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Toastmasters Announces Speakers for 2024 Convention

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Toastmasters International announced an impressive lineup of speakers for its 2024 International Convention, to be held Aug. 14-17 in Anaheim, Calif. With seven inspiring speaking sessions, the 2024 International Convention will feature presenters from around the world. 

“We are delighted to offer an accomplished and inspiring group of speakers at this year’s International Convention,” says Radhi Spear, Toastmasters’ International President-Elect. “As we celebrate the organization’s centennial at the convention, the speakers taking the stage in Anaheim give highlights from the past 100 years as well as focus on relevant topics that will inspire and educate the audience.” 

The main-stage presenters include Shawn Ellis, who will deliver the keynote presentation during the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Renowned as a motivational keynote speaker, dynamic storyteller, and modern-day philosopher, Ellis stands as a beacon for those seeking guidance and inspiration to navigate an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience, Shawn expertly guides leaders and teams toward adaptability and resilience, offering insights rooted in mindfulness, neuroscience, and psychology.

Join Ellis for a dynamic and strategic approach to becoming more resilient in all facets of life—including in these times of centennial celebration! Drawing on over 20 years of leadership experience and his “Mastering the Moments” philosophy, he will offer practical strategies for resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving world. He will also guide you towards using core values to shape future optimism and teach you how to grow forward with an appreciation for the past, all while combining humor, storytelling, and wisdom for a deeply impactful experience.

Lisa Sun is the recipient of Toastmasters’ 2024 Golden Gavel Award. Sun is an entrepreneur and national best-selling author of Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence. As a presenter exclusively represented by Leading Authorities, Sun encourages audience members to choose self-confidence, work to harness their “superpower,” and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally.

Sun founded Gravitas in 2012 with a mission to catalyze confidence. The company’s origin story dates back to her first professional review, where she was told that she “lacked gravitas,” and “should go buy a new dress, big jewelry, and great shoes.” With those words in mind, Sun filed for a global patent to build shapewear directly into dresses. Two months after launch, her first collection was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, People, and on Today all in the same month. Prior to founding Gravitas, Sun spent 11 years as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company.

Other education sessions:

Negotiating Conflicts Confidently: Join this engaging and insightful talk by Alice Shikina, host of the podcast, Negotiation with Alice, designed to equip you with the tools and mindset needed to navigate conflicts effectively. Delving into the intricacies of interpersonal dynamics, Alice will go over strategies for approaching conflicts with confidence, clarity, and empathy. You will learn to identify underlying interests, communicate assertively, and seek mutually beneficial solutions. By fostering a culture of constructive dialogue and understanding, you can empower yourself to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and collaboration.

An Extraordinary History: Past Leaders Discuss 100 Years of Toastmasters: Join the prestigious panel of Past International Presidents, which includes Dilip Abayasekara, Ted Corcoran, Pat Johnson, and Tim Keck, as well as moderator Neil Wilkinson, as they guide you through Toastmasters International’s amazing heritage. Learn some of the behind-the-scenes details regarding how Ralph Smedley founded the organization, why significant changes were made along the way, and which major milestones culminated in this ‘100 Years’ anniversary.

From Likes to Leads: Build a Club Social Media Presence Amidst the Noise: In this session, Gia Abao, content creator and entrepreneur, will share her insights on how to craft a compelling brand that turns audiences into followers. She will help members unlock the power of data to grow their club and optimize their content strategy and teach members how to leverage analytics to formulate insights into audience behaviors and preferences.

From identifying trends to measuring content performance, this thought-provoking session will help members craft an approach and tailor content to reach their ideal audience, while adapting to diverse platforms and formats. Imagine creating videos that spark conversation, inspire action, and cultivate a loyal community of followers.

Onboarding and Mentoring Mastery: The Missing Piece to Club Growth/Longevity: Join Marty Dickinson, Toastmasters mentor, leader, entrepreneur, author, as he explores the transformative power of two essential skills. Attendees will learn to quickly integrate new members into their club, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Be able to identify solutions to the common challenges of finding dedicated mentors and onboarding partners. This session is an essential guide for Toastmasters members looking to enrich their club experience and extend their influence beyond the club environment. And you can even take the knowledge and insight into your company or business.

Keep ‘Em Coming Back: In this age of influencers, there are four that greatly affect the value and success of each Toastmaster, according to Sravanthi Vallampati, Distinguished Toastmaster. Join her to explore what they are and how you can leverage them to elevate the Toastmasters experience for all who seek it. From inquisitiveness to inspiration through information, the full breadth and depth of the journey awaits members through her value analysis and engagement approach.

To learn more about Toastmasters’ 2024 International Convention, Aug. 14-17, and obtain a complete schedule of events, including the Opening Ceremonies, Education Sessions, and the World Championship of Public Speaking®, visit toastmasters.org/Convention.  The International Convention will be a hybrid event and the public is invited to attend in person or online.

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on X (formerly Twitter).

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Driving Certainty Through Uncertainty: eclicktech’s Engineering Approach to Agentic AI

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XI’AN, China, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As generative AI moves from experimentation to enterprise deployment, the industry focus is shifting from model capability to operational reliability. The challenge is no longer simply building smarter AI, but ensuring AI systems can operate safely and consistently inside complex production environments.

eclicktech recently shared its internal engineering practices around Agentic AI, highlighting how the company is applying context engineering, multi-cloud infrastructure, and layered security frameworks to support enterprise-scale AI deployment.

To support global operations across more than 230 countries and regions, eclicktech built its Cycor platform around a multi-cloud architecture integrating AWS, Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Huawei Cloud, and other providers. According to the company, this approach improves infrastructure flexibility, reduces vendor lock-in risk, and enables more efficient orchestration of large-scale Kubernetes clusters and AI workloads.

eclicktech stated that one of the key lessons from early Agent development was that prompt engineering alone was insufficient for enterprise deployment. The company therefore shifted toward context engineering — an approach focused on delivering the right information, at the right time, while optimizing limited token resources.

Its engineering framework includes six layers of context management covering active sessions, short-term memory, long-term semantic storage, knowledge graphs, operational experience, and reusable organizational skills. The system also supports proactive context injection, allowing relevant operational history and risk information to be surfaced automatically before sensitive actions are executed.

To improve inference efficiency, eclicktech introduced layered token governance and progressive tool-loading mechanisms, dynamically loading tools and information only when required. The company said this approach helped improve tool selection accuracy and reduce unnecessary token consumption during complex operational workflows.

Security remains a core requirement throughout the architecture. eclicktech’s governance framework includes namespace isolation, dry-run verification, human approval workflows, rule-based validation, and rollback mechanisms designed to reduce operational risks associated with AI-driven automation.

According to eclicktech, the next stage of enterprise AI competition will depend not only on model capability, but also on engineering reliability, infrastructure orchestration, context management, and organizational knowledge systems.

Note: Certain technical information referenced in this article is derived from eclicktech’s internal engineering practices and is provided for industry reference purposes only.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/driving-certainty-through-uncertainty-eclicktechs-engineering-approach-to-agentic-ai-302767441.html

SOURCE eclicktech

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How a Unified Monetization Solution Is Driving eCPM and Revenue Growth for Casual Games Worldwide

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SINGAPORE, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casual, hyper-casual, and hybrid-casual games have become dominant categories in the global mobile market, making in-app advertising (IAA) a key driver of monetization success. However, many developers continue to face major challenges, including unstable fill rates, fluctuating eCPMs, difficulties balancing multiple regional markets, and the ongoing tradeoff between user experience and revenue growth.

To address these issues, zMaticoo has compiled a series of monetization case studies from leading game publishers and studios across China, Vietnam, Europe, and North America. These teams span hyper-casual, puzzle, board, card, and light-casual game categories, with DAUs ranging from millions to tens of millions. By adopting the same monetization framework, they achieved simultaneous growth in fill rate, eCPM, and ad revenue while maintaining stable user experience.

A common challenge among these teams was the shrinking monetization margin across global markets, creating an urgent need for sustainable revenue growth. At the same time, developers were cautious about over-monetization negatively impacting retention and player engagement.

To solve these challenges, zMaticoo introduced an AI-driven monetization system with full-funnel optimization capabilities. The platform connects developers directly to premium global advertiser budgets across both performance and brand advertising. AI models identify high-value traffic in real time based on region, audience, and usage scenarios, prioritizing high-eCPM demand sources. Separate bidding strategies are applied for mature and emerging markets to avoid revenue loss caused by one-size-fits-all pricing models.

The platform also provides refined ad format optimization:

Banner Ads: optimized display share and loading timing to improve SOV and stabilize eCPM;Interstitial Ads: precisely triggered during high-value moments such as level completion or pause screens, with especially strong premiums in emerging markets;Rewarded Video: deeply integrated into gameplay loops, delivering high user acceptance and conversion performance.

On the technical side, zMaticoo optimized SDK infrastructure to improve fill stability under weak network conditions. Ad loading time was reduced from five seconds to under two seconds through a rebuilt loading architecture. Progressive asset loading further minimized timeout-related drop-offs. AI-powered ad templates dynamically generated personalized creatives, improving both CTR and conversion performance.

The zMaticoo team also provides one-stop operational and analytics support. Developers can monitor fill rate, impressions, eCPM, and revenue through a unified dashboard, while dedicated optimization specialists provide 7×12 support for A/B testing, strategy iteration, and scaling guidance. The platform is deeply integrated with major mediation solutions, enabling one-time integration and multi-scenario deployment while reducing development and maintenance costs.

According to zMaticoo platform data:

In mature markets including the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, banner eCPMs increased by 5%–10%, while interstitial premiums improved by over 5%;In emerging markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, interstitial eCPMs increased by more than 10%.

The monetization framework has demonstrated effectiveness across hyper-casual, puzzle, board/card, and utility app categories, supporting both rapid scale-up and long-term monetization stability.

Partner feedback includes:

“We are highly satisfied with the revenue uplift after integration. Our core products’ banner performance now ranks among the top tier.””Revenue recovered significantly after A/B testing, and we are expanding testing across more products.””One solution now supports multiple global markets without requiring separate monetization strategies for each region.””Interstitial monetization performance has been especially strong, with SOV reaching 10%–20% for several partners.”

zMaticoo believes successful monetization today is not about stacking more ad platforms, but about leveraging AI, technology, and refined operations to unlock long-term traffic value. Whether for hyper-casual publishers, puzzle game studios, or global mobile app companies, this AI-powered monetization framework is designed to deliver sustainable revenue growth while preserving user experience.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-a-unified-monetization-solution-is-driving-ecpm-and-revenue-growth-for-casual-games-worldwide-302767432.html

SOURCE zMaticoo

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Fox ESS Celebrates Strong Momentum with Integrated Solar Storage & Charging Solutions at Smart Energy 2026

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SYDNEY, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fox ESS, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, attended Smart Energy 2026 during 6-7 May as a platinum sponsor. At the event, Fox ESS showcased its next-generation approach to solar storage and EV charging solution, delivering a seamless, future-ready energy experience for homeowners and installers across Australia.

Integrated Solutions Tailored for Aussie Homes

At Smart Energy 2026, Fox ESS highlighted its storage-to-charging solution, designed to make everyday energy use more convenient for local residents. With performance-led products and proven market traction, Fox ESS is set to play its part in building a more resilient energy future for Australia.

Battery Systems

Fox ESS continues to build momentum in the battery market. Sunwiz, an Australian solar consultancy, recently reported that Fox ESS ranked No.1 in March for installation capacity. And the company also revealed it has installed more than 25,000 systems in April. During the exhibition, Sunwiz presented Fox ESS with an award, recognising the company as Top Solar Company for Fastest Growing Battery.

CQ7 V6+ High Voltage Battery (42kWh and above)
Building on Fox ESS’ proven strengths, compact design and high capacity, CQ7 V6+ is well suited to medium-sized households and ensure the free use of electricity and maximize the self-consumption.EQ4800 High Voltage Battery (28kWh)
A reliable choice for smaller households, designed for efficient day-to-day energy storage.

Alongside its battery range, Fox ESS showcased all-in-one systems, including Stackable AIO and EVO, designed to simplify installation while maintaining a high standard of design and presentation.

Inverters

Fox ESS offers a range of inverters to suit local requirements, supported by up to 200% PV oversizing and a 10-year product warranty.

Single-phase: H1‑G2 (3–6kW); KH series (7–10.5kW)Three-phase: H3 Smart (5–15kW); H3 Pro (15–29.9kW); H3 Plus (50–125kW)

EV Chargers

With EV adoption accelerating, Fox ESS also offers EV charging solutions with solar linkage, designed to work across its inverter portfolio. The chargers provide robust, smart energy management, including dynamic load balancing to help protect home circuits.

A Series (7.3kW / 11kW / 22kW): IP65 and IK08 protection, OCPP-compliant.L Series (7.3kW / 11kW): straightforward installation with multiple colour options.

Big Battery Still Takes Centre Stage

As the Cheaper Home Battery Program moves into a new phase under an updated rebate policy, interest in larger battery systems continues to grow, particularly as more households consider EV upgrades amid rising fuel costs. More EVs typically mean households need greater energy availability, making higher-capacity storage an increasingly attractive option.

Looking ahead, from 1 July 2026, the Australian Government’s Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) will provide eligible households with three hours of free daily electricity to align with peak solar generation. Households with larger batteries will be well placed to make the most of this opportunity.

Fox ESS is also working with local VPP partners, including Amber Electric and Origin Loop VPP, helping homeowners unlock maximum value while supporting greater grid stability.

Maimai Comes Alive at the Exhibition

Visitors to the Fox ESS stand experienced a full programme of brand activations across the event. Following the online announcement, Sydney served as Maimai’s first physical stop, bringing the community together for face-to-face engagement. Attendees queued to take photos with the brand’s friendly and recognisable mascot.

Long-Term Commitment to Australia

Fox ESS has opened two local offices in Melbourne and Sydney, with more than 30 dedicated specialists supporting local customer needs. The company is also looking to play a wider role in Australia’s energy transition.

Notably, Ian Thorpe made his first in-person appearance at Fox Night, where he presented partners with awards. At the event party, Fox ESS also hosted a battery installation challenge, featuring eight rounds of competition, with the final winners receiving a range of prizes.

“We’re delighted to see such a strong result following the rollout of local policy. With nearly 400,000 Australian households now installing batteries, Fox ESS has played a key role, but this is only the beginning. We’re committed to keeping momentum and helping make a smarter, more reliable energy future a reality for more homes.” said Brooks Richard Geng, APAC & Middle East Managing Director, Fox ESS.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/fox-ess-celebrates-strong-momentum-with-integrated-solar-storage–charging-solutions-at-smart-energy-2026-302767429.html

SOURCE Fox ESS

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