

Having begun his hospitality career in hotel operations, Smith quickly rose to become a multi-time, award-winning General Manager before being tapped for top executive spots in several international markets, culminating with his rise to helm the entire international business prior to his retirement from the brand.

As Group President and Managing Director—International, Smith was responsible for the fastest growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, and:

Oversaw more than 2,500 hotels worldwide – two-thirds of which were brand-managed—across 28 iconic brands in 136 countries and territories

Led a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 hotel and regional support center associates with direct responsibility for operations, development, brand acquisitions, sales and marketing, legal, and human resources across the entire international business

Spearheaded the realignment and resourcing of the company’s international markets, including reorganizing the division into four autonomous regions, resulting in faster growth and $23 billion in sales

Provided direct oversight of four International Presidents and their teams with proven results in driving best-in-class topline growth, GOP, guest satisfaction, and associate culture; and

Served as lead strategist for Marriott’s global growth plan and managed a robust development pipeline of more than 1,000 projects around the world, including new and emerging markets

With a clear point of view on superb operating standards and unmatched success leading complex, global businesses, Smith is expected to leverage his extensive experience to design and accelerate plans at Aimbridge that put the General Manager at the center, drive greater value at scale, result in superior property performance, and create an industry-leading culture.

“Aimbridge’s reputation as a trusted global hotel operator and the team’s desire to outperform at every turn is what excites me about taking on the CEO role,” said Smith. “There is still tremendous opportunity to enhance our service offering to consistently deliver outstanding results for our owners and further drive brand expansion across all verticals domestically and abroad. As we go forward, we’ll put even greater emphasis on strengthening operations and simplifying our approach to be built around the General Manager, activating operational efficiencies that leverage our scale and create material value for us and our partners, and doubling down on our commitment to recruit, develop and train the best people in the industry, including helping the next generation of talent thrive.”

To ensure success, the company announced it was also making changes to its Board of Managers that will provide active support to Smith and additional CEO-level hospitality experience.

Effective immediately, Steve Joyce, who joined the Aimbridge board in November 2023, will step up to assume the role of Executive Chairman.

Joyce, a long-time global hospitality leader with more than four decades of multi-brand and franchisee experience, including a successful 10-year run as President and CEO of Choice Hotels International, is expected to work closely with Smith and the company’s Senior Management Team to advance strategic plans, including finalizing the previously announced streamlined structure in the U.S. and broaden the company’s global footprint.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Aimbridge can – and will be – the best third-party operator in the world, and it starts with embedding a seasoned leader with a deep track record of driving outsized performance across all key metrics—that’s Craig S. Smith,” said Joyce. “If you look at what Craig has achieved during his 35-year career as a hospitality leader, it’s clear that he knows how to develop winning strategies, set superior operational standards, and most critically, motivate and activate teams to get the best out of his people. In my role as Executive Chairman, I look forward supporting Craig as we take Aimbridge to the next level and work to deliver the best product offering the industry has seen to date.”

Joyce succeeds Glenn Murphy who has served as Chairman since 2019 and will remain on the board.

Joining Joyce and Murphy on the board is long-time industry veteran Michael Barnello, Managing Partner and Founder of Badlands Hotel Capital and the former President and CEO of LaSalle Hotel Properties. The company expects to tap into Barnello’s extensive understanding of the hospitality real estate market and leverage his unique, owner-centric point of view as it looks to ignite worldwide growth and build out its newly announced Owner Relations team, including standing up an Owners Advisory Council.

About Aimbridge Hospitality
Aimbridge Hospitality is the world’s leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets, Aimbridge delivers compelling results for hotel owners by leveraging proprietary data and insights as an authority in key markets and destinations, while creating exceptional guest experiences. Aimbridge continually strives to set the new standard in hospitality excellence, leading the industry into the future through a wealth of unmatched resources and best-in-class supplier agreements, while recruiting and developing top industry talent in all key verticals and geographies. To learn more, visit www.aimbridgehospitality.com. Connect with Aimbridge on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Aimbridge Hospitality

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Sungrow Unveils Full-Scenario Solution to Address Emerging Global Energy Challenges

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HEFEI, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, presented its full-scenario solution at Sungrow GRES (Global Renewable Energy Summit) 2026 on April 24th, outlining how integrated energy solutions can address the surging power demands and structural challenges facing industries worldwide.

Sectors such as mining & microgrid, hydrogen production, and EV charging are expanding at an unprecedented speed, with power supply becoming increasingly critical. According to third-party analysis, combined annual electricity demand from these sectors is expected to reach 4,000 TWh by 2030, while the power costs have already become a major operational challenge.

Despite a shared demand for reliable and affordable electricity, each industry faces unique pain points. Additionally, the wide divergence in operating environments, grid strength, load conditions, and power quality requirements underscores the need for scenario-specific energy solutions. Sungrow believes that premium, customized energy solutions are essential to addressing the diverse needs of different scenarios.

Customized Designs for Full-Scenario Applications
AIDC Scenario
In the digital era, rapid advances in AI are driving a surge in data center power demand, calling for a next-generation power supply architecture defined by high efficiency, high density, and strong resilience. Leveraging its expertise in power electronics and renewable energy, Sungrow entered the AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Center) sector last year with a comprehensive grid-to-chip solution. This year, Sungrow will launch a dedicated SST (Solid-State Transformers) solution for data centers, significantly reducing footprint while improving efficiency. Sungrow will also integrate grid-forming technology in AIDC ESS to mitigate grid disturbances and enhance system stability.

Mining Microgrid Scenario
Most mines are located in remote areas with limited grid access, complex loads, and strict power stability requirements, making energy supply a significant challenge. Sungrow addresses this with an integrated PV–wind–storage–EV charger–controller solution, reducing energy costs by 20–50% compared with a diesel generator. Given the variability of mining loads, Sungrow leverages advanced simulation capabilities to deliver tailored solutions with optimized equipment configurations, ensuring a reliable power supply and reduced CAPEX. Moreover, a five-level progressive protection system further safeguards stable operations under extreme conditions.

PV-ESS-EV Charging Integrated Scenario
Many EV charging projects suffer from poor coordination among system components, resulting in underperformance and reduced returns. Sungrow addresses this challenge with a one-stop, fully integrated solution that enables deep synergy across equipment and incorporates AI-driven operations, increasing overall revenue by more than 50%. Meanwhile, grid-forming technology has been extended to C&I applications to mitigate grid fluctuations caused by large-scale ultra-fast charging. In addition, Sungrow’s systems enable seamless integration with VPPs (Virtual Power Plants) through unified interfaces, unlocking greater value through diversified, future-ready revenue streams.

Hydrogen Production Scenario
In hydrogen production applications, Sungrow optimizes equipment configuration, reducing CAPEX by over 20% through PV–wind–storage–hydrogen integration and system-level simulation. In parallel, PV–storage–hydrogen DC coupling and flexible production technologies enhance energy efficiency and lower electricity costs by more than 10%.

Powering the Next Phase of Energy Transition
Renewable energy is shifting from a supplementary resource to a primary power source. This transition drives demand for premium energy solutions built on multi-energy integration for cost-efficient power, systematic grid-forming technologies for enhanced stability, and customized designs tailored to diverse scenarios. Sungrow believes that the deep integration of premium products and proven expertise is key to delivering truly scenario-adapted solutions.

Looking ahead, Sungrow will continue to build a more flexible, resilient, and sustainable energy landscape, helping industries meet growing energy demand and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of Dec 2025, Sungrow has installed over 1000 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experiences. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en

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Sumsub Recognized as Leader in Chartis RiskTech Quadrant for Enterprise Fraud Solutions 2026

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Building on consistent Chartis recognition across fincrime, identity, and compliance reports for the third consecutive year

LONDON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sumsub, a global verification and anti-fraud leader, has been recognized as a Category Leader in the Chartis RiskTech Quadrant® for Enterprise Fraud Solutions* 2026. The report evaluates vendors based on the completeness of their offering and its market potential, positioning Sumsub among the top providers addressing increasingly sophisticated fraud threats faced by enterprises worldwide.

The 2026 recognition builds on a consistent track record in Chartis research. In 2024, Sumsub was acknowledged in the same category, as well as received two further recognitions as a Category Leader in RiskTech Quadrant for AML Transaction Monitoring Solutions and for its Best-in-Class Capabilities for Application Fraud and Identity Risk. In 2025 Sumsub was named Winner in Chartis Financial Crime and Compliance 50. Together, these placements reflect Sumsub’s sustained performance across identity verification, fraud prevention, and compliance.

“Sumsub has shown itself to be a strong cross-functional player, with Category Leader, Enterprise Solution and Best of Breed positions respectively in our Enterprise, Fraud Platforms, and Payment Fraud RiskTech Quadrants,” said Phil Mackenzie, Senior Research Principal at Chartis. “Its identity-centric approach is a clear differentiator, combining identity signals with performant real-time fraud signals – making it particularly appropriate for digital-first financial institutions and cross-border use cases.”

“Being recognized again as a Category Leader by Chartis reflects our ongoing focus on delivering reliable, scalable solutions that help businesses stay ahead of evolving risks”, added Andrew Sever, CEO and co-founder of Sumsub. “As fraud is becoming more complex and AI-driven, with the share of sophisticated multi-step attacks having increased by 180% over 2024-2025, we remain committed to equipping companies with the tools they need to safeguard trust, meet regulatory requirements, and grow securely.”

Sumsub’s recognition is underpinned by its advanced Fraud Prevention solution, which combines AI-powered anomaly detection, device intelligence, and behavior monitoring to identify and stop fraud across the entire user journey in real time. Alongside its technology offering, the company invests in industry education through the Sumsub Academy: its recently-launched Fraud Prevention course equips risk and compliance professionals with practical knowledge and frameworks to combat evolving fraud threats.

To learn more about 2025-2026 fraud trends and predictions, feel free to check the latest edition of Sumsub Identity Fraud Report here: https://sumsub.com/fraud-report-2025/.

Chartis Research is a leading provider of research and analysis on the global market for risk technology. Its RiskTech Quadrant® reports are widely regarded as an industry benchmark, offering an independent assessment of vendors’ capabilities, market presence, and strategic direction across key risk and compliance categories.

To access the full Chartis RiskTech Quadrant® for Enterprise Fraud Solutions 2026 report, please go to their website.

*Enterprise Solutions Description:

The Enterprise Solutions category covers vendors that deliver scalable platforms capable of supporting fraud and financial crime risk management across large, complex financial organizations. These solutions typically cover data ingestion, analytics, and case management within a unified architecture, enabling controls across multiple business lines, geographies, and channels. Key differentiators include coverage of fraud typologies (including advanced or proprietary techniques, behavioral modelling and libraries of pre-packaged rules), modelling and testing capabilities, and the overall infrastructure of the solution including deployment options, flexible workflow and case management.

About Sumsub

Sumsub is a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables fraud-free, scalable compliance. Its adaptive, no-code solution covers everything from identity and business verification to ongoing monitoring—quickly adjusting to evolving risks, regulations, and market demands.

Recognized as a Leader by Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, Sumsub combines seamless integration with advanced fraud prevention to deliver industry-leading performance.

Over 4,000 clients—including Bitpanda, Wirex, Avis, Bybit, Vodafone, Duolingo, Kaizen Gaming, and TransferGo—trust Sumsub to streamline verification, prevent fraud, and drive growth. The platform’s methodology follows leading global AML standards and regulations, and Sumsub has extensively engaged with leading research and public institutions like the UN, Statista, and INTERPOL.

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SOURCE Sumsub

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TeamViewer Advances Toward Autonomous Endpoint Management: Tia Now Generates Automations From Customers’ Own Proven Fixes

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LONDON, April 27, 2026 /CNW/ — TeamViewer today introduced AI-driven scripting for Tia (TeamViewer Intelligent Agent) at the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2026 in London. Building on more than one million AI session summaries produced since launch, Tia can now learn from an organization’s support history and turn resolved issues into ready-to-run automations, giving IT teams a faster, more consistent path to standardizing proven fixes. The release marks an important milestone in TeamViewer’s Autonomous Endpoint Management (AEM) roadmap.

The new capabilities address one of IT’s most persistent inefficiencies: even when issues are resolved, the applied fixes are rarely captured in a way that prevents the same problem from recurring. Tia now tackles this in two connected steps: First, it draws on AI insights from real support sessions to ground its troubleshooting recommendations in an organization’s actual support history and context, surfacing proven remediation steps from past sessions rather than relying on general knowledge. From there, IT teams can choose to turn any resolved session into a script that Tia generates based on the documented remediation steps. The automation is then ready for the team to review and refine before deploying it to selected devices or device groups.

The release reflects how TeamViewer is building out its AEM vision in stages through TeamViewer ONE, its unified digital workplace platform: from secure remote support and real-time endpoint observability to in-session AI expert augmentation and knowledge capture, and now to AI-driven automations grounded in proven fixes. Each resolved incident makes the next one easier to prevent, as AI sessions and endpoint telemetry combine to surface recurring patterns across the IT environment. Where remote support platforms, DEX tools, and RMM solutions each address parts of this challenge in isolation, Tia connects them, grounding every automation in verified remediation steps drawn from the customer’s own support history and relevant context.

“IT teams are under pressure to do more with the resources they have, and too much of their time is still spent resolving the same issues over and over,” said Mei Dent, Chief Product & Technology Officer, TeamViewer. “Tia’s new capabilities mean that every resolved incident becomes an asset: one that can be tested, deployed, and used to protect other devices from the same disruption. That is what consistent, scalable IT operations en route to AEM looks like in practice.”

TeamViewer is unveiling the innovation at the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2026 in London, where the company is also presenting two sessions: “Building the Autonomous Workplace with a DEX Knowledge Layer” on April 28, and “The Top 3 DEX Myths Sabotaging Your Digital Strategy” on April 27. Attendees can visit TeamViewer at Expo Booth 207 or the Engagement Zone in the foyer on Level 1.

About TeamViewer

TeamViewer provides a Digital Workplace platform that connects people with technology – enabling, improving and automating digital processes to make work work better.

In 2005, TeamViewer started with software to connect to computers from anywhere to eliminate travel and enhance productivity. It rapidly became the de facto standard for remote access and support and the preferred solution for hundreds of millions of users across the world to help others with IT issues. Today, more than 635,000 customers across industries rely on TeamViewer to optimize their digital workplaces – from small to medium sized businesses to the world’s largest enterprises – empowering both desk-based employees and frontline workers.

Organizations use TeamViewer’s solutions to prevent and resolve disruptions with digital endpoints of any kind, securely manage complex IT and industrial device landscapes, and enhance processes with augmented reality powered workflows and assistance – leveraging AI and integrating seamlessly with leading tech partners. Against the backdrop of global digital transformation and challenges like shortage of skilled labor, hybrid working, accelerated data analysis and the rise of new technologies, TeamViewer’s solutions offer a clear value add by increasing productivity, reducing machine downtime, speeding up talent onboarding, and improving customer and employee satisfaction.

The company is headquartered in Göppingen, Germany, and employs around 1,900 people globally. In 2025, TeamViewer achieved a revenue of around EUR 768 million. TeamViewer SE (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the SDAX. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2639323/5936638/TeamViewer_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE TeamViewer Germany GmbH

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