Updated platform gives GTM teams and AI agents a unified, connected picture of markets, accounts, and buyers to compete, win, and grow with precision

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HG Insights today launched the Contextual Intelligence Platform, closing the context gap that leaves autonomous AI agents confidently acting on fragmented, isolated data. By giving GTM teams and agents one unified, connected picture of markets, accounts, and buyers, grounded in decision-ready intelligence, it lets them compete, win, and grow pipeline and revenue faster. The launch also marks a new chapter for HG Insights' brand with its integrated platform debuting alongside a refreshed identity that reflects where the company and the market are headed.

"Every GTM team is adding the same agents, the same tools, the same playbooks. When the infrastructure is equal, whoever knows the account best wins," said Rohini Kasturi, CEO of HG Insights. "Most vendors still sell disconnected data and call it intelligence. We've built the intelligence layer for autonomous, agentic GTM. Our platform connects the data, gives it context, and derives decision-ready signals that power teams and AI agents to execute with precision."

AI agents are now table stakes in enterprise GTM. The differentiator is the completeness, depth, and context of the intelligence behind them.

Most AI agents working in GTM draw on isolated, fragmented internal and commodity datasets that lack the entity resolution and context required for accurate interpretation. The same company is able to show up as multiple accounts, and a subsidiary's spend would therefore be missed or double-counted under the wrong parent. An intent signal from an account that already owns the product could be flagged as new business instead of an expansion, and one from a competitive account can be chased as winnable. Marketing and sales are able to rely on job titles rather than evidence of who owns the product. Without that context, an agent returns a fast, confident answer that is fundamentally wrong. As more GTM work gets automated, those errors scale.

HG's Contextual Intelligence solves this problem by connecting technology installations and usage, spending, buyer intent, buying centers, and contacts to an account and its corporate hierarchy. It tracks changes over time and computes new signals that no individual data source can provide. This gives teams and AI agents the context, combined with a customer's first-party data, to distinguish opportunities, prioritize accounts and leads, and guide GTM execution with precision.

"Account data still lives across a dozen separate systems inside most organizations, and that fragmentation matters even more as agentic autonomy increases and agents become embedded within GTM workflows. Accurate account and contact resolution, combined with comprehensive buyer context, determines whether an agent can reason effectively and take actions that drive pipeline growth. Contextual intelligence will drive GTM outcomes and deliver compounding value as the agents and applications on top of it evolve," said Michael Levy, analyst at GZ Consulting.

What's new in the Contextual Intelligence platform:

- Fabric, the data and intelligence foundation of the platform, has expanded its company, technology, and spend coverage and now includes funding and M&A intelligence, automatic hierarchy updates, and contacts matched to the buying centers that own a given technology. A new Momentum signal has been added that shows whether a vendor, a portfolio, or a product is gaining or losing ground. Each of these additions helps GTM teams and agents make more precise GTM decisions. A declining footprint, spend, and intent can flag a competitive displacement opportunity, while growth across all three shows a competitor gaining ground. Fabric can be licensed on its own and delivered by API or Direct Feed into a customer's data warehouse, CRM, applications, or models.

- HG Copilots, including Market Analyzer, Data Studio, and Sales Copilot, help GTM teams assess markets, optimize coverage, target accounts, build audiences, and engage buyers. Sales Copilot now tailors its guidance around each customer's own products, buyers, and sales motions. A rep opens a ranked account list with research, engagement history and intent signals, suggested sales play, product pitch, and buyer committee contacts, all with clear reasoning. That same transparency now extends to predictive AI scoring across HG Copilots. Unlike black-box scoring, Fit, Need, and Intent models update dynamically to sharpen lead and account prioritization while staying deterministic, explainable, and adjustable.

- HG Agents automate time-consuming GTM tasks such as expansion sizing, territory coverage, account research, signal monitoring, brief and outreach drafting, and enrichment that used to take hours of manual data gathering, mapping, and analysis. HG Agents are reachable from Slack, Microsoft Teams, the HG interface, or embedded directly into a customer's own application using standard Model Context Protocol (MCP). A new HGSuperagent interprets user requests, selects the right specialist agents, and assembles the result with every claim cite-sourced, so a user never has to know which agent to call. An account research brief can return over 30 data points within 90 seconds. A team that once had time for only its priority accounts can now cover an entire territory.

- HG MCP Server gives customers' AI agents and applications direct access to HG's contextual intelligence without requiring them to first build a separate data infrastructure. Through one secure, governed connection, they can query market, account, and buyer intelligence alongside TrustRadius product reviews, SEC filings, federal contract data, and other live web research. They can also draw on a growing library of curated workflows, trigger and monitor HG Agents, and query the Fabric for custom analysis, market sizing, ICP segmentation, ABM, and campaign design. Every result traces back to its source data, so users and agents can verify what's behind their GTM decisions.

- Customer Voice, powered by TrustRadius, further extends the platform. As previously announced, it feeds the Fabric with downstream buyer-intent signals from a community of over 12M technology buyers actively researching products. It also accelerates the collection of customer-verified, in-depth reviews and ratings for social proof, SEO, and AI citeability, plus GEO monitoring to track how vendors show up across AI search.

Expanding the AI Ecosystem

HG Insights extends Contextual Intelligence across the enterprise AI ecosystem, so customers do not have to move their data, rebuild workflows, or standardize on one AI platform to use it. Fabric, HG Copilots, and HG MCP Server are available through AWS Marketplace, which simplifies procurement and lets eligible customers apply existing cloud commitments toward HG Insights. HG MCP Server brings the same intelligence into Amazon Quick, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Microsoft.

Enterprises run multiple models, agents, and AI platforms, and the interface varies by team. The GTM intelligence behind those experiences does not have to vary. HG separates the intelligence layer from the interface, so an analyst in Microsoft, a GTM engineering team building with OpenAI, and a rep in an HG Copilot all work from the same picture of markets, accounts, and buyers.

Pricing and Availability

The Contextual Intelligence Platform, including Fabric, HG Copilots, HG Agents, and the HG MCP Server, is available starting October 6, 2026. The platform is priced on a consumption-based model built around Intelligence Credits, giving customers flexibility, scalability, and control as they adopt Contextual Intelligence wherever they are in their agentic GTM journey. HG Copilot modules start at $22,000, with additional packages sized for enterprise needs. For full pricing details, contact HG Insights or visit hginsights.com.

About HG Insights

HG Insights delivers Contextual Intelligence for Agentic GTM Revenue, giving teams and AI agents a complete, connected, trusted view of markets, accounts, and buyers. The platform unifies technology, spend, intent, account hierarchies, buying centers, competitors, contacts, and change over time into decision-ready, agent-activated intelligence. It helps companies prioritize, engage, win, and expand the right accounts to accelerate pipeline and revenue at scale. HG Insights grounds the GTM decisions that drive over $1.5 trillion in revenue across Fortune 500 Technology companies.

SOURCE HG Insights

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Leading Investment Bank Advises Century-Old Family Business on Strategic Partnership with Global Specialty Distributor

JUPITER, Fla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boxwood Partners, a boutique investment bank specializing in founder-led and private equity-backed businesses, today announced its role as the exclusive financial advisor to H.M. Royal, Inc. ("H.M. Royal" or the "Company"), a leading specialty distributor of rubber, plastics, adhesives, sealants and coatings additives, on its sale to Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions").

Founded in 1925, H.M. Royal has built a reputation for technical expertise, long-standing supplier relationships and responsive customer service across the rubber, plastics and specialty chemicals markets. The family-owned business operates 10 strategically located warehouses across the United States and serves customers across transportation, electronics, medical, construction, agriculture, mining and industrial markets.

The transaction brings together two established organizations with complementary capabilities and geographic reach. As part of Univar Solutions' Performance Materials business within its Ingredients + Specialties division, H.M. Royal will benefit from Univar Solutions' broader scale, logistics network and digital capabilities while continuing to provide customers with the technical expertise and market knowledge that have defined the Company for more than a century.

"H.M. Royal is a leading distributor of coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers additives to the rubber and plastics markets," said Madison Day, Director at Boxwood Partners. "Their technical depth and supplier relationships can't be replicated organically, which is exactly why this made sense as a strategic expansion of Univar Solutions' Performance Materials business, deepening its rubber and plastics platform and strengthening coverage on both coasts."

For H.M. Royal, the transaction represents an important milestone for the third-generation family-owned business and creates new opportunities for its employees, customers and supplier partners.

"Boxwood understood our business and ran a process that let us stay focused on customers and suppliers," said Joseph Royal, President of H.M. Royal. "Getting a transaction of this size across the finish line while running the day-to-day is hard and their expertise made it possible."

The transaction also underscores Boxwood's experience advising founder- and family-owned businesses in the specialty distribution and industrial services sectors, helping owners identify strategic partners capable of building on their companies' legacies while creating opportunities for continued growth.

"A century in business and three generations of family ownership is rare," said Day. "It was a privilege to advise the Royal family and help them find the right partner."

The Boxwood Partners deal team included Brian Alas (Managing Director), Madison Day (Director), John Atkinson (Vice President), Manny Dwyer (Associate), and Jerry Annunziata (Analyst).

Boxwood Partners acted as the exclusive financial advisor to H.M. Royal in connection with the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

To learn more about Boxwood Partners, please visit www.boxwoodpartners.com.

About Boxwood Partners

Boxwood Partners, LLC is a boutique investment bank based in Jupiter, Florida with offices in Richmond, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. Boxwood Partners combines a unique blend of senior-level transaction advisory, business operating experience, and proven process execution skills to give its clients a distinct advantage in the market. The firm's extensive relationships within the global capital and buyer communities (including U.S. and international private equity groups, corporations, and lenders) and other important transaction-related service providers such as consultants, attorneys, and accountants, ensure that the firm's clients receive the attention, service, and results they deserve. For more information about Boxwood Partners, please visit www.boxwoodpartners.com.

About Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With one of the industry's largest private transportation fleets and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.

About H.M. Royal, Inc.

H.M. Royal is a long-established distributor of specialty raw materials and chemicals, backed by decades of supplier relationships and 101 years of industry experience. The company offers over 1,000 chemical grades and supports customers with reliable supply, repackaging, and inventory management capabilities tailored to their needs. With 10 strategically located warehouses across the United States, H.M. Royal is positioned to provide timely delivery in quantities ranging from small bags to full truckloads. Its product portfolio serves a wide range of industries, including transportation, electronics, medical, construction, agriculture, mining, and industrial markets. As a family-owned business with third-generation leadership, H.M. Royal emphasizes personal service, dependable support, and cost-effective solutions for North American customers.

SOURCE Boxwood Partners LLC

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Below is a statement by Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The United States Conference of Mayors, in response to President Trump's statement suggesting Iran "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego:

"The nation's mayors — Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike — disagree with presidents all the time. That is how our democracy works. But last night, President Trump crossed a line that no president should ever approach.

"Speaking about Iran at a campaign rally, the President said, 'Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.' These cities are not abstractions on a map. They are home to millions of Americans. San Diego is also home to tens of thousands of servicemembers and their families, the very people this country relies on to defend us.

"No American President should ever describe an attack on an American city by a hostile foreign power as acceptable. Not at a rally, not as a joke, not under any circumstances.

"Mayors are responsible every day for keeping their residents safe. They expect our country's Commander in Chief to share that responsibility, not dismiss it. The safety of American cities is not negotiable, and it is not partisan. The nation's mayors call on every elected official, regardless of party, to denounce these remarks and to reaffirm their sworn obligation to protect every American community and the people who live there."

About the United States Conference of Mayors – The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Follow our work on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Substack, and TikTok.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors

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Publishers can now earn commission on Patricia Green®, Paul Mayer® and ByPaige®, handcrafted shoes made in Spain and Brazil that are praised for luxury quality without the designer markup

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Simply Soles®, the fashion house behind three heritage luxury footwear brands, today opened affiliate partnerships to editorial and media publishers on the Impact partnership network. Qualified publishers can now earn commission on Patricia Green®, Paul Mayer® and ByPaige® shoes. Every pair is handmade by artisans in Spain or Brazil, and each brand has been crafting designer footwear for more than 20 years.

The program is aimed at the publishers whose coverage readers trust most: fashion editors, gift guide writers, shopping and commerce teams, and style newsletters. They now have a direct, trackable way to feature shoes that hold up to scrutiny on premium materials, construction and comfort.

"Our customers tell us again and again that they can't find this level of craftsmanship anywhere near our price point," said David Przygoda, CEO of Simply Soles. "These shoes are made by hand, by artisans who have spent their careers making shoes in the same traditions behind the world's most expensive labels. Editors who've worn them already recommend them. Now we can partner with them properly."

Premium Craftsmanship, without the logo tax

- Handmade in Spain and Brazil: Each pair is made by skilled artisans in workshops with generations of shoemaking heritage.

- Premium materials: Full-grain leathers, fine suedes, leather linings, and premium cushioned footbeds

- More than 20 years of heritage: All three brands have built loyal followings over two decades.

- Exceptional value: Priced from $200 to $400, a fraction of what comparable designer pieces cost, each pair matches designer footwear in craftsmanship and materials and surpasses them in comfort

THE BRANDS

- Patricia Green® is refined, artisan-crafted footwear best known for its signature driving moccasins and timeless loafers. → Apply on Impact

- Paul Mayer Attitudes® offers polished, wear-everywhere luxury, with ballet flats and heels built for all-day comfort. → Apply on Impact

- ByPaige® is the original needlepoint loafer. Its whimsical, hand-drawn designs by are hand-crafted by master artisans in Spain. Limited-edition pieces made to be collected, gifted and cherished. → Apply on Impact

Program highlights for publishers

- Competitive commission of 12% on net sales, with a 14-day cookie window

- Tracking, reporting and payouts handled through Impact

- Samples available to qualified editorial partners for hands-on reviews

- Curated, invite-to-apply partnerships that favor editorial and content publishers over coupon sites, which protects both brand value and partner earnings

About Simply Soles®

Simply Soles® is a luxury footwear fashion house and the home of Patricia Green®, Paul Mayer® and ByPaige®. Its shoes are handmade in Spain and Brazil, and the house is dedicated to artisan craftsmanship, enduring style and exceptional value. Visit simplysoles.com.

Publisher and media contact: Paris Osborn • [email protected]

SOURCE SimplySoles

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Dr. Stefan Grant brings three decades of clinical trial leadership and lung cancer expertise to Karmanos

DETROIT, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomes Stefan C. Grant, MBBCh, M.D., JD, MBA, FACP, medical oncologist, to serve as the associate center director and medical director of the Karmanos Cancer Network, vice chair of clinical operations, co-leader of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), and member of the Phase I Clinical Trials MDT. He brings decades of experience in the operations of comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where he also held leadership roles and played an integral part in ensuring renewal of this distinction. Dr. Grant began his role at Karmanos in September.

"It is due to Karmanos' commitment to advancing cancer research, expanding access and opportunity to clinical trials throughout the Network, and delivering the highest-quality, patient-centered care, that I have decided to dedicate the next chapter of my career at this institution," said Dr. Grant. "I am looking to continue my research in Detroit, expanding clinical trial access and helping my new patients find successful treatment options, whether that's standard of care or a new approach to treating their disease."

The associate center director of the Karmanos Cancer Network is a new position at the Institute, where Dr. Grant also serves as the medical director of the Network. He works closely with the associate center director for Clinical Science, Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D., and McLaren Health Care to oversee oncology operations and the oncology service line at Karmanos' 13 additional locations in Michigan outside of metro Detroit. He is responsible for working with oncology teams to increase access to clinical trials for patients in those areas, bringing treatment options closer to where they live, work and play daily. Also, as the associate center director, Dr. Grant will serve on multiple committees at Karmanos, assist with recruiting key faculty, and work collaboratively with the associate center directors for Basic Sciences, Population Sciences, Translational Research, Community Outreach and Engagement, Education, and Research Administration to ensure strategic goals and research priorities are met.

As the new medical director of the Karmanos Cancer Network, Dr. Grant further provides leadership and oversight of medical oncology services throughout McLaren, supports clinical program development, quality, compliance, and medical informatics initiatives. He serves alongside Brian Gamble, president of the Cancer Network, Doris Ranski-Zazula, RN, MSA, vice president of the Cancer Network, and multiple clinical leaders throughout McLaren to ensure consistent, high-quality oncology care.

"Creating the position of associate center director and medical director will help ensure that our Network locations have these additional high-quality, compliant and high-impact clinical trials available to their patients, without the need to travel to Detroit in order to participate," explained Boris Pasche, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, president and CEO of Karmanos. "Dr. Grant is well known and respected for his advancements and work in oncology, including his leadership at other comprehensive cancer centers designated by NCI. He understands the standard that we have upheld and will be integral in overseeing that we continue to supersede what high-quality, research-driven cancer care means."

Dr. Grant co-leads Karmanos' Thoracic Oncology MDT with David Sternberg, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. As a thoracic medical oncologist, Dr. Grant specializes in treating lung cancer, including non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, pleural mesotheliomas, pulmonary carcinoids (lung carcinoids), and related thoracic malignancies. His research interests focus on immunologic approaches to treating lung cancer, targeted therapies and pragmatic clinical trials.

"When patients come to Karmanos, they know they are entrusting their care in the hands of oncologists who not only treat but also work to find solutions to issues with the standard of care and assist in studying new therapies. Dr. Grant is an oncologist who has already dedicated much of his career to working on those therapies," said George Yoo, M.D., FACS, chief medical officer at Karmanos Cancer Hospital. "He has a remarkable depth of experience in thoracic oncology and clinical trial studies. We're looking forward to the accomplishments he will contribute to at Karmanos."

In addition to his research, Dr. Grant has been heavily involved in many facets of cancer and medical governance. This includes being a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology panel for non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, and thymoma and thymic carcinomas; member of the Association for American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and the Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) organizing committee, and the SIP committee; and currently serving as an editorial reviewer for JAMA and JAMA Network Open.

Dr. Grant comes to Karmanos directly after serving as co-director of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) in New Orleans. He also served as director of Tulane Cancer Center and division chief of Hematology Oncology for the Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was a tenured professor and held the Edward G. Schlieder Chair in Medical Oncology. Before that, Dr. Grant was a professor at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he served as the associate director for Clinical and Translational Research and Intellectual Property Development and associate director for Clinical Research Operations and Intellectual Property Strategy at Wake Forest's NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additional past appointments were held at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham Hospital, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and the NCI-designated Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

Having trained at well-known medical centers in the U.S., Dr. Grant completed a residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the NCI-designated Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. In addition, he has worked at hospitals in Pretoria, South Africa, and London, England, and has completed internships in the departments of Surgery and Medicine at Johannesburg Hospital in South Africa. He received his medical degree at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in New York City, and a Master of Business Administration at the Collat School of Business at UAB.

Dr. Grant's professional memberships include the American Association of Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

Dr. Grant sees patients at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit and Karmanos Cancer Institute at the Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills. View Dr. Grant's physician profile here. To make an appointment, visit karmanos.org or call 1-800-KARMANOS.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With multiple network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute

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The article explains how services, communication, maintenance, reporting, fees, and property needs can help owners compare rental management companies.

LAKE OZARK, Mo., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- How do you choose a vacation rental manager?

That question is answered in a HelloNation article, which explains what property owners should consider when comparing rental management companies. The article features insights from Property Management Expert Peggy Albers of Four Seasons Property Management in Lake Ozark, MO.

The HelloNation article explains that choosing a vacation rental manager involves more than comparing the percentage listed in a proposal. Owners are trusting someone to help oversee a valuable property and important parts of the guest experience. Understanding the services behind management fees can provide a clearer basis for comparison.

Vacation rental management services can differ considerably between companies. Two managers may advertise similar pricing while including different responsibilities. Owners should determine which services are included and which may result in separate charges before making a decision.

Communication is another important consideration. Owners should understand how they will receive updates, who will serve as their regular contact, and what happens when urgent concerns develop. Guest communication should also be reviewed because questions may arise before arrival, during a stay, or after departure.

The article notes that reporting practices can vary among vacation rental management companies. Owners may receive information about reservations, income, expenses, maintenance, and other property activity. Asking about the format and frequency of these reports can clarify what information will be available.

Maintenance coordination deserves particular attention because rental properties experience regular use. Plumbing problems, appliance issues, heating and cooling concerns, and ordinary wear may require attention between guests. Owners should understand how problems are identified and how maintenance coordination works when repairs become necessary.

Approval procedures for repairs should also be clear. A vacation rental manager may have established procedures for routine issues while contacting owners about larger expenses. Understanding these practices beforehand can reduce uncertainty when a property requires prompt attention.

Cleaning and turnover responsibilities are another part of the service comparison. Preparing a property between guests can involve cleaning, inspections, supplies, and reporting damage. Owners should determine which responsibilities are included and whether additional management fees apply to certain services.

Local experience can be especially useful at Lake of the Ozarks because vacation properties range from condominiums to larger waterfront homes. Seasonal traffic, docks, community requirements, and neighborhood differences can create different operating considerations throughout the area.

Property type should therefore factor into the selection process. A condominium with association requirements may need a different approach than a detached lakefront house with a dock. Owners can ask whether a manager regularly works with their particular property type and understands its practical needs.

The article also recommends asking how property rules are communicated to visitors. Parking restrictions, occupancy limits, pet policies, dock requirements, and community rules can all affect a stay. Clear guest communication can help establish expectations before visitors arrive.

Technology and contract terms deserve attention as well. Owners should understand how systems support reservations, reporting, pricing, and communication rather than focusing only on specific technology. Contracts should clearly identify included services, additional charges, responsibilities, and procedures for ending the agreement.

The article concludes that local experience, service structure, communication, and management practices can provide more useful comparisons than price alone. Evaluating these details can help owners determine which company best matches their property and desired level of involvement.

How to Choose a Vacation Rental Manager features insights from Peggy Albers, Property Management Expert of Lake Ozark, MO, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. 

SOURCE HelloNation

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Vista Class ship joins fleet in 2029, adding guest capacity and extending Holland America Evolution to another perfectly sized ship

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line announced today that it will expand its fleet to 12 ships with the addition of the Vista Class vessel Arcadia in 2029. P&O Cruises will transfer the ship to Holland America Line, strengthening the premium cruise line's capacity, supporting continued demand growth and providing another platform for the ongoing Holland America Evolution transformation program.

The addition of Arcadia will grow Holland America Line's fleet by over 2,000 guests while providing additional flexibility to further develop the cruise line's award-winning global deployment. Arcadia shares the same Vista Class platform as Holland America Line ships Oosterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam.

"Holland America Line continues to see strong demand from guests seeking immersive travel experiences, genuine hospitality, and perfectly sized ships," said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. "Adding Arcadia allows us to welcome more guests while building on everything they already love about our brand. As a Vista Class ship, she is a natural fit and an exciting extension of Holland America Evolution, the largest guest experience transformation in our 153-year history."

Building on Holland America Evolution

The addition of Arcadia builds on the success of Holland America Evolution, a multiyear investment designed to add new venues, restaurants and staterooms along with the best features of Pinnacle Class ships to more of the fleet while preserving the spacious, mid-sized ship experience guests love. New features already revealed for Oosterdam and Zuiderdam include the popular Grand Dutch Café, a renovated Ocean Bar, expansive Bridgeview Suites and purpose-built Solo Verandah cabins.

Oosterdam will debut its evolution in fall 2027, with Zuiderdam following in April 2028. Venues and features to be added to Arcadia will be determined in the next several months.

Supporting Future Growth and Deployment

The addition of Arcadia brings more deployment flexibility to Holland America while providing a faster path to growth and complementing the company's long-term fleet modernization strategy.

"We create experiences for the curious, offering new perspectives and deeper connections to the world and each other," said Bodensteiner. "Whether it's strengthening our presence in favorite destinations or opening opportunities to sail in new ways, this additional capacity helps us offer even more choices to travelers who believe the journey should be as rewarding as the destination.

"At the same time, this is one chapter in a larger story. It supports our near-term growth while fitting alongside the company's broader approach to modernization and future fleet expansion, including the thoughtful consideration of newbuilds. There's more to come as we continue investing in our fleet and guest experience."

As Arcadia moves to the Holland America fleet, P&O Cruises will welcome Queen Anne from sister cruise line Cunard. The 3,000-passenger ship will undergo extensive design changes in 2029 to align with the P&O Cruises fleet. Details are available at www.pocruises.com.

Further details regarding future deployment and design for Arcadia and the other ships undergoing Holland America Evolution will be shared in the coming months and will be updated in real time at hollandamerica.com/evolution.

Find Holland America Line on Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn't just a tagline, it's a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide. (NYSE: CCL).  

SOURCE Holland America Line

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Avarra Raises $17 Million on a Contrarian Bet: AI that rapidly upskills GTM teams rather than simply automating routine work

The round is led by Duration Ventures, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Draper Associates, the GTMfund, Alumni Ventures, and strategic investment from Zoom. Avarra's AI Avatar platform helps humans master and scalably execute complex sales processes 50% faster than traditional approaches. Accelerating both revenue and customer satisfaction.

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avarra today announced a $17 million Series A following a year in which the company grew ARR more than 400% YOY and expanded from sales training simulations into a full avatar platform for go-to-market teams.

Most AI companies selling into revenue organizations are betting that automating routine processes will increase sales productivity. Avarra is betting on the opposite. Durable competitive advantage in GTM doesn't come from completing routine tasks quickly, it comes from reliably and scalability executing complex sales processes involving sophisticated products and deep industry knowledge. The Avarra platform captures the expertise required to effectively run these complex processes from leaders and experts and then upskills GTM teams by deploying AI avatars that use this expertise to develop every team-member, accelerate every deal and amplify coverage to every customer.

Avatars prep reps before calls, join live deals to answer questions a rep can't, and meet buyers on the website at 2am. Because the same avatars handle both the internal and the customer-facing work, people and avatars are running one playbook. Change the play and it updates universally.

Customers like Elastic, Masimo, Proofpoint, Netskope, and Owner.com report ramp time cut roughly in half, meaningful lifts in win rate, and, with this new release, expert coverage will extend across accounts that previously had none. Multiple enterprise customers have deployed Avarra to scale their sales playbook to more than a thousand GTM professionals at their company.

The loop then closes on the other end. Every session, practice run and live call feeds signal back to leadership, showing which behaviors are landing with buyers and which are not. For most revenue leaders, that answers a question they have never been able to answer: when the number misses, was the play wrong, or did the team simply not run it properly?

Avarra runs natively on Zoom and Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom had this to say, "Revenue teams are the engine that drives businesses forward, and Avarra has built a distinctive platform that combines the power of AI with the unique human touch critical to what they do. Zoom Ventures seeks to support AI-native companies that strategically align with our goals of driving important innovation forward. We are delighted to be part of their next chapter of growth."

Blake P. Sallé, the Chief Revenue Officer at Proofpoint had this to say. "As Proofpoint has accelerated our growth in data security and AI, we needed a way to get every seller confident talking about all our new capabilities. Avarra gives our reps a place to practice those conversations and get coached until they've nailed it. We've seen sellers improve 33% from their first attempt to their final one, with better objection handling, value narrative and discovery after coaching."

Alongside this groundswell of support for the platform, contracted ARR from mid-market and enterprise customers grew 698% year over year, and sales teams now complete more than 10,000 AI coaching and role-play sessions on Avarra each week.

"I backed the Avarra team at seed, and the past year has proved the thesis" says Arif Janmohamed, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Duration Ventures. "AI avatars working collaboratively with humans can dramatically scale GTM team productivity driving both revenue growth and customer satisfaction. When we started Duration Ventures, leading this round was one of the first things we wanted to do because we believe Avarra is defining the future of work."

"The ability for AI to automate mundane tasks is well documented, but we see the real power of AI in upskilling how people execute complex, collaborative, high-value processes," says Avarra CEO, David Knight. "Every sales leader wants their team to sell the way they would. We capture how teams actually win. Then every rep, CSM and line leader gets their own avatar coach on their own schedule, and an avatar expert sitting next to them on every live deal. The companies winning with AI aren't replacing their people. They're investing to make their people irreplaceable."

While at Owner.com, their CRO Kyle Norton built and deployed over 100 custom sims using Avarra, "The biggest behavior change Avarra has unlocked is for sales reps to own their own development more. They're no longer reliant on just their sales manager as their source of practice."

This message is mirrored by other customers like Darrel Mitchell who is the Director of WW Field Enablement at Netskope. "With Avarra, our sellers practice high-stakes conversations before they're in front of a customer. They rehearse with realistic AI buyers, get scored feedback right away and improve with each attempt, while managers coach to what the transcripts show."

"Every enterprise is now figuring out how its people and its AI learn from each other. The core idea behind Avarra is to capture the expertise that lives inside a company and put it to work across the whole team, human or AI." says Guru Chahal, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. "We backed David and the team at seed, and since then Avarra has seen strong enterprise traction. We believe this is a category-defining platform in the making, and we're delighted to double down."

"AI's real power isn't replacing people, it's helping them scale their impact", says Andy Tang, Partner at Draper Associates. "Nowhere is that clearer than in institutional knowledge and training.

The funding will go toward engineering and go-to-market hiring, and toward expanding the customer-facing side of the platform.

Avarra is available today at avarra.ai, where visitors can talk to an expert avatar in real time.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Avarra.ai

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Comtrend's FCC-certified PBL-6201 Wi-Fi 6 Bonded VDSL Gateway gives providers a trusted option for their DSL customers as fewer vendors continue to build DSL equipment

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Comtrend today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Service Providers that deliver broadband over copper, today and into the future. Following the company's recent FCC conditional approval, Comtrend's FCC-certified PBL-6201 Wi-Fi 6 Bonded VDSL Gateway gives providers a trusted gateway option for their DSL customers that they can deploy now.

DSL remains an important connection for many rural households. According to NTCA's 2025 Broadband/Internet Availability Survey, 40.8% of rural broadband providers surveyed still serve some customers over copper. Yet fewer equipment vendors are still building DSL gateways, leaving those providers with shrinking choices for replacement and upgrade equipment. Comtrend is committed to filling that gap.

"Providers serving customers over DSL need to know they have a partner they can trust, and Comtrend is here for them," said John Castreje, General Manager at Comtrend North America. "This conditional approval helps ensure they have a reliable gateway option they can count on, and it's an important step in what's ahead for Comtrend in the U.S. We've supported providers and their DSL customers for decades, and we'll not only keep standing behind them, but also bring them new solutions like MVNO, 5G, and Wi-Fi HaLow that work alongside their existing networks to extend connectivity, enter new applications, and unlock new revenue."

The PBL-6201 combines bonded VDSL2 (up to 35b) with Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 and ultra-high 1W power output to improve speeds and in-home coverage over existing copper lines. It's also backward compatible with single-line VDSL and ADSL applications, so providers can deploy one gateway across different line types and loop lengths in their network. G.vector and G.inp support reduce crosstalk and impulse noise, and TR-069/TR-181 remote management helps providers cut truck rolls. The gateway also includes a 2.5GbE WAN port for fiber deployments.

PBL-6201 highlights:

- Bonded VDSL2 (35b), backward compatible with single-line VDSL and ADSL2+

- Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 with 1W high-power output

- G.vector and G.inp for improved link performance

- TR-069/TR-181 remote management

- 4 x 1GbE LAN, plus 2.5GbE WAN

- USB 3.0 for file sharing and print server

The PBL-6201 is available now. Comtrend continues to offer Service Providers dependable choices across xDSL, XGS-PON, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, and G.hn networking.

About Comtrend

Comtrend is a leading provider of broadband networking solutions, trusted by Service Providers across North America for over 35 years. Known for its deep commitment to rural and regional markets, Comtrend delivers reliable, scalable technologies that help providers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving telecom landscape. Now, through new initiatives like its MVNO mobile service offering, Comtrend is expanding its mission by enabling customers to offer branded mobile services with the same flexibility, control, and affordability they've come to expect from Comtrend's broadband portfolio.

SOURCE Comtrend

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Marking Nutella's first-ever appearance during the game, following the momentum of Nutella's sighting in space and the Nutella Peanut launch; Kinder Bueno returns after last year's debut

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrero is making its largest individual marketing investment to date, committing over $50 million across its portfolio for a bold 2027 sports strategy that signals a fundamental shift in how the company is positioning itself in the U.S. market.

Building on the successful Kinder Bueno campaign debut last year that drove a 140% lift in volume sales over the previous year, Ferrero will return to the big game with new campaigns for Kinder Bueno and Nutella. This marks Nutella's first-ever appearance and cements the brand's momentum following the viral "Nutella in Space" moment and the blockbuster Nutella Peanut launch, Nutella's first innovation in 60 years.

The investment builds on Ferrero's growing presence in sports marketing, extending the brand beyond its traditional retail and social media footprint into one of the most watched cultural moments of the year.

"We've invested billions of dollars in our North American growth plans, and last year's ad debut proved it's working," said Michael Lindsey, Ferrero North America President and Chief Business Officer. "Building on the genuine momentum from Kinder Bueno and the success of Nutella Peanut, we're in a position to double down on our investment to accelerate portfolio awareness and market share in the U.S."

The iconic Nutella sighting on the historic Artemis II mission in April 2026 was more than a viral moment – it drove real results, with +60.7% YoY growth for "Nutella" search volume and unit sales growth 20.2% above the brand's own pre-event baseline on Amazon alone (source: internal data from April 6, 2026-May 8, 2026). The new campaign will also build on the early success of the brand's new product, Nutella Peanut.

The new Kinder Bueno and Nutella campaigns will air live during the game on February 14, 2027.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac®, and Ferrero Rocher®. More than 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group's family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.

Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger®, CRUNCH®, Keebler®, Famous Amos®, Mother's® Cookies, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. For additional information, please visit FerreroNorthAmerica.com and stay connected with Ferrero on social (Instagram, X).

CONTACT: Cara Harty, [email protected]

SOURCE Ferrero North America

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