Podcasts about exhibitors

Today we're joined by Heather Davis from Blentech Corporation to talk about what it really takes to succeed at PACK EXPO as a small to mid-sized exhibitor. If you've ever wondered how to compete with the massive booths, generate quality leads, and make the most of the show floor, this episode is packed with practical, proven strategies you can use right away.Register for PACK EXPO International today!

In this week's Focus Check episode, Johnnie and Nino celebrate two years of the podcast, discuss their recent experiences at BSC in London, and engage with their community through poll results on content preferences. They delve into the impact of AI on filmmaking, networking within the industry, and the latest camera technologies showcased at the Winter Olympics. The episode also covers Blackmagic's recall of PYXIS 12K cameras, Sony firmware updates, and new lighting innovations from NANLITE and DoPchoice. Additionally, they explore rehoused vintage lenses from IronGlass, high-end offerings from ZEISS, and the launch of the YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro. They conclude with discussions on the Profoto L600C lighting review and the Tilta Nucleus Autofocus Adapter, while reflecting on the future of AI in filmmaking.   Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (07:13) - Poll: What Kind of Content Do You Want to See More of on CineD? https://www.cined.com/poll-what-kind-of-content-do-you-want-to-see-more-of-on-cined/ (20:08) - Milano Cortina 2026 Camera Technology – 810+ Cameras, Cinematic Live Workflow, AI Replays, and FPV Drones Redefine Olympic Broadcasting https://www.cined.com/milano-cortina-2026-camera-technology-810-cameras-cinematic-live-workflow-ai-replays-and-fpv-drones-redefine-olympic-broadcasting/ (27:24) - Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Recall – Early Production Units Get Free Sensor Board Upgrade https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-pyxis-12k-recall-early-production-units-get-free-sensor-board-upgrade/ (30:46) - Sony Firmware Updates for BURANO, FX6, VENICE 2, FR7 and a7S III Announced https://www.cined.com/sony-firmware-updates-for-burano-fx6-venice-2-fr7-and-a7s-iii-announced/ (34:24) - NANLITE PavoSlim 360C Introduced – 4×2 RGB Panel with 27,000 Lux Output https://www.cined.com/nanlite-pavoslim-360c-introduced-4x2-rgb-panel-with-27000-lux-output/ (37:52) - DoPchoice SNAP RABBIT Introduced – Magnet-Assisted Quick-Open Softbox System https://www.cined.com/dopchoice-snap-rabbit-introduced-magnet-assisted-quick-open-softbox-system/ (39:43) - IronGlass AIR Lenses Available for Preorder at CVP – Compact Rehoused Vintage Glass for Mirrorless Systems https://www.cined.com/ironglass-air-lenses-available-for-preorder-at-cvp-compact-rehoused-vintage-glass-for-mirrorless-systems/ (47:03) - ZEISS Aatma T1.5 Full-Frame Cinema Lenses Released https://www.cined.com/zeiss-aatma-t1-5-full-frame-cinema-lenses-released/ (54:06) - Astera QuikBeam Now Shipping – Compact, Battery-Powered Fresnel https://www.cined.com/astera-quikbeam-now-shipping-compact-battery-powered-fresnel/ (57:16) - Accsoon CineView M7 Series Updates Explained – New HDMI-Only Model, Expanded Camera Control, and More https://www.cined.com/accsoon-cineview-m7-series-updates-explained-new-hdmi-only-model-expanded-camera-control-and-more/ (59:42) - SWIT FM, BMU, and BMH Series Monitors Introduce Built-In, Near-Zero Latency Mode https://www.cined.com/swit-fm-bmu-and-bmh-series-monitors-introduce-built-in-near-zero-latency-mode/ (01:01:17) - Cartoni MIXO 21 Fluid Head and Ragno Pod Tripod Riser – Hands-On Interview https://www.cined.com/cartoni-mixo-21-fluid-head-and-ragno-pod-tripod-riser-hands-on-interview/ (01:05:47) - Panasonic LUMIX S1II Gets Free ARRI LogC3 Software Key With Purchase in the US – Save $249.99 https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-s1ii-gets-free-arri-logc3-software-key-with-purchase-in-the-us-save-249-99/ (01:08:29) - CP+ 2026 Returns at Its Largest Scale Ever With a Record 149 Exhibitors https://www.cined.com/cp-2026-returns-at-its-largest-scale-ever-with-a-record-149-exhibitors/ (01:10:46) - YouTube Launches Dedicated App for Apple Vision Pro – 3D, VR180, 360-Degree, and 8K Playback https://www.cined.com/youtube-launches-dedicated-app-for-apple-vision-pro-3d-vr180-360-degree-and-8k-playback/ (01:16:34) - Profoto L600C Lighting Review – Does Profoto Gear Belong in a DP's Kit? https://www.cined.com/profoto-l600c-lighting-review-does-profoto-gear-belong-in-a-dps-kit/ (01:20:30) - Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter Launched – Adds Autofocus to Manual PL Lenses via Sony E-Mount https://www.cined.com/tilta-nucleus-auto-focus-adapter-launched-adds-autofocus-to-manual-pl-lenses-via-sony-e-mount/ (01:24:07) - Viral AI Fight Between 'Tom Cruise' and 'Brad Pitt' Triggers Hollywood-Wide Backlash Against ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 https://www.cined.com/viral-ai-fight-between-tom-cruise-and-brad-pitt-triggers-hollywood-wide-backlash-against-bytedances-seedance-2-0/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! You have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at podcast@cined.com                

In this episode of Homeschool Minnesota, Dayle Annand and Karen Soencksen discuss the upcoming MACHE Convention for 2026. They cover the importance of the convention for homeschool families, the registration process, keynote and featured speakers, the Teen Track for teens, exhibitors, sponsors, and the various activities planned for the event. They emphasize the community aspect of homeschooling and the resources available to families, including a used curriculum sale and lunch provided by Chick-fil-A. The episode concludes with a call for volunteers and an invitation to attend the convention.   Links: The Convention page online: https://homeschoolminnesota.org/convention/   To download the events app: https://homeschoolminnesota.org/the-mache-app/   To contact Homeschool Minnesota--MÂCHÉ: https://homeschoolminnesota.org/   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the MACHE Convention 02:22 Importance of the MACHE Convention 05:06 Recording and Audio Options 07:14 Registration Details 11:17 Convention Dates and Location 12:59 Keynote Speakers 15:16 Featured Speakers and Workshops 19:29 Teen Track Overview 21:37 Exhibitors and Shopping 24:37 Sponsors and Partnerships 26:21 Friday Night Freedom Concert 27:36 Used Curriculum Sale 31:13 Lunch Provided by Chick-fil-A 32:28 Silent Auction and Fundraising 35:21 Volunteering Opportunities 38:52 Closing Remarks and Invitation  

If you've ever looked at a big equine show like the London International Horse Show and wondered “Would this actually be good for my business — or would it finish me off?”… this episode is for you.Instead of guessing, I asked the people who actually exhibited at the London International Horse Show in 2025.In this episode, I break down anonymous feedback from real exhibitors — including product-based businesses, service-based businesses, and those doing both — to help you understand what really happens behind the scenes at a major equine trade show.This isn't a sales pitch for exhibiting. It's a realistic look at costs, energy, sales, visibility, and return on investment, so you can make clearer decisions for your business.Why exhibitors chose to attend the London International Horse ShowWhether exhibitors felt the show met their expectationsReal data on on-stand sales vs enquiriesDifferences between product-based and service-based businessesWhat actually made people stop at stands and engageThe biggest frustrations exhibitors experiencedThe reality of staffing, energy, and long show daysWhether exhibitors would do the show again — and whyHow to decide if a big equine show is right for your business this yearBig equine shows aren't automatically good or bad. What makes the difference is strategy, expectations, energy planning, and knowing what success looks like before you book.If you're considering exhibiting at a major equine show — or wondering whether it's worth the cost — this episode will help you decide without guesswork.

In this episode of the Building Confidence Podcast, host I interview Matt Hollier, Michael Parkinson, and Emma Zivkovich, who are key figures in the Diesel Dirt and Turf Expo. They discuss the innovative insurance solutions offered by Gensure. We discuss the importance of networking at the expo, the variety of exhibitors and their interactive displays, and the career opportunities available in the industry! DDTEXPO team are thrilled to share another year on site at the Sydney dragway in 2026 The event is 17 - 19 April 2026  @Sydney dragway NSW Contact Marti our event manager if you wish to showcase your products and services Ph:0411648465 Email: marti@dieseldirtandturf.com.au Additionally you may submit the digital application form attached And we can get in touch with you. Application form: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/exhibitor-application-forms/ Prospectus: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/prospectus-information/ Visitors/ info/ about/ when and where: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/visitors/when-where/ Testimonials: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/exhibitor-testimonials/ If your interested in finding out more about Gensure you can go to there website here - https://gensure.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Diesel Dirt and Turf Expo 03:10 Innovative Insurance Solutions for the Industry 06:03 Networking Opportunities at the Expo 08:52 Exhibitors and Innovations at the Expo 11:48 Interactive Experiences and Family Engagement 15:05 Career Opportunities and Industry Insights 18:03 The Auction Experience and Special Offers 20:52 Enhancing the Visitor Experience 24:06 Final Thoughts and Expo Details   Takeaways   The Diesel Dirt and Turf Expo is a significant networking opportunity for industry professionals. Gensure offers a unique multi-year insurance product that provides fixed pricing for up to five years. Networking events like the golf day enhance connections within the industry. The expo features a wide range of exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in machinery and equipment. Interactive experiences at the expo engage families and children, making it a family-friendly event. Career opportunities are abundant at the expo, with many companies looking to hire. The auction at the expo provides a unique experience for attendees to find great deals on equipment. Face-to-face interactions at the expo are more effective than virtual meetings. The welcoming atmosphere encourages attendees to engage with exhibitors and ask questions. The expo is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all ages, even those outside the industry

We are back with Episode 104 of the Camerosity Podcast.  Unlike the last few shows where we didn't come prepared with a topic to discuss, this time we took a suggestion from our Discord server listeners and attempted to tackle all the new lenses that keep appearing from Chinese companies,  With ever faster maximum apertures and wider lenses selling for insanely cheap prices, are these lenses any good, and why suddenly is the market flooded with them? Joining Anthony, Paul, Stephen, and Mike are callers Andy Howarth, Brendon Wilson, Fernando Villava, Mark "Cletus" Widhalm, Martin Olsen, Norris Liu, Pat Casey, Robert Rotoloni, and Will Pinkham.  We start off the show with a quick announcement that Fernando has started a Spanish language version of the Camerosity Podcast called "Camerosity in Spanish".  They've already recorded two episodes, and if you speak Spanish, it is worth checking out what him and his guests are talking about! For this show, we briefly start off our lens episode talking about Retina Reflexes, but thankfully we don't stay distracted long as we move into the wonderful world of modern Chinese lenses.  We attempt to cover different brands of lenses and what kinds of options there are out there and which ones we've personally had experience with. Stephen and Norris have a wealth of technical knowledge and historical perspective for how the Chinese manufacturing industry works, and we get into a bit of why you're seeing so many options these days.  While many of the new ultra-fast lenses are extremely affordable, they are built to be disposable and likely won't last nearly as long as the classic lenses many of us collect.  Paul shares with us one (non-Chinese) brand that he doesn't like and Stephen tells us what "onion ring bokeh" is. Eventually we do move off from Chinese lenses to talk about extremely wide angle fisheye lenses and Stephen tells us about a clever use of his Olympus Air A01 and we briefly mention strange cameras like the Nikon KeyMission 360 Double Fisheye lens. With Bob Rotoloni on, Paul asks about a Nikon M he is interested in buying and we get into a discussion about the Nikon M and different variants of that particular camera.  We keep meandering topics before finally ending up Mike's first purchase on the Japanese auction site, buyee.jp. Come See Mike at the Chicago Camera Show: I will be heading up to the Sheraton Suites Chicago Elk Grove hotel for a camera show on Sunday, February 22nd.  At this show will be several callers from this episode, Bob Rotoloni, Norris Liu, Mark Widhalm, and past Camerosity guests like Vlad Kern and possibly others.  Mike won't have a table at this one, but I'll be walking around chatting with people so if you're near the area and want to stop by, come see us! As always, the topics we discuss on the Camerosity Podcast are influenced by you!  Please don't feel like you have to be an expert on a specific type of camera, or have the level of knowledge on par with other people on the show.  We LOVE people who are into shooting or collecting cameras, no matter how long you've been doing it, so please don't consider your knowledge level to be a prerequisite for joining! The guys and I rarely know where each episode is going to go until it happens, so if you'd like to join us on a future episode, be sure to look out for our show announcements on our Camerosity Podcast Facebook page, the Camerosity Discord server, and right here on mikeeckman.com. We usually record every other Monday and announcements, along with the Zoom link are typically shared 2-3 days in advance. We don't have a topic for our next show, but we at least know it will be Episode 105 and we will record it on Monday, February 23rd at 7pm Central Standard Time and 8pm Eastern Standard Time.  Make sure you set your calendars and look out for the show announcement at the usual locations and be prepared to join us! In This Episode The Spanish version of Camerosity Hosted by Fernando Villava / Cletus and His Broken Retina Reflex IV Repairing Retina Reflexes / The Risk of Testing an Unserviced Camera / Leaf Shutter SLRs Are Very Complicated Modern Lenses Have Combinations of Focal Lengths and Speed Unheard of in the Classic Era How We Got to Today / Cheap Chinese Lenses Started with Low Quality C-Mount Lenses The Legalities of Making Third Party Lenses / Why is Nikon Going After Viltrox? Who Are the Most Respected of the Current Third Party Lens Makers? / Different Priorities for Film vs Digital Some Third Party Lenses Require You to Calibrate Your Lens to Your Own Camera What is the Difference between 7Artisans and TTArtisans? / DJ Optical Voigtänder Cosina Lenses Are Less Expensive Alternatives to Genuine German Lenses Some Chinese Lenses Feel Nicer Than They Really Are / Excessive Lubricants The Chinese Make a Lot of Their Own Glass / Mike Has No Idea How Glass is Made Leica No Longer Makes Their Own Glass but they Polish It / Onion Ring Bokeh Are There Any Companies to Stay Away From / Paul Doesn't Like MS-Optics Lenses Differences Between Western and Chinese Manufacturing Philosophies Chinese Manufacturers Typically Didn't Offer After Sale Support or Warranties China's Manufacturing Today is Far More Advanced Than Anywhere Else in the World Norris Goes to CES and Admires Hair Dryers / 40% of Exhibitors at CES are Chinese For Vintage Camera Users You Don't Always Want a Technically Perfect Lens Stephen's Olympus Air A01 and a 220 Degree Circular Fisheye Lens Nikon KeyMission 360 Double Fisheye Cameras / Go Pro / Ricoh Theta Camera Brandon Jumped into the Nikon Zf Using Chinese Lenses / Nikon Z-Mount Adapters Fernando Adapted Leica R Lenses to Leica M and the Results are Great Leica SLRs and Alpas are Almost Always Sold Without Lenses on eBay Come See Mike, Bob, Norris, Vlad, and Cletus at the Chicago Camera Show on February 22nd Paul Wants to Buy a Nikon M / The Three Different Types of Nikon M Rangefinders Mike Made His First Ever Purchase on Buyee of 5 Cameras Links The Camerosity Podcast is now on Discord! Join Anthony, Paul, Theo, Stephen, and Mike on our very own Discord Server. Share your GAS and photography with other listeners in the Lounge or in our dedicated forums. If you have questions for myself or the other guys, we have an “Ask the Hosts” section as well where you can get your question answered on a future show! Check it out! https://discord.gg/PZVN2VBJvm. If you would like to offer feedback or contact us with questions or ideas for future episodes, please contact us in the Comments Section below, our Camerosity Facebook Group, Instagram page, or Discord server. Order Your Very Own Camerosity Podcast T-Shirt! - https://www.zazzle.com/z/tbykl0hg Chicago Camera Show on Sunday February 22 - https://www.facebook.com/events/sheraton-suites-chicago-elk-grove/chicago-camera-show/774123451683491/ Camerosity in Spanish - https://camerosity.es/ The Official Camerosity Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/camerositypodcast Camerosity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camerosity_podcast/ Theo Panagopoulos - https://www.photothinking.com/ Paul Rybolt - https://www.ebay.com/usr/paulkris - https://thisoldcamera.net/ Anthony Rue - https://www.instagram.com/kino_pravda/

GB2RS News Sunday the 8th of February 2026 The news headlines: RSGB member-exclusive DDS programming workshop in Blackpool What are your British Science Week plans? Submit your RSGB 2026 Convention ideas As part of the Society's strategy to support radio amateurs in developing their practical skills, the RSGB will be running a DDS programming workshop in Blackpool on Saturday, the 11th of April, the day before the NARSA Rally. The six-hour workshop, which was first run at the RSGB 2025 Convention, is intended for RSGB members who already have a basic knowledge of Arduino programming. Attendees will learn how to control and program a Direct Digital Synthesiser using a microcontroller and will use this to generate RF. As well as covering the maths behind the programming process, attendees will also gain an insight into vibe coding. So, if 2026 is the year you want to take your programming skills up a notch, this is the event for you. For full information and booking details, visit rsgb.org/practical-events This year's British Science Week runs from the 6th to the 15th of March with ‘Curiosity: what's your question?' as its theme. Several clubs, youth groups and schools have already planned events and activities, and the RSGB's team of Champions are working together to deliver more. You can take part by trying one of the great activity suggestions that the RSGB has on its website. You could get your local WI, Men in Sheds group, school or youth groups or even your own family involved. If you have your own ideas, let the RSGB know; they don't need to be ‘grand', simply demonstrating the magic of radio is enough. Another way to get involved with British Science Week is by taking part in a sked, which is a pre-arranged radio contact with another radio operator at a scheduled time and on a particular frequency. The RSGB National Radio Centre is offering groups and clubs the opportunity to arrange a sked and get its sought-after GB3RS callsign into the logbook. To take part in this unique offering, go to rsgb.org/bsw  and select ‘Events happening near you' from the right-hand menu. Contacts must be arranged in advance and would take place between 10 am and 4 pm during British Science Week. Is there a particular topic you'd like to learn more about at the RSGB 2026 Convention in October? Have you been working on some research or a project that you'd like to share with the amateur radio community? Or would you like to see a workshop explaining a new skill you'd like to try? Whatever the idea, submit your proposal to the RSGB by sending the title and at least a one-paragraph summary of your suggestion to convention@rsgb.org.uk If you're not yet an RSGB member and are curious to read RadCom Basics or RadCom Plus, take a look at the RSGB app, which is available for mobile and web. The RSGB has just released a sample edition of each, so whether you are a newcomer or are looking for more technical features, the samples will give you a taster of the Society's digital RadCom supplements. There are only three weeks left until the closing date for entries in the RSGB Construction Competition. The competition is open to all RSGB members and has six categories to enter, ranging from 'Beginners' to 'Construction Excellence'. Whether you are taking your first steps in construction or it is your 50th project, the Society invites you to get involved and be in with the chance to win a cash prize. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/construction-competition. The deadline for entries is the 1st of March 2026. The RSGB has several Regional Team vacancies, including District Representative positions in Hampshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, South Derbyshire and South Nottinghamshire, and also North Lincolnshire. This is an opportunity not only to support the work of the RSGB but to provide help and guidance for local radio amateurs and groups in your area. To find out how to apply or to view other Regional Team vacancies in other areas, go to rsgb.org/volunteers The RSGB is delighted to hear that Wick High School in Scotland is preparing for an ARISS contact later this year. The RSGB School Youth Chair, Chris Aitken, MM0WI,C is the Computing teacher at the school and also runs the school's amateur radio club, GM0WHS. Chris shared the news with the Society, and you can read more by going to rsgb.org/school-zone Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, is taking place today, Sunday the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can set up from 8.15 am and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, a bring-and-buy sale, improved disabled access and a seating area are available on site. For more information, visit wmrc.co.uk On Sunday, the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society's Radioactive Fair will take place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. The doors will be open from 10 am to 3 pm. The event will feature a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering, parking and disabled facilities will be available on site. For more detail,s visit radioactivefair.co.uk Now the Special Event news To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the special event station DD2026OWG is active until the 1st of March. QSL via Logbook of the World. For more information, visit QRZ.com Six special event stations are active in Poland until the 22nd of February to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city of Gdynia. Look for activity on the 160 to 6m bands, as well as the 2m and 70cm bands using CW, SSB, FM, RTTY, FT4 and FT8. For information about an award that is available for working the stations, and for QSL details, visit tinyurl.com/gdynia26 Now the DX news Aldir, PY1SAD, is active as 8R1TM from Guyana until the 23rd of February. He is operating CW, SSB and digital modes on the 160 to 6m bands and via satellite. Listen for activity between 2300 and 0300UTC during the week, and ‘full time' during the weekends. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, QRZ.com or directly to Aldir's home call. Michael, OZ6AB,L is active as 5Z4/OZ6ABL from Watamu in Kenya until the 28th of February. The station is operating on the 80 to 6m bands using CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4. QSL via Logbook of the World, OQRS, or via Michael's home call.  Now the contest news Today, the 8th of February, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1300 UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Tuesday, the 10th of February, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955 UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday, the 10th of February, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230 UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday, the 11th of February, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and a four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 11th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. Also on Wednesday the 11th of February, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Thursday, the 12th of February, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Saturday, the 14th of February, the Worked All Britain 1.8MHz Contest runs from 1900 to 2359UTC. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 24th of February 2026. Please note that the contest will include SSB contacts only. To view the complete rules, visit the Worked All Britain website. Also on Saturday, the 14th of February, the first RSGB 1.8MHz Contest runs from 2000 to 2300UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday, the 14th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday, the 15th of February. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The PACC Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday, the 14th of February and runs until 1200 UTC on Sunday, the 15th of February. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. PA stations also send their province reference. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 5th of February Last week was characterised by a high solar flux index but with a succession of X-class solar flares from active region 4366 on the Sun. Luckily, none of these resulted in a coronal mass ejection, so we got away lightly. The solar flux index stood at 178 on Tuesday, the 3rd of February, with the result that the 10m band was humming. US states logged included Oregon, Nevada, California, Washington and Idaho, all between 1530 and 1730UTC. As we always say, look for a high solar flux index and a low Kp index for DX – in this case, a Kp index of between 1 and 2.33. By comparison, the next day was a washout, possibly thanks to a Kp index increase to 3.67, thanks to a coronal mass ejection, or CME, that passed Earth at 1506UTC. Poor conditions continued on Thursday, the 5th, when the solar wind speed increased to more than 500 kilometres per second, the Kp index increased to 5.33, and maximum usable frequencies across a 3,000km path struggled to exceed 20MHz. Incidentally, February and March are good months for 10m band paths to the US. By April, paths start to drop away and start favouring South America, so if you need US states for your Worked All States award, now is the right time! In the meantime, keep an eye on active region 4366 as it may still have a sting in its tail. This monstrous sunspot group, 15 times the width of Earth, was Earth-centric on Thursday, the 5th. As always, we recommend visiting solarham.com  for daily updates on space weather. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 130 to 150 range, although the Kp index might be unsettled at times, with an average Kp index of 3. Friday, the 13th of February, is forecast to be particularly unsettled with a Kp index of 5. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The markedly unsettled weather pattern continues to bring a mix of rain and showers and very strong winds at times, plus the threat of snowfall in some eastern and northern areas. This probably means that tropo will be hard to find during the coming week but leaves us with plenty of chances for rain scatter for GHz operators. In the solar-terrestrial domain, the disturbed Sun has once again brought a sequence of flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which has provided frequent auroral alerts as the Kp index has climbed to 4 or more. Listen for fluttery signals on the LF bands and perhaps ghostly sounding signals on HF and VHF, typically 10m to 2m.  Meteor scatter operators must rely upon random meteor activity, but over the whole Earth, this can amount to 25 million meteors or meteoroids per day, so there is every chance that even random activity could produce a path for you if you have a quiet site.  The mix of meteor activity and a low Kp index can lead to out-of-season Sporadic-E, given some jet stream weather activity. However, this is currently well south of the Mediterranean in its usual winter position, so any Sporadic-E may be a bit too far south to reach from the UK in the short term. This week, Moon declination is negative all week and falling until Thursday, the 12th of February. Moon window length and peak elevation follow suit. Path losses are rising again as we reach apogee, the Moon's furthest point from Earth, on Tuesday, the 10th of February. 144MHz sky noise is low but rising to high by Thursday, the 12th of February. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

KCR reporters were on the ground at the Kiama Show checking out the scene. From the wood chopping to the show bags our intrepid reporters Lee Cordner, Peter Sullivan, Felicity Leitch, Gabi Cabral, Bernie Hems and Joe Carter were there making sure you don't miss a thing. In this the second of our 2 part podcast we chat to the other occupants of the Local Homegrown Hub:  Steve  from Stoic Brewery, Zaynep Testoni  from Soul Clay Studios, Suzie Storrie from Twin Figs Farm, Rebecca from the Jamberoo Jerky and Biltong Company, Shaye Lucason from the The Kiama Chocolate Company, and Rachel Peedom from Bee Inspired.  We also talk to carpenter Tom Michu Wright , Judith Russell from Products that Heal and Michael and Michelle Crofts from Mermaidia Braids, Bonnie and Peter Maywald from Wrap with Love, Joe Carter from the Kiama Community Garden, Meredith from Landcare  and David Toohey from KCR. Recorded over 2 days; 23rd and 24th January 2026. KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

GB2RS News Sunday the 1st of February 2026 The news headlines: RSGB Board appoints a Deputy Company Secretary Make sure you are aware of changes in the RSGB 2026 band plans An opportunity to join the GB2RS Newsreader team The RSGB Board is delighted to announce that it has appointed Stephen Ramsden, M0CCA as Deputy Company Secretary. Stephen is a solicitor and former law firm managing partner, with extensive experience in governance systems and compliance frameworks. He is a keen HF portable operator and always interested to learn about and experiment with anything related to amateur radio. Stephen Purser, GW4SHF, has told the Board that he wishes to retire from his role as Company Secretary, and the Board's intention is that Stephen Ramsden will take on the full Company Secretary role after the AGM. You can contact Stephen Ramsden via dep.co.sec@rsgb.org.uk The RSGB 2026 Band Plans were published in the recently released February edition of RadCom. They are now also available on the RSGB website in a wider variety of formats, including more detailed change notes. This year's changes address a handful of key topics, including updates to the 5MHz band plan to emphasise correct operating, which comes in the light of out-of-band FT8 usage and Ofcom monitoring concerns. Updates at 50MHz have been made to accommodate new repeater inputs, which use a wider 1MHz split, easing the implementation of their duplex filters. In the 430MHz UHF band, provision for low-power ad-hoc repeaters and some editorial updates have also been made. As Band Plans change over time, please ensure you only refer or link to the current ones on the RSGB website and remove any older ones you have locally. Unfortunately, the RSGB still notes some websites and unofficial usage charts have obsolete information and urge that these are all removed. View the 2026 Band Plans at rsgb.org/bandplans The RSGB is looking for volunteers to join the team of newsreaders who broadcast the GB2RS news each Sunday. The GB2RS News Manager, Steve, G4HPE, is particularly interested in hearing from people in Wales and Northern Ireland, where he is keen to increase the number of broadcasts. He'd also like to bolster existing QO-100 and Digital Voice services and to add new stations to the national teams on the 40, 60 and 160m bands. If you'd like to be involved with any of these opportunities, or if you have proposals for transmissions using new modes or bands, get in touch. Read the full role description at rsgb.org/volunteers The next Tonight@8 webinar will be live tomorrow, Monday the 2nd of February, from 8 pm via the RSGB's YouTube channel and special BATC channel. RSGB Propagation Studies Committee Chair Steve Nichols, G0KYA, will be showing you how to use the Society's free online HF propagation tools. He'll explain how you can tailor your predictions to suit your particular station, including selecting the right mode, power, noise levels, antennas, and exact location. If you can't wait until tomorrow to hear from Steve, you can catch up on the presentation he delivered at the RSGB 2025 Convention. His lecture, ‘Was that solar cycle 25? What did we learn? is now available to watch in the RSGB 2025 Convention playlist at youtube.com/thersgb Chris Flanagan, G7NRO, is unfortunately no longer able to continue as RSGB QSL Bureau sub-manager for the G7 series, and the RSGB thanks him for the time he has given as an RSGB volunteer. RSGB members with G7 callsigns who collect QSL cards should now send their self-addressed envelopes to Mr Anthony Holles, G4AAV. You can find his details in the sub-manager list of the RSGB QSL Bureau web section at rsgb.org/qsl The January 2026 edition of RadCom Basics is now available for RSGB members to read via the RSGB mobile and web app. This edition includes articles on using a multimeter, advice on getting on the air, and the challenges that face radio amateurs who are new to the HF bands. RadCom Basics covers key aspects of amateur radio in a clear, accessible way and is invaluable for those getting started in amateur radio or wanting to explore something new. This is why the Society is delighted to have added to its collection of RadCom Basics back issues in the RSGB app, where RSGB members can now enjoy editions dating back to May 2019. The publication takes you through topics ranging from working split frequency to building your own digital hotspot, and from using FT8 to taking part in a radio net. With the RSGB mobile app, you can download editions to enjoy offline. You can also browse RadCom Basics on the web via rsgb.org/radcom And finally, a reminder that the next in the popular 145 Alive series will take place on Saturday the 7th of February from 12pm to 3pm. The event will include the addition of 144MHz SSB stations with vertical polarisation. For more information, visit the 145 Alive Facebook page. And now for details of rallies and events The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can set up from 8.15 am and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, a bring-and-buy sale, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk On Sunday, the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society's Radioactive Fair will take place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. The doors will be open from 10 am to 3 pm. The event will feature a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering, parking and disabled facilities will be available on site. For more details, visit radioactivefair.co.uk Now the Special Event news Operators from the DARC special event team are active as DH2026EM until the 10th of February to celebrate the Men's European Handball Championship. QSL via DK5ON, Logbook of the World and the DARC Community Logbook. Look for activity on the HF bands using CW, digital modes and SSB. See QRZ.com for more information. Phil, ZL3PAH, is active as ZL60PAH until the 22nd of February to mark his diamond jubilee in amateur radio. He is operating using CW, RTTY and some SSB on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World. For more information, see QRZ.com Now the DX news Chas, NK8O, is active as 5H3DX from Tanzania until the 9th of February. In his spare time, he operates CW and digital modes on the 20 to 10m bands. If conditions allow, Chas may also be active on the 6m band. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or directly to NK8O. Harald, DF2W,O is active as 9X2AW from Kigali in Rwanda until the 9th of February. He is operating on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB as well as via the QO-100 satellite. QSL via OQRS. Now the contest news Tomorrow, the 2nd of February, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday, the 3rd of February, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955 UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday, the 3rd of February, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230 UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday, the 4th of February, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100 UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 4th, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. Also on Wednesday, the 4th of February, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100 UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. On Sunday, the 8th of February, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1300 UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 29th of January 2026 We had a much quieter week Sun-wise, with fewer geomagnetic disturbances and a decreasing solar flux index. Last week started at 153 but decreased to 133 by Wednesday. The Kp index started the week at 2.33 and, apart from an excursion to 5.33, was below 4.33 all week. The 5.33 value was due to an enhanced solar wind stream flowing from a small coronal hole. The lower Kp indices have meant that the ionosphere has had a chance to recover, and we have been seeing maximum usable frequencies, or MUFs, over a 3,000km path reaching 35MHz at times. The 10m band has been coming up quite nicely, with the RR90 beacon in Eastern Russia audible on 28.200MHz mid-morning. On Thursday, the 29th of January, the band was otherwise quite bare, apart from EM0WWA in Ukraine on 28.480MHz with some sort of digitised voice. Also, PP8ZAC in Brazil was loud on 28.025MHz using CW. A quick scan of the 28MHz low-power beacons revealed PY4YYF Brazil on 28.115MHz, YM7TEN in Turkey on 28.225MHz, and that was it. Hopefully, 28MHz will improve as we head towards Spring. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 120 to 140 range, with the Kp index set to remain low until the 4th of February, when it is predicted to rise to 4. So, if this goes to plan, we can expect reasonable conditions on the HF bands. However, you might be better off on 18, 21 or 24MHz as the 10m band may not be as active as we would like. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The recent pattern of low pressure close to the southwest of the British Isles has staked its claim for another week. This means further spells of rain, especially in the south and west. The cold southeasterly wind over the northeastern half of the UK will persist, but any high pressure will stay well to the north and east of us, so tropo will probably be hard to find. Rain scatter, on the other hand, may be more productive, especially for the south and west. Some periods of rain, sleet or snow are possible in the northeast, where there may also be some snow static on antennas from time to time.  Meteor scatter will have to rely upon random meteors for the next few weeks, and, as most of you who follow these bulletins will remember, are at a peak in the pre-dawn hours. There has been a steady stream of auroral alerts recently. These have been mostly minor events, but they reinforce the notion that it is worth monitoring the Kp index, which gives a sense of Earth's geomagnetic activity. High Kp values are a useful indicator of a potential auroral event. Sporadic-E usually takes a break at this time of the year, but if you make a point of checking the foEs trace at propquest.co.uk, you may see that there are occasional spikes in the graph of the data from Dourbes in Belgium. This suggests that, although rare, out-of-season Sporadic-E does occur, especially on the lower bands such as 10 and 6m.  This week, Moon declination is positive and falling, going negative again on Thursday. Moon window length and peak elevation are falling. Path losses are rising again as we passed perigee on the 29th of January. 144MHz sky noise will be low all week. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

Marco Barozzi is the Founder of Expo Consulting, with experience of over three decades in the exhibitions and events industry. His journey began with key roles in prestigious companies like the Blenheim Group, Miller Freeman, and Reed Exhibitions. Later, he founded Expo Consulting, helping organisations succeed in the complex and dynamic world of trade shows and events. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous public institutions, SMEs, and event planners, sharing his expertise in trade show promotion, marketing strategy, project management, and exhibitor training. As the Country Manager of Fira Barcelona for the Italian market until 2022 and a faculty member of ICE/ ITA, he mentored numerous businesses and individuals, helping them navigate the intricacies of the event marketing landscape. When not immersed in the world of events, Marco enjoys travelling, reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends. Macro says that these experiences inspire and fuel his curiosity for discovering new ideas and perspectives. Marco Barozzi Event Marketing At Your Fingertips In this episode, Marco Barozzi talks about his book “Event Marketing At Your Fingertips” and topics from the book that can help exhibitors and organisers of trade shows to realise better returns from trade show participation. Marco explains many of the issues that exhibitors need to understand before planning or embarking upon participation in a trade show or event. These include actions such as setting objectives, researching the pros and cons of particular events, and training staff to have the correct approach in the booth. Exhibition organisers are often too obsessed with spaces and dimensions in a trade show, and do not pay enough attention to creating value for the exhibitor and the attendee. Exhibitors should get better education about trade shows and take the help of consultants and specialists to create better engagement at trade shows. Run time – 01:11:36 mins. Links for Subhanjan  subhanjan@pitch.link  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar Links for Marco Barozzi: E-mail: mbarozzi@expoconsulting.it Company website: www.expoconsulting.eu X: @marco_mbarozzi IG: @event_marketer57 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcobarozzi/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/marco.barozzi.39 Link to book – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8VN4ZZQ?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

Higher Ed AV PodcastEpisode 343Joe Way caps off his ISE preview series with one of his annual favorite conversations, welcoming back Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, the organizers of Integrated Systems Europe. Mike shares why ISE 2026 is on track to be the biggest edition yet, how the team plans the show as a year round reinvention cycle, and what “Push Beyond” really means in practice, not just as a theme, but as a commitment to raising the bar for the industry and the attendee experience.A big focus of the episode is how ISE has become more than a trade show inside a convention center. Mike explains the deliberate shift to making ISE a city wide experience that gives something back to Barcelona while also showcasing the best of AV to the public. Joe and Mike unpack how those external activations connect back to the show floor, the conference program, and the broader mission of ISE as a marketplace plus an editorial engine for learning.The conversation also goes deep on vertical strategy and why education continues to grow at ISE. Mike talks about partnering with subject matter experts and communities to curate programming that motivates end users to attend, and Joe shares how HETMA is helping first timers navigate the show and find their people. They close with practical pro tips for surviving the scale of ISE, plus Mike's latest attendance signals and a few Barcelona favorites.Key topics and highlightsMike's role and the show's foundation: Integrated Systems Events as a joint venture between AVIXA and CEDIA, with more than two decades of ISE history and continued growthISE 2026 theme: Push BeyondInternal: the ISE team challenges itself every year to avoid getting “comfortable” and to reinvent the experienceExternal: challenging the AV and systems integration industry to push boundaries and raise expectationsWhy ISE feels different: ISE as both marketplace and “publisher”Exhibitors are the marketplace and the advertisingISE's job is the editorial: conferences, summits, thought leadership, and curated experiences that make the trip worth itBarcelona as part of the showThe origin story: learning from city gridlock in Amsterdam and deciding to create value for locals, not just visitorsProjection mapping at Casa Batlló and connecting it back to the show through artist involvement and learning momentsCollaboration with the Llum lighting festival, moving it to dovetail with ISE and supporting it without consuming its identityA major new “Push Beyond” moment for 2026: drones go outsideNightly outdoor drone shows near the venue starting around 6:30 pmIntegrated with a large transparent LED element and immersive programmingSpecial Tuesday evening performance with a live orchestra and opera singer, then repeated with recorded performance on Wednesday and ThursdayEducation growth and the EdTech Congress partnershipWhy the education technology cluster matters and how it grew from small beginnings into a serious conveningWhy partnering makes sense: thousands of education specialists, many not previously attending ISEHow it's structured: Montjuïc venue, shuttle connections, two day format that complements ISE and encourages cross attendanceMike's broader point: ISE succeeds by working with partners who know each subject area better than the show organizers doShow navigation and scaleWhy you cannot “do it all” in four daysHow ISE divided halls by sector so attendees can start in the right place for their vertical and then branch outProduction and live events growth: that “haze, lights, buzz” energy expanding into larger hallsWhat attendees should do differently this yearTreat ISE like a curated mission, not a wandering marathonPick your primary vertical starting hallBlock time for discovery outside your lane (the surprise vendors are part of the magic)Use communities and meet points (like HETMA) as a reset point to plan the next movePlan for the city experiencesAdd at least one evening for the public activations (projection mapping, Llum, and the new drone spectacular)Pro tips mentioned in the episodeDownload and use the official ISE app for wayfinding and planningUse the ISE tools, including the chatbot Dave, to quickly find vendors, locations, and show informationTake the metro to skip the post show taxi crushFree metro tickets are providedMetro access is available directly at the venue entrances called out by MikeLeave time for the “first ISE moment”Joe's reminder: the walk in experience hits before you even enter a hall, and first timers never forget itHETMA and higher ed calloutsHETMA is increasing its presence and community support at ISE, including being a visible flag for education attendees who want help navigating the show and connecting with the right peopleJoe encourages education attendees to use the HETMA meet point approach as a way to make a massive show feel manageableAttendance check and what Mike can shareMike shares last year's verified attendance number and notes current registration tracking is trending ahead year over yearJoe makes his annual guess and pushes for a new milestone, while Mike hints at internal competition and waits for final numbers post showHow to connect with Mike Blackman and ISE to learn moreISE Website: https://www.iseurope.orgEmail: mblackman@iseurope.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellblackman/Connect with Joe Way:Web: https://www.josiahway.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/josiahwayX (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/josiahwayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahway

In this episode, I speak with members of the Diesel Dirt and Turf Expo team to celebrate the expo's 10-year anniversary. This conversation covers the personal connections of the team to the expo, its evolution over the years, the impact on their careers, and the importance of problem-solving and safety at the event. They share memorable moments and the community spirit that makes the expo a unique experience for attendees and exhibitors alike! DDT EXPO team are thrilled to share another year on site at the Sydney dragway in 2026 The event is 17 - 19 April 2026  @Sydney dragway NSW    Contact Marti our event manager if you wish to showcase your products and services Ph:0411648465  Email: marti@dieseldirtandturf.com.au Additionally you may submit the digital application form attached  And we can get in touch with you.   Application form: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/exhibitor-application-forms/ Prospectus: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/prospectus-information/ Visitors/ info/ about/ when and where: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/visitors/when-where/ Testimonials: https://www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au/expo-exhibitors/exhibitor-testimonials/   ------------------------------------------------------------ Takeaways Diesel, Dirt and Turf Expo is a family-oriented event. The expo is inclusive and community-focused. The crowds have grown significantly since the first year. The event has evolved to become more polished and organized. Exhibitors have learned to be more professional over the years. The expo provides a platform for networking and collaboration. Problem-solving skills are crucial during the event. Safety and compliance are top priorities at the expo. The event creates memorable experiences for families and attendees. The team values their strong foundation and support for each other.

GB2RS News Sunday, the 25th of January 2026 The news headlines: It is the last week to submit your nominations for the RSGB 2026 Elections The RSGB EMC Committee has published a "Guide for Reporting Harmful Interference to Ofcom" Apply to be the RSGB's Honorary Skills and Career Development Officer Time is running out to submit your candidate forms and nominations to become an RSGB Board Director or Regional Representative in the upcoming RSGB 2026 Elections. Both roles offer the chance to use your skills, experience, energy and enthusiasm to help shape the future of the RSGB and its activities as it fulfils its strategic priorities. If you'd like to rise to the challenge and join a team of enthusiastic and dedicated radio amateurs who are eager to ensure the growth of the RSGB and amateur radio, act now. The closing date for all vacancies is 2359UTC on the 31st of January. The Society strongly encourages applications from radio amateurs of all different backgrounds and identities. Find out how to submit your application at rsgb.org/elections The RSGB EMC Committee has recently published a new “Guide for Reporting Harmful Interference to Ofcom". The leaflet contains some dos and don'ts on the style and content of the report that has to be submitted. It also provides some examples of wording that can be used. This is the 18th leaflet the EMC Committee has released that offers advice on dealing with interference issues. Download all of them by going to rsgb.org/emc  and selecting ‘EMC Leaflets' from the ‘In this section' menu on the right-hand side. The RSGB is looking for a volunteer to build a team that will engage with early-career engineers, as well as those making a career transition, to encourage them to use amateur radio to develop their skills and knowledge. As the Honorary Skills and Career Development Officer you will lead a team that will design and deliver learning material and courses at a level both just beyond, and significantly beyond, the Full Licence. If you are an RSGB member and interested either in this role or contributing to this programme, read the full role description at rsgb.org/volunteers Girl Guides and Scouts across the globe will be celebrating 100 years of World Thinking Day on Sunday, the 22nd of February. The aim of Thinking Day on the Air is to encourage Girlguiding and Scouting members to make friendships with those in other units, using amateur radio as the means of communication. What will you be doing to help them celebrate? You could put on a special event station with a callsign that reflects this centenary. Let the RSGB know your plans so it can help to promote the event and share a list of stations that will be active over the weekend. A similar and highly popular resource was shared for Jamboree on the Air in October. Get involved and help to make this event just as successful. Send details of your activity to comms@rsgb.org.uk Amateur Radio Digital Communications, also known as the ARDC, has funding opportunities open for projects. Applications are invited for a range of topics including hardware, software, digital and satellite communications and educational material. The next deadline for submitting applications is the 1st of February 2026. Read more at tinyurl.com/ardcfeb26 Join the new Radio For Us net ️on FreeSTAR International today, Sunday the 25th of January, from 8 pm. A live stream of the event will be available at youtube.com/@radioforus. You can find out more about the network visit by visiting freestar.network  And finally, a reminder that the next in the popular 145 Alive series will take place on Saturday, the 7th of February, from 12 pm to 3 pm. The event will include the addition of 144MHz SSB stations with vertical polarisation. For more information, visit the 145 Alive Facebook page. Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events Today, Sunday the 25th of January, the Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally is taking place at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The doors are open from 10 am, and admission is £3. For more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 07777 699 069 or email m5zzz@outlook.com The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain access to set up from 8.15 am, and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk Now the Special Event news Special callsign DF100KWTJ is active until the 31st of March to mark the centenary of the Kurzwellentagung. This commemorates the first convention of German HF amateurs, which was held in January 1926. QSL via the Bureau. Visit QRZ.com for more details. The World Wide Award is currently underway and runs until the 31st of January. The award combines CW, SSB and digital mode activity from stations around the world. Real-time online award tracking is available for chasers. For more information, visit hamaward.cloud/wwa Now the DX news Gabriele, HB9TSW, is active as Z68BG from Slatina Air Base near Pristina in Kosovo until Wednesday, the 28th of January. He is operating CW only. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or via Gabriele's home call. Gabriel, LU1WGB, is active as LU1WGB/Z from the Joint Antarctic Base on Laurie Island, in the South Orkney Islands, AN-008, until the 22nd of February. He operates using FT8 with a QRP SDR transceiver and a dipole. Now the contest news The CQ World Wide 160m DX Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday, the 23rd and runs until 2200UTC today, Sunday, the 25th of January. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province. The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint started at 1200UTC yesterday, Saturday the 24th and runs until 1200UTC today, Sunday the 25th of January. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your serial number. On Tuesday, the 27th of January, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday, the 28th of January, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 22nd of January 2026 Last week featured a massive aurora that couldn't have been predicted in the previous report. The cause was a large Earth-directed coronal mass ejection on Sunday, the 18th of January at 18:08 UTC. The solar wind speed was above 1,100 kilometres per second, so the impact on the Earth arrived sooner than expected. The result was that the Kp index rose to 8.33 at around 1938UTC on Monday, the 19th, sparking widespread aurora. Such was its intensity that the aurora was visible from Devon, and the Kp index was still at 8 the following day. HF was badly affected with maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path, struggling to reach 14MHz on the 20th of January. Luckily, things have now calmed down, but it shows that it is worthwhile keeping an eye on solarham.com  for daily updates. HF DX was a little sparse during the height of the geomagnetic storm, but has since recovered. 8Q7JI in the Maldives was reported as being worked on the 20m band using FT8 in the afternoon of Wednesday, the 21st of January. The KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition continues and has been worked from the UK by better-equipped stations. 9X2AW in Rwanda will be operating for the coming two weeks. Lastly, VP2EIO in Anguilla is active until the 31st of January using FT8 and some SSB. NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start next week around 175, but decline to 165 by Friday, the 30th. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be reasonable, at least until the 28th, when we may expect a Kp index of 4 or 5 over a three-day period. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The mild unsettled weather is probably going to transform into a cold unsettled pattern during the next week. However, things will stay essentially unsettled with active weather fronts or heavy showers bringing plenty of opportunity for rain scatter on the GHz bands. After the good auroral and auroral-E propagation on the VHF bands early last week, we are in quieter territory now. However, as usual, a daily check on the Kp index will ensure you keep in touch with any sign of a recurrence. As for meteor scatter, we are now firmly in the random meteor period for several weeks and, with no major showers available, the best times will usually be in the early hours before sunrise. Lastly, a mention of Sporadic-E, which might crop up as brief spikes on the propquest.co.uk graphs. The foEs values in January show as isolated peaks from 5 to 7MHz, which is approximately equivalent to 10m and 6m. Perhaps a good way to see where the prospects exist is by using dxmaps.com  to find current Sporadic-E paths on the 10 and 6m bands. A second hint can be found by looking at the Sporadic-E blog tab on Propquest to see where the main weather jet streams are located. This is because Sporadic-E paths are often associated with jet streams, especially where they cross mountain ranges like the Pyrenees or Alps.  July this year sees maximum Moon declination coinciding with lowest path losses in the northern hemisphere, so there's never been a better time to try EME operating. This week, Moon declination is positive and rising, so Moon window length and peak elevation are increasing. Path losses are falling as we approach perigee on the 29th of January. 144MHz sky noise is low, rising to moderate on the 29th of January. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News Sunday, the 18th of January 2026 The news headlines: RSGB announces important changes to its QSL Bureau Service RSGB Regions 6 and 7 launch a new challenge for February Could you be the RSGB Youth Activities and Engagement Champion? The RSGB is pleased to announce the next stage in developing its QSL Bureau Services following the retirement of the RSGB QSL Bureau Manager Richard Constantine, G3UGF. After a comprehensive review of long-term options, the Society has entered into a formal Contractual Agreement with the German National Radio Society, Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, to process all incoming and outgoing RSGB QSL cards. DARC operates a modern, high-capacity QSL bureau. Its systems already support several national societies and offer industrial-scale reliability, digital processing capability and long-term resilience. This partnership will provide a robust and effective QSL bureau service for RSGB members. Volunteers remain central to the RSGB QSL Bureau Service, and the RSGB extends its thanks to all sub-managers, whose dedication forms the backbone of the service. The new arrangements are designed to support volunteer involvement, not replace it, and to ensure volunteers have a strong infrastructure behind them. The new service preserves the traditional bureau structure but will offer additional options for RSGB members who send cards. Find out more about these developments on the newly updated QSL Bureau pages on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/qsl RSGB Regional Representatives in North and South Wales have launched a new challenge. The 40 Metre Challenge encourages radio amateurs to make as many QSOs as possible on the 40m band between the 1st and 28th of February. The event has six categories to enter and is open to individual RSGB members living in Wales and members of RSGB-affiliated clubs located in Wales. Certificates will be awarded to the top station in each category, as well as a 7MHz Challenge Trophy for the RSGB Affiliated Club with the most QSOs submitted by its membership. Find out more by searching ‘40 Metre Challenge' in the search bar on the RSGB website at rsgb.org Have you got ideas for activities that will inspire and engage young Foundation licence holders? The RSGB is looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to become its volunteer Youth Activities and Engagement Champion. The role will take the lead on youth-focused activities and help in promoting and supporting events such as YOTA Month and the annual IARU YOTA Summer Camp. Read the full details on this exciting role and how to apply at rsgb.org/volunteers The RSGB is seeking to appoint a new Advertising Agent to take over from the current contractor upon their retirement. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the UK's national amateur radio society and manage advertising sales across a diverse portfolio of respected publications and digital platforms. If you are a contractor or agency and can support the development of RSGB advertising and contribute to the growth of its publications and digital platforms, this opportunity could be for you. Go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/careers to find out more. Applications are closing soon, so don't delay if you're interested! YOTA Month took place in December and was full of young radio amateurs having fun on the air. If you were involved with the event, don't forget to share your experience by featuring in a YOTA Month special in the March edition of RadCom. To be included, email your photos and a short report to radcom@rsgb.org.uk by the 23rd of January at the latest, and please make it clear if the photos can also be used on social media. A reminder that the RSGB will stop offering the Intermediate 100 award and the VHF/UHF Activity award at the end of 2026. Anyone working towards these awards will have until the end of the year to complete the necessary QSOs. The RSGB has numerous other awards for you to chase, so get started by going to rsgb.org/awards The Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys is having a ‘What is my STEM future' conference for Canterbury school pupils aged between 10 and 13. The event aims to give students a sense of what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is, and to help them plan for their futures. The conference programme includes four workshops, one of which will be on amateur radio and Morse. Under supervision, students will have the opportunity to operate the school's amateur radio club callsign, G3OSL. Listen out between 10 am and 1 pm on Wednesday, the 21st of January, when pupils will be active using CW on the 40 and 20m bands. Read more about the event via rsgb.org/school-zone Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events On Sunday, the 25th of January 2026, the Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally will be held at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The doors will be open from 10 am, and admission is £3. Tables cost £10. To book tables, or for more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 07777 699 069 or email m5zzz@outlook.com The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain entrance from 8.15 am, and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy, raffle, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk Now the Special Event news The Royal Association of Radio Amateurs in Morocco is active as CN35CAN during the 35th Africa Cup of Nations. The competition sees African national football teams compete against each other every two years. Recently, the station was worked on the 20m band using SSB. For more information, visit QRZ.com The Straight Key Century Club's Straight Key Month is currently underway. The annual on-air event commemorates the Club's founding in 2006 and celebrates the original instruments of early radiotelegraphy, including straight keys, bugs and ‘cootie' keys. Listen out for the K3Y callsign, which is being aired from the ten USA call areas. Information on the event and QSL instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/skcc2026 Now the DX news Jonathan, W5GI, is active as VP2V/W5GI from Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, NA-023, until Tuesday, the 20th of January. He operates SSB and FT8 on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World. Andre, ON7YK, is active as C5YK from The Gambia until Sunday, the 25th of January. He operates using SSB, digital modes and some CW on the 20 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL or directly to Andre's home call. Now the contest news Tomorrow, the 19th of January, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 2000 to 2200UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report. On Tuesday, the 20th of January, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The CQ World Wide 160m DX Contest starts at 2200UTC on Friday, the 23rd and runs until 2200UTC on Sunday, the 25th of January. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province. The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint starts at 1200UTC on Saturday, the 24th and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday, the 25th of January. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your serial number. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 15th of January 2026 The Solar Flux Index increased a little last week, but it was never exceptional. We started at 111 on the 11th of January and ended at 127 on Thursday the 15th – hardly much to get excited about. The 11th of January also marked the most geomagnetically disturbed day of the week, with the Kp index hitting 5.33. Luckily, the rest of the week was more settled, with the Kp index not getting above 3 for the three days up until Thursday, the 15th. The Sun also produced two M-class solar flares during that time, but there were no X-class events. This has meant reasonable HF propagation, with the maximum usable frequency over 3,000km climbing steadily after sunrise, often reaching more than 30MHz at times. But it has been choppy, with many falls below 25MHz during the day. So, if you are a 10m band operator, stick with it, as you may find conditions improve after 10 minutes or so. Nighttime maximum usable frequencies are still falling to around 7 to 9MHz over a 3,000km path, often dropping further, leaving the 40m band closed to many. A quick check of the NCDXF IBP beacon chain around midday on Thursday, the 15th, showed that the 24.930MHz beacons were probably the most active, but DX signals were still a little watery. The lower bands are still coming up with the goods, though, with Hong Kong being reported on 80m using CW. 3D2USU in Fiji has also been worked on the 20m band using CW, according to the CDXC Slack Group. The KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition has been another sought-after entity this month. The station has been reported as being worked from Europe on the 30m band using FT8, on the 80m band using CW and on the 40m band using USB. Next week's DXpeditions include 9X2AW in Rwanda, 5H3DX in Tanzania, P40AA in Aruba, and PJ2ND on Curacao Island. Also reported to be active are VE3VSM/HR9 on Roatan Island in the Caribbean, Z81D in South Sudan, H44MS on the Solomon Islands and FT4YM in Antarctica. If you work any of them, send your reports to radcom@rsgb.org.uk Next week, the solar flux index is predicted to climb slightly, perhaps peaking at 140, before heading back down to the 120 to 130 range at the end of the month. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be settled next week, before becoming unsettled again on the 28th of January. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The current unsettled pattern looks likely to continue for the next week with low pressure nearby for much of the time, driving a series of rain-bearing fronts across the country.  This will provide some opportunities for rain scatter, although these fast-moving winter systems may need some delicate rotator work to keep track of them. Tropo seems unlikely to feature much, if at all, during the period. The prospects for meteor scatter are best for random meteors around dawn since we are now entering a long period between important meteor showers. This will last through to the Lyrids in late April.  The solar conditions may be interesting due to a large sunspot group moving into view as the previous week closes, so don't abandon hope of potential auroral activity and, as usual, monitor the Kp index for enhanced values above 5, ideally reaching 7 or better. A final note about Sporadic-E, which, last week, provided some mid-winter QSOs, including on the 4m band. This was encouraged by the stronger winter jet streams, although we are now moving out of that traditional winter window of activity.  Check the foEs trace on the propquest.co.uk  graphs to be sure you don't miss any final throes of the winter Sporadic-E season. For EME operators, Moon declination is at minimum over this weekend and negative all next week, going positive again on Friday the 23rd. Path losses are falling, and the Moon window length and peak elevation are increasing. 144MHz sky noise was high from Friday the 16th, and the Sun and Moon are close in the sky today, the 18th. Sky noise will be low from tomorrow, the 19th, onwards. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

Rob launched the new Ned Kelly exhibition with a focus on the 120th anniversary of the first motion picture ever made

A clear brand identity doesn't just shape messaging—it drives real-world results. In this episode, Julie Parsons, Co-Founder and Managing Director of District Marketing Group, shares how thoughtful brand strategy and early trade show planning create more engaging, memorable experiences.Register for PACK EXPO East today!

GB2RS News Sunday the 11th of January 2026 The news headlines: Give back to the amateur radio community in 2026 Understand the basic characteristics of dipoles for transmitting and receiving RSGB Lecture Coordinator role – a chance to educate and spark curiosity Have you set your goals for 2026 yet? How about using your knowledge and expertise to make a difference to the amateur radio community this year? The RSGB has two Elected Board Director vacancies that are available for nominations in this year's elections. The Society is looking for applications from members with leadership skills and a desire to embrace and implement the Society's strategic priorities. The RSGB also has three Regional Representative roles open for nominations. These are for Region 2 which covers Scotland North and the Northern Isles, Region 7 which represents South Wales, and Region 9 which covers London and Thames Valley. As a Regional Representative you will lead the team of District Representatives in your area and not only represent the Society but also support your fellow radio amateurs. Find out more about what it takes to succeed as a Director or a Regional Representative by reading the candidate packs via rsgb.org/elections The closing date for nominations is the 31st of January 2026. The first RSGB Tonight@8 webinar of 2026 is a fascinating presentation for all radio amateurs, regardless of how long you have been licensed. Tomorrow, Monday the 12th of January, Steve Stearns, K6OIK will explain the basic characteristics of dipoles for transmitting and receiving. Having a proper understanding of dipole properties and characteristics is essential to understanding many other antennas including complementary antennas such as slots. You can join the webinar and ask questions via the live chat on both the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel. Find out more at rsgb.org/webinars Each year the RSGB delivers over sixty lectures, including around fifty at the RSGB Convention and a further eleven presented through its popular livestreamed Tonight@8 webinar series. These presentations cover a rich variety of amateur radio topics, cater to every level of experience and attract audiences from across the world. The Society is seeking a proactive, collaborative and passionate volunteer to become its Lecture Coordinator, who will play a key role in shaping the lecture programme. Could this be you? Working closely with the Tonight@8 and Convention teams, you would bring fresh ideas for talks that educate, inspire and spark curiosity. Your efforts would encourage radio amateurs to explore new areas, deepen their knowledge and embrace the excitement of amateur radio – all while supporting the Society's strategic priorities. Are you interested? Find out more about the role by reading the full description at rsgb.org/volunteers  and then contact the RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB via gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk When was the last time you checked your membership details in the RSGB Membership Portal? If you have moved house recently, changed your email address or callsign, put a few minutes aside to log in via rsgb.org/members  and select ‘Update details' to make any changes. Whilst logged in, visit the ‘Manage preferences' screen to select which topics you'd like to receive updates about, including GB2RS and online events. You can also choose whether to receive notifications when new editions of RadCom Basics and RadCom Plus become available. Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk  The deadline for submissions is 10am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events On Sunday the 25th of January 2026, the Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally will be held at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The doors will be open from 10am and admission is £3. Tables cost £10. To book tables, or for more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 0777 7699 069 or email m5zzz@outlook.com The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday the 8th of February at Mather Hall, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain entrance from 8.15am and the doors open to visitors at 10am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy, raffle, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk Now the special event news A series of special event stations is active from Italy to raise awareness of key figures who supported the life and work of Guglielmo Marconi. Throughout the month of January, listen for activity on all bands and modes. For more information, including details of an award that is available for working the stations, visit tinyurl.com/marconi26 The World Wide Award is currently underway and runs until the 31st of January. The award combines CW, SSB and digital mode activity from stations around the world. Real-time online award tracking is available for chasers. For more information visit hamaward.cloud/wwa   Now the DX news   Pierre-Jean, F4GPK is active as TO2FY from French Guiana until Thursday the 15th of January. He operates using SSB only. QSL via Logbook of the World and eQSL. Rikk, WE9G is active as J38WG from Grenada NA-024, until the 16th of January. Listen for activity on the 160 to 6m bands, mostly using FT8 but also some CW and SSB. QSL via OQRS, Logbook of the World or via WE9G. Now the contest news Today, Sunday the 11th of January, the RSGB Affiliated Societies 80 and 40m Data Modes Contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY on the 80 and 40m bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday the 13th of January, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Tuesday the 13th of January, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 14th of January, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 14th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. On Thursday the 15th of January, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Saturday the 17th of January, the RSGB Affiliated Societies 80 and 40m SSB Contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using SSB on the 80 and 40m bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 8th of January 2026 Now that the dust has settled after the New Year's celebrations, we can get back to our regular propagation reports. The New Year has started with minor disturbed geomagnetic conditions at times, plus lots of C-class solar flares, and a healthy dose of sunspots. As we slide down the slope towards sunspot minimum, we can expect more geomagnetic disturbances and raised Kp indices. But we should still have good HF conditions for a couple of years. The Kp index hit 5 on the 2nd of January, but has otherwise been relatively quiet, often registering less than 1 or 2. And the lack of M- and X-class solar flares means we have had no solar fade-outs. With the solar flux index at more than 150 for much of the time, this bodes well for HF propagation and, as Propquest shows, the maximum usable frequency over 3,000km during daylight has often been more than 28MHz. Unfortunately, this does decline quite quickly after sunset, leaving the maximum usable frequency below 10MHz most of the time. As we head towards spring, we can expect this to improve. DX has been available. Stations worked include V51WH in Namibia on the 12m band using SSB, TZ4AM in Mali on 30m using CW, and ZS7ANF in Antarctica using CW on the 17m band. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 130 to 150 range. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be variable, with the Kp index predicted to hit 5 on the 13th and 14th of January, and again between the 17th and 20th of January. So, we recommend you get your HF DXing in before the 13th and around the 15th and 16th, as propagation and maximum usable frequencies will no doubt be affected if the Kp index rises. With the three-week 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition set for early February, now may be a good time to sort out your antennas. Remember that Bouvet is almost due south from the UK, so plan accordingly. More propagation details will be made available nearer the time And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The unsettled weather pattern continues to provide a variety of challenging weather types with heavy snow and rain, plus strong winds at times. The nature of such patterns in January is that the timing and track of the lows are critical for the rain and snow outcome. Overall, it's likely to be a cold-system week with occasional brief milder interludes as Atlantic fronts move through in the middle of the coming week. The effect on VHF and UHF propagation is limited with tropo unlikely, but there is a significant chance of rain or snow scatter at times for GHz operators. There have been some slight increases in the Earth's Kp index, which responds to solar activity. However, as we are between the peak periods of autumn and spring for aurora, it's probably not a major player this time. Meteor scatter has been a bit more interesting lately due to the peak of the Quadrantids meteor shower on the 4th of January. The shower has a short, intense peak, but spans the period from the 28th of December to the 12th of January. The next major shower isn't until April, so it's back to random activity from this weekend through to the late April Lyrids. Lastly, a reminder that mid-winter Sporadic-E does happen. The 6th of January saw a nice early evening 6m band opening to the Baltic states, moving round to Ukraine and the Balkans later. Recent Quadrantids meteors may have contributed some long-lived metallic ions, which can be focused into thin Sporadic-E patches. It's always worth checking the Sporadic-E Layer Critical Frequency values plotted on the Propquest graphs for short spikes in the purple trace, which could be a sign of potential interest in Sporadic-E on the 10 and 6m bands. For EME operators, Moon declination is negative again, and we are past perigee, so path losses are increasing, and Moon window length and peak elevation are reducing. 144MHz sky noise remains low but rising to high by Friday the 16th. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

In Episode 70 of Trade Show Talk, Host Danica Tormohlen speaks with Ben Welgus, Head of Sustainability at Informa, about the evolving landscape of sustainability in the trade show industry. They discuss the successes and challenges faced in 2025, the launch of the Better Stands initiative, and the goals for 2026, including the importance of achieving net zero emissions. The conversation highlights the significance of sustainability in enhancing business value and the need for industry-wide collaboration to create a positive impact. In our monthly advocacy update, we talk with Tommy Goodwin, Executive VP for the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. They discuss ECA's policy agenda for 2026, including an update on tariffs, international travel and the new Global Policy Forum planned for May in Washington, D.C.   Key Takeaways  The Faster Forward program aims for zero carbon and zero waste.  Better Stands initiative promotes reusable exhibition stands.  Exhibitors, particularly those outside of the U.S.. are motivated by recognition in sustainability efforts. More than 1,000 exhibitors in Europe have been recognized by the Better Stands initiative.  Net zero goals require significant carbon emission reductions.  Sustainability is becoming embedded in business practices.  Informa has reduced carbon emission by 80% in the last decade.  Natural Products Expo West, winner of the TSNN Sustainability Award in December 2025, exemplifies comprehensive sustainability efforts.  Investing in renewable energy is crucial for sustainability.  Tariffs and international travel remain key policy issues for ECA in 2026.   New Global Policy Forum launches May 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Trade Shows  04:06 Reflecting on 2025: Wins and Challenges  05:55 Unpacking the Faster Forward Program  08:00 Looking Ahead: Sustainability Goals for 2026  09:51 The Game-Changer: Better Stands Initiative  15:29 Net Zero Goals: Current Status and Challenges  25:44 Sustainability in Business: Reality vs. Perception  30:48 Celebrating Success: Natural Products Expo West  33:20 Getting to Know Ben Welgus  36:27 Future Trends in Sustainability for 2026  40:26 Tommy Goodwin's Policy Agenda for 2026  45:00 Global Policy Forum and Future Trends    Guest bios Ben Wielgus, Head of Sustainability, Informa plc A 25 year veteran of sustainability in large corporates, Ben Wielgus joined Informa in spring 2016 in the newly created Head of Sustainability role. His briefing: to create a competitive advantage from sustainability, building stronger relationships with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders. In 2023, he was short-listed as Sustainability Leader of the Year in the EDIE awards. Over the last 10 years, FTSE100 member Informa has repeatedly been recognised as one of the most improved businesses in sustainability and is currently listed in the top 1% of sustainable media business according to Dow Jones and MSCI. In 2020, Informa launched its FasterForward sustainability programme setting out an ambitious set of goals to become a zero carbon, zero waste business where sustainability is embedded within each of its products. Informa's multi award-winning Sustainable Event Fundamentals are now being used across more than 500 events globally. Before joining Informa, Ben spent nearly 15 years working as part of KPMG's Sustainability Advisory Group.  He was responsible for leading dozens of engagements working with senior audiences in large, global organisations helping them understand how sustainability can be an asset that returns on the investment in it rather than acts as a cost.  Ben specialises in helping organisations understand how the risks and opportunities from sustainability can affect an organisation's overall strategy.  He works with them to build suitable governance and embed responses to the challenges. About Informa: Informa is a leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business, operating in the Knowledge and Information Economy. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100. Tommy Goodwin, Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute. Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including: CEO Update/Association Trends: Leading Association Lobbyist (2023) American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE Fellow (2022) DCA Live: Association Innovation Leader (2022) Trade Show news Network: Industry Support Award (2022) MeetingsNet: Changemaker (2022) Podcast Host Bio: Danica Tormohlen An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries.  Tormohlen currently serves as immediate past president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few.  

What makes the National Running Show one of the biggest dates in the running calendar?In this episode, Rob and Emma are joined by Lottie Faulkner to go behind the scenes of the National Running Show and explore what makes it such a standout event for runners of all abilities.Lottie shares insight into how the show comes together—from curating a diverse and inspiring lineup of guest speakers to working with exhibitors and brands that shape the running industry. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, networking, and community, and why the show has become far more than just an expo—it's a true meeting place for the running world.They also discuss what attendees can expect on the day, including family-friendly activities, opportunities to discover new gear, hear from industry voices, and connect with like-minded runners. With ticket information, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of excitement for what's to come, this episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about attending.Whether you're new to running or deep into the community, this episode captures the energy, opportunity, and sense of belonging that make the National Running Show so special.HighlightsWhat makes the National Running Show a major event for runnersThe speaker lineup and how guests are selectedWhy exhibitors and brands are key to the show's successNetworking and collaboration within the running communityBehind-the-scenes challenges of organising guest speakersFamily-friendly elements of the eventTicket information and how to get involvedWhy there's truly something for every runner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready for a feel-good jolt of purpose and practical ideas to carry you into the new year? We kick off with National Underdog Day, then connect that spirit to math classrooms where identity, equity, and agency drive the work. The conversation builds toward a big announcement: the CPM Teacher Conference returns to San Francisco on February 21–22, 2026, with an energized program designed to meet teachers where they are and help them go further.We share the details educators care about. Dr. Eugenia Cheng brings a keynote on the math of inequality and how things add up—or don't—in real life, with on-site book signings. Peter Liljedahl from Building Thinking Classrooms leads two sessions, while Eli Luberoff from Desmos delivers a couple of sessions and the closing general session. Expect twelve concurrent sessions across five blocks, with threads for discourse, reading, literacy, and technology, and BTC. The Ignite talks wrap Saturday with rapid-fire inspiration that always sparks Monday-ready ideas. Exhibitors like WipeBook and TODOS join the mix, plus a space for hands-on Q&A about CPM curriculum and professional learning.The heart of the episode is human. Chi Lo, one of our Join Them on Their Journey teachers, reflects on how the CMC-North conference helped keep the flame alive—reminding them that math should feel human and affirming. Jessie Todd, our other JTOTJ teacher, shares how fidelity to student-centered structures meant their class kept learning even with a substitute which can be attributed to routines and clear storylines in the curriculum. If you're craving community, practical strategies, and a renewed belief that students can own their math learning, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a December boost, and leave a review with your favorite underdog story—and maybe we'll read a few on an upcoming episode.Send Joel and Misty a message!The More Math for More People Podcast is produced by CPM Educational Program. Learn more at CPM.orgX: @cpmmathFacebook: CPMEducationalProgramEmail: cpmpodcast@cpm.org

Trade shows can be a powerful marketing tool. Hear from Jay Menashe of Exhibitus, Inc. as he shares how to justify your trade show ROI to management and secure continued support for 2026 and beyond.Register for PACK EXPO East today!

Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations Co is here for our huge Winter Movies Preview! We're predicting the hits (and bombs) for everything coming out December 2025 through February 2026, including Avatar: Fire and Ash, Five Nights at Freddy's Part Two, Primate, Anaconda, Sydney Sweeney's The Housemaid, Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue, Scream 7, and Margot Robbie in WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Give thanks for this overstuffed episode! Remember to Rate (5 Stars), Review (Great show, blah, blah, blah) and Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-o-boys-movie-box-office/id1489892648 E-mail us: theboboyspodcast@gmail.com   Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theboboyspodcast   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram: @TheBOBoysPod   Subscribe to us on Substack: https://substack.com/@theboboys Our AWESOME artwork was provided by the talented Ellie Skrzat. Check out her work at https://ellieskrzat.com/ Thanks to WannaBO VP of Interns Christopher for running our social media! ---

By Billy Linehan Maker Faire Festival of invention Maker Faire Rome is a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. It brings together creators, tinkerers, artists, scientists, engineers and enthusiasts of all ages to showcase their projects, share ideas, learn from each other and connect. Each year the fair attracts a wide range of participants from across Europe and beyond. The 2025 edition, held at the Gazometro Ostiense site in Rome, showed how Italy presents technology as something open to everyone rather than the preserve of specialists or companies. It is a public meeting place where ideas, skills and tools are shared. Curated by Innova Camera The event is promoted and organised by Innova Camera, the Special Agency of the Rome Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Italian Trade Agency and other public partners. ENI, Italy's leading energy company, was the Platinum Partner for Maker Faire Rome 2025, showcasing its work in sustainable energy and innovation. Readers can see my first report on the event, published in Irish Tech News , which gives background on the fair's scale and purpose. This follow-up looks at what stood out for me in 2025 and why Maker Faire Rome continues to matter. A city of invention Rome becomes a city of invention for three days. People attend to show what they have built, not simply what they intend to sell. Exhibitors range from individual hobbyists to full university research groups. Companies such as Digikey and Arduino are there alongside independent makers. Robots, devices made from recycled materials and new teaching tools for electronics and coding are all on display. The organisers placed a stronger emphasis this year on sustainability, digital manufacturing and human-centred technology. Makers tackling real problems Across the halls and marquees, the emphasis was on solving practical problems. Many exhibitors focused on energy, agriculture, health and sustainability rather than consumer gadgets. The DAFNE project (Digital Agriculture Framework for the Networked Economy), led by the University of Tuscia, focused on combatting the Xylella pathogen that attacks olive trees. It showed how crop-protection research can connect scientific study with practical farming applications. At the University of Siena, a public health team presented UV-Heroes , a device for disinfecting stethoscopes that addresses a genuine hospital hygiene issue. Access to digitised heritage Elsewhere, the Rome-based startup Scan Heritage demonstrated both 2D and 3D digitisation of cultural and archival materials. Their work creates accurate digital copies of documents, artefacts and objects to support preservation, study and public access. The approach has some similarities with Ireland's Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, as both protect fragile archives through digital access. These examples reflected a grounded approach to technology, linking design with real-world needs. Highlights from the fair With hundreds of exhibits spread across four gasometers, halls, pavilions and outdoor spaces, Maker Faire Rome covered everything from electronics and robotics to applied research and digital art. I focused on projects where ideas are being put to use, alongside creators working with materials and form. A lively robot-football tournament drew large crowds. The SPQR team from Sapienza University of Rome played against visiting teams from the Netherlands and Germany, showing how academic research can be turned into fast, reactive machines. Swiss maker Manuel Imboden presented his Open Source Satellite Kit, an open CubeSat model that helps beginners understand space technology. A former film producer, Imboden turned to electronics and engineering during the pandemic and has since built an online following through his YouTube channel. Technology with a Human Purpose Several research projects showed how technology supports social and medical work. The Pet Robots research team from the Universit...

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Rebecca Pahle and Chad Kennerk recap the latest news in theatrical exhibition, including the debut of Tron: Ares. Daniel Loria speaks to Cinepolis CEO Alejandro Ramirez Magana about the Morelia Film Festival, celebrated for its support of independent and global cinema. Rebecca talks to Josh Frank, the creator of Silents Synced about the upcoming Silents Synced release A Woman of the World vs Pearl Jam, arriving in theaters on November 7.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro 01:13 Tron: Ares Review and Discussion04:00 Upcoming Weekend Forecasts06:01 Tracking Update: Wicked: For Good07:03 Genre Releases – Predator: Badlands & The Running Man07:28 Transition to Independent Cinema Segment08:01 Interview with Alejandro Ramirez & Daniela Michel – Morelia Int'l Film Festival09:00 Why Is It Important for Exhibitors to Support Independent Cinema?11:00 How Did the Morelia Film Festival Begin?14:00 How Did Mexican Cinema Rebuild Its Industry?21:00 How Did Cinépolis' Distribution Arm Emerge from the Festival?23:00 What Can Audiences Expect from This Year's Morelia Lineup?25:55 Transition to Second Interview – Silent Synced26:00 Who Is Josh Frank and What Is Silent Synced?27:00 How Did the Idea to Pair Pearl Jam with A Woman of the World Begin?29:00 What Makes This Silent Film Unique?33:00 How Do Modern Audiences Respond to Silent Films?37:00 What Challenges Do Independent Cinemas Face Today?

As part of exclusive “Exhibitor Spotlight” interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with leading industry experts regarding new products and services to address today's challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance (MP) audience, this mini-episode features insights from leaders at TESI Group, Lindsay Corp., and Automa.

In part two of a tag-team with the Full Grain Podcast, the ever-handsome/charming Phil Kalas grills Ben on what to expect at Stitchdown's Boot Camp Chicago 2025 mega-expo and footwear-loving community epicenter this November. Japanese and Indonesian boot brands? Tanneries galore? Truly excellent women's footwear? The world's best care products? Red Wing & SB Foot??? Yes indeed. And oh so much more. Wherever you are in this world, do everything you can to get to Chicago on and around November 8th, 2025—you really, really won't hate it. https://www.stitchdownbootcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/fullgrainpodcast/ Support the Shoecast, get full bonus episode access, and join the most interesting shoe-and-boot-loving community on the internet with a Stitchdown Premium membershiphttps://www.stitchdown.com/join-stitchdown-premium/Check out our site!https://www.stitchdown.com/2025 dates and location for Stitchdown's Boot Camp 3—the world's fair of shoes and boots and leather and more—coming soon.https://www.stitchdownbootcamp.com/

It's the people that make this industry great! We sat down with some of our youth exhibitors that are in their final year and Kevin and Carolyn Herschberger to talk about their family.Thank you to our sponsors of Episode #133!Shipshewana Harness & Supplies Glenwood Snacks Pennwoods Equine Products INC. The Draft Horse Journal Saginaw Valley Equine ClinicSummit Professional ServicesDo you have suggestions for future episodes? Do you have ideas of someone we should have join us? Please send us any comments or questions to the Rinehold Tack & Western Wear mailbag at podcast@naclassicseries.com!

9/12/25: MTA Pres Max Page w/ Jason Wozniak, organizer at Debt Collective. Garrick Perry, incumbent & Northampton city councilor at-large candidate. OTones' Mary Witt & Forbes' Library Dir Lisa Downing: launching the Hess Performance Stage. Author Jeanne Birdsall on “The Library of Unruly Treasures.” Donnabelle Casis w/ Cima Khademi & Leila Rahnamaabadi, exhibitors at APE's "My Mind in Bloom."

In exclusive “Exhibitor Spotlight” interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with several industry experts regarding new products and services to address modern needs and challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance (MP) audience, this mini-episode features insights from leaders at MOBILTEX and ROCKWOOL.

Season 5: Episode 214In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, Chrissy Wozniak is joined by Matt Durian, Livestock Manager at the American Royal, and Mae Boedeker, Livestock and Rodeo Coordinator, to talk about the upcoming American Royal Fall Livestock Show. A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal has been inspiring and educating generations through its nationally recognized livestock shows, rodeos, equine events, and the world's largest barbecue competition.The Fall Livestock Show, set for October 10–26, 2025, is one of the premier livestock events in the country, bringing exhibitors together from across the United States and beyond. Matt and Mae share what makes this show stand out, from its exhibitor-friendly approach to its rich history spanning over 126 years. This year, attendees can look forward to the return of the Boer goat show, expanded divisions, and even the excitement of the World Hereford Conference being held in conjunction with the American Royal.Matt and Mae also reflect on what excites them most about the show, from Junior Market Week to the unforgettable Royalty Drive under the bright lights of Hale Arena. They discuss the importance of connecting the public with agriculture, the life lessons youth gain from showing livestock, and the friendships and bonds that exhibitors build along the way.For families traveling to Kansas City, Matt highlights the city's famous barbecue and local attractions, while Mae shares her favorite coffee spots to keep exhibitors and visitors fueled during show week. With the registration deadline coming up on September 10, and late entries accepted until September 15, they encourage exhibitors to enter early at americanroyal.com.The American Royal's mission goes beyond competition, with proceeds supporting scholarships and educational initiatives. Matt and Mae encourage both individuals and businesses to get involved through sponsorships, donations, or volunteering to ensure the continued success of this historic event.Don't miss this conversation about why the American Royal Fall Livestock Show is so deeply cherished by exhibitors and the agriculture community.Learn more at https://americanroyal.com/#livestock #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Send us a textSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

This week on the Boxoffice podcast, presented by Frazil, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the summer box office season and preview the biggest releases coming to theaters this September. Then in the sponsored segment, Rebecca talks to Sam Owens, the chief marketing officer at Freezing Point LLC, the makers of Frazil.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro 00:42 Weekend Movie Picks02:55 Shifting Release Dates08:12 September Box Office Preview10:58 Downton Abbey & Long Walk Stunt13:46 Key September Releases (Sept. 19–26)17:23 Summer 2025 Recap19:15 Biggest Box Office Misses28:14 Films That Fell Short34:05 Summer Box Office Hits42:45 Frazzle Interview Begins45:05 Frazzle Brand & Flavors Explained50:35 Business Model for Theaters58:10 Free Frazzle Friday Promotion01:02:05 Final Pitch to Exhibitors

The Podcast Super Friends discussed Jag's experiences at Podcast Movement 2025. For most of this episode you will hear a takeaway from Jag followed by the group discussing and debating the issue at hand. We talked about Podcast Movement's shift toward serving larger, corporate entities and its upcoming move to New York, raising concerns about the event's accessibility and relevance for independent creators. The hosts debate the impact of this change, the corporatization of podcasting conferences, and suggested alternative events like Podfest for indie podcasters. Jag reminded us about the importance of optimizing podcasts for SEO and platform search, and the growing role of AI in podcast production. We also went in on social media and word-of-mouth for discoverability, the need for high-quality content, and the value of networking at conferences. The episode closes with practical tips for podcasters and plans to attend future industry events, emphasizing adaptability in the evolving podcast landscape. Chapters: (likely affected by Dynamic Audio Insertion) (00:00) – Intro & Host Intros (03:00) – Podcast Movement Recap (08:00) – Indie Creators vs. Corporates (14:30) – Podcast Movement in New York (19:30) – AI in Podcasting (23:30) – Exhibitors & Vendors (28:00) – First Impressions & Retention (38:00) – Reach: Video vs. Audio (48:00) – SEO & Search Optimization (54:00) – Discoverability & Social Media (59:00) – Final Thoughts & Events Check out more from the Superfriends below: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠ Catherine O'Brien -⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com/⁠⁠⁠  Jon Gay: Jag in Detroit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagindetroit.com⁠⁠⁠ David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠ Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leap into fall, grow your business and find employees at the Cumberland County Business Expo and Job Fair on Thursday, September 25th, 2025 from 4 to 6.30 p.m. at the Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland Campus Gym located at 3322 College Drive in Vineland, New Jersey. Admission is free for the public.but if you're interested in becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor, visit CumberlandExpo.com. That's CumberlandExpo.com. Exhibitors and sponsors who register by September 18th will receive a lower fee. The event is organized in partnership between the Bridgerton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Millville Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce.and is sponsored in part by Rowan College of South Jersey, the Authority, Town Square Media South Jersey, and South Jersey Water Conditioning Services, Inc. Come on out on Thursday, September 25th at the Cumberland County Business Expo and Job Fair to talk to the public and entrepreneurs about their products, services, and special offers and meet people looking for a new career.

We're breaking down the biggest movies coming out in September, October, and November 2025! What's going to fly and what will FLOP this Fall at the box office?? Jeff Bock joins to preview One Battle After Another, Black Phone 2, Colleen Hoover's Regretting You, Now You See Me Now You Don't, The Running Man, Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Downton Abbey 3, The Conjuring Last Rites, HIM, Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie, Bone Lake, and of course Chad Hartigan's THE THREESOME. Massive ep! Remember to Rate (5 Stars), Review (Great show, blah, blah, blah) and Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-o-boys-movie-box-office/id1489892648 E-mail us: theboboyspodcast@gmail.com   Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theboboyspodcast   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram: @TheBOBoysPod   Subscribe to us on Substack: https://substack.com/@theboboys   Our AWESOME artwork was provided by the talented Ellie Skrzat. Check out her work at https://ellieskrzat.com/   Thanks to WannaBO VP of Interns Christopher for running our social media! ---

Join Joann and Allison chat all things dahlia exhibition with well accomplished dahlia exhibitor and senior judge, Paul Howard.  Paul and his wife, Cheryl, will surely be on the head table at each show they attend. They carefully grow and tend to their plants to perfection. Paul shares with us how to also be successful at growing dahlias for exhibition. While, at the current time, their focus is not on hybridizing, they have introductions under the Lulu prefix.  We just right into conversation with Paul! We hope you enjoy as much as we did. 

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   The inaugural RIMS Texas Regional was held Aug. 4‒6 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Nearly 500 attendees filled the hall for the groundbreaking event, which united the Texas RIMS chapters and welcomed risk management professionals worldwide.   In this episode, Justin interviews Conference attendees Tiara Wallace, DFW RIMS Inclusivity Chair and Director of RISK Invesco US, Jason Turk,  Director of Operations for Bondy Law Group, and Founder of Swag for Schools, and Maximilian Glodde, Co-Founder and CEO of MEO Continuity. They discuss their experiences at the inaugural RIMS Texas Regional Conference, their risk management backgrounds, and their advice for risk managers today.   Listen to learn more about this inaugural annual RIMS Texas Regional event.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast, recorded and produced live onsite at the RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025 in San Antonio. We have three fascinating perspectives today. [:47] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! The next Virtual RIMS-CRMP exam prep, co-hosted by Parima, will be held on September 2nd and 3rd. [:58] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED virtual workshop will be held on November 11th and 12th, and led by Joseph Mayo. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and through this episode's show notes. [1:14] RIMS Virtual Workshops! RIMS has launched a new course, “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders.” It will be held again on November 4th and 5th and will be led by Elise Farnham. RIMS members enjoy deep discounts! [1:32] The full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's notes. [1:43] The next RIMS Webinar will be held on September 4th and will be led by AXA XL. It is titled “Lockdown & Level Up: Turn Up Your Cyber Security Game Against Creative Cyber Criminals”. [1:56] On October 30th, Swiss Re will present “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times”. [2:04] Mark your calendars for November 17th and 18th for the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is jam-packed with educational sessions that will resonate with risk practitioners in all stages of their careers. [2:25] See the full agenda at RIMS.org/ERM2025. Nominations are open for the RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction 2025. The nomination deadline is Saturday, August 16th. The award is presented annually at the RIMS ERM Conference. There is a link in this episode's show notes. [2:52] If your organization's ERM program or one you know of deserves this recognition, we want to hear about it. Remember to send in that nomination form by August 16th. [3:03] RISKWORLD 2026 will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 3rd through May 6th. RIMS members can now lock in the 2025 rate for a full conference pass to RISKWORLD 2026 when registering by September 30th. [3:18] This also lets you enjoy earlier access to the RISKWORLD hotel block. Register by September 30th, and you will also be entered to win a $500 raffle. Don't miss out on this chance to plan and score some extra perks. [3:31] The members-only registration link is in this episode's show notes. If you are not yet a member, this is the time to join us. Visit RIMS.org/membership and build your risk network with us here at RIMS. [3:45] On with the show! The RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025 was a smashing success, with nearly 500 attendees in the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio! [3:58] Feedback has been wonderful, on everything from keynotes to educational sessions to networking opportunities. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for August 10th through 12th, 2026. We will be back at the convention center in San Antonio next year. [4:14] Justin interviewed a few of the attendees, the first of whom is very well-known in the DFW RIMS Chapter. Tiara Wallace is a long-time DFW RIMS Chapter member, and she is also the Inclusivity Chair. [4:30] In her full-time job, Tiara is the Director of Risk Management for Invesco US. We're going to talk about construction risk in Texas and the power of inclusivity, and what it means for her and everyone at DFW RIMS. Let's get to it! [4:44] Interview! Tiara Wallace, welcome to RIMScast! [5:26] Tiara says it is amazing to see all four chapters come together with Global RIMS! It's been great meeting new folks, seeing new vendor partners, and meeting risk professionals from across the state of Texas. It's been a great event and a great turnout! [5:55] Tiara is part of the DFW RIMS Chapter and also sits on the Board for the Texas Regional as one of the contributors, to help bring together DFW's POV for the Texas Regional. [6:25] Tiara says we are stronger together, and it's been great to collaborate across the different chapters and meet folks she wouldn't ordinarily have met.  [6:44] Tiara is the Director of Risk Management for Invesco Real Estate. Invesco acquires real estate assets and develops and constructs new assets. Tiara handles the insurance for liability, property, environmental, claims management, and contract review. [7:07] Everything for risk management for a major property owner in Texas and across the U.S. [7:36] Tiara says that since the pandemic of 2020, Texas has seen an increase in folks flocking to DFW for the cost of living. That brought in more development, construction, and congestion on the roads. This required more labor and construction employees to build offices. [8:20] Tiara says there are issues in keeping up with the pace of people coming in. There is a labor shortage, and extreme weather with heat and flooding. For a couple of years, Texas had bad freezes that they were not prepared to handle. Justin says Texas faces unique exposures. [9:22] Tiara says, post-pandemic, we have supply chain issues. Some companies buy warehouses to store materials. Tiara worked for an owner-developer who had land and facilities to store materials. Manage great relationships with your vendors. Purchase locally. [9:53] Tiara looked at ways to shorten the pipeline so that when they had disruptions, they didn't delay projects. Invesco wanted to be able to continue construction so that folks would have a place to live, work, and play. [10:14] Tiara elaborates on partnerships and contract management. What does the contract say? What are we doing to protect not only ourselves but our vendor partners, to fulfill our fiduciary responsibility to continue to produce, build, and not go bankrupt? [11:37] Tiara thinks that safety takes a couple of things: first, your alignment and partnership with safety managers, even outside of your organization, to discuss challenges, and discussing claims history with teams on the ground to help them practice safety. [12:24] The second thing is to leverage your carriers' risk control/loss control department so they can come in and give you tools. [12:37] Typically, a risk manager is a team of one, so you have to be resourceful about whom you work with, and run it up to the organization to make sure they're aligned with it. [13:01] At Invesco, Tiara is in a team of three, and they partner with a larger risk management consulting group. Tiara has a risk analyst and a risk manager on her team, and they attack everything together. Tiara lays out the division of tasks between them. [13:44] Tiara is the Inclusivity Chair at RIMS DFW Chapter. It's a new role. They wanted to bridge the gap between ages, risk managers, carrier partners, and vendor partners. [14:34] They wanted everyone coming to a DFW RIMS event to know that they have a place where they feel they belong. They are a part of a community working together to advance the risk management and insurance industry within Dallas-Fort Worth. [15:20] Tiara says people have not taken a moment to pause and use a common-sense approach about inclusivity. We need to be intentional. Some of us are getting ready to exit our industry. We need to recruit people into it. [16:02] How are we making sure this industry will be around for the rest of our time? Insurance is an industry that touches everything. Inclusivity means everybody should be included in it. [16:54] Tiara is a transplant from Oklahoma City to Dallas. She knew few people here. When her boss asked her for risk management connections, she started with LinkedIn. She asked her broker, and they started a real estate council to help her with the questions she had. [18:53] Justin tells Tiara it has been inspiring to hear her story. He is glad she is doing so well and was able to join us on RIMScast live from the RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2025. Thank you, Tiara! [19:22] Quick Break for RIMS Events!  On September 18th, the 10th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum will be held at The Old Post Office in Chicago. Register at ChicagoRIMS.org. [19:36] On October 1st through the 3rd, the RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held in North San Jose at the Santa Clara Marriott. The agenda is live. It looks fantastic! Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and register today! [19:53] On November 17th and 18th, elevate your ERM Program and career at the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is live, and early rates are available until September 5th. Register now to save $110 and secure your spot at the ERM event of the year. [20:15] Canadian listeners, take note, that's just a little bit South of the border in British Columbia. That's a great way to extend your knowledge after the RIMS Canada Conference. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2025 to register. [20:30] On with the Show! Our next guest was highly visible at the RIMS Texas Regional. He is Jason Turk, the Founder and Project Coordinator of the charity program, Swag for Schools. He is also the Director of Operations for the Bondy Law Group in Encino, California. [20:50] Jason is the former Membership Director for DFW RIMS. We will discuss his fascinating risk career and work with risk managers. We will learn about how Swag for Schools emphasizes sustainability by redistributing conference giveaways and giving back to the local community. [21:16] Interview! Jason Turk, welcome to RIMScast! [21:22] If you've been to DFW RIMS events, you may remember the Swag for Schools booth, which is manned by former Membership Director for DFW RIMS, Jason Turk. Jason, welcome to RIMScast! [22:03] Jason joined the Marine Corps in the early '90s and got out in '97. He worked as a security guard at the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board in San Bernardino. From there, he did surveillance and investigations in Southern California and then returned home to Texas. [22:36] Jason went to work for an investigation company in Dallas and became involved with the DFW RIMS Chapter. He worked in claims, Medicare compliance, and medical canvassing, and he was a California workers' compensation claims adjuster in the Dallas office of Crum & Forster. [22:58] He has a well-rounded career in claims. He's been involved with the DFW RIMS chapter since the early 2000s. [23:06] Jason is the Director of Operations of the Bondy Law Group. They do California workers' compensation defense. Jason tracks performance and maintains smooth communication in operations throughout the firm and with its clients. [23:36] Jason's goal has been to build relationships with the risk managers. His job directly impacts their bottom line, their employees, and the culture they set within their companies. [23:48] In Jason's experience, the workers' compensation world in California is a litigious area. He tries to make a positive impact on those employers and maintain long-term relationships. Jason's LinkedIn page link is in this episode's show notes. [24:19] Swag for Schools was born from an experience Jason had at a conference in 2019. Exhibitors were leaving, a storm was coming, and they abandoned boxes of marketing materials in the hall. Jason thought there had to be something he could do with those items. [24:48] He thought of donating the items, saving the exhibitors' shipping costs and time, saving the materials from going to a landfill, and doing some good, providing items to school teachers. There are a lot of items that the school teachers would go and purchase on their own. [25:04] That gave Jason the idea in 2019 to create Swag for Schools. He ran pilot tests in California and Texas, and it was very successful. Then COVID-19 hit, and conferences came to a grinding halt. [25:24] When Jason returned to the industry and the Bondy Law Group, he reinvigorated the program. Now they're on the 10th or more conference since resuming the program. [25:47] As a charity program, not a 501(c)(3), and not a non-profit, Swag for Schools does not seek or accept monetary donations. As a pass-through program, they will accept gift cards. They facilitate the donation to a local school in the area of the conference. They don't ship. [26:07] They accept typical conference swag: pens, notepads, water bottles, towels, and hand sanitizer. Many of the schools that receive the swag also support battered women's shelters, adult education, and other programs. Items not needed for schools can help other folks. [26:43] The stress balls they use in arts and crafts. Koozies get turned into hand puppets. The teachers find a way to utilize these items. [27:04] Swag for Schools doesn't have an expectation from the exhibitors. The items cost the exhibitors. Often, they want to take them home. Last year, they filled half of a 26-foot box truck with donation items that went to a school's foundation that went to K-12 and adult education. [27:35] Swag for Schools doesn't discriminate on the items because schools will find a way to use them. Unless it's a shot glass or something sharp, Swag for Schools will take it. [27:56] The items donated at the RIMS Texas Regional 2025 Conference will be boxed up and taken to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in San Antonio, about four miles away from the Conference Center. [28:18] Woodrow Wilson School will put the items in a school store where the teachers can pull the items they need without paying for them or accounting for them, as they are donations. Every little bit helps. You never know what use someone is going to have for these items. [29:02] It helps the teachers who don't have to buy things for their class, and it helps the exhibitors on their ESG goals, not putting swag in a landfill. [29:14] Jason, it has been such a pleasure to see you again. As a reminder to the listeners, a link to the Swag for Schools LinkedIn page is in this episode's show notes. Jason, thank you for doing such wonderful work for yourself and on behalf of the greater risk community. [29:53] A Final Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's goal to help build a talent pipeline of risk management and insurance professionals is achieved, in part, by its collaboration with risk management and insurance educators across the U.S. and Canada. [30:12] Since 1999, Spencer has awarded over $2.9 million to create more than 570 Risk Management Internships. The Internship Grants application process will open on August 15th, 2025. It will close on October 15th. [30:32] To be eligible, risk managers must be based in the U.S., Canada, or Bermuda. A link to the Internship Grants page is in this episode's show notes. You can always visit SpencerEd.org, as well. [30:46] The Spencer 2025 Funding their Future Gala will be held on Thursday, September 18th, at the Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York. This year's honoree is Tim Ryan, the U.S. President of Lockton, and we look forward to having Tim join us here on RIMScast very soon. [31:05] A link to the Gala is also in this episode's show notes. Buy a ticket, enjoy a great night in the city, and support the future of risk management. [31:14] Our next guest is the Co-Founder and CEO of MEO Continuity, a risk management software company that helps you optimize business disruption response. [31:25] His name is Maximilian Glodde, and we discuss risk management and why it was so important for him, as the Founder and CEO of a startup, to join RIMS. [31:43] Interview! Maximilian Glodde, welcome to RIMScast! [31:45] Maximilian has been in RIMS and the risk management space for 10 years. MEO Continuity is a relatively young startup of just over three years. [32:29] Maximilian believes the biggest challenge for a startup is getting your word out. They had early validation that we had something people found valuable. We had to stay disciplined about staying in our lane. The big challenge is getting your name out and staying focused. [32:51] Maximilian says there is a lot that comes with starting a company. He has a completely different appreciation for HR. You take it for granted. He gives HR a big shoutout for the policies and procedures you don't think about. [33:11] Once you grow past your founding team, HR becomes very important. You need to think about what people care about at work and what makes them happy. [33:37] When Maximilian and Justin met in Denver at the ERM Conference 2023, MEO Continuity was just Christopher Wegman and Maximilian Glodde. They now have a team of over 15. They've grown fast, and they have wonderful clients in all different industries. [34:24] Maximilian had come from a large carrier, and RIMS was an event the carrier sponsored. Maximilian got to see what RIMS was all about. He knew, when he came out with MEO Continuity, they needed to start the journey by attending RIMS conferences. [34:45] RIMS conferences are attended by a high caliber of companies, vendors, and prospects. The first conference where MEO Continuity exhibited was RISKWORLD 2024 in San Diego. That event was a huge success. MEO Continuity got their message out. [35:28] Since exhibiting at RISKWORLD 2024, MEO Continuity has streamlined their conference preparation process. Maximilian liked that the RIMS team was very responsive to their many questions and answered them quickly. They felt super supported for a successful event. [35:57] That support and success is why they came back to RISKWORLD 2025 in Chicago. MEO Continuity will exhibit at the RIMS Canada Conference 2025, from September 14th through 17th, and at the RIMS Western Regional from October 1st through 3rd. [36:22] MEO Continuity will also exhibit at the RIMS ERM Conference in Seattle, on November 17th and 18th, and will co-present a session on November 17th, “Are You Mapping Your Value Chain Backwards?” with Emily Buckley of Specialized Bicycle Components. [36:52] Maximilian believes the value chain mapping process lives at the core of the risk management process. It's very difficult to manage and mitigate risk if you don't understand what's important in your value chain. [37:27] MEO Continuity is a proponent of starting at the end of the value chain, with your customers and working your way backward toward raw materials. When you map backward, wherever you stop, up to that point, you get some decision-useful information. [37:49] That's what the presentation will be about. Maximilian and Emily have been working together on it. [38:14] Maximilian shares his advice for risk professionals considering starting a company. You have to be somewhat crazy! If Maximilan had known all the things that could go wrong, he likely would not have taken that leap. Don't look too far forward. It will scare you to death! [38:35] Don't be afraid to get your name out there. Attending these RIMS conferences was very valuable for MEO Continuity. Maximilian adds that conferences increase the conversations you have and how often you talk about your product. You improve your presentation quickly. [39:02] Presenting in person is invaluable. It is authentic. Go to conferences. People are open to supporting and having those conversations. [39:24] Maximilian Glodde, thank you so much for joining us here on RIMScast!  [39:30] Special thanks again to all of my guests, and to everyone who attended, sponsored, and exhibited at the RIMS Texas Regional Conference  2025. This inaugural event was fantastic! [39:44] Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual RIMS Texas Regional Conference from August 10th through 12th, 2026, back here in San Antonio! Be sure to check out the RIMS.org/events page for more information. [40:02] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [40:31] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [40:49] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [41:07] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [41:23] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [41:37] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [41:49] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: RIMS ERM Conference 2025 — Nov. 17‒18 | RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction 2025 Nominations Open Through Aug. 16 RIMS Canada 2025 — Sept. 14‒17 | Registration open! 10th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum — Sept. 18 | Registration open! RIMS Western Regional — Oct 1‒3 | Bay Area, California | Registration open! RISKWORLD 2026 — Members-only early registration! Register through Sept 30! RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center Spencer Educational Foundation 2025 Funding Their Future Gala — Sept. 18, 2025 in NYC! RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management — Featuring Instructor James Lam! Next bi-weekly course begins Oct 9. RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy | RIMS Legislative Summit SAVE THE DATE — March 18‒19, 2026 RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute RIMS Now RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars “Lockdown & Level Up: Turn Up Your Cyber Security Game Against Creative Cyber Criminals” | Sept. 4, 2025 | Sponsored by AXA XL “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times” | Oct. 30, 2025 | Sponsored by Swiss Re   Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — Sept 2‒3, 2025 | Presented by RIMS and PARIMA RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — November 11‒12 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders” | Nov. 4‒5 | Instructor: Elise Farnham See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes: “Leadership Lessons with Major General (Ret.) Robert F. Whittle Jr., RIMS Texas Keynote” “Risk and Clarity with Huw Edwards, RIMS Texas Keynote” “ERM, Retail, and Risk with Jeff Strege” “Supply and Bike Chains with Emily Buckley”   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs” | Sponsored by Zurich “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guests: Tiara Wallace, DFW RIMS Inclusivity Chair, Director of RISK, Invesco US Jason Turk, Bondy Law Group, Director of Operations (California), Swag for Schools on LinkedIn Maximilian Glodde, CEO of MEO Continuity   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

A thorough analysis of the furniture industry reveals a sector at a crossroads, grappling with multifaceted challenges arising from recent tariff changes instituted by the Trump administration. The introduction of tariffs, which have reached levels not witnessed since the Great Depression, is anticipated to exert significant pressure on import volumes for 2025, as corroborated by the National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker. The report indicates a concerning 5.6% decrease in import cargo volume at major container ports compared to the preceding year, a trend that portends further complications for furniture professionals reliant on imported goods. At the Las Vegas market, the immediate effects of these tariffs were palpable, with vendors reporting light to moderate showroom traffic and a discernible reluctance among buyers to engage in long-term purchasing commitments, demonstrating the pervasive uncertainty that currently characterizes the industry.As the episode unfolds, it delves into the intricacies of how these tariffs specifically affect various sources of supply, with notable implications for countries like Vietnam and Brazil, where tariffs could reach as high as 50%. This has created a climate of trepidation among importers, who are apprehensive about committing to purchases without clarity on future tariff rates. Additionally, the episode juxtaposes these tariff-induced challenges with broader economic indicators, revealing a mixed bag of corporate earnings reports across the industry. While some companies have reported impressive quarterly growth, others have seen significant declines, attributing these fluctuations to the ongoing trade uncertainties and consumer confidence issues. The discussion culminates in a forward-looking perspective, highlighting the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in the retail sector, which presents a potential avenue for enhancing customer engagement and driving sales as retailers brace for continued volatility in the market.The insights offered in this episode serve to illuminate the pressing issues facing the furniture industry, underscoring the need for adaptability and strategic innovation in the face of uncertainty. With the ever-changing landscape of tariffs and economic conditions, it becomes increasingly clear that furniture professionals must remain agile, leveraging new technologies and diversifying their sourcing strategies to navigate the complexities of the market effectively. The episode concludes with a strong message about the importance of maintaining focus on customer value and operational efficiency as critical elements for sustaining success in an unpredictable environment.Takeaways: The recent escalation of tariffs represents the most substantial increases since the Great Depression, profoundly affecting the furniture industry. Current market dynamics indicate a significant decline in import levels, with a projected 5.6% decrease in cargo volume for 2025. Exhibitors at the Las Vegas market reported light to moderate showroom traffic, reflecting buyer hesitance towards long-term commitments amid tariff uncertainty. The adoption of artificial intelligence in retail is becoming pivotal, enabling brands to enhance customer engagement through personalized experiences. Despite a challenging market landscape, companies like Hooker Furnishings have successfully leveraged quality interactions to foster relationships with key partners. Sustainability efforts are yielding positive results, as demonstrated by Flexteel Industries' significant environmental progress through tree planting and material innovation.

In this episode, PACK EXPO Veteran Robby Martin shares practical advice on when and how to start show prep, how exhibitor outreach can make or break a connection, and why personalization beats mass email blasts. This episode is packed with actionable ways to stand out on a crowded show floor.Experience the future of packaging and processing—up close and in actionIt all starts here. Don't miss out—register today at packexpolasvegas.com/unpackedpodRegister for PACK EXPO Las Vegas today!

In “Exhibitor Spotlight” interviews at the flagship AMPP 2025 show in Nashville, we spoke with several industry experts regarding new products and services to address modern challenges for protective coatings professionals. This mini-episode features experts from from Best-Tec and Sauereisen.

I chatted with the wide range of exhibitors at the 2025 Australian Passivhaus Conference, THRIVE 25 in Melbourne. This year saw a growing contingent of panel suppliers along with a variety of window manufacturers, membrane suppliers and more. Special thanks to Environtecture and the Australian Passivhaus Association for supporting the Passive House Accelerator to be there and bring you these highlights.    Featured Guests and Exhibitors Peter Sullivan, Smart SIPsPeter introduces us to his structural insulated panel system designed to simplify construction while delivering high performance for Passive House and other energy-efficient builds. Annettee Braagaard, Nordic BlindsAnnettee shares how intelligent Danish blind systems support shading and comfort in Passive House projects across Australia. Ben Mitchell, SIP Solid and Solcraft Ben explains how their Solcraft panels can help deliver stronger, warmer homes in the Australian market. Rohan Madathanapalli, Bondor MetecnoAs Principal Sponsor of THRIVE 25, Rohan outlines Bondor's role in advanced panel technology and how one product can serve multiple functions, speeding up products and helping to reduce overall cost. Klaus Herrmann, Alpine Passive HouseKlaus highlights the benefits of Australian-made prefabricated panels design with European experience. Thomas Paarhammer, Paarhammer Windows & DoorsThomas shares insights from over 30 years of crafting high-quality windows and doors tailored for Australian conditions and Passive House requirements. Villy Yordanov, Pro Clima AustraliaVilly explains some of the new products available from long-time Passive House support, pro clima. Rachael Sparnon-Freeman, Pacific VentilationRachael discusses mechanical ventilation solutions, indoor air quality, and how Pacific Ventilation can support both commercial and residential projects. Joel Seagren, FantechJoel speaks about fan technologies and their application in Passive House ventilation systems and energy recovery solutions. Michael Drage, Reimagined Habitat, Net Zero Plus, Efficient HabitatMichael talks about communicating passive house in the language of clients, drawing on his experience from the financial sector.  

Are all trade shows created equal? Absolutely not — especially when crossing the Atlantic! In this episode, host Jim Cermak welcomes Andy Hickinbotham from Tecna UK to dive deep into the key differences between trade shows in the UK and the US. From logistics and booth design to attendee engagement and lead generation, Andy provides a masterclass for first-time international exhibitors looking to maximize ROI — and have fun doing it!Whether you're planning your first UK event or looking to fine-tune your global strategy, this conversation will give you valuable tools, tips, and tactics to succeed.

Are all trade shows created equal? Absolutely not — especially when crossing the Atlantic! In this episode, host Jim Cermak welcomes Andy Hickinbotham from Tecna UK to dive deep into the key differences between trade shows in the UK and the US. From logistics and booth design to attendee engagement and lead generation, Andy provides a masterclass for first-time international exhibitors looking to maximize ROI — and have fun doing it!Whether you're planning your first UK event or looking to fine-tune your global strategy, this conversation will give you valuable tools, tips, and tactics to succeed.

Are all trade shows created equal? Absolutely not — especially when crossing the Atlantic! In this episode, host Jim Cermak welcomes Andy Hickinbotham from Tecna UK to dive deep into the key differences between trade shows in the UK and the US. From logistics and booth design to attendee engagement and lead generation, Andy provides a masterclass for first-time international exhibitors looking to maximize ROI — and have fun doing it!Whether you're planning your first UK event or looking to fine-tune your global strategy, this conversation will give you valuable tools, tips, and tactics to succeed.

PMMI's Director of Custom Research, Rebecca Marquez, joins the pod to discuss how sustainability is transforming packaging machinery—from adaptable equipment to consumer and regulatory pressures. She shares trends, OEM challenges, and tips for PACK EXPO Las Vegas exhibitors to spotlight their sustainable solutions. New in 2025! The PACK EXPO Sustainability Tours are a curated experience designed for CPG brand owners who are actively seeking sustainable solutions. Led by a seasoned industry expert, this guided tour will provide valuable insights and context as you explore exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge sustainability advancements. Learn more here.Experience the future of packaging and processing—up close and in actionIt all starts here. Don't miss out—register today at packexpolasvegas.com/unpackedpodRegister for PACK EXPO Las Vegas today!

As part of exclusive interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with a wide range of industry experts regarding new products and services that can help address modern needs and challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance audience, this mini-episode features experts from GC Laser Systems and InduMar, which specializes in composite pipe repair.

IndieWire's Anne Thompson and Ryan Latanzio give their reactions to some of the most anticipated releases coming our way, from a thoughtful romantic drama to the big follow up from the team behind 'Top Gun: Maverick' and even the odd little TIFF audience winner that's getting a unique marketing push from NEON. Finally they give their takes on the buzz around exhibitors lobbying for a spot in the Academy voting body. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Johnson, a veteran marketer at Amcor, discusses how her team leverages PACK EXPO's Customer Invite Program (CIP) and a multi-channel strategy to drive booth traffic, track engagement, and energize sales teams. She emphasizes the importance of early outreach, fresh booth experiences, and PMMI's exhibitor tools to connect with your audience.Experience the future of packaging and processing—up close and in actionIt all starts here. Don't miss out—register today at packexpolasvegas.com/unpackedpodRegister for PACK EXPO Las Vegas today!

Season 5: Episode 205In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, Chrissy Wozniak welcomes back Matt Durian, Livestock Manager at the American Royal, to discuss the highly anticipated 2025 American Royal Spring Youth Livestock Show. The American Royal, a Kansas City tradition since 1899, has long been committed to championing food and agriculture. After celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024, the organization is excited to bring back the Spring Youth Livestock Show for a second year, offering young exhibitors another opportunity to showcase their skills.Taking place from March 28-30, 2025, this year's show comes with an exciting addition—$3,000 in prize money for champions and reserves across all species, thanks to generous donors. Matt shares how this funding was secured and what it means for exhibitors competing in the non-terminal show. Unlike the fall show, the spring event offers expanded weight limits, making it more accessible to exhibitors with younger livestock that are not yet market-ready.Matt and Chrissy also discuss the unique role of the American Royal in educating the public about agriculture. The Spring Show will include an educational component, with a livestock judging clinic hosted in partnership with Northeastern Oklahoma College. This clinic will provide hands-on learning experiences for FFA students, aspiring judges, and anyone interested in improving their livestock evaluation skills.Reflecting on his background in California agriculture, Matt highlights the rich farming and ranching history of his home state and the misconceptions he has encountered since moving to Kansas City. He also shares the rewarding experience of welcoming first-time exhibitors to the American Royal, noting that 90% of last year's Spring Show participants had never competed at the fall event.For those attending the show, Matt offers recommendations on must-see Kansas City attractions, including the city's renowned barbecue scene and opening weekend for the Kansas City Royals—named after the American Royal itself.Listeners interested in participating in the show can register at AmericanRoyal.com, where they can also purchase tickets and learn more about the event. Those looking to support the American Royal can explore sponsorship opportunities or volunteer to help make the show a success.Tune in to this insightful conversation about the future of youth livestock exhibitions and the ongoing mission of the American Royal to inspire and develop future leaders in agriculture. Don't forget to subscribe to North American Ag Spotlight on Rumble, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and more! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others passionate about agriculture and youth in livestock.#farm #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Send us a textSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com