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Samsung Selects Chandigarh University Student as ‘Punjab AI State Topper’

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2 months ago

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CU Student Devesh Panwar Wins Rs 1 Lakh Award for Developing AI-Based Document Search System

CHANDIGARH, India, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar, has been named the “Punjab State Topper” in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program organised by Samsung in collaboration with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and training partner Focal Skill Development (Focalyt) to equip Indian youth with industry-relevant in-demand skills in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming, preparing them for future careers.

A final-year student of Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) at University Institute of Computing (UIC) of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar also won a cash award of Rs 1 lakh along with a laptop, and exclusive Samsung rewards for achieving this remarkable milestone under the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program.

 “Being named ‘AI State Topper’ was a moment of profound pride and validation for me. Hard work, intense technical training and a passion for AI culminated in the immense honor of the Punjab State Topper title. Besides getting access to state-of-the-art tools to fuel my future research and development endeavor, I gained world-class knowledge during the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program. It helped me in gaining hands-on experience and applied AI to solve real-world challenges, especially in aeronautical and technical domains,”

During Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program, Devesh and his team worked on innovative AI capstone project which was presented before the jury panel as part of the final assessment.

“Our team developed the advanced AI-powered system AI Research Agent, a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) platform designed for intelligent querying of private document collections. Organizations, researchers, legal professionals, and HR teams often work with large collections of documents. Traditional search methods rely heavily on keyword matching and require significant manual effort to locate relevant information. The project was developed to address the limitations of traditional document search systems, which often struggle with contextual understanding, retrieval accuracy, learning adaptability, and response speed,” said Devesh.

 “The developed system demonstrated significant improvements over traditional document retrieval approaches with faster response generation with integration of modern AI techniques, full-stack development, database systems, and intelligent automation into a single practical solution.  By combining modern RAG architecture with innovative retrieval and reasoning mechanisms, this system provides a fast, intelligent, and user-friendly solution for knowledge discovery and resume evaluation. This project not only enhanced our technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Full-Stack Development but also strengthened our problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication skills. It stands as a significant achievement of our Samsung Innovation Campus 2025 journey and reflects our commitment to building impactful AI solutions for real-world challenges,” he added.

Congratulating Devesh Panwar for being named “Punjab State Topper” AI under the Samsung Innovation Campus Samsung Innovation Program, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director, Chandigarh University, said, “Devesh’s achievement reflects Chandigarh University’s focus on experiential learning and industry-academia collaboration.  Through the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program, CU students gain practical exposure to AI and building solutions for real-world challenges. This accomplishment reflects not only Devesh’s commitment to excellence but also the growing culture of innovation and industry-oriented learning at Chandigarh University,”.

“Since its inception, Chandigarh University has set benchmarks for world-class education with its dynamic hands-on experiential learning model, industry-aligned programs, dynamic fraternity, state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities and impeccable placements. Samsung Innovation Program is also part of our initiatives to develop a future-ready talent pool equipped with advanced capabilities in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding and Programming. By bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, this collaboration helps in providing CU’s computer science and computing students exposure to cutting-edge and emerging technologies.  CU’s this partnership with Samsung is focused on building future-ready talent equipped with industry-relevant skills in AI and emerging technologies,” Sandhu said.

He said Chandigarh University’s Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology. “Chandigarh University carries a vision of crafting next-gen IT professionals who can take up industry challenges effectively and our Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology.  UIC’s hands-on approach paves the way for a smooth transition to the workforce after graduation. Our students are equipped with the best knowledge, skills and passion to succeed in any number of computing careers.   CU’s Institute of Computing renders cutting-edge education ranging from the expertise in traditional software development -to- modern computing technologies. Fully-equipped industry-sponsored labs, industry-aligned curriculum, and accreditations and validations by top companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Google Android, Red Hat etc. give our students an exclusive edge over others,” the Chandigarh University CMD said.

Sandhu said the latest edition of QS World University Rankings has yet again reaffirmed Chandigarh University global standing as a top educational institution. “Continuing its remarkable rise among the world’s leading higher education institutions, Chandigarh University (CU) has made impressive strides in the latest edition of prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027 by securing an overall world rank of 526, an increase of 49 ranks as compared to 575th rank in QS’ 2026 Rankings. This is for the fifth consecutive year that Chandigarh University’s global rankings have witnessed an impressive surge with CU’s world rank going up by an impressive 274 ranks — from the 800th rank in 2023 to 526th in 2027’s Rankings,”.

“As per the latest QS World University Rankings, with All India Rank of 13 among all universities in the country as compared to 16th rank in 2026’s rankings, Chandigarh University now ranks among the top 1% of universities in India and the top 2% of universities in the World, underscoring its growing reputation as a leading institution of higher learning, both in India and globally,” he added.

About Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.

Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/

Photo: https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1885145/PRESS-PIC-001-SAMSUNG-CU-STUDENT.jpg?id=OA2769782&token=eyJhbGciOiJkaXIiLCJlbmMiOiJBMjU2R0NNIn0..tz96RqadDKMvzkEj.hSUhhTBdc9ZsrJjdBxEgY3wlJi0695tAGCi_yhGtBbdiThMARSwsYuRxoaEaAC1HccJGtnxglefy4fXZDdGfD-4OdjVgfOBZDHtwSaDWfS9i0sxsJ9uscOPXaiNP1iwN6to.iJaPyZAn7rk4NN9I54uvhg

 

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WTE MIAMI TO EMBRACE AI-POWERED TECHNOLOGY AS IT SHAPES THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL TRADE

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15 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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For the first time, WTE Miami will utilize Fairfest’s SnapCard AI technology, bringing AI-powered matchmaking to the show.

MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WTE Miami is putting artificial intelligence into action, introducing AI-powered matchmaking for attendees while bringing industry experts together to explore how the technology is transforming travel.

WTE Miami brings AI-powered matchmaking to the show floor for the first time, shaping the future of travel trade.

Taking place October 27–28 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, WTE Miami will incorporate SnapCard AI, Fairfest’s AI-powered matchmaking app, for the first time. The technology allows attendees to describe the business connections they are seeking in their own words, helping identify relevant matches across the show. With 26 NTOs and CVBs confirmed to date, SnapCard AI will connect attendees with destinations and tourism organizations aligned with their business interests.

At OTM 2026, SnapCard AI attracted 7,291 active users from 140 countries, representing 42% adoption despite limited dedicated promotion. 82% of exhibitors secured meetings through the platform, while meeting requests increased 97% year over year.

“SnapCard AI is the first matchmaking platform I’ve used that genuinely feels built for how people actually do business. Bringing it to WTE Miami alongside programming exploring AI in travel means we’re not just talking about the future of this industry—we’re putting it to work on the show floor,” said Simon Press, Managing Director International, Fairfest Media.

WTE Miami’s AI-focused conference programming will include “AI Solutions for the Travel Industry,” featuring Grace Van Hollebeke of Tern and an invited Google speaker; “AI for Travel Professionals,” an MPI Certification Course led by Tim Luepke of MPI Academy; and “AI in Tourism,” a keynote from Karen Ring of Sabre Corp. exploring AI’s impact on travelers and the travel industry.

WTE Miami will take place October 27–28, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. To register, visit WTE Miami today.

Media Contact:

Olivia Forbis

oforbis@mmgy.com

About WTE Miami

WTE Miami is an international B2B travel trade event connecting destinations, tourism organizations, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, travel technology companies and tourism suppliers with qualified travel buyers across the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome 500+ exhibitors, 7,000 travel trade professionals, 500 hosted and VIP buyers, and 10,000+ pre-scheduled B2B meetings. Organized by Fairfest Media, WTE Miami takes place October 27–28, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wte-miami-to-embrace-ai-powered-technology-as-it-shapes-the-future-of-travel-trade-302886688.html

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New Jersey Enacts Comprehensive Employee Ownership Finance Legislation Designed with Lafayette Square Institute

Published

16 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

By

Gov. Sherrill signs bipartisan package establishing Employee Ownership Transition Program and revolving loan fund at NJEDA; LSI releases state playbook laying out a development finance toolkit for states

TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New Jersey has enacted comprehensive bipartisan legislation that equips the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) with tools to finance the conversion of businesses to employee ownership. Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the legislation (A5016/S4218) on September 4, establishing an Employee Ownership Transition Program at NJEDA with reimbursements for feasibility studies, consultative services for firms making the transition, statewide outreach in partnership with the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership at Rutgers University, and an Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Fund to finance conversions directly. State Senators Andrew Zwicker and Shirley Turner and Assemblymembers Lisa Swain, Roy Freiman, and Al Barlas sponsored the legislation.

Lafayette Square Institute was proud to support partners in the New Jersey legislature, Governor Sherrill’s office, and NJEDA to achieve this outcome in the Garden State. The legislation builds directly upon recommendations from Lafayette Square Institute’s flagship employee ownership state policy white paper titled Employee Ownership as Economic Development released earlier this year at the National Conference of State Legislators annual convening. The publication details a toolkit for states to expand employee ownership including credit enhancement, institutional capital mobilization, and tax incentives. The playbook also evaluates various strategies to capitalize and fund various tools, build institutional capacity within state government, and implement a comprehensive employee ownership strategy.

The Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Fund revives a tool NJEDA pioneered 50 years ago, when the agency’s first loan financed the employee buyout of the Okonite Company in Passaic County, New Jersey. That loan was repaid and revolved ninefold. Today, Okonite remains 100% employee-owned and has paid more than $300 million in ESOP distributions to its workers. The Fund can be capitalized by state appropriations, federal sources such as U.S. Economic Development Administration grants, and philanthropic capital.

“Governor Sherrill is committed to expanding resources for sustainable business transition plans and employee ownership, protecting jobs, strengthening communities, and creating economic opportunities for workers and their families” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “We are proud to partner with the Lafayette Square Institute and the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership at Rutgers University to ensure the NJEDA’s Employee Ownership Transition Program will provide effective support for entrepreneurs, furthering the Administration’s objective of making New Jersey the best state in the nation to start and grow a business.”

“New Jersey is living through two economic transitions at once: a generation of business owners reaching retirement without a succession plan, and artificial intelligence changing who gains from work. Employee ownership addresses both challenges by keeping companies rooted in our communities and giving the people who build a business a share in what it earns. Lafayette Square Institute brought us this model and the evidence behind it, and this law equips EDA with the tools to use it,” said Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16).

“This bill is bipartisan for a simple reason: it keeps New Jersey businesses in New Jersey hands without a new mandate or a new tax,” said Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-40). “A revolving loan fund lends, gets repaid, and lends again, which is how the EDA helped Okonite’s workers buy their company fifty years ago. Lafayette Square Institute built this concept on that record, and I was glad to help put it back to work.”

“When you align the financial success of a business with the success of the employees who help run it every day, the benefits are limitless. Employee stock ownership programs offer workers a meaningful path to financial security, while giving local business owners a better way forward in preserving the companies they have worked so hard to build and that make New Jersey flourish,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-38). “I’m deeply grateful to Lafayette Square Institute, the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership, and the employee owners who helped us get this done.”

“At a moment when returns to capital are pulling away from returns to labor, employee ownership puts workers on both sides of the ledger. New Jersey has now built the financing tools to do just that, and this playbook shows every other state how to do the same,” said Julien Rosenbloom, Senior Associate at Lafayette Square Institute.

“This bipartisan legislative accomplishment is an exciting win for the Garden State at a moment of historically unprecedented business succession across the country,” said Jack Moriarty, Executive Director of Lafayette Square Institute. “By integrating employee ownership into the economic development toolkit, we can preserve and create jobs that build wealth for American workers and families.”

“The evidence from decades of research is consistent: employee-owned companies pay more, keep workers longer, build more retirement wealth, are more productive, and weather downturns with fewer layoffs. The New Jersey/New York Center for Employee Ownership looks forward to partnering with NJEDA so that every owner considering a sale knows selling to employees is a real option. We congratulate Governor Sherrill, Senator Zwicker, and Assemblywoman Swain on this important step,” said William Castellano, Executive Director, New Jersey/New York Center for Employee Ownership, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.

About Lafayette Square Institute

Lafayette Square Institute is a nonprofit policy and data analytics platform committed to aligning private capital with the public interest. Through deep bipartisan relationships, innovative finance tools, and data analysis, LSI mobilizes investment in the people and places that need it.

Media Contact:
Julien Rosenbloom
Lafayette Square Institute
rosenbloom@lafayettesquareinstitute.org

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THE CANADIAN FORUM FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS: LOWERING THE PRICE OF CAPITAL MARKETS REGULATION IN CANADA

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16 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada wants to attract and mobilize significantly more investments. But businesses and investors still pay for capital markets regulation through a fragmented system of provincial, territorial, and self-regulatory fees that treats Canada’s national capital markets as a collection of local ones.

A new paper from the Canadian Forum for Financial Markets (CFFiM), Fees and Fragmentation: Lowering the Price of Capital Markets Regulation in Canada, recommends that Canada’s system of regulatory fees be reformed as part of Canada’s drive for a “one Canadian economy”, which includes the elimination of interprovincial barriers and increased domestic and foreign investment.   

Canada has 13 provincial and territorial securities regulators as well as the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, which operates as a national self-regulatory organization. All of these regulators levy fees on market participants.  The result is a patchwork of charges based largely on individual regulatory structures and priorities rather than a coherent national approach to the fees that are charged to issuers and intermediaries for the benefit of accessing Canada’s capital markets.

This paper identifies overlapping and duplicative fees, inconsistent approaches to cost recovery, and a system of decentralized accountability as resulting in unnecessary costs for market participants, which are ultimately borne on Canadian investors.  These deficiencies contribute to the fragmentation of Canada’s capital markets and negatively impact the attractiveness of Canada’s markets from a global perspective.

“Canada is competing globally for investments.  We should not be adding costs simply because capital crosses a provincial border.” said Laura Paglia, President and CEO of the CFFiM.

The problems associated with Canada’s fee regime could be addressed through a national regulator.  In the absence of those reforms, the CFFiM calls on Canada’s policymakers to establish a simplified and consolidated fee schedule at a net reduction for market participants.  Substantive reform of Canada’s fee regime is needed to allow businesses to expand, to enhance consumer choice, and to promote open, efficient, and competitive capital markets in Canada. 

About CFFiM

The Canadian Forum for Financial Markets (CFFiM)/Forum Canadien des Marchés Financiers (FCMFi) is dedicated to advancing proposals that foster healthy, competitive financial markets and a resilient Canadian economy.

SOURCE Canadian Forum for Financial Markets

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Samsung Selects Chandigarh University Student as ‘Punjab AI State Topper’

Published

2 months ago

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CU Student Devesh Panwar Wins Rs 1 Lakh Award for Developing AI-Based Document Search System

CHANDIGARH, India, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar, has been named the “Punjab State Topper” in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program organised by Samsung in collaboration with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and training partner Focal Skill Development (Focalyt) to equip Indian youth with industry-relevant in-demand skills in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming, preparing them for future careers.

A final-year student of Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) at University Institute of Computing (UIC) of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar also won a cash award of Rs 1 lakh along with a laptop, and exclusive Samsung rewards for achieving this remarkable milestone under the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program.

 “Being named ‘AI State Topper’ was a moment of profound pride and validation for me. Hard work, intense technical training and a passion for AI culminated in the immense honor of the Punjab State Topper title. Besides getting access to state-of-the-art tools to fuel my future research and development endeavor, I gained world-class knowledge during the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program. It helped me in gaining hands-on experience and applied AI to solve real-world challenges, especially in aeronautical and technical domains,”

During Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program, Devesh and his team worked on innovative AI capstone project which was presented before the jury panel as part of the final assessment.

“Our team developed the advanced AI-powered system AI Research Agent, a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) platform designed for intelligent querying of private document collections. Organizations, researchers, legal professionals, and HR teams often work with large collections of documents. Traditional search methods rely heavily on keyword matching and require significant manual effort to locate relevant information. The project was developed to address the limitations of traditional document search systems, which often struggle with contextual understanding, retrieval accuracy, learning adaptability, and response speed,” said Devesh.

 “The developed system demonstrated significant improvements over traditional document retrieval approaches with faster response generation with integration of modern AI techniques, full-stack development, database systems, and intelligent automation into a single practical solution.  By combining modern RAG architecture with innovative retrieval and reasoning mechanisms, this system provides a fast, intelligent, and user-friendly solution for knowledge discovery and resume evaluation. This project not only enhanced our technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Full-Stack Development but also strengthened our problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication skills. It stands as a significant achievement of our Samsung Innovation Campus 2025 journey and reflects our commitment to building impactful AI solutions for real-world challenges,” he added.

Congratulating Devesh Panwar for being named “Punjab State Topper” AI under the Samsung Innovation Campus Samsung Innovation Program, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director, Chandigarh University, said, “Devesh’s achievement reflects Chandigarh University’s focus on experiential learning and industry-academia collaboration.  Through the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program, CU students gain practical exposure to AI and building solutions for real-world challenges. This accomplishment reflects not only Devesh’s commitment to excellence but also the growing culture of innovation and industry-oriented learning at Chandigarh University,”.

“Since its inception, Chandigarh University has set benchmarks for world-class education with its dynamic hands-on experiential learning model, industry-aligned programs, dynamic fraternity, state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities and impeccable placements. Samsung Innovation Program is also part of our initiatives to develop a future-ready talent pool equipped with advanced capabilities in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding and Programming. By bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, this collaboration helps in providing CU’s computer science and computing students exposure to cutting-edge and emerging technologies.  CU’s this partnership with Samsung is focused on building future-ready talent equipped with industry-relevant skills in AI and emerging technologies,” Sandhu said.

He said Chandigarh University’s Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology. “Chandigarh University carries a vision of crafting next-gen IT professionals who can take up industry challenges effectively and our Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology.  UIC’s hands-on approach paves the way for a smooth transition to the workforce after graduation. Our students are equipped with the best knowledge, skills and passion to succeed in any number of computing careers.   CU’s Institute of Computing renders cutting-edge education ranging from the expertise in traditional software development -to- modern computing technologies. Fully-equipped industry-sponsored labs, industry-aligned curriculum, and accreditations and validations by top companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Google Android, Red Hat etc. give our students an exclusive edge over others,” the Chandigarh University CMD said.

Sandhu said the latest edition of QS World University Rankings has yet again reaffirmed Chandigarh University global standing as a top educational institution. “Continuing its remarkable rise among the world’s leading higher education institutions, Chandigarh University (CU) has made impressive strides in the latest edition of prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027 by securing an overall world rank of 526, an increase of 49 ranks as compared to 575th rank in QS’ 2026 Rankings. This is for the fifth consecutive year that Chandigarh University’s global rankings have witnessed an impressive surge with CU’s world rank going up by an impressive 274 ranks — from the 800th rank in 2023 to 526th in 2027’s Rankings,”.

“As per the latest QS World University Rankings, with All India Rank of 13 among all universities in the country as compared to 16th rank in 2026’s rankings, Chandigarh University now ranks among the top 1% of universities in India and the top 2% of universities in the World, underscoring its growing reputation as a leading institution of higher learning, both in India and globally,” he added.

About Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.

Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/

Photo: https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1885145/PRESS-PIC-001-SAMSUNG-CU-STUDENT.jpg?id=OA2769782&token=eyJhbGciOiJkaXIiLCJlbmMiOiJBMjU2R0NNIn0..tz96RqadDKMvzkEj.hSUhhTBdc9ZsrJjdBxEgY3wlJi0695tAGCi_yhGtBbdiThMARSwsYuRxoaEaAC1HccJGtnxglefy4fXZDdGfD-4OdjVgfOBZDHtwSaDWfS9i0sxsJ9uscOPXaiNP1iwN6to.iJaPyZAn7rk4NN9I54uvhg

 

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WTE MIAMI TO EMBRACE AI-POWERED TECHNOLOGY AS IT SHAPES THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL TRADE

Published

16 minutes ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

For the first time, WTE Miami will utilize Fairfest’s SnapCard AI technology, bringing AI-powered matchmaking to the show.

MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WTE Miami is putting artificial intelligence into action, introducing AI-powered matchmaking for attendees while bringing industry experts together to explore how the technology is transforming travel.

WTE Miami brings AI-powered matchmaking to the show floor for the first time, shaping the future of travel trade.

Taking place October 27–28 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, WTE Miami will incorporate SnapCard AI, Fairfest’s AI-powered matchmaking app, for the first time. The technology allows attendees to describe the business connections they are seeking in their own words, helping identify relevant matches across the show. With 26 NTOs and CVBs confirmed to date, SnapCard AI will connect attendees with destinations and tourism organizations aligned with their business interests.

At OTM 2026, SnapCard AI attracted 7,291 active users from 140 countries, representing 42% adoption despite limited dedicated promotion. 82% of exhibitors secured meetings through the platform, while meeting requests increased 97% year over year.

“SnapCard AI is the first matchmaking platform I’ve used that genuinely feels built for how people actually do business. Bringing it to WTE Miami alongside programming exploring AI in travel means we’re not just talking about the future of this industry—we’re putting it to work on the show floor,” said Simon Press, Managing Director International, Fairfest Media.

WTE Miami’s AI-focused conference programming will include “AI Solutions for the Travel Industry,” featuring Grace Van Hollebeke of Tern and an invited Google speaker; “AI for Travel Professionals,” an MPI Certification Course led by Tim Luepke of MPI Academy; and “AI in Tourism,” a keynote from Karen Ring of Sabre Corp. exploring AI’s impact on travelers and the travel industry.

WTE Miami will take place October 27–28, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. To register, visit WTE Miami today.

Media Contact:

Olivia Forbis

oforbis@mmgy.com

About WTE Miami

WTE Miami is an international B2B travel trade event connecting destinations, tourism organizations, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, travel technology companies and tourism suppliers with qualified travel buyers across the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome 500+ exhibitors, 7,000 travel trade professionals, 500 hosted and VIP buyers, and 10,000+ pre-scheduled B2B meetings. Organized by Fairfest Media, WTE Miami takes place October 27–28, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wte-miami-to-embrace-ai-powered-technology-as-it-shapes-the-future-of-travel-trade-302886688.html

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New Jersey Enacts Comprehensive Employee Ownership Finance Legislation Designed with Lafayette Square Institute

Published

16 minutes ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

Gov. Sherrill signs bipartisan package establishing Employee Ownership Transition Program and revolving loan fund at NJEDA; LSI releases state playbook laying out a development finance toolkit for states

TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New Jersey has enacted comprehensive bipartisan legislation that equips the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) with tools to finance the conversion of businesses to employee ownership. Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the legislation (A5016/S4218) on September 4, establishing an Employee Ownership Transition Program at NJEDA with reimbursements for feasibility studies, consultative services for firms making the transition, statewide outreach in partnership with the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership at Rutgers University, and an Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Fund to finance conversions directly. State Senators Andrew Zwicker and Shirley Turner and Assemblymembers Lisa Swain, Roy Freiman, and Al Barlas sponsored the legislation.

Lafayette Square Institute was proud to support partners in the New Jersey legislature, Governor Sherrill’s office, and NJEDA to achieve this outcome in the Garden State. The legislation builds directly upon recommendations from Lafayette Square Institute’s flagship employee ownership state policy white paper titled Employee Ownership as Economic Development released earlier this year at the National Conference of State Legislators annual convening. The publication details a toolkit for states to expand employee ownership including credit enhancement, institutional capital mobilization, and tax incentives. The playbook also evaluates various strategies to capitalize and fund various tools, build institutional capacity within state government, and implement a comprehensive employee ownership strategy.

The Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Fund revives a tool NJEDA pioneered 50 years ago, when the agency’s first loan financed the employee buyout of the Okonite Company in Passaic County, New Jersey. That loan was repaid and revolved ninefold. Today, Okonite remains 100% employee-owned and has paid more than $300 million in ESOP distributions to its workers. The Fund can be capitalized by state appropriations, federal sources such as U.S. Economic Development Administration grants, and philanthropic capital.

“Governor Sherrill is committed to expanding resources for sustainable business transition plans and employee ownership, protecting jobs, strengthening communities, and creating economic opportunities for workers and their families” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “We are proud to partner with the Lafayette Square Institute and the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership at Rutgers University to ensure the NJEDA’s Employee Ownership Transition Program will provide effective support for entrepreneurs, furthering the Administration’s objective of making New Jersey the best state in the nation to start and grow a business.”

“New Jersey is living through two economic transitions at once: a generation of business owners reaching retirement without a succession plan, and artificial intelligence changing who gains from work. Employee ownership addresses both challenges by keeping companies rooted in our communities and giving the people who build a business a share in what it earns. Lafayette Square Institute brought us this model and the evidence behind it, and this law equips EDA with the tools to use it,” said Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16).

“This bill is bipartisan for a simple reason: it keeps New Jersey businesses in New Jersey hands without a new mandate or a new tax,” said Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-40). “A revolving loan fund lends, gets repaid, and lends again, which is how the EDA helped Okonite’s workers buy their company fifty years ago. Lafayette Square Institute built this concept on that record, and I was glad to help put it back to work.”

“When you align the financial success of a business with the success of the employees who help run it every day, the benefits are limitless. Employee stock ownership programs offer workers a meaningful path to financial security, while giving local business owners a better way forward in preserving the companies they have worked so hard to build and that make New Jersey flourish,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-38). “I’m deeply grateful to Lafayette Square Institute, the NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership, and the employee owners who helped us get this done.”

“At a moment when returns to capital are pulling away from returns to labor, employee ownership puts workers on both sides of the ledger. New Jersey has now built the financing tools to do just that, and this playbook shows every other state how to do the same,” said Julien Rosenbloom, Senior Associate at Lafayette Square Institute.

“This bipartisan legislative accomplishment is an exciting win for the Garden State at a moment of historically unprecedented business succession across the country,” said Jack Moriarty, Executive Director of Lafayette Square Institute. “By integrating employee ownership into the economic development toolkit, we can preserve and create jobs that build wealth for American workers and families.”

“The evidence from decades of research is consistent: employee-owned companies pay more, keep workers longer, build more retirement wealth, are more productive, and weather downturns with fewer layoffs. The New Jersey/New York Center for Employee Ownership looks forward to partnering with NJEDA so that every owner considering a sale knows selling to employees is a real option. We congratulate Governor Sherrill, Senator Zwicker, and Assemblywoman Swain on this important step,” said William Castellano, Executive Director, New Jersey/New York Center for Employee Ownership, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.

About Lafayette Square Institute

Lafayette Square Institute is a nonprofit policy and data analytics platform committed to aligning private capital with the public interest. Through deep bipartisan relationships, innovative finance tools, and data analysis, LSI mobilizes investment in the people and places that need it.

Media Contact:
Julien Rosenbloom
Lafayette Square Institute
rosenbloom@lafayettesquareinstitute.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-jersey-enacts-comprehensive-employee-ownership-finance-legislation-designed-with-lafayette-square-institute-302886690.html

SOURCE Lafayette Square Institute

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THE CANADIAN FORUM FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS: LOWERING THE PRICE OF CAPITAL MARKETS REGULATION IN CANADA

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September 22, 2026

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TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada wants to attract and mobilize significantly more investments. But businesses and investors still pay for capital markets regulation through a fragmented system of provincial, territorial, and self-regulatory fees that treats Canada’s national capital markets as a collection of local ones.

A new paper from the Canadian Forum for Financial Markets (CFFiM), Fees and Fragmentation: Lowering the Price of Capital Markets Regulation in Canada, recommends that Canada’s system of regulatory fees be reformed as part of Canada’s drive for a “one Canadian economy”, which includes the elimination of interprovincial barriers and increased domestic and foreign investment.   

Canada has 13 provincial and territorial securities regulators as well as the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, which operates as a national self-regulatory organization. All of these regulators levy fees on market participants.  The result is a patchwork of charges based largely on individual regulatory structures and priorities rather than a coherent national approach to the fees that are charged to issuers and intermediaries for the benefit of accessing Canada’s capital markets.

This paper identifies overlapping and duplicative fees, inconsistent approaches to cost recovery, and a system of decentralized accountability as resulting in unnecessary costs for market participants, which are ultimately borne on Canadian investors.  These deficiencies contribute to the fragmentation of Canada’s capital markets and negatively impact the attractiveness of Canada’s markets from a global perspective.

“Canada is competing globally for investments.  We should not be adding costs simply because capital crosses a provincial border.” said Laura Paglia, President and CEO of the CFFiM.

The problems associated with Canada’s fee regime could be addressed through a national regulator.  In the absence of those reforms, the CFFiM calls on Canada’s policymakers to establish a simplified and consolidated fee schedule at a net reduction for market participants.  Substantive reform of Canada’s fee regime is needed to allow businesses to expand, to enhance consumer choice, and to promote open, efficient, and competitive capital markets in Canada. 

About CFFiM

The Canadian Forum for Financial Markets (CFFiM)/Forum Canadien des Marchés Financiers (FCMFi) is dedicated to advancing proposals that foster healthy, competitive financial markets and a resilient Canadian economy.

SOURCE Canadian Forum for Financial Markets

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