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Batteries Plus Unveils Proprietary Artificial Intelligence Platform to Support Franchise Growth, Amplify Store Experience

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3 weeks ago

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Savannah turns inbound franchise interest into qualified, scheduled discovery calls Edison ensures all calls to a Batteries Plus store are answeredWattson gives associates and customers a faster, simpler path to the right product

HARTLAND, Wis., Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Batteries Plus, the nation’s leading battery and power solutions service center, is proud to unveil its latest technology innovation: a platform of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools designed to strengthen the brand’s franchise development pipeline while enhancing the store experience for associates and customers alike. Built through a combination of vendor partners, consultants, and its own in-house research, Batteries Plus has added three new tech tools to the system:

Savannah: An SMS AI voice agent developed specifically for franchise developmentEdison: An AI voice assistant that ensures no call goes unansweredWattson: An AI-powered search tool that helps store associates and customers navigate products with confidence

“As a brand deeply rooted in the technology space, Batteries Plus is proud to be leading the charge in the age of AI”

Deployment is underway across all Batteries Plus locations, with full system rollout expected to be completed by the end of September.

“As a brand deeply rooted in the technology space, Batteries Plus is proud to be leading the charge in the age of AI,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Batteries Plus. “This is not creating AI for the sake of breaking into the world of AI. This is creating tools that genuinely assist our entire proprietary business model, so that everyone from the corporate level to our store associates can work efficiently and confidently as the Experts in Charge dedicated to serving our customers.”

Savannah: Driving Franchise Growth

Savannah was developed from the ground up under the leadership of Joe Malmuth, with the underlying goal of turning qualified franchise leads into long-term, sustainable growth. Aspiring entrepreneurs can call into Savannah, a go-to resource trained to answer any question related to the Batteries Plus franchising opportunity.

At the conclusion of each call, the prospective owner receives a detailed email that includes a link to an overview of the Batteries Plus history and business model, a franchise application, and a franchise discovery call already scheduled on the calendar, moving that lead directly to the next phase of the franchise process. In addition, Savannah has outbound prospecting capabilities, SMS functions, and is compliant with all regulations.

“Savannah is changing the game in our franchise growth strategy,” said Joe Malmuth, Chief Development Officer of Batteries Plus. “We built Savannah in-house because nobody understands what a prospective Batteries Plus franchise owner needs to hear better than the people who talk to them every day. By the time we get on a discovery call now, we’re speaking with someone who genuinely understands the Batteries Plus franchise opportunity, changing what our team spends its time on and who ultimately ends up in our system. The result has been a dramatic increase in overall engagement and franchise development activity – a true win-win.”

Edison: Helping Answer the Call

Edison serves as the customer-facing counterpart, ensuring calls to all 700+ Batteries Plus stores are answered. The voice agent handles the most common questions customers ask when they call a store, such as hours, directions using nearby landmarks, battery advice, product and service inquiries, and more, all while answering with consistent branded messaging on every call.

“Each of our stores receives an average of 30 calls a day. While we know the importance behind answering every call, we also understand the reality that some may fall through the cracks,” said Jon Sica, President of Batteries Plus. “That’s not indifference; it’s an associate mid-way through a device repair who can’t walk away from the customer standing in front of them. By reversing that course, we’re capturing business we were previously leaving on the table, and we’re giving our store teams the ability to devote their undivided attention to the people who walk through our doors. We see this as a multi-million dollar move.”

Edison offers conversations in both English and Spanish. Developed in partnership with SynthFlow AI, Edison was built on the foundation of years of research from the Batteries Plus team.

“We’ve all experienced the frustration of a poorly designed voice agent that doesn’t understand what you’re saying or can’t answer some of the most basic questions,” said Angela Geib-Boland, Vice President of Technology and Strategy at Batteries Plus. “It was essential we kept those challenges in mind as Edison was created, so that the level of service our customers have grown accustomed to in our stores carries over to the phone.”

An additional benefit that quickly surfaced in early deployment: Edison intercepts the significant volume of spam calls stores were absorbing, before an associate ever loses a minute to one. For customers who would rather not speak with an AI assistant, Edison listens for key words and phrases throughout the conversation, escalating the call to the store team when necessary.

Wattson: A Store Associate’s Favorite Assistant

Wattson, connected to the Batteries Plus point-of-sale (POS) system, is helping new store associates operate with the efficiency and confidence of a tenured employee. Previously, finding the right automotive battery required a lengthy process of detailing engine size, sub-model, and a chain of additional details before reaching a solution. Wattson strips that drill-down to only the questions that actually change the answer. If the solution is identical across a year, make, and model, the associate never sees the extra steps. The result is a near-instantaneous answer.

That same logic also extends to customers directly. The search tool at BatteriesPlus.com has been simplified in tandem, surfacing additional vehicle specifications only when those details are genuinely the deciding factor in which battery a customer needs. Wattson launched with the automotive category and is live system-wide. Additional product categories will roll out through the end of the year, prioritized by sales volume.

As Batteries Plus continues to evolve its technology strategy, the company remains focused on leveraging innovation to better serve customers and support franchisees across its more than 800 locations open and in development throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, further strengthening its position as a leader in essential retail.

For more information on Batteries Plus’ products and services or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.batteriesplus.com. For more information on opening a Batteries Plus franchise in your community, please visit www.batteriesplusfranchise.com.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:  

Batteries Plus is the nation’s leading battery and power solutions service center, offering a comprehensive selection of products, technical expertise, and customized services through a nationwide network of over 800 locations open and in development. Headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, and owned by Freeman Spogli, Batteries Plus is dedicated to providing reliable, commercial and residential power solutions – including batteries, lighting, and repair services – to help organizations and customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. For more information about Batteries Plus and its franchising opportunities visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.  

Media Contact: Meg Ryan, Fishman Public Relations, mryan@fishmanpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/batteries-plus-unveils-proprietary-artificial-intelligence-platform-to-support-franchise-growth-amplify-store-experience-302865023.html

SOURCE Batteries Plus

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Jamie Knight Named Chief Studios Officer to Accelerate Studio Innovation and Growth

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26 minutes ago

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September 21, 2026

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Knight to Build on the Global Studio Foundation Established by Jean Venneman, Who Will Retire After More Than 30 Years in Gaming

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IGT announced today that, Jamie Knight will assume the role of Chief Studios Officer on Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding Jean Venneman, who will retire at the end of 2026 following more than 30 years in gaming. Knight will build on the strong foundation established under Venneman’s leadership and lead IGT’s continued studio investments, driving innovation across game design, content development and studio operations.

Knight brings two decades of experience across the industry’s largest suppliers, with deep expertise in translating creative vision into player-favorite content. Having begun her career as a creative, she understands the collaborative process required to transform original concepts into successful products, a perspective that will inform her leadership of studio operations.

Jean Venneman, who will retire on December 31, 2026, began her career at IGT in the early 1990s and went on to hold senior leadership roles across product development, licensing, technology and operations before rejoining IGT in 2024. Since returning, she has rebuilt the company’s global studio operations from the ground up. Under her leadership, she assembled and empowered a world-class studio team with more than 1,200 employees, established shared best practices across studio cultures and created the operational and creative foundation that positions IGT and Everi for accelerated growth.

“Jean’s leadership created the foundation for this next phase of growth,” said Hector Fernandez, IGT CEO. “She brought together talented teams, strengthened how our studios operate and raised the bar for creative and operational excellence. We are deeply grateful for everything she has contributed to our organization and our industry. Jamie’s combination of creative instinct, studio leadership and focus on innovation in design and math will build on that momentum and unlock new possibilities across our combined studio organization.”

As Chief Studios Officer, Knight will establish clear priorities for studio teams, drive innovation in game mechanics and mathematical modeling, and create an environment where creative talent can do exceptional work. Her vision centers on delivering the most dynamic and engaging content that meets the evolving demands of players and operators globally.

“I’m energized to lead our studio teams and build on the strong foundation in place,” said Jamie Knight, incoming Chief Studios Officer. “Together with our talented teams across IGT and Everi, we’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible in game design, content strategy, and math innovation to deliver world-class experiences on the floor.”

“Returning to this organization and helping strengthen our global studio organization has been a meaningful way to close my career,” said Jean Venneman, Chief Studios Officer. “I am incredibly proud of our studio teams and the foundation we have created. I am confident Jamie will carry that momentum forward and help unlock the next phase of our growth.”

For more information, follow IGT on Facebook and LinkedIn or watch IGT videos on YouTube.

About IGT
IGT is a leading global provider of gaming, digital and financial technology solutions, formed through the combination of International Game Technology PLC’s Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. IGT and Everi’s offering spans gaming machines, game content and systems, iGaming, sports betting, cash access, loyalty and player engagement solutions, enabling it to deliver integrated, customer-centric experiences across land-based and digital environments. Organized into Gaming, Digital and FinTech business units, the organization drives innovation, efficiency and value for casino, digital and hospitality operators worldwide. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas.

Contact:
Phil O’Shaughnessy, Global Communications
Toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452
Outside U.S./Canada +1 (775) 448-0257

© 2026 IGT

The trademarks and/or service marks used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of IGT, its affiliates or its licensors.

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SOURCE IGT

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Lysander Announces Cash Distributions for the Lysander-Canso ActivETFs

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26 minutes ago

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September 21, 2026

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TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ — Lysander Funds Limited (“Lysander”) announces the September 2026 cash distributions for each of Lysander-Canso Corporate Treasury ActivETF, Lysander-Canso Floating Rate ActivETF and Lysander-Canso Credit Income ActivETF (TSX: LYCT) (TSX: LYFR) and (TSX: PBY) respectively (each, an “ETF” and collectively, the “ETFs”). Unitholders of record of each ETF at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date will receive a cash distribution based on the number of units held in the amount indicated below, payable on or before the Payment Date.

ETF

Distribution per unit

Distribution Record Date

Payment Date

Lysander-Canso Corporate Treasury ActivETF

$0.0128

September 29, 2026

October 13, 2026

Lysander-Canso Floating Rate ActivETF

$0.0193

September 29, 2026

October 13, 2026

Lysander-Canso Credit Income ActivETF

$0.0417

September 29, 2026

October 13, 2026

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. 

®Lysander Funds is a registered trademark of Lysander Funds Limited.

SOURCE Lysander Funds Limited

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DAXIO Sets Three-Year Public-Market Pathway Towards a $1 Billion Valuation

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1 hour ago

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September 21, 2026

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Founder-owned trade show and commercial-technology company combines 12 specialist US events, proprietary DealConnect technology, $35.7 million in annual commercial capacity and a high-margin AI-powered operating model

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DAXIO today set out its three-year pathway towards a public-market listing and a $1 billion enterprise valuation.

“With 12 specialist events, proprietary DealConnect technology and $35.7 million in annual commercial capacity, DAXIO has a defined three-year pathway to a $1 billion valuation and public-market listing.” — Dawn Barclay-Ross, Founder and Chief Executive, DAXIO

Founded and wholly owned by international trade show organizer Dawn Barclay-Ross, DAXIO has established a portfolio of 12 specialist US events supported by proprietary DealConnect technology, qualified Hosted Buyer programmes and a portfolio-wide AI operating system.

The portfolio contains approximately $35.7 million in maximum annual commercial inventory capacity: $32.2 million in stand inventory and $3.54 million in sponsorship, advertising and Thought Leadership opportunities.

At 35%, 60% and 85% inventory realization, annual portfolio revenues are approximately $12.5 million, $21.4 million and $30.4 million respectively.

DAXIO’s current cost model indicates the potential for portfolio contribution margins above 90% at scale, reflecting its AI-powered infrastructure, centralized technology and capital-efficient operating structure.

“The next billion-dollar exhibition business will not resemble the last generation of exhibition groups,” said Barclay-Ross, Founder and Chief Executive of DAXIO.

“It will combine deep industry expertise with proprietary technology, intelligent automation and disciplined commercial execution. It will be faster, leaner and more accountable for the business value created at every event. That is DAXIO.”

Twelve events. One scalable commercial platform.

DAXIO’s 2027 portfolio comprises InfraBuild, PowerXpo, EnerWasteXpo, AgriTechXpo, BioGenomic Health Expo, Advanced Medical Device Show, NextGen MedTech Xpo, InsureCap, SmartMfg, AerospaceXpo, DefenseXpo and TalentTech.

Together, the events establish DAXIO across infrastructure, energy, environmental services, agriculture, healthcare, medical technology, insurance, manufacturing, aerospace, defense and workforce technology.

The portfolio has capacity for up to 5,856 stand-equivalent positions across the full commercially deployable event footprint.

Its multi-sector structure creates diversified revenue opportunities through stand sales, sponsorship, advertising, Thought Leadership, commercial partnerships and technology.

DealConnect moves the model beyond networking

DAXIO’s principal technology asset is DealConnect, created by Barclay-Ross to move business-event matchmaking beyond profile-swiping, unqualified introductions and chance encounters.

DealConnect assesses more than 500 data points across capability, compliance and financial dimensions to identify stronger-fit commercial opportunities during DAXIO events.

It operates alongside DAXIO’s qualified Hosted Buyer programmes. Approved buyers with purchasing responsibility and confirmed budgets may receive flights and hotel accommodation in return for agreeing to attend scheduled meetings with exhibitors during the event.

“Attendance is not the commercial outcome,” Barclay-Ross said. “The outcome is whether the right organizations meet, whether the opportunity is credible and whether that conversation can progress into business. DealConnect is designed around that standard.”

A three-year pathway to public markets

DAXIO’s public-market pathway is structured around five measurable drivers:

Converting revenue across the existing 12-event portfolioExtending the portfolio into further specialist and international marketsEstablishing recurring commercial revenues through DealConnectPreserving high margins through AI-powered executionAchieving institutional standards of governance, reporting and financial control 

Barclay-Ross has applied 25 years of international trade show and business-development experience to create an integrated exhibitions and commercial-technology company without the inherited cost base of a conventional exhibition group.

DAXIO is wholly founder-owned and independent of private-equity ownership, institutional exhibition groups and external corporate control.

“The first 12 events give DAXIO significant commercial scale. DealConnect creates proprietary technology value. Our AI operating system provides the execution capacity to operate across multiple specialist markets while protecting margin,” Barclay-Ross said.

“The pathway is already defined: convert the existing inventory, extend the portfolio, establish recurring technology income and enter the public markets as a high-growth exhibitions and commercial-technology company.

“The platform exists. The commercial capacity is quantified. The margin model is compelling. The route is repeatable. DAXIO’s pathway to a $1 billion valuation is underway.”

Strategic capital window closes September 25

DAXIO’s current $200,000 strategic-capital participation window closes on Friday, September 25, 2026.

The capital will be deployed directly into revenue-generating activity across the existing portfolio, including exhibitor and sponsor acquisition, qualified-buyer development, commercial marketing, technology deployment and sales execution.

The current financing provides a time-limited opportunity for eligible investors to participate at the beginning of DAXIO’s three-year public-market pathway.

Confidential company and investment information is available to eligible investors and professional advisers directly from DAXIO.

About DAXIO

DAXIO is a founder-owned, independent trade show and commercial-technology company headquartered in Florida.

Its portfolio comprises 12 specialist US business events supported by proprietary DealConnect technology, qualified Hosted Buyer programmes and an AI-powered operating infrastructure.

DAXIO is executing a three-year pathway towards a $1 billion enterprise valuation and public-market listing.

Media and investor enquiries

Dawn Barclay-Ross
Founder and Chief Executive
DAXIO
dawn@infrabuildXpo.com
+1 561 785 3120

Media Contact

Dawn Barclay-Ross, Capital Connect International Events Inc dba DAXIO, 1 5617853120, dawn@capitalconnectevents.com, https://www.infrabuildxpo.com/

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SOURCE Capital Connect International Events Inc dba DAXIO

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