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Fast-Growing Rural Fiber Internet Provider Conexon Connect Elevates Customer Experience with New Leadership Role, Expanded Focus

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Abby Carere named Chief Customer Experience Officer, charged with optimizing user experience as strong subscriber growth continues

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Conexon Connect, the internet service provider (ISP) arm of rural fiber-optic network solutions leader Conexon, is reinforcing its commitment to a world-class fiber broadband customer experience with the appointment of Conexon executive Abby Carere as Chief Customer Experience Officer. Carere’s expanded role speaks to the evolving need for a dedicated senior leader to spearhead new initiatives to take Connect’s subscriber experience to the next level.

“Electric cooperatives excel in the electric business in three ways,” Conexon co-CEO Jonathan Chambers said. “First, the networks have been built and maintained to a high standard, better than most investor-owned or municipal utilities. Second, electric rates paid by co-op members are typically lower than those paid by customers of investor-owned or municipal utilities. And third, member services are superior to the customer service provided by other utilities, as well as superior to cable companies, phone companies, and the customer service of most every other industry.

“As we built Conexon, the electric co-op experience was our touchstone. We build the highest quality fiber-optic networks. We work hard at keeping network costs down so that great broadband service is affordable in rural America. And, we are working to improve the customer experience. Today’s announcement is a reflection of our values. We seek that same quality of customer service for broadband as members get from their cooperatives. Abby will lead us there.”

The new customer experience role will foster a more cohesive bond throughout all Connect divisions as they move forward together with a shared vision for the future: ensuring a positive, customer-centric approach to fiber to the home (FTTH) services at every customer touchpoint.

Carere, who established the Sales, Marketing and Account Management teams at Conexon and has led them as Senior Vice President since 2019, has helped guide dozens of electric cooperatives to successfully deploy fiber broadband internet, voice and TV services in their markets. She also played an instrumental role in the development of Connect, as it has expanded into more than 20 markets nationwide since its launch in 2021.

“Our customers, the rural Americans who have been without reliable, affordable access to high-speed internet, are at the center of everything we do,” Conexon Founding Partner and co-CEO Randy Klindt said. “As our Connect footprint continues to grow, we are proud to invest further into the future of rural America by delivering the best possible customer experience for everyone we have the opportunity to reach.”

A seasoned communications leader, Carere worked with many of the nation’s early electric co-op broadband pioneers as the rural broadband movement took flight. Since joining Conexon in 2019, Carere’s marketing and sales leadership has helped propel the company’s electric cooperative client base and end-user subscriber base to strong and consistent growth.

“The electric cooperative broadband movement has improved quality of life, economic prospects and educational opportunities across countless rural communities,” Carere said. “I am honored to have been a part of that as Conexon and its clients have expanded the availability of world-class broadband across so many regions. I look forward to this new role of ensuring Connect customers are front and center with every interaction, so we can continue to grow our business while furthering the vital mission to transform rural America with fiber broadband.”

About Conexon
Conexon is an industry-leading broadband network design, construction and operations firm working with electric cooperatives, communities and other entities to deploy fiber to the home across rural America. Since its inception a decade ago, Conexon has collaborated with electric cooperatives across 80 markets to launch and deploy fiber-to-the-home networks in their territories, with more than 20 projects now reaching 100 percent of members. The company’s internet service provider, Connect, today delivers multi-gigabit-speed internet across many of those markets. Through Conexon’s work with its partners, nearly 3 million rural Americans now have access to fiber to the home, with more than 1.1 million connected. The company has designed more than 200,000 miles of fiber and builds more than 50,000 miles annually. With more than $2 billion in federal, state, and local grants and subsidies for FTTH projects, Conexon and its partners have collectively secured more federal broadband funding for fiber construction than any other group in the country.

Cindy Parks
913-526-6912
cindy.parks@conexon.us

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Call out – Optimize’s glass-box approach provides greater insight to explainable property-specific settings, controls, and demand. Spherexx® Expands Optimize Revenue Management with CoPilot Predictive Simulation and Strategic Governance

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November 4, 2026

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New internal coaching and simulation capabilities expand predictive insight, strategic governance and user control

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spherexx announced the addition of CoPilot to Optimize, its neural-driven multifamily revenue management platform. CoPilot expands Optimize’s strategic governance capabilities with explainable visibility into how recommendations are developed, how operating controls influence outcomes, and how adjustments may affect future performance.

Optimize’s glass-box approach to revenue management gives greater insight into why leasing rates are recommended.

Designed to strengthen Optimize’s glass-box approach to revenue management, CoPilot provides revenue managers with greater insight into why each leasing rate is recommended based on explainable property-specific settings, controls, and demand. Users can evaluate potential adjustments while maintaining direct human oversight, decision authority, and accountability. This methodology also applies to lease-up construction apartments where previous data is nonexistent, Optimize formulated Its neural network to identify occupancy growth patterns based on lease-up data and certificates of occupancy since 2013; becoming the first revenue management platform to successfully target and exceed construction proforma expectations.

A robust, layered simulator allows revenue managers to model the potential impact of changes before implementation, helping teams understand how adaptive controls may influence future results. For each unit type, users can elect to maintain the current published leasing price, accept Optimize’s recommended leasing price, or hold a price from an earlier date. Additionally, Optimize provides a concession simulation against public comparables to reveal how the cost of recurring or one-time concessions will affect actual new lease pricing.

CoPilot consolidates these decisions within a central workspace where users can review available leasing prices by status, existing rates, recommendations, explanations for changes, and the history of prior decisions. Revenue managers can adjust directly within the workflow, while embedded training video segments provide task-specific guidance throughout the platform.

Optimize continuously incorporates client’s property data through property management software integrations, along with client-selected settings for additional intelligence providers.

Forward-looking intelligence provides revenue managers with an expanded view of asset performance. Optimize displays the property’s known upcoming performance based on scheduled expirations, notices to vacate, and future lease data. Based on this information and historical performance, Optimize forecasts future occupancy, projected renewals, and potential new move-ins three months beyond the max lease term the property offers, i.e. a twelve-month lease will forecast a 15-month horizon. Market positioning based on public-comparable data can be reviewed for rent, vacancy, concessions and leasing velocity daily, weekly, or across a custom period.

CoPilot also extends governance capabilities for affordable and rent-controlled floor plans and units, enabling additional controls for fixed maximums, lease terms, and other applicable operating parameters

“We created Optimize as one of the early neural-intelligent revenue management platforms, and its intelligence has continued to evolve,” said Becca Wilson, Owner and CEO of Spherexx. “Our original vision remains the same: give clients pertinent, accurate and accessible intelligence they can understand, evaluate, and govern. CoPilot advances that vision by allowing revenue managers to see not only what Optimize recommends, but why it recommends it, explore the potential impact of their decisions, and remain firmly in control of the outcome.”

CoPilot builds upon Optimize’s established approach to transparent revenue management by combining predictive intelligence, adaptive controls, and strategic governance within a single decision environment.

About Spherexx.com®

Spherexx.com®: Redefining Real Estate Technology

Spherexx.com® continues to lead with cutting-edge predictive, generative, agentic, AI across a suite of software solutions, setting industry benchmarks for innovation.

With over two decades of experience, Spherexx.com® delivers top-tier Software as a Service (SaaS) internet-based software, data analytics, and marketing solutions to clients across the US and Canada. Spherexx expertise spans multifamily, single-family, affordable, senior, rent control, self-storage, and manufactured housing.

Spherexx technology stack streamlines operation and enhances brand experiences for clients, and their residents, and investors. Our technology stack includes:

Website CMS/Inline EditorSEM/GEO/AEO/LLM/PPCILS SyndicationCommission & Bonus ManagementBI DashboardsCRM + AI AgentWebsite Chat & Voice AIComparable AnalyticsRevenue ManagementInteractive Site PlansTouchscreen Leasing KiosksCustom Programming

Spherexx.com® is the authoritative trusted source for innovation and transformation in real estate technology. Visit www.spherexx.com to explore the future of PropTech.

News@spherexx.com

866.491.7500

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Empowering Malaysia’s Digital Future: AWS and Elitery Celebrate Grand Finale of AWS CendekiAwan

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November 4, 2026

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20 Finalist Teams from Four Top Malaysian Universities Reach the Grand Finale of AWS CendekiAwan

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Elitery recently celebrated the Grand Finale of AWS CendekiAwan at Universiti Malaya (UM).

The event brings together 20 student finalist teams from four top Malaysian universities to pitch cutting-edge Generative AI solutions powered by Amazon Bedrock, tackling critical societal and enterprise challenges. Competing across five categories, the finalists will demonstrate how AI can be applied to address real-world challenges across education, healthcare, sustainability, financial inclusion, government technology, and social impact.

The CendekiAwan Malaysia program is a collaborative digital talent initiative by AWS and Elitery designed to bridge academic learning with practical industry requirements. Moving beyond theoretical AI concepts, the hands-on curriculum equipped participants from tech and non-tech backgrounds with practical skills in cloud computing, application development, and Generative AI.

Beginning at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), the initiative expanded through self-learning, hands-on workshops, and showcase sessions across Multimedia University (MMU), Nilai University, and Universiti Malaya (UM). Utilizing AWS developer tools including PartyRock, Kiro, and Amazon Bedrock, students built functional prototypes from scratch. The program encouraged students to move beyond learning AI concepts and gain practical experience developing technology-driven solutions for real-world needs.

“CendekiAwan reflects our belief that AI should be built and deployed by hands and minds like these students to solve real challenges facing communities across Malaysia,” said Daniel Zhang, Regional Data Center Operations Leader Malaysia, AWS. “Together with Elitery and our partner universities, we are proud to see these students turn skills in Kiro and Amazon Bedrock into practical solutions for education, healthcare, sustainability, financial inclusion and public services.”

The showcase brings together key decision-makers across government, higher education, and industry, including representatives from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). Beyond the competition, the event underscores Elitery and AWS’s shared commitment to building a resilient, future-ready AI workforce across Southeast Asia. “The CendekiAwan training programme supports Kuala Lumpur’s vision of ‘A Prosperous City for All by 2030’ by investing in talent development, strengthening capabilities, and fostering knowledge exchange. Through sustained training and collaboration, the programme seeks to contribute to a more dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready Kuala Lumpur, in line with DBKL’s commitment to the city’s socioeconomic progress and well-being,” said Ts. Kamariah binti Kamarudin, Representative of DBKL.

Representing Elitery, President Director Kresna Adiprawira said, “Through CendekiAwan, we help students move beyond learning AI concepts to building practical applications that address real-world challenges. We are proud to see their ideas turn into meaningful innovations and help shape the next generation of digital talent.”

Finalists showcase projects across five categories:

Smart Education: Enhancing learning and accessibility.Digital Health: Improving healthcare and wellbeing.Sustainable Environment & Climate: Advancing sustainability and climate resilience.Financial Inclusion & SME: Supporting business growth and financial access.GovTech & Social Impact: Improving public services and community inclusion.

Through these categories, students demonstrate how Generative AI can translate into practical applications that address challenges faced by communities, institutions, businesses, and society.

“The development process was seamless thanks to the comprehensive technology provided by AWS. For students looking to build AI-powered solutions, the most vital factor is the core idea focus on solving real-world problems.” Dewan AI — Winner, GovTech & Social Impact, Multimedia University (MMU).

As Generative AI transforms industries, CendekiAwan equips students with practical skills and innovation capabilities to develop impactful, real-world solutions through collaboration between AWS, Elitery, and Malaysian universities.

CendekiAwan Malaysia is an AWS and Elitery initiative with partner universities, equipping students from four Malaysian universities with practical cloud computing and Generative AI skills through hands-on learning, culminating in 20 finalist teams competing across five categories using Amazon Bedrock.

PT Data Sinergitama Jaya Tbk  (Elitery, IDX: ELIT)  is an Indonesian publicly listed technology company specializing in IT Managed Services, AI, and cloud solutions, serving over 200 customers across three countries. In 2026, Elitery earned the AWS Migration Competency Designation.

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SOURCE Elitery

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Small Joys, Big Market: Products That Spark Joy Take the Spotlight at 140th Canton Fair

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November 4, 2026

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GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As emotional value becomes a key consumption driver, consumers are increasingly willing to pay for fun, companionship and peace of mind, offering an everyday interpretation of what “Better Life” truly means. This trend was on display throughout Phase 3 of the 140th Canton Fair.

Small Products, Big Feelings

In the Office Supplies Section, beyond traditional business supplies, vibrant products are capturing attention. Pens are expected to be visually appealing while staplers are designed to be cute as well as functional. Products that provide a burst of pleasure are gaining popularity.

3D stickers have emerged as a favorite among journaling enthusiasts. These stickers double as puzzles, requiring no glue and allowing users to assemble them for fun, turning decorations into interactive toys.

In the Toys Section, bag charms in various designs are ubiquitous. Meanwhile, animal-shaped sofa cushions in lazy, prone poses offer a healing touch. Filled with eco-friendly weighted glass beads, they provide a gentle hugging sensation, offering comfort and relaxation.

Emotional Comfort Across Categories

Emotional comfort was equally evident in products designed for children and pets.

A duck-shaped toy created for infants and toddlers aged 6 to 36 months attracted interest from overseas buyers. Simulating the movements of a real duck through head-turning and waddling motions alongside lights, sounds and voice guidance, the toy supports crawling, early learning and emotional comfort. Educational and bedtime-soothing modes offer music, stories, nursery rhymes and bilingual content, helping nurture development and providing a sense of security.

Meanwhile, the Pet Products and Food Section demonstrated how emotional needs also extend to animal companions. From creatively designed cat climbing structures to interactive automatic toys, exhibitors presented products aimed at enriching pets’ daily lives and strengthening the bond between pets and their owners.

As consumers increasingly seek products that deliver emotional as well as practical benefits, Phase 3 of the 140th Canton Fair offers a glimpse into evolving lifestyles and expectations. The message behind “Better Life” is clear: better living is no longer defined solely by utility, but by products that bring comfort, connection and joy.

For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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SOURCE Canton Fair

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