Severe flooding hits Luang Namtha Province on 9 September
In response to the severe flooding affecting northern Laos, the Natural Disaster Monitoring Committee of the Ministry of Public Security initiated a relief mission this morning, 12 September.
The operation provided essential aid to the hardest-hit areas in Luang Namtha and Oudomxay.
The relief efforts included distributing essential supplies such as dried food, clothing, and medicines. The mission involved close coordination between police forces, major departments, and specialized units to ensure that aid was distributed effectively. Supplies are being transported via the Lao-China railway, which continues to deliver assistance steadily to the affected northern provinces.
Amid the ongoing crisis, the BCEL OneHeart project has launched a nationwide fundraising campaign to support flood victims. The initiative provides a simple and transparent donation process, ensuring that every contribution goes directly to those in need. To donate, individuals and companies can access the BCEL One app, select the OneHeart section, choose the flood relief project, and click the donate button. For convenience, a QR code is also available for direct contributions.
As of 11 September, the water level in Luang Prabang had reached 17.50 meters, nearing the critical threshold of 18.30 meters. Forecasts predict further increases to 18.26 meters by the end of 12 September, with a potential rise to 19.12 meters by 13 September. The city is on high alert, with preparations underway to protect residents and property.
Local residents and military personnel are actively moving belongings to higher ground as water levels continue to rise.
On the same day, the Bokeo Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued a warning as river levels approached critical thresholds. In Hat Kham village, Pha Udom district, the water level has reached 13.62 meters, surpassing the 13.00-meter warning level and nearing the 14.00-meter danger threshold.
Residents in low-lying, riverside, and creek areas across northern and central provinces are urged to remain vigilant. Authorities advise moving belongings and pets to higher, safer ground.
Adding to the concern, heavy rainfall from Typhoon Yagi is expected to worsen the situation, with potential overflow risks in Vientiane, Nong Khai, and Chiang Khan by 14 September.
The actress’ second campaign highlights how TUMI bags complement and elevate her busy lifestyle
HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 – Today, international travel and lifestyle brand TUMI debuts Voyageur Leather and TUMI 19 Degree Frame, stunning iterations of two of the brand’s most beloved collections. To celebrate these new Fall 2024 pieces, TUMI tapped global ambassador, South Korean actress Mun Ka Young, to star in an immersive campaign that transports viewers onto the streets of Seoul for a day in her life with TUMI by her side.
TUMI’s luxurious, fashion-forward spin on its iconic Voyageur collection is made with high-quality leather. Each piece is crafted with functionality and style in mind – including the new TUMI “T” logo hardware – balancing the brand’s signature elevation and innovation with timeless, minimalist allure. The Voyageur Leather collection features backpacks, totes, shoulder bags and crossbodies, including the brand-new Lex Train Case Crossbody, which comes in three versatile sizes. The collection comes in classic Black with Gold or Gunmetal hardware, and Pewter Metallic with Gunmetal hardware, a festive offering for the holiday season, with prices ranging from US$250-$750.
TUMI is also expanding its travel offerings this Fall with the introduction of TUMI 19 Degree Frame, an innovative take on the brand’s hallmark 19 Degree collection. TUMI 19 Degree Frame was designed to meet the modern traveler’s needs with integrated frame latches, retractable handles, and TUMI’s signature smooth, quiet transport wheels. The exterior features the 19 Degree’s iconic fluid contours while the interior features tie-down straps and mesh zip pockets for ultimate organization. Available in Black Texture and Pearl Grey Texture and four sizes, this collection caters to diverse travel needs with unparalleled functionality and a timeless aesthetic. Prices range from US$895-1,195.
“This season represents our continued push forward for TUMI, as we’re expanding further into women’s lifestyle and evolving our travel experiences to create a more flawless, timeless and innovative product assortment,” said Victor Sanz, Global Creative Director at TUMI. “As one of our treasured global brand ambassadors, Mun Ka Young perfectly embodies the stylish and on-the-go TUMI woman.”
To add richness and authenticity to the campaign, TUMI tapped South Korean director Taejong Song and photographer Kim Hee June to immerse viewers in Mun’s daily commute, all while capturing the vibrant energy and urban architecture of Seoul. With shots that subtly spotlight key product features, the film offers viewers a look at how TUMI products bring style, organization and excitement to everyday life.
“I was personally so excited for this campaign to be shot in Seoul, the place I call home,“ said actress, Mun Ka Young. “TUMI is the perfect complement to my on-the-go lifestyle, keeping all my belongings organized while always looking sleek and stylish.”
The Voyageur Leather and 19 Degree Frame collections are available at TUMI.com and TUMI stores worldwide. Stay tuned for exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the campaign on @TUMITravel social channels.
Hashtag: #TUMI
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About TUMI
Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business, travel, and performance luxury essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we’re committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. For more about TUMI, visit TUMI.com and follow on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Agentic Orchestration Platform transforms the way businesses work with purpose-specific AI Agents that take action and orchestrate processes
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 – Workato®, the leading AI-driven enterprise orchestration platform, today announced Workato Agentic, the company’s low-code, no-code agentic orchestration platform with two key components: Workato Genie, a framework to rapidly build and manage purpose-specific AI Agents, called Genies, that retrieve relevant information from knowledge bases, take action on applications and data, and orchestrate processes dynamically, and Genie Apps, pre-built agentic apps on Workato Genie to address various lines of business or vertical industry needs. Today, Workato is also launching ITGenie, an IT Helpdesk application reimagined with Agentic AI, and SalesGenie, a Sales Assistant to improve sales productivity. Workato Agentic is powered by Workato’s leading orchestration platform where customers can connect to over 8,500 applications, databases, ERPs, and more with security and governance.
The need for enterprises to be agile and responsive has never been greater, especially with AI rising to prominence in the past 3 years. Now, IT and business leaders are doubling down on this idea of the agentic economy, one that’s agent-driven with AI agents at the forefront. According to the Capgemini Research Institute, 82% of organizations plan to integrate AI agents within one to three years. However, the current point-to-point agentic solutions on the market are limiting and can’t scale to address enterprise-wide needs. They can’t collaborate with other AI Agents to execute processes end-to-end, can’t integrate with all enterprise applications and data sources, and provide a fragmented user experience across various lines of business. With Workato Genie, customers get a singular platform to build and manage purpose-specific AI agents that retrieve information, take action, orchestrate processes, and collaborate with AI agents and humans to execute complex processes end-to-end – dynamically.
So how does Workato Genie work? Customers interact with a pre or custom-built Genie through conversational interfaces such as Slack and Microsoft Teams or trigger the Genie through events in applications such as Salesforce, Workday, and Jira. Workato Genie understands the intent, enriches with context from knowledge bases and other applications in real-time, and reasons to create an execution plan using Generative AI. Workato Genie then starts executing the plan, which could be as simple as taking an action on an application or as complex as orchestrating an entire process from start to finish. During the execution of the plan, Workato Genie involves other Genies or humans as needed, ensuring humans are an integral part of every step it takes.
Built on a proven foundation of security and governance, Genies:
Are Domain Experts: Deep domain expertise that it learns from knowledge bases, applications, and other data sources
Learn Continuously: Learn continuously from user interactions and outcomes. These learnings are applied only to the customer’s instance and not broadly to everyone
Enriches Context in Real-Time: Understands user’s intent, their role, and enriches that with context in real-time from knowledge bases and applications
Reason: Understands intent and breaks it down into tasks and an execution plan
Act Securely: Authenticates users at runtime from conversational interfaces (patented technology) and takes action on systems with human approvals as needed
Act Responsibly: AI takes action and orchestrates processes based on the skills it is provided, ensuring AI never goes rogue and does only what it is supposed to. Customers can add, change, or delete skills anytime
Collaborate: Collaborates with other Genies running on the platform to dynamically execute a process end-to-end
“AI agents have been on our radar for a while due to their potential to transform the way we work. However, many of these only offered point solutions, addressing specific problems rather than providing a comprehensive platform,” said Pranav Shahi, VP, Head of Business Technology at ServiceTitan. “With Workato Genie, we now have a platform that builds AI agents capable of not just knowledge deflection, but also action and process orchestration. This allows us to meet the needs of multiple business lines, starting with ITGenie for IT Helpdesk. It is truly transformational.”
What are Genie Apps? Genie Apps are pre-built agentic applications on Workato Genie. They come pre-integrated with over 1,000 applications and data sources, can be completely customized by the customer to their specific business processes, and collaborate with other Genie Apps and custom Genies built by the customer to execute complex processes dynamically. Starting today, the following Genie Apps are available:
ITGenie: An agentic IT Helpdesk application that addresses IT helpdesk needs such as ticket deflection and application provisioning/deprovisioning, thereby reducing mean time to response and improving employee experience
SalesGenie: An agentic sales assistant to improve sales productivity from lead to close, and is completely customizable to the sales processes and sales methodology of the company
“In this era of AI, agentic solutions have only scratched the surface of what’s possible with AI agents. With Workato Agentic, businesses can now rapidly build and manage AI Agents with low-code/no-code to supercharge productivity and drive operational efficiency throughout their organization,” said Bhaskar Roy, Chief of AI Products & Solutions at Workato. “The platform approach to build AI Agents coupled with pre-built agentic applications enables businesses to realize ROI immediately.”
Named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for iPaaS, Workato enables enterprises to transform their business operations by orchestrating business processes end-to-end and operationalizing AI across the entire organization. Designed with best-in-class security and governance, scalability, performance, and availability, Workato’s low-code, no-code platform makes it easy for IT and business teams to orchestrate their applications, data, and experiences.
Starting today, Workato has released the Exclusive Edition of Workato Genie, which will be available to 100 existing customers. General availability will launch at the beginning of 2025.
To read more about Workato Genie and the future of Enterprise Orchestration, click here. Hashtag: #workato
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Workato
The leader in AI-driven enterprise orchestration, Workato helps organizations drive business efficiency at scale without compromising security and governance. Built for Business and IT users, Workato is trusted by over 2,000 top brands, including Broadcom, Zendesk, and Atlassian. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Workato is backed by Altimeter Capital, Battery Ventures, Insight Venture Partners, Storm Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Redpoint Ventures. For more information, visit workato.com or connect with us on social media:
Digital Innovations for Female Entrepreneurs in ASEAN Meeting (DIFEM) on 11-12 September .
The United States (US) Department of State hosted the Digital Innovations for Female Entrepreneurs in ASEAN Meeting (DIFEM) on 11-12 September in Vientiane. This two-day event aimed to tackle the financial hurdles faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to promote ASEAN’s Digital Trade Standards Roadmap.
Aligned with Laos’s ASEAN chairmanship priorities, DIFEM was a key component of the US-ASEAN Connect Digital Economy Series, highlighting a strong commitment to advancing ASEAN’s digital economy.
The conference gathered 75 entrepreneurs from across ASEAN, focusing on enhancing their digital capabilities. Attendees, including technology companies, government officials, and fellow entrepreneurs, engaged in collaborative efforts to streamline business operations and forge new commercial partnerships.
A highlight of the event was the design sprint activities, where participants received personalized consultations from industry experts to address specific business challenges. Additionally, panel discussions led by prominent female leaders in fintech, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence provided insights into leveraging digital tools to optimize business practices and expand market reach.
US Ambassador to Laos, Heather Variava, underscored the crucial role of women in the digital economy.
“The digital economy in Southeast Asia needs more women working on AI, fintech, and innovating in business policy and leadership roles. Only then can this region maximize equitable and inclusive growth,” Variava stated.
Manothong Vongxay, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce, praised the impact of women-led enterprises.
“Women-led enterprises are setting the standard for networks of support and mentorship. We witnessed the strength of female founders sharing assets, skills, and experiences to increase market potential across many platforms,” Vongxay remarked.
The DIFEM conference not only highlighted the innovative spirit of ASEAN’s female entrepreneurs but also reinforced the region’s commitment to a digital future, driven by inclusivity and collaboration.
The collaboration will help to enhance cross-border payments for Shoplazza’s 500,000+ merchants, improve payment success rates, and support the growth of the e-commerce industry in the APAC region.
LONDON, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 – Global fintech Unlimit has today announced a strategic partnership with the global AI-commerce technology company, Shoplazza. The partnership is focused on enhancing cross-border payment services for e-commerce merchants in APAC. Shoplazza merchants will be able to leverage Unlimit’s extensive portfolio of payment methods and robust payment infrastructure to expand their customer bases worldwide, bolster customer satisfaction, and improve customer retention.
Unlimit’s global payment portfolio consists of 1,000+ directly integrated payment methods and local acquiring licenses operating across 5 continents. Integrating with Unlimit enables businesses all around the world to smoothly and efficiently expand across APAC, EMEA, LATAM, the UK, India, and Africa. This partnership will grant Shoplazza’s network of over 500,000 merchants access to one of the world’s largest proprietary payment infrastructures, empowering them to streamline settlements, significantly improve their payment offering, and guarantee a high level of security for their end-users.
China’s e-commerce market is currently the largest worldwide, and accounts for nearly 50% of global transactions. According to theState Council’s data, China’s cross-border e-commerce experienced a remarkable 15.6% significant surge in import-export volume in 2023. This was driven by a 19.6% rise in exports. The market’s growth has shown no sign of stopping. In the first quarter of 2024, the cross-border e-commerce trade in China had already shownan increase of 9.6%, of which 14% was an increase in exports.
“For the last 15 years, we have supported merchants from all over the world in accelerating their global expansion. We share Shoplazza’s commitment to empowering e-commerce companies with the right payment tools to streamline cross-border transactions,” said Unlimit’s Chief Customer Officer, Irene Skrynova. “We are certain that together, we can truly enhance cross-border operations for merchants of all sizes and leave our mark in the evolution of the APAC e-commerce industry.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Unlimit
Founded in 2009, Unlimit is a global fintech company that offers a large portfolio of financial services, including payment processing, banking as a service (BaaS), and an on&off-ramp fiat solution for crypto, DeFi, and GameFi. The company’s mission is to deliver solutions that eliminate financial borders, enabling businesses to operate both locally and internationally with ease across Europe, the UK, LATAM, APAC, India and Africa. Unlimit has 700 employees across 16 offices and five continents, including London, Singapore, São Paulo, Hong Kong, and Mexico. For further information, please visit:www.unlimit.com.
Shoplazza
Shoplazza, a cutting-edge global commerce platform, is dedicated to crafting a unified retail environment that bridges the gap between online and offline shopping experiences. Our leadership team, a blend of seasoned professionals from top-tier technology companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Alibaba, and Baidu, brings extensive expertise in retail, technology, and compliance. Supported by a consortium of esteemed global investors hailing from the US, Middle East, and Asia, including industry giants like Sequoia, StepStone, Softbank Vision Fund, and Chimera, Shoplazza stands at the forefront of commerce innovation. For further information, please visit: www.shoplazza.com
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) proudly recognises the remarkable achievements of Mr Pran Kittivorapat, a member of the Class of 2024, who has distinguished himself in the field of Artificial Intelligence: Systems and Technologies (AISTN) while making significant contributions to the university’s vibrant community.
Academic Excellence and Technological Innovation
Originally from Thailand, Pran Kittivorapat selected CUHK for its cutting-edge programmes and multicultural environment. His academic journey in Artificial Intelligence, particularly within the Intelligent Multimedia Processing concentration, has equipped him with a robust skill set in programming languages such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, HTML, React Native, and SQL. Pran’s passion for innovation was evident in project-based courses where he explored AI applications in areas like sentiment analysis and music genre classification.
CUHK’s AIST Programme: Ranked #3 Globally in Artificial Intelligence
Pran’s achievements are a testament to the excell ence of CUHK’s Artificial Intelligence: Systems & Technologies (AISTN) programme, which is ranked #3 globally and #1 in Hong Kong for Artificial Intelligence, according to the 2023 US News and World Report Best Global Universities by Subject. The AISTN programme at CUHK is designed to equip students with the skills to design and implement AI systems capable of analysing, reasoning, and inferring knowledge from massive datasets. The curriculum is grounded in rigorous foundations of mathematics, basic sciences, data structures, statistics, and algorithms, while also offering practical experience in large-scale computing systems, machine learning, natural language processing, and more. With four specialised streams to choose from—including Biomedical Intelligence and Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics—students are prepared to apply AI across diverse fields such as finance, medicine, robotics, and telecommunications, addressing both technological challenges and the ethical implications of AI innovations.
Beyond the Classroom: Leadership and Community Engagement
Pran’s influence extended well beyond academics. He played a pivotal role in organising events like the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) regional contest and the Annual Faculty Concert, engaging faculty and peers alike. His leadership was further recognised through the prestigious Kunkle and Pommerenke Grand Scholarship, awarded to the top four students in a graduating class of over 800.
Pran also made significant strides in community building, particularly within CUHK’s international and Thai student communities. He co-founded the Association of Thai Students in Hong Kong and Macau, launched initiatives to support incoming international students, and was instrumental in fostering a welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
Global Experiences and Future Aspirations
During his junior year, Pran expanded his horizons through an exchange programme at Korea University, where he explored advanced Machine Learning and Data Science technologies. His practical experience was further enriched by an internship at Preface, a Hong Kong-based EdTech company, where he developed key technical and business skills.
As Pran prepares for graduation, he reflects on the invaluable experiences and opportunities CUHK provided, empowering him to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing world. His future plans include mentoring the next generation of students and continuing his contributions to the global community.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a leading research university in Asia. Established in 1963, CUHK is committed to nurturing talent and expanding the frontiers of knowledge to foster a better world. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs through its nine constituent colleges and schools. CUHK has a strong emphasis on global engagement, with partnerships and exchange programs with top universities worldwide.
A more ergonomic and biometric cooling accessory tailored to safety helmet
60% of Hong Kong’s 600,000 construction workers have suffered symptoms of heat stroke.[1]
With 2024 predicted to be one of the hottest years on record, the first half of the year has already been unusually warm, with five of the six months experiencing higher temperatures than normal.[2]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 –This year’sJames Dyson Award Hong Kong winner directly addresses the severe issue of heat stress among construction workers with an innovative cooling accessory designed to enhance worker safety and productivity in these harsh conditions.
Air Ring 48 (AR48) is an advanced personal cooling device that integrates seamlessly with standard safety helmets, offering targeted relief to outdoor workers. Unlike existing solutions, AR48 strategically redirects airflow to areas with the highest sweat rates—such as the back of the neck, sides of the neck, and behind the ears. Based on the testing conducted by AR48 team, this targeted approach significantly reduces skin temperature by up to 3.20°C and core temperature by 0.67°C, demonstrating its ability to induce a cooling sensation to the whole body. Despite its powerful performance, AR48 boasts an impressive battery life, providing up to 16 hours of continuous cooling on a single charge.
As a wearable device, AR48 is designed for comfort and ease of use. Weighing just 150 grams, the AR48 is ultra-lightweight and comfortable, operating at a whisper-quiet 30dB. Its single-click helmet attachment ensures secure and easy use, minimizing distractions and discomfort for workers. Its robust construction is both waterproof and impact-resistant, fully compliant with industry safety standards, making it ideal for the demanding conditions of construction sites.
Beyond its technical prowess, AR48 stands out as an accessible solution to improve working condition for outdoor workers. The deliberate choice of parts not only optimize its cooling efficiency but also lowers the production cost which enables mass manufacturing, making this technology accessible across various industries. By improving working conditions and reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses, AR48 significantly enhances worker safety, offering a cost-effective solution to a widespread problem.
The Invention The engineers behind AR48—Yu To Mak, Ze Fu Jeff Li, and Jing Hymn Joseph Wong—are students from the University of Hong Kong. Recommended by their professors, they entered the James Dyson Award, an international competition that recognises innovative designs focused on solving real-world problems, driven by their strong motivation to create a positive impact on society.
AR48 is the product of a rigorous two-year design process, culminating in the 48th prototype. The team utilised a blend of digital tools and hands-on methods like folding cardboard and sculpting clay to perfect the device’s proportions, airflow, and tactile details. Their goal was clear: to create a prototype that not only functions well in demanding outdoor conditions but also delivers an exceptional user experience.
Before entering the James Dyson Award, AR48 had already garnered significant recognition, winning numerous awards, including the HKSTP IDEATION Programme and Tam Wing Fan Innovation Fund. AR48 was also selected for exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of the HKU iDendron Incubation Programme.
As the Hong Kong winner of the James Dyson Award, AR48 has won £5,000, which the team plans to invest in further development, including manufacturing trials and waterproofing tests. Their ultimate goal is to introduce this transformative technology to the global market, improving working conditions for construction workers in Hong Kong and beyond.
“Winning the James Dyson Award is exciting, but it’s just the start. We want to make more things to help outdoor workers stay safe and comfortable. These workers build our city, and this is our way of saying thanks.” Jing Hymn Joseph Wong says, “With the Air Ring 48, we’re not just cooling off workers – we’re making work safer in a whole new way. We’re changing how we think about safety gear, one cool head at a time!”
Steve Yeung, Hong Kong judge, comments:“AR48’s practical application in tackling heat and noise issues, with potential uses beyond construction, makes it a versatile solution that significantly improves working conditions and safeguards workers’ health in challenging environments.”
AR48 will now advance to the next stage of the James Dyson Award, with the international Top 20 shortlist to be announced on 16th October, selected by Dyson engineers, and the global winners on 13th November, chosen by James Dyson.
Problem: Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide, leading to physical injuries significant psychosocial challenges.
Solution: NeuroHarbor offers a groundbreaking solution: a wireless, AI-powered seizure detection and treatment system. This innovative technology merges wearable EEG sensors with machine learning and therapeutic intervention, enabling real-time seizure management and greatly improving the quality of life for those living with epilepsy.
At its core is a sophisticated CNN-BiLSTM deep learning model, trained on over 1,000 hours EEG datasets with over 95% sensitivity and specificity to detect seizures with high accuracy. This algorithm powers a wearable 10g EEG patch featuring four unobtrusive electrodes, easily hidden within everyday headwear like hats or wigs. The system doesn’t just detect seizures in real-time; it’s also poised to be integrated with vagus nerve stimulation technology, potentially disrupting seizures before they even fully manifest.
James Dyson Award
The James Dyson Award is an international design competition which inspires and celebrates the next generation of design engineers. The Award operates across 29 countries this year and has supported over 400 problem-solving inventions with over £1m in prize money. It is run by the James Dyson Foundation, Sir James Dyson’s engineering-education charity.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the James Dyson Award
The brief Design something that solves a problem. This problem may be a frustration that we all face in daily life, or a global issue. The important thing is that the solution is effective and demonstrates considered design thinking.
The process Entries are judged first at the national level by a panel of external judges and a Dyson engineer. Each operating market awards a national winner and two national runners-up. From these winners, a panel of Dyson engineers then select an international shortlist of the top 20 entries. The top 20 projects are then reviewed by Sir James Dyson, who selects his international winners.
The prize
International winners, chosen by Sir James Dyson, awarded up to £30,000.
International runners-up receive £5,000.
Each national winner receives £5,000.
Eligibility criteria Entrants must be, or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate engineering/design related course. This course must be at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award.
In the case of team entries, all members must be or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in an undergraduate or graduate programme at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award. At least one team member must have studied an eligible subject in engineering or design. Those participating in a degree level apprenticeship at Level 6 or Level 7, and those who have completed said apprenticeship in the past four years, are eligible to enter the award.
Further FAQs can be found on the James Dyson Award website.
A precise, affordable and scalable smart pH sensor for dressings, helping medical professionals to detect infection without the need to disrupt the tissue underneath the dressing by removing it.
A low-cost machine that turns plastic bottles into 3D printer filament, giving makers in developing nations easier access to cheap, high-quality 3D printing materials.
FHA-HoReCa will take place 22-25 October in Singapore with an expected turnout of over 45,000 attendees.
First time ever, Singapore plays host to the Global Chef Challenge Finals, the biggest competition for chefs worldwide!
This premier event will also welcome a series of new competitions alongside the new Future of Hospitality Seminar.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2024 –FHA-Food & Beverage, Asia’s top F&B trade show, brings back its initiative for the HoReCa market with FHA-HoReCa 2024, happening from 22-25 October 2024 at the Singapore EXPO.Asia’s premier foodservice and hospitality event will also, for the first time, host the highly anticipated Global Chef Challenge Finals in Singapore!
Over 45,000 trade attendees from 70 regions are expected to visit 800+ exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, including international pavilions from China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain and Taiwan Region.
Spanning across 50,000 square metres, FHA-HoReCa will see five core segments – Bakery, Pastry & Gelato, Foodservice & Hospitality Equipment, Hospitality Style, Hospitality Technology, and Speciality Coffee & Tea – plus four days of competitions, seminars, and workshops led by industry experts.
This year’s event will feature a 30% increase in new exhibitors across all five segments. Companies to keep an eye out for include:
A leader in the foodtech industry, Codemax will be exhibiting at FHA-HoReCa for the first time, showcasing automation and data exchange to enhance productivity and traceability.
Tsuboichi Tea Manufacturing, a long-established company since 1850, will be bringing Japanese-crafted Kombucha to Singapore for the first time.
Molton Brown, a luxury British brand with a Royal Warrant from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is showcasing its newest haircare collection encased in 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum.
Creating world-class dairy products for foodservice businesses, Anchor Food Professional will also launch its newest product, Infiniti Cream, at the trade event.
Lynns Limited, a leading ceramics manufacturer, will exclusively bring BoneChina tableware made with 45% bone ash to Singapore,
“Normann Srl, a family-owned company from La Croce, Italy, will unveil an innovative modular blast chilling system, capable of transforming cold rooms into blast chillers or creating adaptable, large-scale chilling solutions for any space and more.
Spotlighting Future of Hospitality and FoodService
Sustainable tourism in the Asia-Pacific region is increasingly gaining momentum as both a necessity and an opportunity within the hotel sector. Previously limited to superficial measures like opt-in linen changes and glass water bottles, properties are now moving towards integrating more rooted, innovative measures in their infrastructure.
This is most evident in Singapore, where over 40% of hotels are steadfastly test-bedding new technologies and innovations while pursuing Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. To support these efforts, FHA-HoReCa debuts the Future of Hospitality Seminar, gathering hospitality industry leaders to discuss key themes shaping the sector.
Focused on fostering innovation and sustainability, this seminar will feature speakers from Hotel Associations of various countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand), Singapore Institute of Technology, Global Sustainable Tourism Council®, and SPORE Gardens, cover three themes: Envisioning the Future of Hospitality, Sustainability and Hotel Design, and Technology & Innovation.
Other New Happenings at FHA-HoReCa
FHA-HoReCa 2024 introduces the inaugural FSTEC Asia, integrating it into the bi-annual lineup, to pave the way for discussions and innovations at the intersection of hospitality and technology. This event will offer two days of global expert talks and sponsorship opportunities addressing the growing tech needs of APAC restaurant companies featuring some of the industry biggest names including CEC Entertainement, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Five Guys Enterprises, Informa Connect Food Service, Pepper Lunch, Restaurant Business, Technomic, Unlisted Collection, and more.
In addition to being a premier trade platform, FHA-HoReCa is also poised to be 2024’s pinnacle culinary showcase with a series of new high-stakes competitions.
Debuting in 2024, the FHA Bakery Challenge will spotlight budding bakers with a “Grand Breakfast” theme to redefine breakfast, while the FHA Dessert Challenge, co-organised with the prestigious Singapore Pastry Alliance, aims to elevate the artistry of 30 top pastry chefs.
Catering to the Southeast Asian region’s coffee craze, this year’s FHA-HoReCa also debuts FHA Barista Challenge featuring four competitions – Barista Speed Challenge, Cafe Menu Challenge, Coffee Brewing Challenge, and Coffee Mixology Challenge – all designed to test baristas’ versatility and creativity.
Alongside these new competitions, the Asian Gelato Cup and Asian Pastry Cup, where leading chefs from across the continent compete to qualify for the Gelato World Cup in Italy and the World Pastry Cup in Lyon.
Esteemed judges assessing these remarkable creations include: French World Pastry Champion (2009 & 2017) Marc Rivière, WACS-approved Pastry International Judge Kenny Kong, and Italian Master Gelato Chef Sergio Colalucci.
Singapore’s First Global Chef Challenge
For the ultimate showdown, FHA-HoReCa partners with Worldchefs and Singapore Chefs Association to host Singapore’s first Global Chefs Challenge Finals in 34 years featuring 4 categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Young Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, and the inaugural Global Vegan Challenge.
The competition will feature a stellar lineup of 72 chefs from 25 countries, including:
Singaporean rising star Joe Chong Ming Jie, junior sous chef of one-MICHELIN-starred Speilsalen;
Romanian Dobre Andrei Flavian, Best Male Pastry Chef of 2023;
Dinars Zvidrins, Latvian Chef of the Year in 2021;
Chilean Miguel Angel Gonzalez, reigning Campeón América Global Pastry Chef 2023 and executive chef at Brussels Chocolates;
Ale Mordasini, Swiss head chef of MICHELIN-starred restaurants such as Krone and Steinhalle;
Indonesian Raymon Permana , the first runner-up of the Global Vegan Chef Challenge Asia 2023, and more.
Register Now Registration for on-site seminars is highly encouraged through a 2- step process: please 1) register for FHA-HoReCa here, then 2) register for respective seminars from your profile page.
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About FHA-HoReCa
FHA-HoReCa brings together the most extensive line-up of the world’s leading foodservice and hospitality suppliers through 5 specialised sectors – Bakery, Pastry & Gelato; Foodservice & Hospitality Equipment; Hospitality Style; Hospitality Technology, and Speciality Coffee & Tea. Majority of exhibitors participating in FHA-HoReCa are renowned manufacturers and brands hailing from over 30 countries and regions.
Informa Markets’ Hospitality, Food & Beverage portfolio includes a series of global in-person, virtual, and hybrid trade events aimed at fostering business relationships, enabling learning, and enhancing trade opportunities for the industry.
With several established events within the portfolio such as Hotelex Shanghai, Food&HotelAsia, HOFEX, Fispal Food Service, and Abastur, the portfolio together offers an unparalleled audience reach across the world. Staging 28 live and digital events in major cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Bangkok, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City.
Working alongside established industry partners, government bodies, and recognised professionals, the portfolio aims at bringing companies, individuals, and the industry to the forefront of global business innovation by offering solutions and opportunities that meet today’s business needs.
About Informa Markets
FHA-HoReCa is organised by Informa Markets, a division of Informa plc. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services, and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology, and Infrastructure. As the world’s leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days a year.