With the economy starting to bounce back and credit easing up, the organizers of the 20th annual International Franchise Expo (IFE) are expecting record turnout from both franchisee candidates and exhibitors at the 2011 IFE show, to be held April 1-3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Year after year, the IFE event has been responsible for the opening of hundreds of small businesses and creating thousands of jobs in the franchise industry - and this edition will be no different. Tens of thousands of prospective investors from across the ...

The Poet Local series explores poets' lives and writing styles. Kaufman is a poet and a playwright who has published a handful of poetry collections, Family of Strangers (Nightshade) and Still Life Burning (South Carolina Poetry Society), to name a few. Visitors will learn about Kaufman's approach to publishing her work, which has appeared in publications such as the Virginia Quarterly Review, Room of One's Own and Pembroke. Kaufman's latest book, The Next Moment (Jacar Press) was released in October 2010. "Debra's led writing workshops, written plays and received grants. ...

Gloria Larkin's newest book, "The Basic Guide to Government Contracting: How to Build a Successful Business Selling Your Services and Products to the U.S. Federal Government" is now available. The book serves as a guide for business that would like to market their product or service to the federal government. "The Basic Guide to Government Contracting: How to Build a Successful Business Selling Your Services and Products to the U.S. Federal Government", the newest book by Gloria Larkin is now available online at http://www.targetgov.com and on Kindle. The book is the ...

"I am happy to put our first spray paint simulation with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC). We believe that the use of virtual reality provides benefits to the ODRC vocational training programs. To allow inmates to develop skills that have real world applicability where they can be gainfully employed is a huge benefit to the ODRC and society. VRSim is excited to be a small part of that process," said Matthew Wallace, CEO and President of VRSim. ODRC has helped over 12,000 inmates complete career-technical (vocational) trades training. SimSpray ...

The Grand Rapids Symphony will present "Latin Fire," a fast-moving collage of musical textures, dancing and other dramatic elements that reflect the Latin spirit on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. in DeVos Performance Hall. Creatively directed by Music Director David Lockington, "Latin Fire" will feature three soloists and a Flamenco dancer who will perform with the Grammy-nominated Symphony to create a fiery evening full of exotic Latin flair. The concert, which will showcase music of Spain, Latin America and Mexico is part of the Richard and Helen ...

ABC11 Eyewitness News (http://www.abc11.com) has announced that anchor Angela Hampton participated in "Cooks For Books," held Thursday, Feb. 10 at Garner TV & Appliance to benefit the Garner Educational Foundation (http://www.garnernc.gov/GEF/index.htm). Hampton joined Elise Johnson and Sharon Delaney of NBC-17, Brian Shrader of WRAL, Lisa Prince of the N.C. Department of Agriculture, and the head chef of Raleigh restaurant Gravy in a celebrity cookoff, emceed by Mark Roberts, formerly of WRAL. Funds raised through this event will support the Foundation's literacy enrichment ...

Because the Triangle is an area "rich with intellectual talent and business insight," 1360 WCHL, Chapel Hill and Carrboro's leading source for news and talk radio, has dedicated a weekend block of airtime to a segment called Today's Business, which airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and features in-depth interviews with the most forward-thinking and successful business figures from the Orange County area. Recently, 1360 WCHL appointed Triangle-based professional speaker and business etiquette trainer Sharon Hill a host of Today's Business. "I'm ...

The incentive program recently announced by Perspective Magazine for its GNEX 2011 expo could mean enough money to apply towards accommodation, food, drinks or just about anything that can be purchased on a delegate's room account. That's the view of Perspective Magazine president and CEO Paul Mattimoe, who came up with the idea as a way to give back to those professionals attending the event, to be held May 11-12, 2011 at the impressive Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. "Anyone who is registered to attend GNEX can participate in the program and receive $50 per referral ...

Veer (www.veer.com), a provider of affordable visual elements that makes it easier to be creative, today announced the launch of an exclusive new font collection named Agency 26, as well as the addition of fonts from the Filmotype foundry and several other leading designers. The new Agency 26 collection has 10 new typeface families and 23 fonts, all of which are Veer Exclusives. The collection is inspired by the bold wood typefaces of 19th century America, and takes a modern slant on the traditional representations of these historical fonts with the addition of features ...

AccuSystems, a leading supplier of bank imaging software, today announced that American River Bank of Sacramento, California has selected the AccuAccount bank imaging platform. AccuAccount is a banking document management software that helps banks manage loan files, exception tracking, deposit tracking, and trust department documents. "We feel privileged to provide our proven banking software system to American River Bank," said Chris Gredig, Co-President of AccuSystems LLC. "The AccuAccount bank loan software from AccuSystems provides streamlined bank imaging and bank ...

Recognized as a leading producer of top-quality bespoke artwork, the London firm has unveiled a range of options for ordering a thoughtful, timeless Mothers' Day gift. With Mother's Day approaching this April 3rd, many people are beginning the search for a great gift, and with its completely customizable, heartfelt gift-giving options, bespoke artwork firm Fabulous Masterpieces is poised to bring plenty of smiles to the lips of the nation's mums. Providing its clients with a number of ways to commission a beautiful portrait, Fabulous Masterpieces is making tradition ...

A provider of computer software AxiomCoders released a new updated version of FB Limiter, software which can be used to block Facebook or Youtube access. With new version of FB Limiter is possible to block Facebook and Youtube completely, without a chance to unblock it, for a period of time. With growth in popularity of social networking sites, including Facebook as one of them, there is noticeable growth of people who are becoming addicted to these sites and the need to limit access to them arises. AxiomCoders have upgraded software called FB Limiter which can be used ...

Sergei Andrzeevsky, Project Manager at First Line Software, will deliver a presentation at the Agile development conference AgileDays 2011, which will take place in Moscow on March 4-5. In his presentation titled "XP Practices in an Offshore Development Project", Sergei will elaborate on the application of XP engineering practices in a distributed project team. The presentation will provide real life examples of Agile development in the context of an outsourced project with remote customer. Sergei will speak in detail about the practical application of various XP practices, ...

Just after the recent launch of their website, DiscountBags has decided to offer Free Shipping on all of their bags. Taking the industry by storm, DiscountBags started out less than two weeks ago, gaining heavy traffic to their site almost instantly. Mothered by parent company, DiscountMugs, one of the largest promotional products manufacturers in the country, DiscountBags has the utilities, experience, and ability to quickly become the tote bag powerhouse it is forecasted to be. Already a major contender in the promotional bags industry, DiscountBags takes on the low ...

OTS Solutions ("OTS"), an IT service provider and one of the leading outsourced software product development companies in India, we announced successful attending the Travel Technology Show in 10 Feb 2011 ("TTS"). OTS' CEO & Managing Director, Mr Hemant Madaan attended the event on behalf of the company and was delighted to announce the success of the event counting on various prospects added to ever growing sales funnel for the company. OTS continues to focus on providing specialized outsourcing services to product companies across the globe and met many such companies ...

PMB Helin Donovan, a U.S. member of the Russell Bedford CPA firm association, has appointed David Forrest as a partner in Houston. David is an audit partner with over 25 years of experience with privately held companies and not-for-profit organizations, including entities requiring audits under the provisions of Governmental Auditing Standards and the audit guides for various state and federal assistance programs. In addition, David has extensive experience in serving the real estate and construction industries, mortgage companies, and manufacturing companies. Prior ...

Speedy Glass has stood true to its name and company reputation by rendering flawless, expert and prompt services for any repairs concerning your much important windshields. Whether it is a ding or a crack, Speedy Glass has always been at your service. Moreover, the mobile network of this prestigious and reliable windshield repair service has helped Americans in the most critical kind of situations no matter where they are stuck. "Speedy Glass introduced the very first mobile auto glass service back in 1934 and we're still going out to our customers. Our fully equipped ...

Agoda.com, Asia's global hotel booking site today announced a partnership with Australian hotel group, Toga Hospitality. Under the partnership, Toga Hospitality's four brands - Adina, Medina, Vibe and Travelodge - will join Agoda.com's inventory of more than 160,000 hotels, distributed worldwide to a loyal member base of more than 2.5 million. Toga Hospitality has properties in major cities across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Via Agoda.com, customers can book these properties in their choice of 32 different languages, including Chinese traditional and simplified, ...

Tiffany Johnson, a former victim of domestic violence, is scheduled to release a new book about her experience with an abusive relationship. Her new book entitled, Enough is Enough: This is My Story, is scheduled for release on April, 16th 2011 at the Roy Arias Studios & Theatres in New York City. According to Johnson, domestic violence abusers all have one thing in common -- to gain control over their victims. In her new book, she shares how she was able to overcome domestic violence and regain control over her life. More and more people, especially women, are suffering ...

There will also be a number of demonstrations of the latest innovations and technologies. New product launches will be taking place and the aim is to introduce products that offer flexibility and affordability at the same time. The event is taking place at the Royal Highland Centre, which is ideally located and is the perfect venue for this type of event. Tickets for the event are available from the organisers. With a large number of exhibitors, there will be something for everyone at this conference and visitors are expected from all over the country. Lek Boonlert, ...

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit is set to be performed in London over the coming months, with British actress Alison Steadman taking on a key role in the theatre production. Running from March 2nd until June 18th 2011 at the Apollo Theatre, the show will see the Gavin and Stacey star play the part of Madame Arcati. Her character is a clairvoyant, who uses her powers to contact a ghost in order to help a writer and his second wife find material for a new book. Unfortunately for novelist Charles, played by Robert Bathurst, the spirit who appears is that of his ex-wife ...

Aniko Giampietro was named the "Spotlight Member" of the month for March of 2011. CarbonCopyPRO has taken the Network Marketing, Home Business Industry & Direct Sales by storm. The Marketing Giant has empowered entrepreneurs in 220 countries, and members of their community have collectively earned tens of millions of dollars in revenue. Each Month, a Top Leader is chosen to be recognized and awarded the coveted "SPOTLIGHT Member of the Month Award." For the month of March 2011, there was no mistaking who that Top Leader was. Aniko Giampietro, formerly a high paid ...

Ashland Drywall, LLC announced today the release of a new web site that allows customers to log a job quote online. Ashland Drywall specializes in new home drywall installations and can do any drywall repair job in an existing home. "We have been doing drywall for over 35 years," said Bill Dyakon, President of Ashland Drywall. "We have done installations for new construction homes and we can do repair jobs as well. Our goal is excellent work and customer satisfaction. Give us a call." Ashland Drywall offers a full year labor warranty on all work. Learn more about ...

The Discodays record and music fair is coming up in Naples next month, with a live performance by Eugenio Finardi sure to be a highlight of the two-day festival. Fans can look through all kinds of memorabilia provided by the collectors, fan clubs and other companies with displays at the event. In addition to recordings on vinyl, attendees can expect to find rare photographs, videos and books for sale. Kicking off at 16:00 local time on Saturday April 9th at the Teatro Palapartenope in Naples, the fair will go on until 22:00 on the opening day. A night of disco ...

Some of the finest distance runners in the world will descend on the town of Punta Umbria near Seville on Sunday March 20th for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. According to the organisers, it looks like there will be more nations participating than there has been for the past six years. Race day will see four challenges take place: senior and junior competitions for both male and female participants. For anyone who is around the day before there will be a 'celebrity' run, which will be held in the spirit of fundraising, rather than being an actual contest. There ...