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Destination Canada Unveils Groundbreaking, Award-Winning Tourism Data Collective to Boost Economic Growth

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Integral part of Destination Canada’s newly released 2030 StrategyEmpowering the industry to make smarter marketing, investment and destination development decisions, ultimately driving economic growth.Aiming to propel Canada into the top 7 global tourism destinations by 2030 through data-driven decision making.

MONTREAL, May 24, 2024 /CNW/ – Today marks the launch of an innovative data and analytics platform set to revolutionize the Canadian tourism industry and boost economic growth. The Canadian Tourism Data Collective is a first-of-its-kind, secure, centralized platform designed to harness the power of data to increase Canada’s competitiveness.

Officially launched at the Hotel Association of Canada’s Annual Conference in Montreal, the platform is a partnership between Destination Canada, Statistics Canada and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and is one of the key initiatives outlined in Destination Canada’s 2030 Strategy – ‘A World of Opportunity’.

The new strategy, launched a week ago, sets bold and ambitious targets for Canada’s tourism sector and aims to reclaim and improve Canada’s global tourism competitiveness ranking and generate up to as much as $160 billion in revenue annually.

The launch of the new Data Collective also follows this week’s release of the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 which shows that Canada has risen two places to rank 11th but more progress is required to increase Canada’s competitiveness and re-enter the top seven.

The platform has already been recognized for its impact and innovative potential, winning the Best Use of AI for Not-for-Profit or Non-Commercial Purposes Award at the 2024 DataIQ AI Awards in Miami on Tuesday.

“Artificial intelligence and big data are changing our world – including the tourism industry,” says The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. “That’s why Destination Canada is launching the Canadian Tourism Data Collective, harnessing the power of data and AI to help the sector make smarter decisions. Congratulations to Destination Canada for its leadership and innovation. This will be a big step forward for Canadian tourism!”

“The Data Collective showcases Canadian innovation empowering tourism businesses from coast to coast to coast to create a unique competitive advantage for Canada,” says Meaghan Ferrigno, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Destination Canada. “Through this groundbreaking platform, Canadians will have access to game-changing technology that will facilitate timely and informed decision-making, influence investment, and drive economic growth.”

Powered by the advanced capabilities of Google Cloud Platform, this initiative harnesses the latest in data, analytics, and AI technology. It offers timely, relevant, and actionable insights to a wide range of stakeholders, including communities, tourism operators, government, small businesses and large investors, allowing them to make critical decisions.

“The Data Collective allowed us to bring together the best and the brightest minds in the tech and tourism sectors to develop a system that is not only accessible by stakeholders across the entire tourism industry but provides a comprehensive picture of the state of the sector, from remote communities all the way up to the national level,” says Ferrigno.

“Our goal is to ensure a collaborative approach to propelling Canada into the top seven global tourism destinations by 2030, and key to this is access to timely and reliable insights that identify opportunities for growth.”

Additional Quotes

André Loranger, Chief Statistician of Canada

“Statistics Canada is proud to partner with Destination Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in the creation of the Canadian Tourism Data Collective. A result of true collaboration, this new and innovative tool will provide valuable information on tourism trends and activities in Canada. These comprehensive data will help support those in the industry to make timely, data-driven decisions.”

Susie Grynol, President & CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada

“The Canadian Tourism Data Collective platform will be a critical resource for hotels across Canada. As a data-driven sector, hoteliers will find invaluable insights, empowering them to make informed investment decisions and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. We are thrilled to support the Canadian Tourism Data Collective and the opportunity to propel our industry into a future of growth and innovation.”

Beth Potter, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada:

“”The Canadian Tourism Data Collective is a game-changer. By centralizing and sharing critical data, we’re not just making decisions; we’re shaping the future of tourism. This initiative equips businesses with the insights to drive growth and innovation. It’s about empowering every corner of our sector, including those often overlooked, to achieve unprecedented success. With the Data Collective, we’re turning data into our competitive advantage, propelling the tourism industry and Canada’s economy forward.”

Keith Henry, President and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada:

“I commend Destination Canada’s new Canadian Tourism Data Collective. Access to comprehensive tourism data, research, and insights is crucial for informed decision-making in today’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape. By recognizing the importance of Indigenous tourism, the Data Collective can take concrete steps to ensure meaningful engagement and support for authentic Indigenous tourism experiences.

What truly sets the Data Collective apart is its emphasis on collaboration and conversation between tourism partners. Through these efforts, we can harness the power of data to identify opportunities, address challenges, and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian Indigenous tourism economy. This will support the goal of making Canada the world leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.” 

Notes to editors

Canadian Tourism Data Collective

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective is a partnership between industry and tech leaders that will power Canada’s tourism industry to regain its place as a global leader. It is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind resource in Canada, a centralized, secure platform, using AI and data to drive Canadian innovation in tourism.

The Data Collective houses more than 8.9 billion lines of data from over 175 resources and growing, from more than 5,100 regions across the country.

About Destination Canada

At Destination Canada, we believe that tourism enhances the wealth and wellbeing of Canadians and enriches the lives of visitors. Our mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad.

Knowing that diversity is our greatest asset, we promote Canada as a premier four-season leisure and business tourism destination around the country and world in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

In addition, our Business Events team leverage in-depth global market analysis to target international clusters aligned with Canada’s priority economic sectors.

Destination Canada is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada.

www.destinationcanada.com

SOURCE Destination Canada

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THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ENHANCES NATIONAL RESILIENCE THROUGH SMART DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 20, The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, officiated the Defence Services Asia (DSA) & National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 Opening Ceremony at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

Themed “Enhancing Capabilities and Resilience Through Technology”, the 19th Edition of the DSA 2026 Exhibition will run for four days from 20 to 23 April 2026. This exhibition aims to enhance defence capabilities and drive future technology to ensure national resilience through innovation, international cooperation and the development of the local defence industry ecosystem.

The main focus of this event is on the evolution of defence technology that has shifted from conventional assets to smart systems. Emphasis is placed on mastering technology that is capable of facing the security threats of the new millennium which are asymmetric and hybrid in nature.

Among the core advanced technologies featured :

a) Autonomous & Robotic Systems: Exhibition of various variations of unmanned systems (UAV, UGV, and UUV) equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for long-distance monitoring and detection operations.

b) Digital & Cyber Defence: Application of new generation encryption technology and cybersecurity platforms to protect the country’s data sovereignty and critical infrastructure.

c) Sensor & Electronic Technology: High-precision radar and sensor systems that enable ATM readiness to be at an optimal level in monitoring space, maritime, and land in real-time.

In line with this global technology exposure, the government continues to strengthen the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) as the main mechanism for technology transfer. Through the ICP, the involvement of international industry players is required to contribute to the development of local talent and research and development (R&D) in the high-tech sector.

Among the key segments highlighted are the CBRNe Arena, focusing on technologies related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats; the Firearms and Tactical Equipment Segment, showcasing the latest operational capabilities and equipment; and the Coalition of Defence Industry Malaysia (CDIM) Pavilion, which highlights the capabilities of the country’s defence industry. The DSA & NATSEC Asia Lab also showcases innovation initiatives by providing a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to introduce their innovations on the international stage.

This edition recorded the participation of 1,456 companies from 63 countries, including 37 international pavilions, as well as approximately 600 official delegations and 50,000 trade visitors from more than 114 countries within the 48,000-square-metre exhibition space. This scale of participation reflects the strategic importance of the exhibition at the global level and further demonstrates Malaysia’s position as a strategic meeting point for defence and security cooperation.

Also present were the Minister of Defence, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin; Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Johari bin Abdul; Chairman of DSA Exhibition and Conference Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin; Chief of Defence Force, General Datuk Haji Malek Razak bin Sulaiman; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali; Deputy Minister of Defence, YB Adly Zahari; as well as top management and senior officers of the Ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces.

– END –

“‘MALAYSIA MADANI” “BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA”
”PERTAHANAN NEGARA, TANGGUNGJAWAB BERSAMA”

Ministry of Defence Malaysia
20 April 2026

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SOURCE DSA & NATSEC ASIA

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Grantd Launches Platform to Help Employees Understand Their Equity, Build Confidence in Their Financial Plan, and Connect to Advice When They Need It

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New Platform Gives Every Equity Recipient a Personalized View of Their Awards — and a Clear Path to Understand, Act, and Get Advice on Them

DENVER, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Grantd, an AI-powered equity compensation platform whose advisor platform helps advisors manage over $14 billion in assets under administration for more than 400 registered investment advisory firms and 14,000 clients, today announced the launch of its issuer platform, Grantd for Work. The platform is built to give employees a clear, personalized understanding of their equity compensation — what they have, what it’s worth, how it fits into their broader financial picture, and what they should consider doing about it. Equity compensation is complex, and for most employees, it has been difficult to navigate without dedicated resources and support. Grantd for Work changes that — providing the tools, education, and guidance employees need to understand their awards with confidence, and connecting them to a financial advisor when they’re ready to take the next step.

“It gives every employee a real, personalized view of their equity — what it means for their financial goals, what actions they should consider, and a direct line to advice when they need it.”

The launch marks a significant expansion of Grantd’s reach — from individual equity recipients and their financial advisors to the employers and employees inside the companies that grant those awards. It also helps HR and compensation administrators gain better visibility into their programs, reduce the volume of manual employee questions, and identify where engagement and retention may be at risk.

“Equity is one of the most powerful forms of compensation companies offer — but for most employees, it’s also one of the least understood,” said Brian McDonald, Founder & CEO of Grantd. “An employee might receive an RSU grant, watch it vest, and still have no idea what the tax implications are, whether they should sell or hold, or how it changes their financial picture. Grantd for Work changes that. It gives every employee a real, personalized view of their equity — what it means for their financial goals, what actions they should consider, and a direct line to advice when they need it.”

Grantd for Work is built around the employee experience. Key capabilities include:

A personalized equity dashboard showing each employee’s total portfolio value, vested and unvested equity broken down by grant, external holdings, and concentration risk — giving them a complete, real-time picture of what they own, what it’s worth, and how it fits into their overall financial picture.AI-powered document reading that automatically extracts holdings from any brokerage statement or equity award summary — from any provider — so the platform is accurate and fully populated from day one, with no manual entry required.Financial goal tracking that maps each employee’s equity directly to their personal financial goals — financial independence, early retirement, a home purchase — showing whether they’re on track, what’s at risk, and how upcoming vests and exercises could change the outcome.A full equity planning toolkit, including concentration analysis, price target modeling, growth scenario projections, exercise planning, withholding analysis, and trading window tracking — alongside pre-built strategy templates like sell-to-cover, diversification sell-down, and automated trading plans.Ask Grant, an AI equity guide built directly into the platform that answers employees’ most pressing questions — from how RSU income is taxed at vest to what the ESPP 15% discount means for their tax situation — in plain language, on demand.AI agents that work for every employee — Grantd’s AI agents don’t wait to be asked. They continuously analyze each employee’s equity portfolio and surface timely, personalized insights. Every insight is specific to that employee — not generic equity education, but guidance grounded in what they actually hold.A learning center with articles and guides covering equity basics, tax and finance, investing strategy, and company-specific plan guides — so employees can build real confidence in their equity, not just access to it.A direct connection to financial advice when employees are ready to go beyond self-service — with their complete equity profile already structured and ready to share with an advisor.

For HR and compensation administrators, the platform also provides visibility into how equity programs are performing across the organization — including a live dashboard of total equity wealth created by employee, department, and level; proactive retention signals for employees with expiring grants or low engagement; and competitive equity modeling tools to help design compelling offers for prospective hires.

The new platform arrives at a time when industry leaders are rethinking equity program design and employee share plan strategy. Grantd will further that conversation at the Global Equity Organization’s (GEO) 27th Annual Conference in Austin, taking place April 21–23, 2026. On Wednesday, April 22, Brian McDonald will join the expert panel, “Strategic Shifts in Employee Share Plans: How Companies Are Redesigning Equity for 2026 and Beyond,” alongside fellow Grantd Advisory Board members Billy Vitense of Starbucks, Christine Zwerling of Asana, and Melissa Howell of Nike.

To learn more about Grantd for Work or schedule a demonstration, visit Grantd online at https://www.grantdequity.com/.

About Grantd:

Founded by Brian McDonald, Grantd is an AI-powered equity compensation platform built to simplify how equity is understood, managed, and acted on. Its advisor platform manages over $14 billion in assets under administration for more than 400 registered investment advisory firms, 2,600 advisors, and 14,000 clients. With the launch of Grantd for Work, the company now serves the full equity ecosystem — from individual equity recipients and their advisors to the employees who hold those awards and the HR and compensation teams who design and run the programs. Grantd is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Media Contact

Jane Kim, Grantd Equity, 1 (303) 515-3158, jane.kim@grantdequity.com, grantdequity.com

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SOURCE Grantd Equity

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FERMI PROVIDES BUSINESS UPDATE

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DALLAS, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fermi Inc. (d/b/a Fermi America) (NASDAQ: FRMI) (LSE: FRMI), operating as Fermi America™ (“Fermi” or the “Company”), subsequent to the Company’s announcement of Fermi 2.0 on April 20, 2026, has received significant and positive feedback from multiple potential tenants, the Company’s landlord, the Texas Tech University System, as well as suppliers, vendors, contractors, financing sources, and other partners. The Company is gratified by that feedback and is pursuing Fermi 2.0’s business and leadership objectives with all deliberate speed.

The Company also acknowledges receipt of a letter from Mr. Toby Neugebauer, and has reviewed a press release issued by him, calling for the initiation of a process for the immediate sale of the Company. As Mr. Neugebauer indicated in his press release, he was removed from his position on April, 17, 2026,  after careful consideration by the Company’s Board of Directors in accordance with its fiduciary duties. Given recent changes in leadership, which position the Company for its next chapter of growth and evolution from a startup to a scaled enterprise, the Company firmly believes a sale is not in the best interest of its continued momentum on Project Matador, ability to serve potential tenants and long-term value creation for shareholders. The Board, consistent with its fiduciary duties, will carefully review all avenues to maximize shareholder value, which include continued execution of its business plan, strategic investments from third parties, joint ventures or other transactions.

About Fermi America™

Fermi America™ (NASDAQ & LSE: FRMI) (fermiamerica.com) is pioneering the development of next-generation private electric grids that deliver highly redundant power at gigawatt scale, required to create next-generation artificial intelligence. Co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Co-Founder and former Co-Managing Partner of Quantum Energy Toby Neugebauer, Fermi America™ combines cutting-edge technology with a deep bench of proven world-class multi-disciplinary leaders to create the world’s largest, 17 GW next-generation private HyperGrid campus. Project Matador is expected to integrate the nation’s biggest combined-cycle natural gas project, one of the largest clean, new nuclear power complexes in America, utility grid power, solar power, and battery energy storage, to deliver hyperscaler artificial intelligence.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

If the Company determines to hold a special meeting of shareholders, the Company will file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying white proxy card and other relevant documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders for such meeting. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), IF ANY, AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of any definitive proxy statement of the Company, an accompanying white proxy card, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC if and when they become available at no charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge in the “SEC Filings” subsection of the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://fermiamerica.com/ or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department at IR@fermiamerica.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Participants in the Solicitation

If the Company determines to hold a special meeting of shareholders, the Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at such special meeting of shareholders. Information regarding the direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of the Company’s directors and executive officers is included in the Company’s final prospectus, filed with the SEC on October 1, 2025, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026, and in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time. Changes to the direct or indirect interests of the Company’s directors and executive officers are set forth in SEC filings on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4. These documents are available free of charge as described above. Updated information regarding the identities of potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Company will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s special meeting of shareholders and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC, if and when they become available.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to future events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Fermi undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Investors should consult further disclosures and risk factors included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC by Fermi.

 

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SOURCE Fermi Inc.

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