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Eltronis Launches Engage Platform

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Unit Dose Packaging Gains Support

Anyone associated with pharmaceuticals and packaging is likely aware President Trump signed the SUPPORT Act recently. The Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, also known as SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, includes a specific address to the type of packaging that should be utilized to stem the tide on opioid addiction.




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Crespel & Deiters Group opens corrugating subsidiary in Mexico

Leading European wheat adhesive specialist improves service for corrugated board manufacturers in Latin America.




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Neutral Foods Unveils New Packaging for Organic Milk

The updated packaging tells the story about Neutral’s work with farmers and explains what it means for its milk to be carbon neutral from “grass to glass.”




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Rotzinger to Unveil New Robotic Solutions at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

The new integrated solution from Rotzinger combines flexibility, compactness, and ease of operation to boost uptime and reduce the total cost of ownership.




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IT'SUGAR debuts Make-A-Wish Chocolate Bar, Wish Bears for World Wish Month

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Global Database on Body Mass Index - World Health Organization

The International Classification of adult underweight, overweight and obesity according to BMI.




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ACTEGA, Makro Labelling Team Up to Support Market Adoption of Signite Technology

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RRD to Debut New Single Pass Digital Press, Other Solutions at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

The state-of-the-art technology combines the agility and speed of digital printing with exceptional print quality, a wide color spectrum and minimal energy consumption.




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HERMA US Inc. to Debut Improved Labeling Machine at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

The company’s reimagined 132M HC Wraparound Labeler includes a sophisticated yet simplified new touchscreen HMI to coincide with improved ergonomics.




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The Promise of Connected Packaging: From brand protection to consumer engagement

It is now well accepted that virtually all brands, from the utmost recognized to the newly eager, face an unprecedented onslaught of counterfeiting and gray market trading. In emerging countries, this menace is bold and audacious, with outright fakes appearing in the open marketplace. In developed countries, the problem is equally insidious due to online propagation of counterfeit products through e-commerce platforms.




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Corrugated Packaging: An Extraordinary Recycling Success Story

Corrugated packaging is an increasingly noticeable part of daily life, especially with recent, explosive growth of e-commerce and home delivery services.




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Syntegon launches game-changing SVX VFFS series

New VFFS machine series combines high pack style flexibility with intuitive functionalities, giving frozen food, bakery, confectionery, and snacks producers a leg up on competition.




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SIG again receives 3-A certification for bag-in-box fillers

SIG SureFill 40 fillers meet standards for hygienic design of equipment used in the dairy industry.




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Carton Service Expands Role in Liquid Gable Carton Packaging Market

New equipment and new patents are part of this newly designed print, production and test site – one of the few North America locations for liquid-filled cartons.




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PODCAST | Navigating the Complexities of Molded Fiber

In this interview, Palouse Fiber Packaging CEO Kyler Lovgren explains how molded fiber could help businesses remain compliant as a patchwork of state-level packaging regulations crop up.




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Beyond the Headlines at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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An organization that recognizes excellence in packaging has unexpected ties to my geographical roots and one of my favorite bands.

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Navigating Sustainable Packaging Solutions for a Greener Future

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Recycling Still Needs a New Game Plan

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To Reduce Waste, It’s Vital to Close the Gap in Sustainable Packaging Closures

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Schubert to Debut New Cartoning Machine at Pack Expo Las Vegas

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ProMach Pharma to Display Packaging Technologies at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Bradman Lake to Showcase Cartoning Equipment at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Universal Investment & Industries Finds Success with Theegarten-Pactec Cartoner

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Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Develops First-Ever PFAS-free Oxygen Absorber

The new and improved AGELESS provides a timely packaging solution for customers navigating the PFAS regulatory landscape.




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Nature's Garden debuts new options for Yoggies line

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Tetra Pak, Lactogal cut carbon footprint of aseptic milk cartons by a third

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Estathé® Partners with Crown to Launch Engaging Summer Promotion in Cans

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New Research Gauges Consumer Understanding of Packaging and Food Waste Reduction

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Sidel, British Sugar announce partnership to install end-of-line solution

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Dorner and Garvey Showcase the AquaGard GT Conveyor at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Dorner and Garvey, both Columbus McKinnon brands, recently showcased the AquaGard GT Conveyor at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.




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Digitec Galaxus AG Orders 40 Workstations with Logivations Artificial Intelligence Software

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Loma Systems to Showcase Inspection Systems at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Mettler-Toledo to Present Improved Inspection Systems at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Two new x-ray inspection systems – the X12 and the X32 – as well as the latest ProdX software will be on exhibit for the first time. 




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Reproflex3 Invests in Growth of Corrugated Packaging Pre-Press Capabilities

The strategic investment includes recruitment, new processing and production equipment, refits to its sites in New Zealand and the creation of a dedicated corrugated studio at the company’s UK headquarters.




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Pacificolor clients stand to gain from company’s new corrugated graphics equipment

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Dispelling the Myths and Misconceptions about Digital Corrugated Printing

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Sambo Corrugated Board Installs Koening & Bauer Rotary Die Cutter

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What Destination Leaders Can Do to Engage Their Workforce

What Destination Leaders Can Do to Engage Their Workforce jhammond@desti… Fri, 06/21/2024 - 13:19

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Workforce development is an issue facing just about every destination executive. Attracting, developing, retaining, and engaging a team is an incredibly fluid and complex puzzle destination executives are forced to solve every single day. 

7 min read

What does an engaged workforce feel like? It feels like a team of people ready to rally around a shared mission they are deeply inspired by. Engaged workforces are willing to go above and beyond. They lean in, proactively looking for ways to contribute meaningfully. Engaged workforces show up to work every day, ready to bring their best to take care of the communities around them.

What destination leader doesn’t want that?

Unfortunately, fully engaged workforces are not as common in the destination industry as we’d like them to be. Destination executives are often left scratching their heads at how to get their team to buy in.  

Ready to engage your workforce? Start here:

Harness the Power of Your Destination’s Purpose

The purpose of a destination organization provides leadership with an inspiring mission to rally their team around.

Destination organizations are powerful economic drivers. They have the power to bring positive change to the communities, cities, and regions they represent, and your workforce is likely to consist of team members with close, personal connections to the destination they represent. Destinations are naturally positioned to cultivate an inspiring organizational purpose, creating meaningful work for each and every one of their team members.

“During the interview process, many candidates share that finding meaningful work is just as important as their compensation package,” shares Brook Kaufman, President & CEO of Visit Rapid City. “While there are times we can’t be competitive with the private sector on wages, the fact that our work does make a difference in our community is often the tipping point for someone accepting a position with us.” 

Harnessing the power of your destination’s purpose can be an incredible motivator to engage your workforce. Unfortunately, many destination leaders struggle to capture the power of their organization’s purpose. Leaders who clearly define their organization’s purpose, connect that purpose to the day-to-day work, and consistently communicate progress made can capture the full power of this engagement opportunity. “Employees want to know how their daily tasks help reach departmental and organizational goals. We can’t get from A to B without communicating where we’re headed and where each team member fits into the overall equation.”

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Work to define your destination’s purpose. Then, connect the dots with organizational objectives, goals, and outcomes so that every team member understands how their contribution directly impacts the destination’s purpose.  

As leaders define an inspiring purpose and connect the day-to-day work to that purpose, workforce engagement grows. 

Compensate Fairly

Let’s face it: compensation in the destination industry is an uphill battle for many executive leaders.

It’s tough to compete with for-profit organizations when it comes to compensation, but destination leaders have to try to compete in this arena.

Compensation is not just about salary and cash. Yes, salary and cash tend to make up an important part of what a destination can offer a member of its team, but total compensation can go far beyond that.  

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Execute regular compensation studies to get up-to-date compensation data for every role in your organization. Then, consider how to build a holistic compensation package, which enables leaders to assemble a competitive offering to attract and retain talent. Medical benefits, vacation time, flex time, remote work opportunities, wellness stipends, and professional development stipends are examples of how destinations are blending salaries and benefits to build competitive compensation packages.

As leaders obtain accurate market data, advocate on behalf of their team to their board of directors, and build competitive compensation packages, workforce engagement grows. 

Establish Career Development Opportunities

For many in the workforce, career development and opportunities for advancement are major motivators, driving engagement. Leaders can take advantage here on multiple fronts: first by developing their team members to fit the specific skill set their destination needs, and secondly, by engaging their team members to buy in as a byproduct of their career development and advancement. 

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Build your workforce by providing both internal support and external resources to foster cohesive career development. Internal support structures include mentorship programs, job shadowing, and clear career tracks. External support structures can look like stipends for class and conference attendance.

As leaders are able to provide opportunities for their team members to develop and grow their careers, workforce engagement grows. 

Provide Clarity, Then Flexibility

Work-life balance means a hundred different things to a hundred different people but here’s what most of your team really wants: autonomy to manage their work and their personal priorities. “Some employees value flexibility. Others value PTO or an organization that invests in their professional development. Delivering on what’s important to individual team members is a very effective way to keep people with you for the long term,” added Kaufman.

Your workforce has priorities and goals outside of the professional work they do. That’s a good thing! And for leaders who can build destination organizations where team members can achieve both their professional and personal goals at the same time, your workforce will be more likely to engage and stick around for the long haul. 

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Provide clarity to each and every one of your team members about WHAT needs to get done, then give them the opportunity and autonomy to get it done HOW they need to. Define the key outcomes that must be driven for each role in your organization, work to build clarity around WHAT must happen. Then, worry less about HOW the outcome is reached. 

As leaders provide clarity and flexibility so team members can achieve their personal goals without sacrificing the productivity of the destination, workforce engagement grows.

Show your Care

Empathetic leaders build more engaged workforces.

Leading with empathy should not prevent leaders from making difficult decisions, being steadfast in their beliefs, and driving the organization's needs forward. Leading with empathy connects leaders to their workforces, showing their care for the people around them and the impact that their decisions have on them.

Unfortunately, it’s more likely than not that you have worked for a leader who you felt did not care about you. It’s demotivating, it causes team members to lean out, and it results in folks looking to depart your destination. 

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Find how you show your care for your team. It could be through consistent and meaningful 1:1 time. It could also look like taking the time to eat lunch with team members at all levels of the destination. Maybe displaying your care comes in your communication around difficult topics and decisions. Discover what works best for you, but be sure to find a way to make it known that your team members matter to you.

As leaders are able to show their care, workforce engagement grows. 

Ask for Feedback Regularly

Engaged team members feel like their voice matters and their thoughts, ideas, and concerns impact the trajectory of the destination they work for.

Leaders should regularly request feedback from all levels and departments in their destination organization. When feedback is requested, it’s vital that leaders acknowledge it, share what was learned, and ultimately drive change from it. 

Key Recommendation for Leaders: Identify a variety of mediums and a variety of subject areas to request feedback on throughout the course of a year. Focus groups, surveys, and 1:1 meetings offer mediums to ask for feedback. Business operations, organizational culture, and personnel performance offer subject areas to get feedback on.

Identifying opportunities to build feedback from your workforce into recurring organizational operations will not only provide leaders with an important data point to direct the path forward for the destination, but it will also build engagement throughout your workforce.  

Get Intentional to Drive Workforce Engagement

Chalking up a lack of workforce engagement to generational differences is lazy.

Doing so also removes leadership’s responsibility to make an active difference in how their team decides to lean in and engage or lean out and disengage.

Frankly, your workforce's engagement reflects your organization’s health and development. Simply put, team members will choose to engage if they think it’s worth it.

“Is driving engagement within your team hard work? Absolutely,” shared Kaufman. “But your organization will never reach its full potential without putting energy and resources into keeping employees satisfied.” 

Leaders have the opportunity to actively drive initiatives forward to engage their workforces. Those who do so intentionally and effectively have the opportunity to lead impactful teams that drive their organizations and the destinations they lead forward in incredibly meaningful ways. 

About The Author

Chad Kearns

Vice President & Lead Practitioner
Fired Up! Culture

Chad Kearns is a Vice President & Lead Practitioner at Fired Up! Culture. Chad partners with destination executives across North America to successfully work through powerful change management processes to create healthy, high-performance organizations. Areas of expertise include culture change, organizational values development, performance management philosophy and practice, operational efficiencies and enhancement programs, executive coaching, leadership development and succession planning. 

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Attracting Talent and Boosting Youth Engagement from Austin to LA

Attracting Talent and Boosting Youth Engagement from Austin to LA jhammond@desti… Wed, 07/24/2024 - 20:40

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Despite the gains made since the onset of the pandemic, the hospitality industry continues to experience persistent labor shortages. Destination organizations have a chance to engage with the youth in their communities to help close this gap with best practices and strategies for attracting and retaining tomorrow’s tourism workforce. 

6 min read

Key findings from Social Impact of Global Tourism by the World Travel & Tourism Council indicate that hospitality is a leading employer for young people around the globe, accounting for almost 60% of all youth employment in 2021 with 40% of those numbers represented by women. Despite continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are staff shortages at hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, theaters, convention centers, and tourism organizations. In relative terms, one in fifteen US job postings remains unfilled, and one in nine European Union jobs remains unfilled. This represents an estimated 412,000 tourism worker shortage. Further, despite the expansion of the Canadian labor market to pre-pandemic levels of 5.3%, Destination Canada reports in their 2023 Quarter-three snapshot that 116,000 positions remain unfilled, representing 6.2% of all the tourism sector.   

Source

Several factors fueling the labor shortage in the US include a decrease in international migration patterns as it relates to the US labor market, working conditions, and a lack of adequate skillsets to perform several jobs within hospitality. Thus, a variety of policy changes and engagement strategies can help destination organizations fill the gap and address these concerns.  

Addressing staff shortages within the sector requires a multi-stakeholder collaborative approach to developing a skilled tourism workforce, providing competitive employee benefits, and partnering with academia to help equip tomorrow’s workforce with new and improved skills to operate within the industry. A recent article by Forbes suggests that one of the greatest currencies of our time is not gold, oil, or knowledge but rather talent acquisition.  

When discussing strategies like youth engagement and workforce development, it's important to be mindful of cultural differences and adapt the approaches accordingly. Be sure to acknowledge the diverse cultural contexts in which these strategies will be implemented and adapt according to the needs of your destination. 

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

At the Mobile World Congress in 2021, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board launched its own Career Academy with the goal of increasing equity in career representation by inspiring the youth of historically underserved communities to consider diverse career paths. This initiative was brought on in response to the call of Los Angeles council leaders’ executive directive to help increase recognition of systemically marginalized groups. For the event itself, a dozen high school students from the Ambassador School of Global Leadership attended the inaugural program led by Mayor Eric Garcetti. Each student received a tour of the exhibition hall, met with executive leaders to learn about career opportunities, fostered meaningful connections, and learned about future career day opportunities available within the industry. Over 4,100 people attended the convention, 65% of whom were senior executives.

Moreover, Los Angeles’s Career Academy bridges the connections between students and meeting planners looking to authentically impact Los Angeles. In turn, students learn equity, diversity, and inclusion best practices in aligning corporate social responsibility. While the convention was not hospitality-focused, the bureau brought students together with senior-level executives at technology companies, and this can make the connection between other sectors and hospitality. The academy highlights the connection between youth engagement in choosing career paths and where they see themselves represented.  Since one of the greatest strengths of Los Angeles is its diversity, programs like this are essential to helping close the workforce gap and helping to address racial inequalities that exist due to a lack of representation. 

Los Angeles Career Academy (Full-Length)

“Our career Academy connects high school students from La USD to unique experiences at the LA Convention Center. Where they can learn about careers and opportunities. Directly from inspirational industry leaders and gain a practical understanding of the steps that other people took to reach their career goals and overcome challenges.” - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Visit Austin Foundation

Founded in 2019, the mission of the Visit Austin Foundation (VAF) is to develop and promote education, job training, and career opportunities within the hospitality and tourism sector. The foundation has several key objectives in helping to close the labor shortage gap and increase engagement--particularly with the youth. By offering mentorships and scholarships, the foundation hopes to attract young people to the tourism and hospitality industry, and to educate the public about a wide range of career opportunities within the industry, as well as its economic and social benefits.  

One way the VAF has contributed to engaging the younger demographic in a career in hospitality and tourism is by developing hospitality industry learning platforms in conjunction with secondary school systems to promote awareness of the industry as a viable career path and prepare students for careers in hospitality. The VAF, in conjunction with the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association, Austin Independent School District, and Austin Community College sponsors and supports a Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary PTECH High School at Travis Early College High School. This program provides participants the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, an associate degree, and on-the-job training & mentorships while in high school, all at no cost to the student. This allows students to graduate early and prepare for a dynamic career.  

Additionally, the foundation has provided resources for providing careers in hospitality including the Austin Tourism Insider Hospitality Training Program. The training program is intended to support the community’s tourism and hospitality employees, including new hires, and residents who are passionate about Austin and hospitality. Through a one-day course, employees learn expert knowledge about Austin’s tourism assets, improve their confidence in making recommendations that help to elevate the visitor experience, ignite their passion for the industry, and build a deeper sense of connection within the community. Furthermore, the VAF helps to support networking opportunities to connect hospitality professionals with their peers in the local industry. 

The VAF’s Heart of Hospitality Award & Scholarship is dedicated to supporting local hospitality employees who are pursuing tourism-related education and are interested in growing their careers within the industry. Criteria for selection include hospitality employees who provide outstanding customer service, demonstrate a positive attitude, and display initiative in going beyond regular job responsibilities to enhance the visitor experience.  

Scholarships provide pathways for continued education in fields related to the hospitality industry, including organizational leadership, hospitality management, Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) certifications and more.  

There are a range of opportunities available for destination organizations that seek to increase workforce engagement. Organizations can partner with academic institutions to help develop tomorrow’s leaders by creating career youth engagement opportunities and raising awareness about the industry’s various career paths. As the industry continues to shake off setbacks caused by the pandemic, destination organizations can find innovative solutions to advance the industry by developing needed skill sets and providing a warm welcome to help others to feel seen and heard. 

About The Author

Stephanie Auslander

Advocacy and Data Coordinator
Destinations International

Stephanie is a recent graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Master’s Degree in Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development. Previously, she worked as an Intern with Solimar International assisting Destination Marketing Organizations in formulating Tourism Development strategies for the Samtskhe–Javakheti region in Republic Of Georgia and the Sisian region of Armenia. Additionally, she is the author of a Tourism Research Proposal detailing ways in which Destinations can promote the concept of Sustainability to its consumers for a lasting positive impact. With a background in Tourism Development she is confident in her ability to help Destinations innovate into the future.

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Filling The Labour Gaps The Key To A Thriving Tourism Industry In Canada

Filling The Labour Gaps The Key To A Thriving Tourism Industry In Canada jhammond@desti… Wed, 10/30/2024 - 15:35

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At a time when Canadian youth, newcomers, and members of underrepresented communities face record levels of unemployment, our sector is presented with a unique opportunity. We have a chance to transform our workforce, improve the quality of life of every Canadian, and make a positive impact that goes beyond an economic contribution. We must promote the rewarding and long-term career paths the tourism sector provides to attract and retain the next generation of Canada’s talented workforce.

4 min read

Tourism is, at its core, about people. It’s powered by the connections we make, the stories we share, and the experiences we create together. From the dedicated hospitality workers who welcome travellers with warmth, to the local artisans and guides who bring our culture to life, it’s the people behind the scenes who truly make tourism thrive. Every journey is enriched by the unique contributions of individuals who are passionate about showcasing their communities and welcoming visitors from around the world.

Employment in the tourism sector remains lower than it was before the pandemic. According to the most recent annual data, employment levels for several advanced career positions in tourism and hospitality are dramatically lower than in 2019. Air traffic controllers are down 33 per cent, executive housekeepers and hospitality workers are down 31 per cent, and for conference and event planners, employment is down 19 per cent.

At a time when Canadian youth, newcomers, and members of underrepresented communities face record levels of unemployment, our sector is presented with a unique opportunity. We have a chance to transform our workforce, improve the quality of life of every Canadian, and make a positive impact that goes beyond an economic contribution. We must promote the rewarding and long-term career paths the tourism sector provides to attract and retain the next generation of Canada’s talented workforce.

As an industry, we must plug the gaps that hamper productivity and threaten to damage Canada’s reputation as a tourism destination. Strategic public investment is required to promote tourism as a vocation and enhance its labour force with talent. This is best achieved through meaningful partnerships—not only within our sector but with the federal government. These partnerships will be the cornerstone of our industry’s success.

To this end, TIAC is working with Restaurants Canada, the Hotel Association of Canada, and Tourism HR Canada to call on the federal government to fund a national marketing campaign through a three-year, $5-million investment. This campaign promotes tourism as a career among young Canadians. It builds on the work that THRC has initiated with its Discover Tourism program, which provides valuable career planning, curriculum, and HR tools to job seekers, employers, and educators. The logic underpinning this program presupposes that today’s youth are unaware of the career possibilities the tourism industry presents and the satisfaction that comes from showcasing Canada to its visitors. Nascent workers, read about the Discover Tourism program and take advantage of the resources available to you. Careers in tourism are varied and fulfilling; your perusal of these programs could lead you to your dream job.  

While we build our future workforce, we must leverage existing industry supports and government programs such as THRC’s Ready to Work program, which helps businesses recruit job seekers and integrate newcomers into a career in tourism. Its internships—a composite of in-class education and workplace training—facilitate job-readiness and career planning. Over the years, it has provided under-represented communities with career options and growth opportunities in the tourism sector by providing them access to certification programs (e.g., WHMIS, CPR, responsible alcohol service) that will open up new pathways in their pursuit of employment.

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot is an express-entry program that pairs employers with skilled newcomers, asylum seekers, and refugees to Canada. Such opportunities enable these individuals to flourish and ensure their new lives an auspicious start. It also makes available to employers qualified candidates whose background and education could provide unique skillsets and perspectives. Even without a firm job offer, talented refugees may nevertheless gain entry into Canada and begin their new life, with employment opportunities coming as they settle into the country. Tourism operators suffering from the labour gap are encouraged to take advantage of this program that is mutually beneficial for themselves and those skilled workers who hope to call Canada home.

As global demand for tourism rises, Canada must remain a top-tier destination. To do so, the fundamental needs of the sector must be met for it to thrive in the years ahead. By investing in our people and forging strong and reliable partnerships, we can ensure that Canada’s tourism industry does not just survive, but truly flourishes. Together, we can build a future that benefits our economy, our communities, and everyone involved in this wonderful sector.

About the Author

Nik Mills

Director, Policy & Government Affairs, Tourism Industry Association of Canada

As Director, Policy and Government Affairs with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Nik develops policy, research and government relations initiatives that support TIAC’s vision to lead the Canadian tourism industry to be one of the most competitive in the world.

With extensive experience in the industry, Nik has successfully led advocacy-based consulting projects supporting job creation and economic recovery strategies for various tourism organizations.

Nik studied political economy, communications, and innovation policy at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and the University of New Brunswick.

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ICYMI - PBOC Governor warned on yuan slide, will 'guard against risk of overshoot'

Justin had the news from the People's Bank of China here:

PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng emphasized the Bank will not let the yuan plummet without a fight:

  • Will step up countercyclical adjustment
  • Should resolutely guard against the risk of exchange rate overshoot

With the surging USD after Trump's win the yuan is just one of many weaker currencies:

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.




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Fed's Barkin: Fed in position to respond appropriately regardless of how economy evolves

Richmond Fed Pres. parking is speaking and says:

  • Fed is in position to respond appropriately regardless of how economy involves.
  • US economy looks pretty good
  • Labor market is resilient.
  • From here, labor market mighty be fine or may continue to weaken.
  • Inflation might be coming under control or might risk getting stuck above Fed 2% target.
  • Feds focus may turn to upside inflation risks or to downside employment risks, depending on how economy develops.

The market is pricing a 65% chance of a 25 basis point cut in December. That is down over the last week or so (it was in the high 70%s last week).

US yields are higher but off their highest levels:

  • 2-year 4.314%, +6.1 basis points
  • 5-year 4.269%, +7.6 basis points
  • 10-year 4.370%, +6.3 basis points
  • 30 year 4.516%, +3.7 basis points
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.




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Natural gas: Eyeing extreme dip buying levels for generational gains.

Hello, this is Itai Levitan at ForexLive.com. Today, I’m diving into Natural Gas Futures (NG), which are trading around 2.92 as of yesterday's close. This analysis will be relevant to those of you looking at CFDs, futures themselves, or stocks related to natural gas. Here’s a detailed view of my approach:

Natural Gas Futures Overview

Currently, we’re seeing Natural Gas Futures in a significant channel on the weekly time frame. There’s potential for a bullish breakout from a large bull flag formation, highlighted by the recent piercing through the upper edge of this channel. However, we’re still in uncertain territory—it’s possible the price may reverse back down, retesting the flag before making any decisive move.

Dip Buying Extreme Targeting

I’m looking closely at the potential for an extreme dip buying opportunity in natural gas. When I say “extreme dip buying,” I’m talking about setting up a longer-term, strategic plan that goes beyond typical levels. Instead of just waiting for an undefined "deep drop," I'm identifying specific price levels that could offer remarkable buying opportunities if the market hits them.

Long-Term Support Levels to Watch

Here’s what I'm focusing on for a deeper dip buy:

  1. 1.612 (Low of 2016) – This level may present an attractive medium-term long position, suitable for swing trades.
  2. 1.44 (Low of 2020) – Similar to 1.612, this level could offer a profitable swing opportunity, though not necessarily for a prolonged hold.

While these are appealing points for shorter-term trades, I recommend partial profit-taking here to mitigate risk if the price reverses sharply.

Generational Low Opportunity at 1.25

For the patient, long-term investors, my primary area of interest lies around 1.25—the historic low from 1995, nearly 30 years ago. This level represents a “generational low,” providing a triple layer of support:

  • The lower bound of the channel.
  • The major, longer-term channel trendline.
  • The historic 1.25 support level from 1995.

If natural gas reaches this area, it could be a highly attractive long-term buy. I suggest setting several buy orders around 1.25 to capture a position here and holding for substantial potential upside. Patience will be key—having some trading capital reserved for this area could be a game-changing strategy.

The Ultimate Extreme at 1.04

If something drastic occurs and the price reaches 1.04, the all-time low from the 1990s, it would represent a multi-generational low. This level would likely attract significant buying interest from funds, institutions, and individual investors. Similar to the parity level we saw with EUR/USD, this psychological round number could spur major accumulation and serve as an unparalleled buying opportunity.

Summary and Final Thoughts on Natural Gas and Exteme Dip Buying

In summary:

  • Stay Patient: This strategy involves waiting for rare, extreme dip-buying levels.
  • Allocate Capital Strategically: Save some ammunition for these lower levels, where the upside potential is considerable.
  • Monitor Support Levels Closely: Levels like 1.25 and 1.04 represent deeply discounted entry points that could yield long-term gains.

Follow ForexLive.com for additional insights for investors and traders, and let’s keep an eye on these setups. Extreme opportunities don’t come often, so be prepared and thank me later!

This article was written by Itai Levitan at www.forexlive.com.




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EURUSD pushes against the 2024 low at1 1.0601

The EURUSD is pushing against its 2024 low at 1.0601. A break below that level would open the door for further downside momentum. A move to new laws would take the price to the lowest level since November 2, 2023.

There is not a lot support technically until a swing area near 1.05158 and 1.05316.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.




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CreationNetwork.ai Integrates 22+ Tools for Enhanced Digital Engagement

CreationNetwork.ai, a groundbreaking digital platform, today announces its public launch, redefining digital engagement for businesses, content creators, and influencers. As an all-in-one solution for content creation, e-commerce, social media management, and digital marketing, CreationNetwork.ai combines 22+ proprietary AI-powered tools and 29+ platform integrations to deliver the most extensive digital ecosystem available.

Empowering Digital Transformation with 22+ AI-Powered Tools

CreationNetwork.ai’s suite of tools spans every facet of digital engagement, equipping users with powerful AI technologies to streamline operations, engage audiences, and optimize performance. Each tool is meticulously designed to enhance productivity and efficiency, making it easy to create, manage, and analyze content across multiple channels. Key tools include:

  • AI Copywriter: Generates high-quality, unique content for blogs, social media, and business communications.
  • AI Page Maker: Simplifies landing page creation with zero design or coding knowledge.
  • AI Trend Briefs: Provides market insights and trends, positioning users at the forefront of innovation.
  • AI Bot Maker: Creates intelligent chatbots for seamless user interaction and customer support.
  • AI Video Maker: Produces captivating, brand-aligned promotional videos.
  • AI Video Ambassador: Transforms text scripts into spokesperson videos with customizable avatars.
  • AI Voiceovers Studio: Offers lifelike voiceovers in multiple languages and accents.
  • AI SmartVoice Replicator: Clones voices to maintain brand consistency across content.
  • AI Voice Modifier: Enhances voice recordings, elevating audio quality effortlessly.
  • AI SmartTranscriber: Converts audio into text with accuracy, ideal for transcription and subtitles.
  • AI Design Studio: Enables professional-quality graphic creation without design skills.
  • AI BrandMagic: Instantly creates essential brand assets like logos and business cards.
  • AI Banners: Tailors banners for digital platforms and campaigns.
  • Art Academy - Image Genius: Allows text-to-image transformation, animations, and editing with AI.
  • Social Metrics Analytics: Offers detailed insights on social media performance metrics.
  • Social SmartEngagement: Increases engagement through targeted AI-driven insights.
  • Social PublishMaster: Automates social publishing with optimized timing and platform synchronization.
  • Social Listen Monitor: Tracks brand mentions and audience sentiment across social media.
  • Social Automation Optimize: Automates repetitive tasks, improving workflow and engagement.
  • Social CollaborationPro: Fosters team collaboration, managing content creation and approval processes.
  • AI & Automation: Integrates AI-driven insights across content creation, engagement, and analytics.
  • Team-Powered Branding: Amplifies brand messaging through employee advocacy.

Each of these tools is designed to optimize digital engagement, reduce manual workload, and enable users to focus on impactful, strategic actions. CreationNetwork.ai’s suite harnesses the transformative power of AI and blockchain, fostering both creativity and precision.

Comprehensive Integration Network: 29+ Platform Connections for Maximum Reach

One of the most distinguishing features of CreationNetwork.ai is its extensive integration network. With over 29 integrations, users can synchronize their digital activities across major social media, e-commerce, and content platforms, providing centralized management and engagement capabilities.

Social Media Integrations: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Snapchat.

E-commerce Integrations: Google Business Profile, Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, BigCommerce, Ecwid, and Wix Commerce, supporting online retailers with seamless inventory and order management.

Content Creation Integrations: Canva, Grammarly, Airtable, Zapier, Make, Adobe Express, Unsplash, Giphy, Pexels, Pixabay, and Dropbox allow users to access resources for content creation and file management without leaving the CreationNetwork.ai platform.

This integration network empowers users to manage their brand presence across platforms from a single, unified dashboard, significantly enhancing efficiency and reach.

Community Incentives: CRNT Token Airdrop and ICO Whitelisting

In preparation for its Initial Coin Offering (ICO), CreationNetwork.ai is launching a $750,000 CRNT Token Airdrop to reward early supporters and incentivize participation in the CreationNetwork.ai ecosystem. Qualified participants can secure their position by following CreationNetwork.ai’s social media accounts and completing the whitelist form available on the official website. This initiative highlights CreationNetwork.ai’s commitment to building a strong, engaged community.

CreationNetwork.ai: The Future of Digital Content and Marketing

CreationNetwork.ai is also a comprehensive digital ecosystem for businesses, creators, and marketers. Combining the power of AI and blockchain, CreationNetwork.ai redefines how users manage their digital presence, from crafting content to engaging with audiences across diverse channels. Its suite of tools, extensive integrations, and commitment to community-building make CreationNetwork.ai a leading solution for digital transformation.

“CreationNetwork.ai is built to set a new benchmark in digital engagement,” said Ali Demir, CEO of CreationNetwork.ai. “We’re providing creators and businesses with an all-encompassing solution that combines innovative AI, deep platform integrations, and automation. Our platform is truly one of a kind, empowering users to harness the full potential of digital technology.”

About CreationNetwork.ai

CreationNetwork.ai (https://creationnetwork.ai/) is a leader in AI-driven content creation, social media management, and e-commerce solutions, leveraging blockchain technology to empower its users with advanced digital engagement tools. Through a broad spectrum of AI tools and extensive integrations, CreationNetwork.ai is dedicated to transforming the way brands, businesses, and creators connect with audiences in an ever-evolving digital world.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.




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FP Markets Secures Three Major Honours at the Inaugural Finance Magnates Annual Award Gala

Australian-founded broker FP Markets further cemented its position as a market leader, winning ‘Most Trusted Broker - Global’, ‘Broker of the Year - Asia’, and ‘Fastest Growing Broker - LATAM’ at the inaugural Finance Magnates Annual Award (FMAA) Gala. The event was held on Wednesday, 23 October, at the Lemon Park Venue in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the FMAAs ‘celebrate the highest levels of innovation and excellence across fintech, Forex, payments, and trading platforms’. The winners were determined through a dual process: online voting accessible to industry professionals and the global trading community, and a distinguished panel of judges. Notably, global multi-asset Forex and CFD broker FP Markets was the only company to take home three FMAAs on the night.

FP Markets’ Global Head of Marketing, Andria Phiniefs, commented: ‘Being nominated along with some of the industry’s biggest names is a tremendous honour in itself. Winning three awards through votes from the global trading community and industry stakeholders marks a significant accomplishment for our team. This recognition inspires us to continue to pursue our mission, which we embarked on nearly twenty years ago: to be the preferred and most trusted broker for traders worldwide’.

FP Markets continues to leverage opportunities beyond existing markets, while maintaining a consistent standard of product and service quality for its clients globally. As part of the broker’s twentieth anniversary next year, the investing community can also expect further trading technology advancements and updates.

About FP Markets:

● FP Markets is a Multi-Regulated Forex and CFD Broker with over 19 years of industry experience.

● The company offers highly competitive interbank Forex spreads starting from 0.0 pips.

● Traders can choose from leading powerful online trading platforms, including FP Markets’ Mobile App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, cTrader, Iress and TradingView.

● The company's outstanding 24/7 multilingual customer service has been recognised by Investment Trends and awarded ‘The Highest Overall Client Satisfaction Award’ over five consecutive years.

● FP Markets was awarded ‘Best Value Broker - Global’ for six consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) at the Global Forex Awards.

● FP Markets was awarded the ‘Best Broker – Europe’ and the ‘Best Forex Partners Programme – Asia’ at the Global Forex Awards (2022, 2023, 2024).

● FP Markets was awarded ‘Best Trade Execution’, and ‘Most Trusted Broker’ and ‘Best Trade Execution’ at the Ultimate Fintech Awards in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

● FP Markets was crowned ‘Best CFD Broker - Africa’ at the 2023 FAME Awards.

● FP Markets was awarded ‘Best Trade Execution’ and ‘Most Transparent Broker’ at the Ultimate Fintech Awards APAC 2023.

● FP Markets was awarded the ‘Best Price Execution’ at the Brokersview Awards 2024, Singapore.

● FP Markets was awarded the ‘Best Trading Experience - Africa’ at the FAME Awards 2024.

● FP Markets was awarded ‘Most Transparent Broker’ and ‘Best Trading Conditions’ at the Global Ultimate Fintech Awards 2024.

● FP Markets was awarded ‘Best Forex Spreads APAC’ and ‘Best Trading Experience APAC’ at the 2024 Finance Magnates Pacific Summit.

● FP Markets regulatory presence includes the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya.

For more information on FP Markets' comprehensive range of products and services, visit https://www.fpmarkets.com/

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.




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Who stands to gain from the rise of AI?

Last week, the tech giants — Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta — released their quarterly reports, which showed steady revenue and profit growth across the board, pretty much in line with previous ones.

However, except for the results of Jeff Bezos’ company and Amazon stock, the investors were not “fully satisfied.” Mixed forecasts for the next quarter and expected spending were of concern, especially in AI.

Although companies are confident in AI's enormous potential, developing and building the infrastructure to support it is proving costly, and results continue to fall short of expectations.

Right now, the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom are similar to those in the gold rush — the ones supplying the tools. In today’s terms, that means essential hardware and cloud service providers.

For example, Microsoft Cloud quarterly revenue grew 22% year-over-year to $38.9 billion, with Azure and other cloud services experiencing a 33% increase, about 12% of which was driven by AI services.

Amazon's AWS, in turn, generated $27.4 billion in Q3. Although slightly below expectations, growth in this segment remains strong at 19% (up from 12% last year), underscoring the growing demand for it.

Chipmakers, which drive these AI advances, are also experiencing huge gains. Leading the way is Nvidia, which recently surpassed Apple in market capitalization to become the world's most valuable company.

Taiwan's TSMC, a major chip supplier to giants such as Nvidia, Apple, and AMD, is also thriving. TSMC's technology powers leading-edge products in smartphones and advanced computing systems.

TSMC's third-quarter revenue rose 36% to $23.5 billion, while net profit soared 54.2% to $10.1 billion. Revenue from high-performance computing chips now accounts for 16% of the company's profit.

Who else benefits from the AI boom?

The list is not short: data centers, telcos, and networking companies are all reaping benefits, as are mining companies, driven by increased demand for metals and materials for chips and electronics.

Another big beneficiary could be the energy sector. Following the rise of AI tools such as ChatGPT, the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology noted that global energy demand is expected to double.

Apparently, a single ChatGPT query requires ten times more energy than a Google search. As AI usage increases, so will the need for more data centers that do not run on air.

The minister expects a seven-fold increase in the use of solar and wind power, at least a 65% increase in demand for LNG, and a continued reliance on oil for fuel and other products.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.




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AMEGA Launches the Lucky Deposit Draw – Your Chance to Win Every Month!

Introduction to Amega

Amega is a multi-award-winning global financial broker, authorized, licensed, and regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission under investment license No. GB22200548. Its mission is to make trading simple and accessible to traders of all levels and backgrounds, through the introduction of new technologies, groundbreaking innovations, and a client-first mentality. Amega prides itself on providing a safe and transparent trading environment, allowing investors to trade a variety of assets with unparalleled ease of mind.

The Lucky Deposit draw

Amega’s Lucky Deposit Draw is here to give traders a monthly boost!

Participating is simple! All you need to do is make a minimum deposit of $50 during the month and have an active trading history with Amega. Once you're eligible, you'll be entered into the lucky draw, where 5 lucky traders will walk away with incredible monetary prizes that can be used to trade or be withdrawn as physical cash.

What are the prizes?

1st winner: $100 2nd winner: $80 3rd winner: $60 4th winner: $40 5th winner: $20

Every month, there’s a fresh chance to boost your trading capital or cash out — it’s up to you! The Lucky Deposit Draw is your monthly opportunity to win, and Amega is here to make sure you have the chance to get ahead. No complicated requirements – just trade, deposit, and win!

Ready to make this month your lucky month?

Sign up today, create your account in seconds, make your deposit, and get in on the draw!

Visit amega.finance to learn more about Amega and its many benefits, such as the Loyalty Cashback Program which offers volume-based cash rewards for every single trade, regardless of the market direction. Good Luck!

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.