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Direct Travel Introduces the Next Evolution of Avenir at GBTA

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Latest Avenir release gives organizations more direct access to the travel content, data and service needed to manage modern travel programs

DENVER, Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Direct Travel, one of the world’s largest travel management companies, today announced the next evolution of Avenir, its advanced travel management platform designed to give organizations the most direct access to travel content, data, service, and an expanding set of capabilities that help them manage, optimize, and strengthen their travel programs and the experience for travelers.

Business travel has never offered more opportunity or more complexity. New content sources, evolving distribution models, AI, and an expanding ecosystem of travel technologies are creating tremendous new possibilities, but they are also fragmenting how organizations access travel content, data, and service. As information becomes dispersed across multiple systems, travel managers face growing challenges delivering consistent experiences, gaining timely insights, and effectively managing their programs.

Avenir was built to change that. Rather than requiring travel managers to work across disconnected systems, Avenir brings together the content, data, insights, tools, and expertise organizations need to manage modern travel programs through a single experience. The result is fewer obstacles between travel managers and the information they need, making it easier to access insights, manage travel programs, and support travelers throughout their journeys.

At the core of Avenir is Spotnana’s next generation cloud-based travel infrastructure, providing the modern booking and servicing infrastructure for enterprise travel. Direct Travel brings that technology to life through global implementation, enterprise travel expertise, and outstanding service, creating an enterprise ready solution for organizations around the world.

Avenir is built to grow beyond traditional travel management through an expanding ecosystem of connected capabilities. Rather than requiring organizations to adopt additional standalone tools, Avenir will provide more direct access to the services and technologies they need through a single experience. This release marks the first step with the introduction of Juno for guest travel. By connecting guest travel with managed travel, organizations gain more complete visibility across total travel activity and richer insights to support better decisions.

“As technology continues to reshape business travel, our focus has remained the same: helping travel program owners run better travel programs and deliver better experiences for their travelers,” said Christal Bemont, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Travel. “Avenir gives organizations more direct access to the content, data, and service they need to manage modern travel programs. By removing many of the obstacles between travel managers and the information they need, we help them spend less time navigating systems and more time making strategic decisions that improve their programs.”

The latest release introduces several new capabilities designed to help travel program owners work more efficiently and make more informed decisions.

One place to manage your travel program

Avenir now provides a single destination for reporting, travel resources, program insights, and integrated partner capabilities through one secure login, reducing the need to move between multiple systems.

Ask better questions. Get better answers.

Avenir is built on a modern, AI-ready data foundation that brings together trusted travel data from across the program into a secure, governed environment. Rather than relying on static reports, travel managers can ask questions in natural language through Ask Avenir and receive trusted answers, build reports on demand, and analyze complex travel spend in minutes. Combined with new dashboards, trend analysis, proactive insights, and actionable recommendations, Avenir helps organizations identify opportunities, make more informed decisions, and continuously improve their travel programs.

A more intelligent travel experience

Avenir is evolving to deliver AI throughout the travel experience by combining Direct Travel’s own AI innovations with the power of Spotnana’s new multi-agent AI architecture and an expanding ecosystem of specialized AI capabilities. As Spotnana introduces new AI experiences for travelers, travel managers, and travel advisors, Direct Travel will bring those capabilities to customers through Avenir while continuing to automate routine workflows and simplify servicing.

At the same time, Avenir’s open architecture allows organizations to take advantage of focused AI solutions from trusted partners. Whether interacting with the platform through natural language, receiving intelligent recommendations, or using specialized assistants like Otto for focused travel experiences, customers will benefit from AI that works together through a single connected platform.

Built for what’s next

Avenir’s open architecture creates a connected foundation that allows Direct Travel to continuously expand the platform with new capabilities and best in class partner solutions. As customer needs evolve, organizations will gain access to additional experiences across travel management, analytics, automation, meetings and events, expense, duty of care, and other connected services without replacing the technology at the core of their travel program.

“Avenir has become our one-stop shop for understanding our travel program,” said Lisa Kaffenberger, People & Culture Travel Manager, BDO. “Whether I need to track a ticket from beginning to end or get answers to questions that once required hours of manual reporting, it’s all right there. It’s not just another application. It’s becoming the foundation for how we manage our travel program by making the information we need easier to access, and we’re excited to see where it goes next.”

The new release is another step in Direct Travel’s strategy to give organizations more direct access to the content, data, expertise, and technology they need to build smarter, more connected travel programs.

To learn more about Avenir, visit www.dt.com/avenir.

About Direct Travel, Inc.

Direct Travel is one of the world’s largest travel management companies, focused on delivering exceptional, innovative solutions to every client and traveler. With a long history of proven market expertise, we blend advanced technology, superior service and expert insight to drive tangible value and meaningful savings across Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel, Meetings & Events and specialty travel businesses.

Through Avenir, our next-generation platform developed with leading technology partners, we provide the industry’s broadest inventory and a modern, real-time shopping experience that empowers travelers and simplifies program management. What truly sets us apart is the human care behind the technology, delivered by an experienced, passionate team dedicated to anticipating needs and delivering exceptional service at every step.

For more information about Direct Travel, visit www.dt.com

Media Contact

FINN Partners, Direct Travel, 1 3039459764, directtravel@finnpartners.com, www.dt.com

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SOURCE Direct Travel

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PNC Celebrates 50th New Branch Opening Since Launch of Coast-to-Coast Build-Out of More Than 300 Branches

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August 3, 2026

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PNC remains on track to open more than 55 new branches this year

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PNC Bank today announced the opening of its 50th new location, an important milestone in the company’s coast-to-coast build-out of more than 300 branches across key U.S. markets. This milestone reflects the strong momentum behind the national bank’s multi-year strategy to invest $2 billion in its branch network, including building locations in 19 markets as well as renovating its existing network across the U.S. PNC remains on track to open 55 new branches in 2026, the largest single-year branch expansion effort in its history.

The Hialeah branch in Hialeah, Florida, which opened Aug. 3, 2026, marks PNC’s 50th new branch opening and represents consistent progress against the bank’s long-term expansion commitments. The recently opened branches span strategic growth markets across the country, including Dallas, Miami, Houston and Denver.

“Our branch network is the heartbeat of our retail business, offering hospitable and relationship-based advice and assistance to the millions of customers who visit us each month,” said Alex Overstrom, head of Retail Banking at PNC. “Reaching our 50th branch opening is an important milestone in what is ultimately a journey to create a ubiquitous network across the United States.”

PNC’s expansion strategy began with a nearly $1 billion commitment announced in February 2024, which included plans to open more than 100 new branches and renovate more than 1,200 existing locations nationwide through 2028. Building on that foundation, PNC expanded the initiative in November 2024 with an additional $500 million investment, increasing its planned branch openings to more than 200 across 12 cities. Most recently, in November 2025, PNC increased its goal to add a total of 300 new branches by 2030, raising its total branch investment to approximately $2 billion. The announcement also expanded the company’s market footprint and reaffirmed its commitment to fully renovate its entire branch network.

PNC recognizes that physical branches continue to play an essential role in fostering trusted relationships, offering personalized financial guidance and supporting complex financial needs. Through its growing network of new and modernized locations, PNC is giving customers greater choice in how they bank, whether online, through the new mobile app or in person, while ensuring that customers have seamless access to the expertise, products and resources they need to achieve their financial goals.

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

CONTACT:
Darby Rowe
(717) 824-6314
darby.rowe@pnc.com

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SOURCE PNC Bank

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Enzene Launches NeX™, a Comprehensive Suite of Solutionsto Enable Cost-Efficient, High-Yielding Local Biomanufacturing

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August 3, 2026

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PUNE, India, Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Enzene, a leading global continuously innovative development and manufacturing organization (CIDMO™), today announced the launch of NeX™, a transformative end-to-end partnership model that enables governments, institutions, and biopharma organizations to establish world-class biomanufacturing capabilities wherever they need them.

Built on the company’s proven EnzeneX® fully‑connected continuous manufacturing™ (FCCM™) platform, NeX delivers a turnkey, scalable, and sustainable way to make state-of-the-art innovation in biologics manufacturing transportable, close to patients and supply chains, and without the prohibitive capital burden of conventional fed‑batch facilities. By enabling local FCCM‑based manufacturing, governments can significantly expand patient affordability and access to life‑saving biologics.

Enzene’s NeX program includes comprehensive build-out and launch coordination with support for facility design and build-out, technology transfer and IP licensing for the EnzeneX platform, workforce development through the company’s SparX™ structured training curriculum, and ongoing operational support during start-up and commercialization. Where required, participating organizations may also receive access to selected products from Enzene’s biosimilar portfolio for manufacture within their own regions.

“A conventional biologics plant often requires between $300 million and $400 million to build,” commented Himanshu Gadgil, Ph.D., CEO of Enzene. “With our fully-connected continuous manufacturing platform, the same output can be achieved for $60–$80 million. The efficiency comes from a compact, integrated system architecture rather than the scale-intensive layouts of fed-batch facilities, allowing for long-term cost advantage and high product yields for locally manufactured biomedicines.  We are already engaged in discussions with multiple governments and corporations all around the world and are looking forward to helping deliver affordable medicines to patients worldwide.”

Enzene’s NeX program is intended to help regions accelerate the establishment of local biopharma capabilities and risk-mitigated supply chains, develop domestic scientific talent, and reduce long-term manufacturing costs for local patients. The company estimates that facilities built under the program can achieve validation and commercial readiness in under three years.

For more information, visit www.enzene.com/nex.

About Enzene

Enzene is a Continuously Innovative Development and Manufacturing (CIDMO™) partner supporting innovators and biosimilar developers across discovery, development, and commercial supply. Operating from facilities in India and the U.S., Enzene provides integrated biologics development and manufacturing services enabled by its EnzeneX® fully‑connected continuous manufacturing™ (FCCM™) platform, which delivers the world’s leading yields and cost efficiency, and is validated for commercial biologics production.

To expand regional biologics capability, Enzene also offers NeX™, an end‑to‑end partnership program that supports governments, institutions, and biopharma organizations in establishing local biomanufacturing, leveraging all the productivity, operating cost and capital advantages of continuous processing. NeX provides comprehensive facility design guidance, technology and IP transfer, workforce development through its SparX™ training program, operational oversight, and territory‑specific pipeline support.

For more information, visit www.enzene.com.

Media Contact:
Miles Fisher-Pollard
Orientation Marketing
milesfp@orientation.agency

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American Council of the Blind’s 2026 Conference and Convention Showcases Innovation, Advocacy, and Community

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August 3, 2026

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Council of the Blind (ACB) concluded its 2026 Conference and Convention, bringing together nearly 1,200 virtual and in-person attendees from across the country. Held during ACB’s 65th anniversary year, the convention celebrated ACB’s legacy of advocacy and its continued commitment to advancing accessibility, innovation, and opportunity for people who are blind or have low vision.

Throughout the week, attendees participated in educational sessions on artificial intelligence, advocacy, accessible technology, leadership, employment, and more. The convention also featured ACB affiliate meetings, networking events, and tours of local attractions. ACB’s Exhibit Hall showcased the latest advancements in assistive technology and other innovative products and services.

Advocacy remained a central focus, with sessions highlighting ACB’s legislative priorities, including improving digital accessibility, expanding accessible transportation and healthcare, and advancing equal opportunity for people who are blind or have low vision.

The convention also celebrated the strength of community through youth and scholarship programs, leadership development, and opportunities for attendees to connect, learn, and build lasting relationships.

ACB’s annual banquet featured keynote speaker Precious Perez, a blind musician and advocate, who shared her personal journey, discussed her advocacy work, and performed some of her original music.

“Our annual convention demonstrates what’s possible when our community comes together to share ideas, advocate for change, and embrace innovation,” said ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill. “The connections made, knowledge shared, and partnerships formed throughout the week will continue to advance opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.”

ACB extends its sincere appreciation to the volunteers, presenters, exhibitors, affiliates, sponsors, and attendees whose contributions made this year’s convention a success. ACB also offers a special thanks to the convention Diamond Sponsors, Microsoft, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, and Waymo, for their generous support and commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion.

The 2027 ACB Conference and Convention will be held July 23-30 in Jacksonville, Florida.

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and have low vision. Founded in 1961, ACB works to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life through advocacy, education, community engagement, and information. Learn more at https://www.acb.org.

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SOURCE American Council of the Blind

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