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Global Sports Icon David Beckham Joins Five Young People to Bring the Olympic Flame to the UK

By | May 17, 2012 | Travel | No comments


(PRWEB) May 16, 2012

Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirms that London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will attend the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony in Athens and bring the Flame back to the UK ahead of its 70 day journey, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

David, who was part of the successful London 2012 bid team in 2005, will be joined by five young people invited to take part by LOCOG and the British Council in recognition of their commitment to sport and their role in promoting the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect within their school or college.

The official delegation will be led by British Olympic Association President and LOCOG Board Member HRH The Princess Royal, Chair of LOCOG Sebastian Coe, Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

The young people have been selected from schools and colleges involved in the London 2012 Get Set Education programme and school linking programmes run by the British Council. As well as visiting some of the schools in Athens they are linked with, the young people are set to have a starring role in the Handover Ceremony expected to start at 19:00pm local Greek time (17:00pm BST) on the evening of 17 May at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘We wanted to involve young people from across the UK in bringing home the Olympic Flame. Their stories of personal achievement and contribution to sport echo the 8,000 inspiring Torchbearer stories that will be shared from this weekend and over the next ten weeks in the build up to the start of the Games. Working with one of our most inspiring sportspeople is also fitting for this hugely exciting time for the London 2012 Games.’

Representing Scotland is rugby player Dennis Coles, age 17 from Doon Academy, Dalmellington, East Ayrshire; representing Northern Ireland is talented hockey player Chloe Brown, age 18 from South Eastern Regional College, Bangor and representing Wales is Swansea Harriers athlete and Mumbles Rangers FC player Sean White, age 17 from Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Swansea.

Representing Cornwall where the Olympic Flame arrives and starts its 70 day journey is Falmouth Ladies hockey player Georgia Higgs, age 15 from Helston Community College and School Sports Ambassador and athlete Sakinah Muhammad, age 15 from Clapton Girls Academy, Hackney represents London where the Olympic Flame will light the cauldron signifying the start of the Olympic Games on the evening of 27 July 2012.

Click here for biographies and images of the young people. Images of their time in Athens will also be uploaded to this link over the course of the next couple of days.

Paul Docherty, Director UK 2012 at the British Council, said: The British Council is delighted to be part of this historic occasion, enabling young people from across the UK to participate in the Handover ceremony and to meet Greek youngsters from their partner schools. The London 2012 Games offer a great opportunity for people in the UK and around the world to develop a better understanding of each other and build lasting relationships. Our school linking projects help make that happen.’

Dennis Coles from Doon Academy, East Ayrshire said: Going to Athens is a fantastic opportunity, and to be part of such an historic ceremony representing my school and country, fills me with pride and excitement. This is the chance of a lifetime and I look forward becoming even more involved in the Get Set London 2012 work in my school when I return.

Chloe Brown from South Eastern Regional College, Bangor, Northern Ireland, commented: I have been selected for this trip as through my involvement in sport and through my studies, I show the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. Playing hockey has taught me these three important aspects. I am really looking forward to the Olympic Games and the Olympic Flame handover will be an amazing event which I am very honoured to be involved in.

Sean White from Bishop Vaughan School, Swansea, said: I am really excited about visiting Greece and seeing Athens, the home of the Olympic Games. I am looking forward to the Ceremony and to taking the Flame back to the UK in preparation for the Olympic Games. I am really excited about coming home and sharing my experience, both in school, my running club and in the wider community and hope that this will help people to become even more excited and enthusiastic about the Olympic Games.

Georgia Higgs, Helston Community College, Cornwall, said: I have always loved participating in numerous sports, so to be given the opportunity to partake in the worlds greatest sporting event is just incredible. I’m so proud to be part of this experience and to bring the Flame back to Britain, as well as my home county of Cornwall, is utterly amazing. I know it will be something I will always remember!

Sakinah Muhammad, Clapton Girls Academy, added: I am thrilled to have the honour of representing my country, London, Hackney, Clapton Girls Academy and my family in such a historic event. Being given this opportunity means so much to me as Ive been looking for a way to get more involved in the 2012 Games.

The young people will also be on board the BA2012 flight carrying the Olympic Flame from Athens to RNAS Culdrose landing on the evening of Friday 18 May 2012.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors

About the schools and colleges involved:

The schools in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland were invited to get involved because of their work with the Get Set network and also because they have an existing link with a school in Greece through Comenius, the EU-funded programme managed by the British Council in the UK.

Helston Community College was invited to get involved due to its proximity to RNAS Culdrose where the Olympic Flame will arrive. As a result of the Athens visit, the college is developing a partnership with 2nd Exemplary Experimental Gymnasium of Athens through the London 2012 School Linking Programme delivered by LOCOG and British Council and supported by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Georgia will visit her partner school during their visit to Athens and develop ideas for future joint projects between the two schools.

Clapton Girls Academy in Hackney was chosen as a member of the Get Set network, located in the Borough of Hackney one of the Host Boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and because it is supporting and learning about the Greek Olympic team in the lead-up to the Games. Earlier in the year, the school was linked with Leontios School in Athens through the London 2012 School Linking Programme, delivered by LOCOG and the British Council and supported by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. During their visit to Athens, Sakinah will visit her partner school and develop ideas for future joint projects between the two schools.

About the British Council:

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UKs international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. We earn over 75% of our annual turnover of nearly

Online Clinic Offers New High Cholesterol Treatments

By | May 16, 2012 | Travel | No comments


London, UK (PRWEB UK) 16 May 2012

OnlineClinic has been one of the UKs leading online healthcare providers since 2002, allowing patients to order prescription medications online safely to treat an increasing range of health and lifestyle conditions. Treatments available include those to treat obesity, smoking addiction, high blood pressure, diabetes and a number of STIs, to name but a few. This month, OnlineClinic expanded their existing range of high cholesterol treatments so there are now 10 options available for patients with high cholesterol. In addition to the treatments now available, patients and visitors can also find comprehensive information about conditions like high cholesterol, including various treatment options, symptoms and causes.

The high cholesterol treatments now available at OnlineClinic include a number of statins, such as Simvastatin, Zocor, Rosuvastatin, Lipostat, Lescol, Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, Lipitor, Fluvastatin and Crestor. These are all branded or generic medications that are all clinically proven to effectively treat high cholesterol. To ensure the safety of patients, OnlineClinic dispenses these medications only to those who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol and have been recommended a specific treatment by a doctor. The ordering process will involve a brief online consultation to confirm each patients suitability for their selected medication.

Seeking the right treatment for high cholesterol is very important, as this condition is associated with serious health problems, particularly those involving the arteries and the heart. Individuals will be advised to make a series of lifestyle changes if they are diagnosed with high cholesterol, such as increasing the amount of exercise they engage in and eating a more healthy diet. For some people, these changes will be sufficient to lower or control their cholesterol levels, but other people will also require treatment in the form of medication, such as those now available at OnlineClinic.

OnlineClinic.co.uk Company Information

Launched in 2002, OnlineClinic.co.uk offers prescription treatments for a number of common healthcare problems including mens and womens health problems, sexual health, obesity, smoking, travel treatments and general lifestyle health. Because OnlineClinic.co.uk specialise in treating sensitive conditions, they offer a simple yet discreet online consultation service with a registered doctor. Patients can complete their private consultation and receive their medication the following day via secure courier.

For more details, visit the website at http://www.onlineclinic.co.uk or contact OnlineClinic on 020 7084 7593.

OnlineClinic is a brand name of Hexpress Healthcare Ltd, 138 140 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NH, United Kingdom. Phone: 020 7084 7060.







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Visitors Traveling to the 2nd Annual Great Hudson River Exhibition Book Accommodations Through Vacation Rentals Web Directory

By | May 9, 2012 | Travel | No comments


Beacon, NY (PRWEB) May 09, 2012

The town of Beacon, New York will host the 2nd annual Great Hudson River Exhibition, a juried fine art event featuring paintings, pastels, photography and mixed media works, scheduled May 12 through June 24. Visitors to the Hudson Valley region are taking advantage of affordable, privately-owned vacation home and condo rentals in Beacon and the surrounding area made available through Vacation Rentals Web Directory (VRWD.com).

Comparison shopping for vacation rentals in the Hudson Valley is easy with VRWD.com, which offers plenty of spring and summer listings to accommodate visitors arriving for the juried art exhibition and staying on a few extra days to enjoy some of the regional wineries, or hit the scenic biking and hiking trails. A favorite vacation destination year round, Hudson Valley property owners are making their private vacation cabins, cottages, condos and estate homes available to the growing number of travelers who are looking for more than just a hotel room when they arrive.

Families or groups of friends can rent a vacation home that sleeps anywhere from two to 20 people, perfect for couples, families, and groups of friends who want to stay together under one roof.

Choosing a vacation rental in New York, whether in the Hudson Valley, or in any Empire State city for a night, a weekend, or a week makes a lot of sense to travelers who prefer a home-away-from-home environment, Plus, when traveling with children, or with more than a few guests sharing space, a home setting with kitchen, laundry, private bedrooms and all the amenities makes for a comfortable and enjoyable vacation.

Liz Ernst of Vacation Rentals Web Directory believes more travelers are looking for lower-cost alternatives to hotel rooms in a Hudson Valley vacation rental home. Visitors can choose a three bedroom, two bath country house on 20 secluded acres, located in prime antiquing territory between Woodstock and New Paltz, or a seven-bedroom Italian-style manor on 12 acres, built in 1858, perfect for a wedding party, a family vacation, or a retreat for artists and musicians.

People have been staying in vacation home rentals for short visits in places all across New York State and the U.S. for years because theyre convenient, often very elegant, and much less expensive than staying in a hotel, Ernst said. At Vacation Rental Web DIrectory, we make it easy for travelers to find a great place with all the comforts of home that they wont get at a hotel.

What people are coming to realize, especially after theyve stayed in a vacation rental home for the first time, is that theyre saving a lot of money and in return theyre staying in some magnificent properties, with far more to offer than they would get at any hotel.

Savvy travelers can comparison shop for the best value on a Hudson Valley vacation home rental, even if theyre looking to stay for one night, according to Ernst. When choosing between a hotel, bed and breakfast, and vacation home rental, price is almost always the top concern, followed by location, amenities available, and number of guests a unit can accommodate.

Its a value that more and more travelers arent willing to ignore, Ernst said. At Vacation Rentals Web Directory, our job is to make sure that property owners and travelers can find each other, making it easy for travelers to secure the right vacation home rental home for their needs and budget.

About Vacation Rentals Web Directory – VRWD.com

Vacation Rentals Web Directory (VRWD.com) is the world’s first and only marketplace that reviews and rates vacation rental websites and vacation home listings from around the world.

The VRWD.com human-edited directory provides a single gateway for everyone involved in vacation rentals: Visitors can find trusted vacation rental members for free, while vacation rental owners and publishers can become trusted members and receive great Internet exposure for a small fee.

VRWD.com is committed to quality and reviews every submitted listing before approval. The site only lists vacation rental-related Web sites. The directory is entirely free to use and is paid by featured and premium members.

VRWD.com is led by an experienced team of vacation rental experts who are dedicated to making vacation rentals a more consolidated and trusted marketplace. For more information, visit VRWD.com.







SOUND+SLEEP Becomes a Room Amenity at the Prestigious Hotel Drisco

By | April 26, 2012 | Travel | No comments


CAMPBELL, Calif. (PRWEB) April 26, 2012

Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc. (ASTI) is proud to announce that its product, SOUND+SLEEP, an Adaptive Sound sleep machine, designed to help people fall asleep naturally and drug-free, is now a room amenity at the prestigious Hotel Drisco. The Hotel Drisco is located on Pacific Avenue atop San Francisco’s charming Pacific Heights neighborhood.

The guest experience is paramount at the Hotel Drisco. We originally ordered five SOUND+SLEEP units to offer to the occasional guest who told us they were experiencing trouble sleeping, said John Spear, General Manager of Hotel Drisco. We received such wonderful feedback that we quickly decided to purchase a unit for each guestroom in the hotel. Hotel Drisco is known for its highly attentive and personalized service and for the many thoughtful little touches that set us apart, so the SOUND+SLEEP units were a perfect fit for us.

Insomnia is a top complaint among travelers, and with over half a billion people in the world suffering from occasional or chronic sleep disorders many people turn to prescription or over-the-counter sleep aides for help while away from home. SOUND+SLEEP is a natural solution with scientifically-engineered features, which allows hotel guests to relax and gain the replenishing rest their mind and body crave.

SOUND+SLEEP utilizes patented Adaptive Sound technology that “listens and responds” to each users background sounds and adjusts the volume of the machine accordingly to mask unwanted and disruptive ambient noises. By featuring real-time compositions using high-definition, mostly natural sound recordings, ultra high-quality SoundStories are produced with no noticeable repetition. The small machine fits perfectly on a nightstand and is easy to operate.

We are excited to have SOUND+SLEEP in every guestroom of the Hotel Drisco. For a variety of reasons sleeping can be challenging in a hotel room. Accordingly, ASTI has been getting a lot of traction within the hotel industry recently, said Sam Nicolino, president and CEO of Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc. With hotel noise ranging from television sets, elevators, and hallway chatter, SOUND+SLEEP is an ideal solution for hotels that want to ensure their guests get the most out of their stay.

Many hotel guests find that they have a hard time turning off their brain at night; SOUND+SLEEP addresses that issue by helping people fall asleep, naturally. Ideal for hotel rooms, bedrooms or the office, the attractive SOUND+SLEEP offers eleven distinct sound profiles to promote a deeper sleep, relaxation and renewal for the day ahead. The machine runs all night or turns off automatically with a timer. Sound profiles include: White Noise, Electric Fan, Waterfall, Meadow, Brook, Rainfall, Ocean, Train, Fireplace, City and Meditation. SOUND+SLEEP is available online at http://www.soundofsleep.com or direct by calling 1-800-502-3815. The suggested retail price is $ 129.95.







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Time Management and Productivity Expert Laura Stack Offers Insight on the Cost of Drowsy Employees to American Businesses

By | April 18, 2012 | Travel | No comments


DENVER, Colorado (PRWEB) April 18, 2012

Being sleepy at work is something that many, if not most, Americans have experienced at one time or another. At a time when many folks are working more than one job and burning the candle at both ends, drowsy employees in the workplace are costing employers billions and creating hazards on the road and at work. In her newest blog titled Sleep Your Way to a Productive Day, Stack discusses the darker side of sleep deprivation and offers solutions to finding balance between the work day and the seven to eight hours of sleep needed each night.

Americans tend to under-sleep by choice, burning the candle at both ends due to hectic work and family schedules, Stack says. We believe we can have more time for work and family by allowing ourselves less time for sleep.

However, many of us do snoozeat work, driving to and from workin a state of stupefied sleepiness.

Studies attribute sleep deprivation to an $ 18 billion loss in workplace productivity annually. If you add in errors, damage, and health consequences caused by drowsy workers, the costs are even higher.

Overall, the quality of work, the amount of work, and your concentration each decline by 30 percent when youre sleepy. Additionally, a lack of sleep can affect relationships,

The bottom line is that sleeping well is not a luxury; its a necessity, Stack says.

The Mayo clinic defines an adequate amount of sleep as whatever produces daytime alertness and a feeling of well-being. According to Stack, committing to being well-rested may require some serious focus for many who have formed habits that interfere with getting quality sleep every night. From monitoring nutrition to taking measures to protect sleep patterns when traveling, Stack says the business of getting enough sleep is just as important as fine tuning other productivity skills.

A recent poll found that 85 percent of people would sleep more, if they were convinced it would contribute to a happier life. The convincing, Stack says, might be easier if people took the consequences of sleep deprivation more seriously, including memory lapse and loss of reaction time. Too little sleep, Stack points out, also suppresses your immune function, which leads to increased infection and illnesses.

Getting inadequate sleep also causes problems similar to drinking too much alcohol, Stack says. Nodding off at work isnt just unproductive; it can be disastrous.

In her blog, Stack shares some pretty sobering statistics: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that sleepy drivers cause at least 200,000 crashes each year; the 1989 Exxon Valdez Alaskan oil spill was reportedly due at least in part to the severe fatigue of the tankers sleep-deprived third mate; the Challenger accident, Chernobyl, and Three Mile Island accidents were also due to worker fatigue.

Stack believes that sleep deprivation is indicative of a society that expects to squeeze 25 hours into a 24-hour day. In a competitive job market, the answer to not only keeping a job and moving ahead, first and foremost, is productivity. When an employee is sleep deprived, productivity plummets, and it wont be long before poor work performance can cost a person their job.

To find out more about tackling sleep deprivation and regaining productivity, visit the Productivity Pro website, send an Email to Laura@TheProductivityPro.com, or call (303) 471-7401.

About Laura Stack:

Laura Stack is a time management and productivity expert who has been speaking and writing about human potential and peak performance since 1992. She has implemented employee productivity improvement programs at Wal-Mart, Cisco Systems, UBS, Aramark, and Bank of America. Stack presents keynotes and seminars internationally for leaders, entrepreneurs, salespeople, and professional services firms on improving output, lowering stress, and saving time in the workplace.

The president of The Productivity Pro

New Offerings Add Energy to Americas Most Fun Town, Glenwood Springs, Colorado

By | April 17, 2012 | Travel | No comments


Glenwood Springs, Colo. (PRWEB) April 17, 2012

Get ready to have even more fun in Glenwood Springs, voted Americas Most Fun Town in the Rand McNally and USA Today Best of the Road contest. The Colorado river and mountain town known for its hot springs, spas and Strawberry Days festival is gearing up for summer with exciting new attractions and seasonal diversions.

The world is catching on to what weve known all along: Glenwood Springs is a happening town, said Lisa Langer, Vice President of Tourism Marketing for the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. Weve got a very creative core of local businesses with an aptitude to make exciting things happen. So whether its in the area of adventure sports, attractions, dining or entertainment, it always spells Fun!

The following are the highlights topping the list of whats coursing through the energy pipeline in Glenwood Springs this season:


Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is adding three new rides in time for summer 2012. Thrill seekers will find the new Cliffhanger Roller Coaster irresistible with its cliff-side curves and heart-stopping drop-offs; the Wild West Express Coaster is kid-friendly and features bumps, curves and hills on a train-themed adventure ride; and the Mine Wheel carries guests around and around on a Ferris-wheel-style ride. These rides join a multitude of existing thrill attractions including the Giant Canyon Swing, Colorados longest Alpine Coaster, the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride and the Bungee Jump. Economical day passes, group discounts and packages are available, and even with the addition of three new rides, 2012 rates will be the same as last year!

Alongside eateries in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, Esquire magazine named Glenwood Springs Pullman restaurant to its list of Best New Restaurants in 2011. Author John Mariani calls the Pullman a casual restaurant that sums up everything good about American omnivorism right now. The Pullman isn’t complicated. Good people serving good food. What a concept. Chef-owner Mark Fischer is known for his fresh and exhilarating menus, which have garnered praise in notable food magazines like Bon App

Apples New iPad Tops The Tablet Tree, Say Industry Experts, 2U Limited

By | March 10, 2012 | Travel | No comments

(PRWEB UK) 10 March 2012

Finally, here it is! Apples eagerly awaited third-generation tablet, with no letters or numbers attached to its name, just plain and simple iPad, has been unveiled and will be available in the UK from 16th March. But the new iPad with its ground-breaking HD screen is hardly plain aesthetically or in terms of features and will no doubt keep the technology wizard far ahead of competitors such as Samsung with their Galaxy tablet for quite some time to come.

Billed by Apple as Resolutionary the impressive new iPad may not look or feel that different from its predecessor the iPad 2, but on closer inspection, with its high resolution screen, faster processor and improved camera, it is a big step forward. The new features and improvements should not only prove to be a joy for users but enough to encourage iPad lovers to upgrade, or those who have never used one to join the community of iPad enthusiasts. Here are the visionary tablets main features:

Full High Definition Retina Display. This screen is mean and the iPads main, unique new feature. More superior than some 40 televisions, the screen has a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, which is four times more pixels than its predecessor, and delivers perfectly crisp, razor sharp images that equal the standard of high quality printed photographs. Colours are beautifully vibrant and text is sharper and easier to read too so there is little need to zoom or enlarge text, making net surfing and browsing a much more enjoyable experience.

Ultra-Fast Dual-Core A5x Processor. The new iPad is supercharged with an A5x chip processor and quad-core graphics for a Pixel-Perfect Performance as Apple put it, and all that extra power is superb for enhanced graphics, animations and intensive gaming. The tablet also offers 10 hours of battery life, or 9 hours on 4G from a single, full charge.

5MP iSight Camera. Capturing those precious moments is certain to be a pleasure with the iPads new improved 5MP camera. The camera has lens technology that is the same as the iPhone 4S and 1080p HD video.

New Life Hiking Spa Chosen as One of Seven Retreats and Spas that are the Path to Nirvana

By | March 4, 2012 | Travel | No comments

Killington, VT (PRWEB) March 03, 2012

In its recent article titled Path to Nirvana, the Chicago Tribune has selected seven retreats and/or spas that show the way to bliss or at least a smaller waistline.

The seven spas chosen were New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont, Lake Austin in Texas, Cal A Vie in California, Mohonk Mountain House in New York, Hilton Head Health in South Carolina, Big Sky Yoga Retreats in Montana and the Biggest Loser in Utah.

We are extremely excited about being chosen for this article. Nirvana is meant to be a place of peace, a place where you have freedom from worry and can get away from the world. We feel like there is no better place to do that than hiking the Green Mountains of Vermont at New Life Hiking Spa, stated Jimmy LeSage, M.S., founder and director.

The article ran in the Sunday Travel section and is currently online on ChicagoTribune.com.

About New Life Hiking Spa:

New Life Hiking Spa is a nationally recognized affordable destination spa for men and women located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont since 1978. New Life offers a variety of all inclusive vacation packages and is known for its exhilarating hiking program, a world renowned weight loss retreat, delicious healthy meals and a comfortable atmosphere. New Life Hiking Spa offers the chance to experience the peace of the outdoors in a down-to-earth, country inn environment and is open each year from mid May through September in Killington, Vermont. Approximately 600 guests come each year from around the globe.

In January of 2010 & 2011, New Life Hiking Spa was selected as one of the top 10 fitness vacations in the world by MSNBC. New Life Hiking Spa was selected by Shape Magazine as “one of the eight best weight loss spas”, and by Health Magazine as “one of four great weight loss spas”. For Six years in a row (2006-2011) New Life has won Best for Going Solo, Best for Hiking, Best for Weight Loss and Best for Affordability by SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards. In addition, Jimmy LeSage was also voted as one of the top ten Spa Managers in the world in 2011 by SpaFinder Readers Choice Awards.

New Life Hiking Spa is open for its 35th summer anniversary from May 17th through September 30th, 2012 and is currently taking reservations.

More information can be found online at New Life Hiking Spas Website: http://www.newlifehikingspa.com or http://www.WeightLossSpa.com.

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Phoenix Resort Elevates Stay Experience with New JW Griffin Club

By | February 28, 2012 | Travel | No comments


Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

Guests of JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa can now experience an even greater elevated level of service, amenities, and personal pampering at the new JW Griffin Club.

An indulging retreat high above the Phoenix resorts majestic mountain, desert and golf course surroundings, guests can reach even greater heights and enjoy numerous benefits, elevated amenities and exemplary services with access to the exclusive 21 and over Griffin Club.

Providing a private escape, the Griffin Club features intimate spaces with comfortable seating including a fireplace and outdoor patios for connecting with family and friends. Catering to each guest’s palate, tantalizing chef presentations feature garden-to-plate breakfast buffets, midday lunches of artisanal salads and hand-crafted sandwiches and soups, early evening light hors doeuvres followed by interactive chef tastings and dessert samplings with special menu items daily. A take-away continental breakfast also is available upon request.

A hosted premium bar is offered daily from 4 to 11 p.m. with a refreshing selection of cocktails, premium liquors, boutique wines, imported and domestic beers, fresh-squeezed juices, specialty coffees and teas.

Four Plasma TVs, iPads, Wi-Fi, games, magazines and newspapers are offered in the Griffin Club. Elevated guests of this Phoenix spa resort receive daily Revive Spa access to its Sanctuary Pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness center in addition to personal vacation planning, concierge and front desk services.

The Griffin Club also offers business services including a scanner, fax, AirPrint copier and printer and a private meeting area with a conference table for six-to-eight people.

Named for the new mark representing JW Marriotts worldwide, the Griffin embodies a quietly powerful and elegant brand emulating the character of founder J. Willard Marriott for creating a world-class hospitality company. Griffins have come to represent strength, courage, vision and protection as a royal symbol.

The Griffin Club provides the utmost in personal expectation, offering a seamless journey at every touch point, from pre-arrival to post departure from JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. It is the first Griffin Club to open, setting the standard for all JW Marriotts.

Exclusive access to the Griffin Club is $ 100 for up to two people, per day and includes resort fee for adults 21 years of age and older. Each additional guest is $ 55 per night.

The largest luxury resort in Arizona features 950 newly remodeled guestrooms (including 81 suites), 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, 10 dining experiences, Marriott’s first Revive Spa — a 28,000-square-foot facility — eight tennis courts and four acres of elaborately landscaped pools including the Lazy River with serpentine slide, two championship golf courses and Wildfire Golf Club. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is located where Phoenix meets Scottsdale, just

20 minutes north of Sky Harbor International Airport, with easy access to the Loop 101 freeway.

For more information about JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa located at 5350 E. Marriott Drive in Phoenix, call 480-293-5000, or visit http://www.marriott.com/phxdr.

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott Internationals luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to todays sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 45 JW Marriott hotels in 19 countries; by 2013 the portfolio will encompass 73 properties in 28 countries.

About Marriott International

Marriott International is a leading lodging company with more than 3,400 lodging properties in 68 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites Inn and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland USA, and had approximately 137,000 employees at 2009 yearend. It is recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the best companies to work for, and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2009, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $ 11 billion. For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com.

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PeopleMatter Secures $14 Million Series C Funding Led By Morgenthaler Ventures

By | February 27, 2012 | Travel | No comments

Charleston, SC (PRWEB) February 27, 2012

PeopleMatter, provider of the fastest-growing talent management solution (TMS) specifically designed for hourly workforces in the service industry, announced today a $ 14-million Series C round of venture funding led by Morgenthaler Ventures. This financing will continue to accelerate PeopleMatters product-innovation and customer-acquisition strategies. Existing investors Noro-Moseley Partners, C&B Capital, Intersouth Partners and Harbert Ventures also participated in the round.

While other talent management companies like SuccessFactors, Taleo and Rypple focus on the white-collar, career professional, PeopleMatter is the only company that caters to hourly workers in the service industry, said Gary Little, Partner at Morgenthaler Ventures and new PeopleMatter board member. This is a $ 2.5-billion market thats underserved and rapidly growing. There is a huge opportunity here.”

“The PeopleMatter Platform isnt just an HR software system; its a way to connect and communicate with todays mobile-social employees, Little continued. These solutions offer a whole new level of engagement and will fundamentally change how employers and employees interact in the workplace.”

“Now, businesses like restaurants and hotels which typically face high turnover and disengagement can capitalize on technology to improve process efficiency and retain their top performers, Little added. PeopleMatters vision to create an entire talent network in the service industry is both innovative and light-years ahead of where any other company is in this space.

The funding follows a record year of sales and exponential growth for the Charleston, S.C-based software company. PeopleMatter also added two new modules, PeopleMatter LEARN and PeopleMatter SCHEDULE, to its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. The Platform also includes PeopleMatter HIRE, which has processed more than 238,000 applicants since its September 2009 launch.

With these integrated solutions, organizations can quickly and easily manage all of their applicant tracking, hiring, onboarding, training and scheduling processes in one place. Powerful, easy-to-use online tools help companies increase efficiency, retention and ROI, and ultimately improve their customer service. A new smartphone app deployed at the Feb. 28 SCHEDULE launch allows PeopleMatter to start directly interacting with frontline employees.

“This is an incredible time for PeopleMatter. We have high goals and are right on track for doing exactly what weve promised: filling a void in a niche market that no one else had comprehensively addressed,” said Nate DaPore, President and CEO of PeopleMatter. “We are incredibly proud of what weve been able to achieve in such a short amount of time and driven by our momentum.

At the end of the day, we want to be the Platform of choice for the service industry. We want PeopleMatter to be the only name employees think of to manage their schedules, build their career and connect with the industry, added DaPore. Theres still a way to go, but working with Morgenthaler is a big step in that direction.

The service industry previously overlooked for targeted talent management platforms includes foodservice, convenience store, hospitality and retail verticals.

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