Podcasts about rfid

In this Five Insightful Minutes episode, Omni Talk Retail catches up with Spencer Hewett, founder and CEO of Radar, to dig into the retailer's growing RFID rollout with Old Navy and American Eagle. Key Moments: (0:13) Spencer responds to Fast Five's rollout skepticism

Nhân kỷ niệm 50 năm ngày kết thúc chiến tranh Việt Nam 30/04/2025, Hà Nội đã tổ chức một cuộc diễu binh rầm rộ tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh và đặc biệt, lần đầu tiên đã mời quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia cuộc diễu binh. Trước đó, vào giữa tháng 4, chủ tịch Trung Quốc Tập Cận Bình đã đến thăm Việt Nam và đã được tiếp đón rất trọng thể. Trong chuyến đi này, ông Tập Cận Bình đã kêu gọi Việt Nam hãy cùng với Trung Quốc "chống lại hành động hù dọa", ám chỉ Hoa Kỳ. Những sự kiện nói trên diễn ra đúng vào lúc căng thẳng thương mại Mỹ-Trung lên đến cao độ và Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Hoa Kỳ với hy vọng được giảm mức thuế "đối ứng" rất cao, lên đến 46%, mà tổng thống Donald Trump công bố ngày 02/04.Căng thẳng thương mại Mỹ-Trung hiện tạm thời lắng xuống sau khi hai nước đạt được thỏa thuận về thuế quan trong cuộc gặp tại Genève hai ngày 10 và 11/05/2025, cụ thể là trong thời gian 90 ngày sẽ giảm mức thuế đối ứng xuống còn 30% ( đối với hàng Trung Quốc ) và 10% ( đối với hàng Mỹ ). Theo nhận định của hãng tin Reuters ngày 13/05, thỏa thuận thuế quan Mỹ - Trung làm gia tăng áp lực đối với những nước như Việt Nam, nơi cũng thu hút các nhà sản xuất Trung Quốc kể từ khi Trump áp thuế trong nhiệm kỳ đầu của ông. Như vậy là Việt Nam sẽ buộc phải cố gắng đạt được một thỏa thuận với Mỹ tốt hơn thỏa thuận Mỹ-Trung ở Genève. Vào lúc Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Mỹ thì Bắc Kinh lại cảnh cáo là các nước không nên đạt được một thỏa thuận thương mại nào "bất lợi" cho Trung Quốc, và nếu xẩy ra trường hợp này, Trung Quốc sẽ thi hành các biện pháp trả đũa kinh tế. Lời đe dọa này có liên hệ trực tiếp với Việt Nam, vì Việt Nam vẫn bị Hoa Kỳ xem là nơi sản xuất hàng hóa cho Trung Quốc để xuất sang thị trường Mỹ mà không bị đánh thuế nặng. Trong một bài viết đăng ngày 16/05/2025 trên trang mạng của Tổ chức Châu Á - Thái Bình Dương Canada (APF Canada), nhà nghiên cứu Sasha Lee cũng lưu ý "những nhượng bộ thương mại của Việt Nam (giám sát chặt chẽ hơn nguồn gốc xuất xứ hàng hóa được sử dụng trong sản xuất, khuyến khích mua thêm hàng giá trị cao của Mỹ...) có thể giúp xoa dịu Hoa Kỳ, nhưng có nguy cơ làm mất ổn định mối quan hệ của Việt Nam với Trung Quốc. Bất kỳ sự thỏa hiệp kinh tế đáng kể nào đối với Hoa Kỳ đều có thể bị Trung Quốc trả đũa."Bà Sasha Lee nhấn mạnh "Quan trọng hơn, do chuỗi cung ứng của Việt Nam liên kết quá chặt chẽ với Trung Quốc, phản ứng kinh tế từ Bắc Kinh, chẳng hạn như tăng thuế đối với hàng hóa Việt Nam hoặc giảm đầu tư của Trung Quốc, có thể làm gián đoạn đáng kể các ngành công nghiệp của Việt Nam. Do đó, Việt Nam đang đi trên dây, tìm cách khẳng định tầm quan trọng của mình như một trung tâm sản xuất thay thế cho Hoa Kỳ trong khi cẩn thận tránh các hành động bị xem là liên kết kinh tế hoặc chính trị với Washington."Cuộc chiến thuế quan của Mỹ tác động như thế nào đến quan hệ Việt-Trung? RFI Việt ngữ phỏng vấn tiến sĩ Vũ Xuân Khang, hiện là học giả thỉnh giảng (visiting scholar) về quan hệ quốc tế tại đại học Boston College, Hoa Kỳ.RFI: Việt Nam lần đầu tiên đã cho quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04/2025 đúng vào lúc căng thẳng thương mại với Mỹ đang lên đến cao độ. Cộng thêm với việc chủ tịch Tập Cận Bình đã được đón tiếp một cách đặc biệt trọng thể, việc quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh có phải là một thắng lợi có tính chất biểu tượng của Bắc Kinh trong cuộc tranh giành ảnh hưởng với Hoa Kỳ để thu phục Việt Nam?Vũ Xuân Khang: Việt Nam kể khi từ bình thường hóa quan hệ với Trung Quốc vào năm 1991 đã luôn đặt Trung Quốc làm đối tác quan trọng nhất về cả an ninh, chính trị, và kinh tế. Điều này có nguyên do từ việc Việt Nam đã bị Liên Xô bỏ rơi và phải giải quyết vấn đề Cam Bốt,  cũng như xung đột biên giới Việt-Trung trên thế yếu với Trung Quốc. Việt Nam hiểu rằng họ cần tránh tái diễn một cuộc xung đột với Trung Quốc, nên kể từ khi bình thường hóa quan hệ, Việt Nam đã luôn luôn từ chối tham gia liên minh hay hợp tác với một quốc gia khác để chống Trung Quốc. Việt Nam luôn muốn tăng cường hợp tác quốc phòng với Mỹ, nhất là để hiện đại hóa năng lực của lực lượng hải quân và không quân, nhằm bảo vệ chủ quyền biển đảo. Tuy vậy, Việt Nam rất muốn duy trì quan hệ hữu hảo với Trung Quốc và trong bài toán này thì Trung Quốc luôn luôn được đặt trên mối quan hệ với Hoa Kỳ, do Trung Quốc có thể làm tổn hại an ninh của Việt Nam về mọi mặt từ đất liền, hải đảo, cho đến kinh tế, lẫn chính trị. Chính vì thế việc Việt Nam lần đầu tiên cho quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04 là một tín hiệu với Trung Quốc, đó là Việt Nam có tăng cường quan hệ với Mỹ hay với bất kỳ quốc gia nào, bản chất quan hệ Việt - Trung từ trước đến nay vẫn luôn hữu hảo và Việt Nam muốn ghi nhận sự giúp đỡ của Trung Quốc trong quá khứ, cũng như hiện tại và tương lai. Có thể là lời mời quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04 đã có từ trước khi tổng thống Mỹ Donald Trump công bố các mức thuế quan, cho nên hai sự kiện này có thể không liên quan đến nhau. Nhưng có thể nói rõ là căng thẳng thương mại Việt-Mỹ hiện nay là một điều không đáng có trong quan hệ giữa hai nước và hai bên sẽ tiếp tục đàm phán để giảm thiểu các rào cản về thuế quan. RFI: Dầu sao thì phía Trung Quốc đã mô tả chuyến thăm vừa qua của Tập Cận Bình ở Việt Nam bằng những từ ngữ hiếm khi thấy trong thời gian gần đây, như “vừa là đồng chí vừa là anh em”, phải chăng họ muốn nhấn mạnh quan hệ giữa hai nước đã tăng thêm một nấc, trong lúc có vẻ như Hoa Kỳ đang đi bước lùi trong quan hệ với Việt Nam?Vũ Xuân Khang: Thật ra quan hệ Việt Nam - Trung Quốc kể từ 2023 mặc dù tên gọi vẫn là Đối tác chiến lược toàn diện, nhưng về bản chất thì Việt Nam đã nâng quan hệ lên mức cao hơn khi chấp nhận tham gia "Cộng đồng chung vận mệnh" của Trung Quốc. Gọi Việt Nam "vừa là đồng chí, vừa là anh em" cũng là một lời khẳng định, đó là Trung Quốc luôn coi trọng quan hệ giữa hai nước và Việt Nam không nên để các bất đồng khác trong quan hệ song phương làm ảnh hưởng đến đại cục, hay tạo điều kiện cho thế lực bên ngoài phá hoại quan hệ giữa hai bên.Rõ ràng là khi chính quan hệ Mỹ-Trung căng thẳng, Trung Quốc lại càng muốn thân thiện với Việt Nam để ngăn Hoa Kỳ sử dụng Việt Nam làm bàn đạp để làm tổn hại lợi ích quốc gia của Trung Quốc. Việc Hoa Kỳ với Việt Nam có căng thẳng thương mại sẽ tạo điều kiện cho Trung Quốc thuyết phục Việt Nam là không nên tin tưởng vào Hoa Kỳ.RFI: Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Hoa Kỳ để được giảm mức thuế đối ứng, nhưng trong khi đó Trung Quốc đã cảnh cáo các nước không được ký các thỏa thuận thuế quan với Mỹ mà bất lợi cho Trung Quốc. Liệu Việt Nam có thể thoát ra được thế "gọng kìm" này?Vũ Xuân Khang: Có thể thấy Việt Nam đúng là đang bị kẹt vào thế khó khi cả hai đối tác thương mại lớn nhất của Việt Nam là Mỹ và Trung Quốc đều muốn Hà Nội ngả về phe mình. Tuy nhiên, may mắn cho Việt Nam, đây mới chỉ là xung đột về thương mại, nên bản chất của cuộc cạnh tranh không tổn hại đến an ninh của Việt Nam như một cuộc xung đột quân sự Mỹ-Trung. Hiện tại, Việt Nam đang cố thoát khỏi thế gọng kìm bằng cách mở rộng thị trường xuất khẩu ra các thị trường ngoài Mỹ, như là châu Âu, hay thuyết phục Trung Quốc mua thêm nhiều hàng hóa của Việt Nam. Tuy vậy, Mỹ là một thị trường xuất khẩu quá lớn của Việt Nam, do đó sẽ phải mất một thời gian để Việt Nam điều chỉnh thị trường xuất khẩu. Rõ ràng với khối lượng trao đổi hàng hóa rất lớn với Mỹ như vậy, trong ngắn hạn, Việt Nam sẽ gặp khó khăn khi chính sách thuế quan của Mỹ chưa rõ ràng, nhưng về bản chất, Việt Nam sẽ tiếp tục điều chỉnh chính sách thương mại tuân theo chính sách ngoại giao đa phương hóa đa dạng hóa, để tránh làm mất lòng cả Mỹ và Trung Quốc.RFI: Nếu tổng thống Trump duy trì chính sách thuế quan bất lợi cho Việt Nam như vậy, về lâu dài liệu có nguy cơ là Việt Nam sẽ phụ thuộc Trung Quốc nhiều hơn về mặt kinh tế và như vậy sẽ dần dần lọt sâu vào quỹ đạo của Bắc Kinh?Vũ Xuân Khang: Thực ra Việt Nam đã nằm trong quỹ đạo của Bắc Kinh kể từ năm 1991. Đây không phải là một sự lựa chọn chủ động của Việt Nam, mà là do chính sách củaTrung Quốc sử dụng áp lực quân sự và kinh tế ép Việt Nam phải tôn trọng vị thế của Trung Quốc, khi Việt Nam trong giai đoạn 1970-1980 dùng liên minh với Liên Xô để khẳng định vị thế của mình và làm phật lòng Trung Quốc. Có thể hiểu đơn giản là Việt Nam đang quay trở lại một quỹ đạo mà từ ngàn xưa đến nay các hoàng đế Việt Nam đã phải tuân thủ: sau khi chiến thắng các cuộc xâm lược từ phương Bắc, họ đều phải triều cống và thuần phục Bắc Kinh nhằm tránh các cuộc chiến tranh không cần thiết với láng giềng phương Bắc. Trong hoàn cảnh hiện nay, Việt Nam chỉ có thể phát triển hòa bình ổn định khi quan hệ Việt-Trung ổn định. Tổng thống Mỹ duy trì chính sách thuế quan bất lợi cho Việt Nam sẽ là một bước lùi trong quan hệ Việt-Mỹ, và một sự phát triển rất có lợi cho Trung Quốc. Tuy nhiên, Việt Nam sẽ cố gắng giữ một nền ngoại giao độc lập, tự chủ, luôn mong muốn tìm kiếm các đối tác kinh tế mới, hay mở rộng quan hệ kinh tế với các đối tác hiện tại, bao gồm cả Trung Quốc và Mỹ, để làm giảm tổn thất đến phát triển kinh tế. Cần phải nói lại là mặc dù nằm trong quỹ đạo của Trung Quốc,Việt Nam có một lợi ích kinh tế rất lớn khi duy trì quan hệ hữu hảo với Hoa Kỳ, nhất là trong trường hợp Việt Nam cần hiện đại hóa quân đội để bảo vệ chủ quyền biển đảo của mình.

Nhân kỷ niệm 50 năm ngày kết thúc chiến tranh Việt Nam 30/04/2025, Hà Nội đã tổ chức một cuộc diễu binh rầm rộ tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh và đặc biệt, lần đầu tiên đã mời quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia cuộc diễu binh. Trước đó, vào giữa tháng 4, chủ tịch Trung Quốc Tập Cận Bình đã đến thăm Việt Nam và đã được tiếp đón rất trọng thể. Trong chuyến đi này, ông Tập Cận Bình đã kêu gọi Việt Nam hãy cùng với Trung Quốc "chống lại hành động hù dọa", ám chỉ Hoa Kỳ. Những sự kiện nói trên diễn ra đúng vào lúc căng thẳng thương mại Mỹ-Trung lên đến cao độ và Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Hoa Kỳ với hy vọng được giảm mức thuế "đối ứng" rất cao, lên đến 46%, mà tổng thống Donald Trump công bố ngày 02/04.Căng thẳng thương mại Mỹ-Trung hiện tạm thời lắng xuống sau khi hai nước đạt được thỏa thuận về thuế quan trong cuộc gặp tại Genève hai ngày 10 và 11/05/2025, cụ thể là trong thời gian 90 ngày sẽ giảm mức thuế đối ứng xuống còn 30% ( đối với hàng Trung Quốc ) và 10% ( đối với hàng Mỹ ). Theo nhận định của hãng tin Reuters ngày 13/05, thỏa thuận thuế quan Mỹ - Trung làm gia tăng áp lực đối với những nước như Việt Nam, nơi cũng thu hút các nhà sản xuất Trung Quốc kể từ khi Trump áp thuế trong nhiệm kỳ đầu của ông. Như vậy là Việt Nam sẽ buộc phải cố gắng đạt được một thỏa thuận với Mỹ tốt hơn thỏa thuận Mỹ-Trung ở Genève. Vào lúc Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Mỹ thì Bắc Kinh lại cảnh cáo là các nước không nên đạt được một thỏa thuận thương mại nào "bất lợi" cho Trung Quốc, và nếu xẩy ra trường hợp này, Trung Quốc sẽ thi hành các biện pháp trả đũa kinh tế. Lời đe dọa này có liên hệ trực tiếp với Việt Nam, vì Việt Nam vẫn bị Hoa Kỳ xem là nơi sản xuất hàng hóa cho Trung Quốc để xuất sang thị trường Mỹ mà không bị đánh thuế nặng. Trong một bài viết đăng ngày 16/05/2025 trên trang mạng của Tổ chức Châu Á - Thái Bình Dương Canada (APF Canada), nhà nghiên cứu Sasha Lee cũng lưu ý "những nhượng bộ thương mại của Việt Nam (giám sát chặt chẽ hơn nguồn gốc xuất xứ hàng hóa được sử dụng trong sản xuất, khuyến khích mua thêm hàng giá trị cao của Mỹ...) có thể giúp xoa dịu Hoa Kỳ, nhưng có nguy cơ làm mất ổn định mối quan hệ của Việt Nam với Trung Quốc. Bất kỳ sự thỏa hiệp kinh tế đáng kể nào đối với Hoa Kỳ đều có thể bị Trung Quốc trả đũa."Bà Sasha Lee nhấn mạnh "Quan trọng hơn, do chuỗi cung ứng của Việt Nam liên kết quá chặt chẽ với Trung Quốc, phản ứng kinh tế từ Bắc Kinh, chẳng hạn như tăng thuế đối với hàng hóa Việt Nam hoặc giảm đầu tư của Trung Quốc, có thể làm gián đoạn đáng kể các ngành công nghiệp của Việt Nam. Do đó, Việt Nam đang đi trên dây, tìm cách khẳng định tầm quan trọng của mình như một trung tâm sản xuất thay thế cho Hoa Kỳ trong khi cẩn thận tránh các hành động bị xem là liên kết kinh tế hoặc chính trị với Washington."Cuộc chiến thuế quan của Mỹ tác động như thế nào đến quan hệ Việt-Trung? RFI Việt ngữ phỏng vấn tiến sĩ Vũ Xuân Khang, hiện là học giả thỉnh giảng (visiting scholar) về quan hệ quốc tế tại đại học Boston College, Hoa Kỳ.RFI: Việt Nam lần đầu tiên đã cho quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04/2025 đúng vào lúc căng thẳng thương mại với Mỹ đang lên đến cao độ. Cộng thêm với việc chủ tịch Tập Cận Bình đã được đón tiếp một cách đặc biệt trọng thể, việc quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh có phải là một thắng lợi có tính chất biểu tượng của Bắc Kinh trong cuộc tranh giành ảnh hưởng với Hoa Kỳ để thu phục Việt Nam?Vũ Xuân Khang: Việt Nam kể khi từ bình thường hóa quan hệ với Trung Quốc vào năm 1991 đã luôn đặt Trung Quốc làm đối tác quan trọng nhất về cả an ninh, chính trị, và kinh tế. Điều này có nguyên do từ việc Việt Nam đã bị Liên Xô bỏ rơi và phải giải quyết vấn đề Cam Bốt,  cũng như xung đột biên giới Việt-Trung trên thế yếu với Trung Quốc. Việt Nam hiểu rằng họ cần tránh tái diễn một cuộc xung đột với Trung Quốc, nên kể từ khi bình thường hóa quan hệ, Việt Nam đã luôn luôn từ chối tham gia liên minh hay hợp tác với một quốc gia khác để chống Trung Quốc. Việt Nam luôn muốn tăng cường hợp tác quốc phòng với Mỹ, nhất là để hiện đại hóa năng lực của lực lượng hải quân và không quân, nhằm bảo vệ chủ quyền biển đảo. Tuy vậy, Việt Nam rất muốn duy trì quan hệ hữu hảo với Trung Quốc và trong bài toán này thì Trung Quốc luôn luôn được đặt trên mối quan hệ với Hoa Kỳ, do Trung Quốc có thể làm tổn hại an ninh của Việt Nam về mọi mặt từ đất liền, hải đảo, cho đến kinh tế, lẫn chính trị. Chính vì thế việc Việt Nam lần đầu tiên cho quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04 là một tín hiệu với Trung Quốc, đó là Việt Nam có tăng cường quan hệ với Mỹ hay với bất kỳ quốc gia nào, bản chất quan hệ Việt - Trung từ trước đến nay vẫn luôn hữu hảo và Việt Nam muốn ghi nhận sự giúp đỡ của Trung Quốc trong quá khứ, cũng như hiện tại và tương lai. Có thể là lời mời quân đội Trung Quốc tham gia diễu binh ngày 30/04 đã có từ trước khi tổng thống Mỹ Donald Trump công bố các mức thuế quan, cho nên hai sự kiện này có thể không liên quan đến nhau. Nhưng có thể nói rõ là căng thẳng thương mại Việt-Mỹ hiện nay là một điều không đáng có trong quan hệ giữa hai nước và hai bên sẽ tiếp tục đàm phán để giảm thiểu các rào cản về thuế quan. RFI: Dầu sao thì phía Trung Quốc đã mô tả chuyến thăm vừa qua của Tập Cận Bình ở Việt Nam bằng những từ ngữ hiếm khi thấy trong thời gian gần đây, như “vừa là đồng chí vừa là anh em”, phải chăng họ muốn nhấn mạnh quan hệ giữa hai nước đã tăng thêm một nấc, trong lúc có vẻ như Hoa Kỳ đang đi bước lùi trong quan hệ với Việt Nam?Vũ Xuân Khang: Thật ra quan hệ Việt Nam - Trung Quốc kể từ 2023 mặc dù tên gọi vẫn là Đối tác chiến lược toàn diện, nhưng về bản chất thì Việt Nam đã nâng quan hệ lên mức cao hơn khi chấp nhận tham gia "Cộng đồng chung vận mệnh" của Trung Quốc. Gọi Việt Nam "vừa là đồng chí, vừa là anh em" cũng là một lời khẳng định, đó là Trung Quốc luôn coi trọng quan hệ giữa hai nước và Việt Nam không nên để các bất đồng khác trong quan hệ song phương làm ảnh hưởng đến đại cục, hay tạo điều kiện cho thế lực bên ngoài phá hoại quan hệ giữa hai bên.Rõ ràng là khi chính quan hệ Mỹ-Trung căng thẳng, Trung Quốc lại càng muốn thân thiện với Việt Nam để ngăn Hoa Kỳ sử dụng Việt Nam làm bàn đạp để làm tổn hại lợi ích quốc gia của Trung Quốc. Việc Hoa Kỳ với Việt Nam có căng thẳng thương mại sẽ tạo điều kiện cho Trung Quốc thuyết phục Việt Nam là không nên tin tưởng vào Hoa Kỳ.RFI: Việt Nam đang đàm phán với Hoa Kỳ để được giảm mức thuế đối ứng, nhưng trong khi đó Trung Quốc đã cảnh cáo các nước không được ký các thỏa thuận thuế quan với Mỹ mà bất lợi cho Trung Quốc. Liệu Việt Nam có thể thoát ra được thế "gọng kìm" này?Vũ Xuân Khang: Có thể thấy Việt Nam đúng là đang bị kẹt vào thế khó khi cả hai đối tác thương mại lớn nhất của Việt Nam là Mỹ và Trung Quốc đều muốn Hà Nội ngả về phe mình. Tuy nhiên, may mắn cho Việt Nam, đây mới chỉ là xung đột về thương mại, nên bản chất của cuộc cạnh tranh không tổn hại đến an ninh của Việt Nam như một cuộc xung đột quân sự Mỹ-Trung. Hiện tại, Việt Nam đang cố thoát khỏi thế gọng kìm bằng cách mở rộng thị trường xuất khẩu ra các thị trường ngoài Mỹ, như là châu Âu, hay thuyết phục Trung Quốc mua thêm nhiều hàng hóa của Việt Nam. Tuy vậy, Mỹ là một thị trường xuất khẩu quá lớn của Việt Nam, do đó sẽ phải mất một thời gian để Việt Nam điều chỉnh thị trường xuất khẩu. Rõ ràng với khối lượng trao đổi hàng hóa rất lớn với Mỹ như vậy, trong ngắn hạn, Việt Nam sẽ gặp khó khăn khi chính sách thuế quan của Mỹ chưa rõ ràng, nhưng về bản chất, Việt Nam sẽ tiếp tục điều chỉnh chính sách thương mại tuân theo chính sách ngoại giao đa phương hóa đa dạng hóa, để tránh làm mất lòng cả Mỹ và Trung Quốc.RFI: Nếu tổng thống Trump duy trì chính sách thuế quan bất lợi cho Việt Nam như vậy, về lâu dài liệu có nguy cơ là Việt Nam sẽ phụ thuộc Trung Quốc nhiều hơn về mặt kinh tế và như vậy sẽ dần dần lọt sâu vào quỹ đạo của Bắc Kinh?Vũ Xuân Khang: Thực ra Việt Nam đã nằm trong quỹ đạo của Bắc Kinh kể từ năm 1991. Đây không phải là một sự lựa chọn chủ động của Việt Nam, mà là do chính sách củaTrung Quốc sử dụng áp lực quân sự và kinh tế ép Việt Nam phải tôn trọng vị thế của Trung Quốc, khi Việt Nam trong giai đoạn 1970-1980 dùng liên minh với Liên Xô để khẳng định vị thế của mình và làm phật lòng Trung Quốc. Có thể hiểu đơn giản là Việt Nam đang quay trở lại một quỹ đạo mà từ ngàn xưa đến nay các hoàng đế Việt Nam đã phải tuân thủ: sau khi chiến thắng các cuộc xâm lược từ phương Bắc, họ đều phải triều cống và thuần phục Bắc Kinh nhằm tránh các cuộc chiến tranh không cần thiết với láng giềng phương Bắc. Trong hoàn cảnh hiện nay, Việt Nam chỉ có thể phát triển hòa bình ổn định khi quan hệ Việt-Trung ổn định. Tổng thống Mỹ duy trì chính sách thuế quan bất lợi cho Việt Nam sẽ là một bước lùi trong quan hệ Việt-Mỹ, và một sự phát triển rất có lợi cho Trung Quốc. Tuy nhiên, Việt Nam sẽ cố gắng giữ một nền ngoại giao độc lập, tự chủ, luôn mong muốn tìm kiếm các đối tác kinh tế mới, hay mở rộng quan hệ kinh tế với các đối tác hiện tại, bao gồm cả Trung Quốc và Mỹ, để làm giảm tổn thất đến phát triển kinh tế. Cần phải nói lại là mặc dù nằm trong quỹ đạo của Trung Quốc,Việt Nam có một lợi ích kinh tế rất lớn khi duy trì quan hệ hữu hảo với Hoa Kỳ, nhất là trong trường hợp Việt Nam cần hiện đại hóa quân đội để bảo vệ chủ quyền biển đảo của mình.

The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast is a reader-supported publication (and my full-time job). To receive new posts and to support independent ski journalism, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.WhoJoe Hession, CEO of Snow Partners, which owns Mountain Creek, Big Snow American Dream, SnowCloud, and Terrain Based LearningRecorded onMay 2, 2025About Snow PartnersSnow Partners owns and operates Mountain Creek, New Jersey and Big Snow American Dream, the nation's only indoor ski center. The company also developed SnowCloud resort management software and has rolled out its Terrain Based Learning system at more than 80 ski areas worldwide. They do some other things that I don't really understand (there's a reason that I write about skiing and not particle physics), that you can read about on their website.About Mountain CreekLocated in: Vernon Township, New JerseyClosest neighboring public ski areas: Mount Peter (:24); Big Snow American Dream (:50); Campgaw (:51) Pass affiliations: Snow Triple Play, up to two anytime daysBase elevation: 440 feetSummit elevation: 1,480 feetVertical drop: 1,040 feetSkiable Acres: 167Average annual snowfall: 65 inchesTrail count: 46Lift count: 9 (1 Cabriolet, 2 high-speed quads, 2 fixed-grip quads, 1 triple, 1 double, 2 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Mountain Creek's lift fleet)About Big Snow American DreamLocated in: East Rutherford, New JerseyClosest neighboring public ski areas: Campgaw (:35); Mountain Creek (:50); Mount Peter (:50)Pass affiliations: Snow Triple Play, up to two anytime daysVertical drop: 160 feet Skiable Acres: 4Trail count: 4 (2 green, 1 blue, 1 black)Lift count: 4 (1 quad, 1 poma, 2 carpets - view Lift Blog's of inventory of Big Snow American Dream's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himI read this earlier today:The internet is full of smart people writing beautiful prose about how bad everything is, how it all sucks, how it's embarrassing to like anything, how anything that appears good is, in fact, secretly bad. I find this confusing and tragic, like watching Olympic high-jumpers catapult themselves into a pit of tarantulas.That blurb was one of 28 “slightly rude notes on writing” offered in Adam Mastroianni's Experimental History newsletter. And I thought, “Man this dude must follow #SkiTwitter.” Or Instabook. Of Flexpost. Or whatever. Because online ski content, both short- and long-form, is, while occasionally joyous and evocative, disproportionately geared toward the skiing-is-fucked-and-this-is-why worldview. The passes suck. The traffic sucks. The skiers suck. The prices suck. The parking sucks. The Duopoly sucks. Everyone's a Jerry, chewing up my pow line with their GoPro selfie sticks hoisted high and their Ikon Passes dangling from their zippers. Skiing is corporate and soulless and tourist obsessed and doomed anyway because of climate change. Don't tell me you're having a good time doing this very fun thing. People like you are the reason skiing's soul now shops at Wal-Mart. Go back to Texas and drink a big jug of oil, you Jerry!It's all so… f*****g dumb. U.S. skiing just wrapped its second-best season of attendance. The big passes, while imperfect, are mostly a force for good, supercharging on-hill infrastructure investment, spreading skiers across geographies, stabilizing a once-storm-dependent industry, and lowering the per-day price of skiing for the most avid among us to 1940s levels. Snowmaking has proven an effective bulwark against shifting weather patterns. Lift-served skiing is not a dying pastime, financially or spiritually or ecologically. Yes, modern skiing has problems: expensive food (pack a lunch); mountain-town housing shortages (stop NIMBY-ing everything); traffic (yay car culture); peak-day crowds (don't go then); exploding insurance, labor, utilities, and infrastructure costs (I have no answers). But in most respects, this is a healthy, thriving, constantly evolving industry, and a more competitive one than the Duopoly Bros would admit.Snow Partners proves this. Because what the hell is Snow Partners? It's some company sewn together by a dude who used to park cars at Mountain Creek. Ten years ago this wasn't a thing, and now it's this wacky little conglomerate that owns a bespoke resort tech platform and North America's only snowdome and the impossible, ridiculous Mountain Creek. And they're going to build a bunch more snowdomes that stamp new skiers out by the millions and maybe – I don't know but maybe – become the most important company in the history of lift-served skiing in the process.Could such an outfit possibly have materialized were the industry so corrupted as the Brobot Pundit Bros declare it? Vail is big. Alterra is big. But the two companies combined control just 53 of America's 501 active ski areas. Big ski areas, yes. Big shadows. But neither created: Indy Pass, Power Pass, Woodward Parks, Terrain Based Learning, Mountain Collective, RFID, free skiing for kids, California Mountain Resort Company, or $99 season passes. Neither saved Holiday Mountain or Hatley Pointe or Norway Mountain or Timberline West Virigina from the scrapheap, or transformed a failing Black Mountain into a co-op. Neither has proven they can successfully run a ski area in Indiana (sorry Vail #SickBurn #SellPaoliPeaks #Please).Skiing, at this moment, is a glorious mix of ideas and energy. I realize it makes me uncool to think so, but I signed off on those aspirations the moment I drove the minivan off the Chrysler lot (topped it off with a roofbox, too, Pimp). Anyhow, the entire point of this newsletter is to track down the people propelling change in a sport that most likely predates the written word and ask them why they're doing these novel things to make an already cool and awesome thing even more cool and awesome. And no one, right now, is doing more cool and awesome things in skiing than Snow Partners.**That's not exactly true. Mountain Capital Partners, Alterra, Ikon Pass, Deer Valley, Entabeni Systems, Jon Schaefer, the Perfect Clan, Boyne Resorts, Big Sky, Mt. Bohemia, Powdr, Vail Resorts, Midwest Family Ski Resorts, and a whole bunch more entities/individuals/coalitions are also contributing massively to skiing's rapid-fire rewiring in the maw of the robot takeover digital industrial revolution. But, hey, when you're in the midst of transforming an entire snow-based industry from a headquarters in freaking New Jersey, you get a hyperbolic bump in the file card description.What we talked aboutThe Snow Triple Play; potential partners; “there's this massive piece of the market that's like ‘I don't even understand what you're talking about'” with big day ticket prices and low-priced season passes; why Mountain Creek sells its Triple Play all season long and why the Snow Triple Play won't work that way (at least at first); M.A.X. Pass and why Mountain Creek declined to join successor passes; an argument for Vail, Alterra and other large ski companies to participate on the Snow Triple Play; comparing skiing to hotels, airlines, and Disney World; “the next five years are going to be the most interesting and disruptive time in the ski industry because of technology”; “we don't compete with anybody”; Liftopia's potential, errors, failure, and legacy; skiing on Groupon; considering Breckenridge as an independent ski area; what a “premium” ski area on the Snow Triple Play would be; why megapasses are “selling people a product that will never be used the way it's sold to them”; why people in NYC feel like going to Mountain Creek, an hour over the George Washington Bridge, is “going to Alaska”; why Snow Triple Play will “never” add a fourth day; sticker shock for Big Snow newbs who emerge from the Dome wanting more; SnowCloud and the tech and the guest journey from parking lot to lifts; why Mountain Creek stopped mailing season passes; Bluetooth Low Energy “is certainly the future of passes”; “100 percent we're getting more Big Snows” – but let's justify the $175 million investment first; Big Snow has a “terrible” design; “I don't see why every city shouldn't have a Big Snow” and which markets Snow Partners is talking to; why Mountain Creek didn't get the mega-lift Hession teased on this pod three years ago and when we could see one; “I really believe that the Vernon base of Mountain Creek needs an updated chair”; the impact of automated snowmaking at Mountain Creek; and a huge residential project incoming at Mountain Creek.What I got wrong* I said that Hession wasn't involved in Mountain Creek in the M.A.X. Pass era, but he was an Intrawest employee at the time, and was Mountain Creek's GM until 2012.* I hedged on whether Boyne's Explorer multi-day pass started at two or three days. Skiers can purchase the pass in three- to six-day increments.Why now was a good time for this interviewOkay, so I'll admit that when Snow Partners summarized the Snow Triple Play for me, I wasn't like “Holy crap, three days (total) at up to three different ski areas on a single ski pass? Do you think they have room for another head on Mount Rushmore?” This multi-day pass is a straightforward product that builds off a smart idea (the Mountain Creek Triple Play), that has been a smash hit at the Jersey Snow Jungle since at least 2008. But Snow Triple Play doesn't rank alongside Epic, Ikon, Indy, or Mountain Collective as a seasonlong basher. This is another frequency product in a market already flush with them.So why did I dedicate an entire podcast and two articles (so far) to dissecting this product, which Hession makes pretty clear has no ambitions to grow into some Indy/Ikon/Epic competitor? Because it is the first product to tie Big Snow to the wider ski world. And Big Snow only works if it is step one and there is an obvious step two. Right now, that step two is hard, even in a region ripe with ski areas. The logistics are confounding, the one-off cost hard to justify. Lift tickets, gear rentals, getting your ass to the bump and back, food, maybe a lesson. The Snow Triple Play doesn't solve all of these problems, but it does narrow an impossible choice down to a manageable one by presenting skiers with a go-here-next menu. If Snow Partners can build a compelling (or at least logical) Northeast network and then scale it across the country as the company opens more Big Snows in more cities, then this simple pass could evolve into an effective toolkit for building new skiers.OK, so why not just join Indy or Mountain Collective, or forge some sort of newb-to-novice agreement with Epic or Ikon? That would give Snow Partners the stepladder, without the administrative hassle of owning a ski pass. But that brings us to another roadblock in Ski Revolution 2025: no one wants to share partners. So Hession is trying to flip the narrative. Rather than locking Big Snow into one confederacy or the other, he wants the warring armies to lash their fleets along Snow Partners Pier. Big Snow is just the bullet factory, or the gas station, or the cornfield – the thing that all the armies need but can't supply themselves. You want new skiers? We got ‘em. They're ready. They just need a map to your doorstep. And we're happy to draw you one.Podcast NotesOn the Snow Triple PlayThe basics: three total days, max of two used at any one partner ski area, no blackouts at Big Snow or Mountain Creek, possible blackouts at partner resorts, which are TBD.The pass, which won't be on sale until Labor Day, is fully summarized here:And I speculate on potential partners here:On the M.A.X. PassFor its short, barely noted existence, the M.A.X. Pass was kind of an amazing hack, granting skiers five days each at an impressive blend of regional and destination ski areas:Much of this roster migrated over to Ikon, but in taking their pass' name too literally, the Alterra folks left off some really compelling regional ski areas that could have established a hub-and-spoke network out of the gate. Lutsen and Granite Peak owner Charles Skinner told me on the podcast a few years back that Ikon never offered his ski areas membership (they joined Indy in 2020), cutting out two of the Midwest's best mountains. The omissions of Mountain Creek, Wachusett, and the New York trio of Belleayre, Whiteface, and Gore ceded huge swaths of the dense and monied Northeast to competitors who saw value in smaller, high-end operations that are day-trip magnets for city folks who also want that week at Deer Valley (no other pass signed any of these mountains, but Vail and Indy both assembled better networks of day-drivers and destinations).On my 2022 interview with HessionOn LiftopiaLiftopia's website is still live, but I'm not sure how many ski areas participate in this Expedia-for-lift-tickets. Six years ago, I thought Liftopia was the next bargain evolution of lift-served skiing. I even hosted founder Evan Reece on one of my first 10 podcasts. The whole thing fell apart when Covid hit. An overview here:On various other day-pass productsI covered this in my initial article, but here's how the Snow Triple Play stacks up against other three-day multi-resort products:On Mountain Creek not mailing passesI don't know anything about tech, but I know, from a skier's point of view, when something works well and when it doesn't. Snow Cloud's tech is incredible in at least one customer-facing respect: when you show up at a ski area, a rep standing in a conspicuous place is waiting with an iPhone, with which they scan a QR code on your phone, and presto-magico: they hand you your ski pass. No lines or waiting. One sentimental casualty of this on-site efficiency was the mailed ski pass, an autumn token of coming winter to be plucked gingerly from the mailbox. And this is fine and makes sense, in the same way that tearing down chairlifts constructed of brontosaurus bones and mastodon hides makes sense, but I must admit that I miss these annual mailings in the same way that I miss paper event tickets and ski magazines. My favorite ski mailing ever, in fact, was not Ikon's glossy fold-out complete with a 1,000-piece 3D jigsaw puzzle of the Wild Blue Gondola and name-a-snowflake-after-your-dog kit, but this simple pamphlet dropped into the envelope with my 2018-19 Mountain Creek season pass:Just f*****g beautiful, Man. That hung on my office wall for years. On the CabrioletThis is just such a wackadoodle ski lift:Onetime Mountain Creek owner Intrawest built similar lifts at Winter Park and Tremblant, but as transit lifts from the parking lot. This one at Mountain Creek is the only one that I'm aware of that's used as an open-air gondola. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

PLEASE ALWAYS READ THIS INFO BOX WHEN YOU VISIT TMVP BLOG. ***Especially please do not send any gift to this ministry unless you have read & understood the instructions below.*** DO NOT INTERACT WITH ANYONE ASKING FOR DONATIONS. Thank you. WEBSITE: WWW.THE-MASTERS-VOICE.COM PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: If you'd like to support this work, it is appreciated. Kindly use PayPal or email me for other options at mastersvoice@mail.com, and *please* give me some time to respond. If using PayPal PLEASE DO NOT send any gift with "Purchase Protection". I have an ordinary PayPal account, not a seller marketplace, so please do not damage my account by using "purchase protection" on your donation (as if I were making a sale to you). If you are not sure (especially if you sent in the past), please check the format of your gift on the PayPal receipt before sending. It is a freewill offering, I am not selling goods or services. Please use *only* the "Friends & Family" sending option. If you're outside the USA please DO NOT use PayPal, contact me instead at the email listed here & allow me a good window to respond. Thank you, God bless. PayPal ------- mastersvoice@mail.com.

The Future of Survival – Cybernetic Survival Episode Description What happens when survival isn't just about what gear you carry—but what technology is inside your body? In this episode, we dive into the world of cybernetic enhancements, human-machine integration, and the prepping choices that come with this rapidly approaching future. Will implants become the new EDC? Or will going full cyborg put us all at risk? Episode Breakdown

Chris and Curt bring back their magazine-style format, where they delve into various topics related to escape rooms. They discuss marketing strategies for escape rooms through city quests, and creating an engaging social media presence. They share ideas for events that align with escape room themes, tools like the RFID whiz, staff incentives, and ways to design immersive sets. The episode also touches on fun and effective puzzles for family and kids, unique merchandise ideas, and how to create valuable roundtable groups for brainstorming. Show Notes

How accurate is your inventory? For many retailers, answering that question is more difficult than it appears—especially when inventory counts are only conducted once or twice a year. In this episode, Dean Frew, President, RFID Solutions Division, SML IIS, sits down with hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to explore how RFID solves one of retail's biggest challenges. Dean shares how real-time data at the item level drives results from return fraud to buying online and pick up in store. He also discusses what it takes to make RFID work at scale, how adoption has changed post-COVID, and why distribution centers are the next frontier.   In this episode, you'll learn: How RFID improves inventory accuracy Where retailers are seeing the most significant ROI New use cases beyond the sales floor   Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (02:20) Dean's background and RFID journey (06:35) Improving inventory accuracy with RFID (12:13) Reducing returns fraud with item-level data (18:07) How BOPIS impacts inventory and sales (23:01) Boosting inbound accuracy at distribution centers (26:14) RFID in checkout and fitting room experiences   Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn   Connect with the guest: Dean Frew on LinkedInCheck out SML Group

Čiarové kódy používame už viac ako 50 rokov, no dnešným potrebám na množstvo informácií o produktoch už často nestačia. Na scénu prichádzajú modernejšie technológie ako QR kódy, Data Matrix či RFID čipy, ktoré ponúkajú oveľa viac možností. Ako fungujú a kedy by mohli nahradiť pípajúce čiarky v obchodoch?V novom dieli podcastu SHARE sa o budúcnosti identifikácie tovaru rozprávajú redaktori Živé.sk Maroš Žofčin a Lukáš Koškár.Redaktori Živé.sk vydávajú knihu: Zo série rozhovorov sa dozviete, ako umelá inteligencia čoskoro zásadne zmení svet okolo nás:TIP: https://zive.aktuality.sk/clanok/0RfdZVW/nahliadnite-do-buducnosti-vydavame-knihu-o-umelej-inteligencii/V podcaste hovoríme aj o týchto témach:Prečo sú čiarové kódy zastarané a aké majú obmedzenia?Výhody QR kódov a Data Matrix: Viac dát, kontrola záruky, lepšie info.Ako funguje RFID identifikácia a kde sa už dnes využíva?Kedy môžeme čakať masívnejší prechod na nové technológie?Súbeh technológií: Nahradia nové kódy tie staré úplne?Téme sa venujeme aj tu:Čiarový kód začínajúci 858 nie je zárukou, že produkt je slovenský. Čo to skutočne znamená?Očakávaná novinka môže od základov zmeniť nakupovanie, ako ho poznámePodcast SHARE pripravuje magazín Živé.sk.

Joe Coll, Vice President of Asset Protection Operations and Strategy at Macy's and TalkLP Host Amber Bradley discuss his 27- year career at Macy's, his leadership lessons and the best (from the LEADERS) and worst advice (from the BOSSES) he ever received. They also dive into how Macy's utilizes the Total Retail Loss methodology and how important the role of RFID plays in inventory visibility. No longer is RFID an ignored annoyance at the entrance > it's now critical intel that even helps brick-and-mortar stores beat out online retailers!  And wait, Joe has an Etsy shop?? Check out this insightful episode today! Connect with Joe here.

• Promotion of TomAndDanWateringHoles.com and featured bars • Tap That Beer House's RFID-based beer wall explained • Highlights of Tap That and 1010 Brewing's community vibe and live events • Shout-outs to Celery City, West End, The Sullivan, and Salty Sisters • Nick Swardson's upcoming Orlando Funny Bone shows • Missed 2019 cruise with Nick due to travel issues • Cruise stories involving Chris Kirkpatrick, Ryan Cabrera, and wild incidents • Chris bought Dan's wife a signed Silverchair guitar • Nick and Chris got matching tattoos on Train Cruise • Nick vs. Bill Burr debate on cruises' pros and cons • Cruise stories: diarrhea smearing and hallway accident • Nick's notorious 2014 Bob Carr show: chaos, drugs, passed-out fans • Elderly ushers unprepared for wild audience behavior • Nick and Dan joke about cocaine use during Lion King • Nick recalls wild comedy audiences in his 20s and 30s • Achieved platinum status with his comedy album • Bob Carr's lack of security questioned • Reflection on social media's fun early days vs. cancel culture • Nick's rise with “Party” album and Comedy Central specials • Colleges were peak venues during early 2000s comedy boom • Watch joke story: exposing himself as a gag • Commentary on shifting humor standards and consent in comedy • Started stand-up at 19, picked by HBO in 6 months • Performed at Aspen Festival, signed with Chris Rock's manager • One of Comedy Central's youngest half-hour special comics • Taped special at Jamie Kennedy's, led to Sandler discovery • Cast in Grandma's Boy after special caught Sandler's eye • Shared values and humility bonded Nick and Sandler • Nick prefers walking or Uber, doesn't own a car • Grew up on SNL, felt natural understanding of Sandler's circle • Spade praised Nick's scriptwriting on Benchwarmers • Dad was an investigative journalist and writing role model • Wrote clean, universal material to work anywhere • Criticized local comics for lack of drive • Emphasized listening and discipline from his dad • Attended Jennifer Aniston's birthday at Brad Pitt's house • Pitt introduced himself mid-conversation, was down to earth • Nick pushes back on idea that Hollywood is fake • Grew up obsessed with fireworks, caused chaos at Galifianakis BBQ • Zach banned fireworks after Nick's misfire • Stories of fireworks tipping and setting a house on fire as a kid • Expelled from school, used experiences for comedy material • Parents divorced at 13, led to rebellion and drug use • Arrested for weed, sent to court-ordered rehab • Took theater as an easy elective, discovered passion • Acting/improv replaced addiction with performance high • Encouraged by teacher Jan Mandel to pursue acting • Stand-up quickly became his obsession • Chose clean material to go national • Stressed confidence and self-belief • Quit drinking, now only takes edibles for sleep • Encouraged self-reflection off social media • Grandma watched Grandma's Boy and loved it • Proud the film still resonates with fans • Writing three new scripts to revive rated-R comedy • Grandma's Boy exploded on DVD despite poor marketing • Film's test scores rivaled Superbad • Confirmed for Happy Gilmore 2, out July 25 • Promoting Toilet Head live show as one of his last tours • Show features stories about Norm, Grandma's Boy, and Reno 911 • Final thanks from Nick and hosts ### **Social Media:**  [Website](https://tomanddan.com/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/amediocretime) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive)   **Where to Find the Show:**  [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mediocre-time/id334142682) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2FtZWRpb2NyZXRpbWUvcG9kY2FzdC54bWw) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Mediocre-Time-p364156/)   **The Tom & Dan Radio Show on Real Radio 104.1:**  [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-corporate-time/id975258990) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Fjb3Jwb3JhdGV0aW1lL3BvZGNhc3QueG1s) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Corporate-Time-p1038501/)   **Exclusive Content:** [Join BDM](https://tomanddan.com/registration) **Merch:** [Shop Tom & Dan](https://tomanddan.myshopify.com/)

Send us a textThe ReThink team shares fresh insights from the Retail Technology Show 2025 at the Excel in London, where AI applications in retail have evolved beyond marketing buzzwords to practical implementations in forecasting, computer vision, and data mining.• AI usage becoming more sophisticated with specific applications rather than just marketing claims• Computer vision technology now identifying shoplifting, tracking store traffic, and creating heat maps of customer movement• Surprising amount of cash handling technology despite declining cash transactions• RFID innovations eliminating manual scanning with fixed readers tracking merchandise throughout stores• Footfall tracking systems can detect mobile phones even when powered off• Stock management systems now prompting intelligent markdowns to reduce waste• Employee communication platforms continuing to evolve for frontline worker engagement• Notable absence of customer experience measurement technologies and concrete ROI metricsJoin us for our upcoming forum on September 11th in Birmingham featuring an innovation lounge with exciting tech partners, and catch us at NRF Europe in Paris the following week. #theproductivityexpertsRegister for the 2025 Productivity ForumFind us in the Top 50 Productivity PodcastsConnect to Simon on LinkedInFollow ReThink on LinkedIn

In the latest edition of Omni Talk's Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If Old Navy's 1,200 Store Radar RFID Rollout Is Too Aggressive? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: - Best Buy storefronts and where influencer commerce will go next - Instacart's introduction of “Will Call” Delivery (Source) - Old Navy rolling out Radar's RFID solution to 1,200 stores - San Diego banning digital-only grocery store coupons And closed with a look at just how game-changing Amazon's implementation of AI agents to shop third-party sites could be There's all that, plus David Dorf of AWS stops by for 5 Insightful Minutes on Agentic AI, and Chris and Anne also discuss tariff stockpiling, soggy doggy burritos and which animal species Anne would most like to see brought back from extinction. Music by hooksounds.com

AI Stocks to Buy Now - includes analysts' top 15 small and 3 large-cap stocks that may interest ethical investors. By Ron Robins, MBA Transcript & Links, Episode 151, April 4, 2025 Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 151, published April 4, 2025, titled “AI Stocks to Buy Now.” It's presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Remember that you can find a full transcript and links to content, including stock symbols and bonus material, on this episode's podcast page at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, and I don't receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief. Please visit the podcast's webpage for links to the articles and additional company and stock information. ------------------------------------------------------------- AI Stocks to Buy Now (1) Now many ethical and sustainable investors are buying AI stocks. So, I've decided to include two recent articles by great analysts who write about these stocks. This first article is titled 15 Best Small Cap AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. It's by Maxim G and seen on insidermonkey.com. Here is some of what he has to say about how he came to select them as well as a brief quote on each of his picks. “For this article, we used Finviz to screen for technology stocks under a $5 billion market cap… We then manually selected companies that have significant revenue exposure or potential growth opportunities related to AI products & solutions. Finally, we compared the list with our proprietary Q4 2024 database of hedge funds' ownership and included in the article the top 15 stocks with the largest number of hedge funds that own the stock… Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. (See more details here). 15. DXC Technology Company (NYSE:DXC) Hedge Fund Holders: 24 ​DXC Technology Company is a global provider of IT services and solutions, specializing in digital transformation, IT modernization, cloud computing, cybersecurity, analytics, and business process outsourcing. The company serves clients across multiple industries, including financial services, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, public sector, and transportation. Its core offerings include consulting, systems integration, software development, application management, infrastructure services, and data-driven analytics. 14. C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) Hedge Fund Holders: 25 ​C3.ai, Inc. is an enterprise software company specializing in AI solutions designed to support digital transformation and operational optimization across various industries. Its flagship product, the C3 AI Platform, provides a comprehensive, scalable environment for developing, deploying, and managing enterprise-grade AI applications. The company primarily serves sectors such as energy, manufacturing, finance, defense, healthcare, and telecommunications. Its solutions leverage machine learning, advanced analytics, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven insights to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. 13. Insight Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSIT) Hedge Fund Holders: 26 ​Insight Enterprises, Inc. is a global technology solutions provider focused on helping businesses manage and transform their IT environments. The company offers a broad range of services including IT procurement, cloud and data center transformation, digital innovation, cybersecurity, and managed services. Insight serves clients in sectors such as healthcare, education, government, and commercial enterprises, primarily across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions. 12. Clear Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU) Hedge Fund Holders: 27 ​Clear Secure, Inc. is a technology company that provides identity verification and access control solutions through its secure biometric platform. Its core offering, CLEAR Plus, enables expedited entry at airports by using fingerprint and iris recognition to verify identities. The company also offers digital identity tools for venues, stadiums, and other businesses, expanding its platform into areas such as health pass verification and age validation. Clear Secure, Inc. operates across the travel, sports, entertainment, and healthcare industries, with partnerships spanning major US airports and event venues. 11. Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGM) Hedge Fund Holders: 27 ​Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures sensor and power ICs used in motion control and energy-efficient systems. Its products are critical for applications in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics, supporting functions such as electric powertrain, ADAS, factory automation, and robotics. The company's portfolio includes magnetic sensors, current sensors, and motor driver ICs. Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.'s technology enables high-precision sensing and power efficiency in complex electronic systems. 10. IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) Hedge Fund Holders: 28 ​IonQ, Inc. is a quantum computing company that develops and operates quantum computers based on trapped-ion technology. Its systems are accessible through major cloud platforms and are designed to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers. The company offers both hardware and software solutions, including a proprietary operating system and quantum programming tools… The US-based company ranked 6th on our recent list of 11 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now. 9. Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK) Hedge Fund Holders: 28 Workiva Inc. is a cloud-based software company that provides a platform for connected reporting, compliance, and data management. Its solutions help businesses streamline complex processes involving financial reporting, regulatory filings, audit management, and ESG disclosures. Workiva Inc. serves a wide range of industries, including finance, energy, government, and healthcare, with a focus on large enterprises and public companies. 8. IPG Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ:IPGP) Hedge Fund Holders: 31 ​IPG Photonics Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers used in a wide range of industrial, medical, and advanced technology applications. Its products are integral to processes such as cutting, welding, marking, and 3D printing, serving industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and materials processing. The company also provides lasers for medical procedures, defense systems, and telecommunications. IPG Photonics Corporation's vertically integrated business model supports innovation and cost efficiency across its product lines. 7. nCino, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCNO) Hedge Fund Holders: 33 ​nCino, Inc. is a financial technology company that provides a cloud-based operating system for banks and credit unions, aimed at improving efficiency, compliance, and customer experience. Built on the Salesforce platform, nCino, Inc.'s solutions cover loan origination, account opening, deposit operations, credit analysis, and portfolio management. The company supports digital transformation in financial services by automating workflows, integrating data, and enhancing transparency. 6. Asana, Inc. (NYSE:ASAN) Hedge Fund Holders: 33 ​Asana, Inc. is a work management software company that offers a cloud-based platform designed to help teams plan, organize, and track projects and tasks. Its solution supports collaboration, workflow automation, goal tracking, and reporting across departments such as marketing, operations, product development, and IT. The platform integrates with numerous third-party tools and emphasizes scalability and real-time visibility. The company ranked eighth on our recent list of Top 9 AI Stocks to Watch Amid DeepSeek Frenzy. 5. BlackLine, Inc. (NASDAQ:BL) Hedge Fund Holders: 34 ​BlackLine, Inc. is a software company that provides cloud-based solutions for automating and streamlining finance and accounting operations. Its platform focuses on key processes such as financial close, account reconciliation, intercompany accounting, and compliance management. BlackLine, Inc. primarily serves mid-size to large enterprises across various industries, including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and financial services. The platform integrates with major ERP systems, enabling real-time data access and improved accuracy in financial reporting. 4. Impinj, Inc. (NASDAQ:PI) Hedge Fund Holders: 37 ​Impinj, Inc. is a technology company specializing in RAIN RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) solutions that connect physical items to digital systems. Its platform includes RFID tags, readers, and software designed to track and manage inventory, assets, and shipments in real-time. The company's solutions integrate with enterprise systems to support applications like item-level inventory management and asset tracking. 3. AvePoint, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVPT) Hedge Fund Holders: 40 ​AvePoint, Inc. is a software company that provides data management and governance solutions for Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and other collaboration platforms. Its cloud-based offerings support data protection, compliance, access control, migration, and records management for organizations across sectors including government, education, healthcare, and financial services. 2. ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ZI) Hedge Fund Holders: 51 ​ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. is a software company that provides a cloud-based go-to-market intelligence platform for sales, marketing, and recruiting professionals. Its platform offers data-driven tools for lead generation, account targeting, contact enrichment, and buyer intent analysis, helping businesses improve customer acquisition and engagement. ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. aggregates and curates vast amounts of business data and integrates with CRM and marketing automation systems. The US-based company ranked fifth on our recent list of 12 Best Nasdaq Stocks Under $20 to Buy Now. 1. BILL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BILL) Hedge Fund Holders: 64 ​BILL Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company that provides cloud-based software for automating back-office financial operations for small and mid-sized businesses. Its platform streamlines processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, and payments. The company enables integration with major accounting software platforms, facilitating real-time visibility and improved cash flow management.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- AI Stocks to Buy Now (2) The second article is titled 3 Essential AI Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Right Now. It's by George Budwell and featured on finance.yahoo.com. Here are a few quotes on what he says about each of his recommendations. “1. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has established a dominant position as the leader in AI hardware and software, with CEO Jensen Huang recently declaring that the ‘vast majority' of AI inference runs on their platforms. Despite being down 12.3% year to date, Nvidia shares now trade at 26.2 times forward earnings, a historically low multiple that creates an attractive entry point for this wide-moat business. The company roadmap includes Blackwell Ultra arriving later this year, followed by Vera Rubin in 2026 and Rubin Ultra in 2027, providing a clear growth trajectory… While several tech giants are investing in custom chips and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is developing competing GPUs, Nvidia's unified hardware and software ecosystem and expansion into new AI domains position it to maintain market leadership for years to come. This combination of technical leadership, ecosystem lock-in, and strategic expansion into emerging areas makes Nvidia an essential infrastructure provider for the entire AI revolution. 2. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) has evolved into a technology powerhouse, with business lines spanning from advertising to cloud computing and AI. Despite being down 12.7% year to date, the search titan's stock trades at just 18.6 times forward earnings, offering compelling value in the ultra-high-growth tech sector. While Google Search remains the primary revenue driver, Alphabet is investing heavily in AI to improve its search capabilities and bolster its competitive positions in cloud computing, agentic AI, and robotics… Though regulatory scrutiny remains a concern regarding its search dominance, the company's diverse capabilities across digital advertising, cloud infrastructure, and AI development position it as a cornerstone technology investment with multiple growth vectors beyond its core search business. So, if you're building an AI-themed portfolio, Alphabet scans as an essential stock to own. 3. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is a leader in cloud infrastructure and AI, driven by its Azure platform and strategic partnership with OpenAI. Following a 7.2% year-to-date decline, the tech giant's shares trade at 26.1 times forward earnings, presenting an attractive entry point into this high-growth sector. Microsoft stock, after all, was trading at over 35 times forward earnings around this time last year… With cloud adoption accelerating and AI integration expanding across its product suite, Microsoft is exceptionally well positioned for sustained growth. As a result, this tech stock represents a core play in both cloud infrastructure and large-scale AI deployment, making it a cornerstone holding for AI investors.” End quotes. -------------------------------------------------------------- One additional article link Title: 10 Pro-Life Companies to Invest In Now on insidermonkey.com. By Soma Dutta.  ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment These are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips for this podcast, “AI Stocks to Buy Now.” Please click the like and subscribe buttons wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these troubled times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. I'll talk to you next on April 18th. Bye for now.   © 2025 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

RFID TAGS REVOLUTIONIZE NFTsTRUMP MINES BITCOIN NOWDNA FOR SALE ONCHAIN?ELON DUMPS DOGECOIN PLANS

Thanks for checking out this episode of Hero's Journey.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute:San Diego Passes First-in-Nation Paper Coupon Law – To combat the digital divide, San Diego will require grocers to offer paper versions of digital discounts, aiming to support seniors and low-income shoppers amid rising costs.Old Navy Deploys RFID and AI for Real-Time Inventory – Old Navy rolls out Radar's RFID-powered tracking system across 1,200 stores, giving associates instant product visibility and improving in-store and omnichannel service.Dollar Tree Offloads Family Dollar for $1B – After years of underperformance, Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar to private equity—marking a strategic reset from a $8.5B acquisition that never paid off.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights. Be careful out there!

In this insightful episode of the ConCensis podcast, host Amy Chodroff welcomes Dr. Arpita Hazra, a Clinical Patient Safety Data Specialist, to explore the evolving landscape of patient safety, risk management, and AI in healthcare. Drawing from her background in internal medicine, public health, and clinical data science, Dr. Hazra provides a compelling look at how hospitals and surgical centers can minimize risk—particularly through better sterilization, communication, and the integration of AI technologies.The conversation highlights real-world challenges, such as retained surgical instruments and post-op infections, and introduces the power of tools like CensisAI² in helping to automate instrument counts, improve documentation, and drive better patient outcomes. Dr. Hazra also emphasizes the importance of transparency and stakeholder involvement in the adoption of new technologies in the clinical environment.Key Takeaways:Sterile processing errors can lead to increased hospital stays, readmissions, and legal risks—emphasizing the need for precise, accountable systems.RFID and AI-driven tools are improving documentation and surgical instrument tracking, helping reduce retained foreign objects and post-op complications.CensisAI² supports hospitals with sterilization, inspection, and backend data reporting, enabling predictive analytics and better decision-making.Technology adoption succeeds when frontline staff are involved early, and communication around purpose and data usage is transparent and consistent.As healthcare systems continue to modernize, Dr. Hazra's insights underscore the critical role of combining human vigilance with advanced tools to improve outcomes. By embracing innovation thoughtfully and fostering open dialogue across teams, hospitals can reduce risk, build trust, and ultimately deliver safer, more reliable care.

A surprising moment of carelessness in a familiar setting sparked an important realization: the security mindset we adopt while traveling often vanishes when we're in comfortable surroundings. After discovering my purse sitting wide open in a busy restaurant aisle, I began reflecting on the critical strategies we need for protecting our finances during solo adventures.Security begins with the right equipment. Finding an anti-theft bag that works with your travel style provides the foundation for financial safety. My Wonder Bag crossbody has become my trusted companion, offering a slim profile that sits flat against my body while providing reinforced protection against pickpockets. Equally important is RFID protection technology, which blocks scammers from electronically stealing your credit card or passport information with just a brush against you in crowded spaces.Beyond equipment, strategy matters tremendously. The distribution approach—never keeping all your money or cards in one place—creates essential redundancy if theft occurs. A money belt worn under clothing provides an additional security layer, though you'll need to balance accessibility with discretion. Regular monitoring of your accounts completes your security system, allowing you to quickly identify any fraudulent charges before they spiral into larger problems.By implementing these comprehensive security strategies, you can explore the world with confidence while keeping your money safe. Ready to travel boldly but securely? These practical steps will help ensure your solo adventure stays focused on discovery rather than disaster.TRAVEL & LEISURE-8 Best Anti-theft Bagshttps://bit.ly/4kXC9PhInstagram @solotraveladventures50Facebook community: Solo Travel for Women Over 50 https://www.facebook.com/groups/860865768609200Send me a message or share your solo travel story with me.https://www.speakpipe.com/SoloTravelAdventuresLeave a review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-travel-adventures-safe-travel-for-women-preparing-for-a-trip-overcoming-fear-travel-tips/id1650161410

In the "Product & Packaging Powerhouse" episode featuring Megan Young Gamble and powerhouse guest Chris Doerr, conversation explores sustainable labeling and packaging technologies. With over thirty years of experience, Chris shares insights on the various types of labels and the shift to sustainable practices. He emphasizes the importance of recycling and offers practical tips on reducing landfill waste through methods like composting, recycling LDPE bags, and leveraging digital technologies such as RFID and NFC to educate consumers. As labels are vital in multiple industries, Chris's expertise provides valuable guidance on incorporating sustainability and technology in packaging.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicform[Powerhouse Guest Chris LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdoerrprofile/Company Validators for Full-Service Packaging Services : https://www.validatorsllc.comCompany Simplify INC for Print & Packaging Consulting : https://www.validatorsllc.com/products-and-services/simplify-ink/ View Chris Patents U.S Patent #'s: 5,658,648; 6,267,152 B1; and 6,845,581 B2: https://youtu.be/L2Rc8oTOtd8?si=lSO3sNVvdvofbZXWComposting in Atlanta : https://www.compostnow.org/growth/compostnow-compost-services-atlantaQuotes and HooksAfter a while, I realized there's no new technology on the horizon that's gonna replace labels.Less is just smart, and using less and being smart has been around since the beginning of time.Your packaging has to be more than recyclable; it has to actually get recycled.Zero landfill should be the real goal; not just recycling claims.Most people don't know if a label should be removed before recycling, and that's a problem.Just because you use less material doesn't mean it's sustainable.

We open the show with a memo from the White House following a call between President Trump and President Putin. Seems it was a productive call, leading to more discussions for a peace deal. Next, it's amazing the effort and energy the Left is putting into defending terrorists in the form of the TdA Venezuelan gang members. What would it be like if they put that much effort into protecting Americans? There are conflicts of interest all over the place with the latest judge who is demanding all illegal terrorists should remain in the United States. Plus, we find out the judge was also assigned to the FISA court when they rubber-stamped spying on Trump and was the judge that ruled on the Ray Epps case. There are now four activist judges who believe they can run the presidency. All four have pending Article of Impeachment ready to be filed against them. Yet, Chief Justice Roberts put out a statement saying impeaching judges is bad. Let's hope our FBI will start looking at calls of swatting and the burning of Tesla's as domestic terrorism. Those activities fall under that definition if you ask me. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) was on the Winston Marshall program recently. First she described how the Dept. of Education only sees 25% of it's $268 billion dollar budget on education. The rest is to pay for the bureaucracy and is then laundered down several steps to then be put back into Democrat campaigns. She also talked about the perils of implementing RFID tagging of cattle. Sen. Chuck “You” Schumer was on The View and illustrated something I tell my audience all the time. They really do think all the money we make is theirs. Don Lemon reminds us where the vast majority of bigotry and racism resides. Rep. Wesley Hunt brutalizes Lemon in response to his latest stupidity when he hung out with Bill Maher. The AP once again got a story wrong. They are planning to correct it, but do you think it will stop sufferers of Trump Derangement Syndrome for believing the incorrect story? Finally, remember the IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler? Their patriotic work has led to being hired by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to help reform the IRS. Please take a moment to rate and review the show and then share the episode on social media. You can find me on Facebook, X, Instagram, GETTR and TRUTH Social by searching for The Alan Sanders Show. And, consider becoming a sponsor of the show by visiting my Patreon page!!

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe conspiracy theorists were right again, they wanted to destroy our food supply. The [CB][DS] is now pushing the narrative that Trump is blame for the failing economy, this is what Biden created. Elon educates the public on magic money computers, is he talking about the Fed? The [DS] is panicking, they pardoned themselves via Biden, they used an autopen to do this. Biden was never the President. Fraud will strip away the [DS] protection. Follow the pen, this goes far beyond Biden. Trump is making the [DS] feel pain every step of the way by building the narrative that the Epstein, JKF, RFK & MLK files will be released. When the [DS] panics they do stupid things. Warning Shots.   (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Economy https://twitter.com/dogeai_gov/status/1901480013347631464   Hageman “The USDA for several years has been trying to force our cattle and bison producers to use what are called RFID or EID ear tags, electronic identification, ear tags. They wanna chip them all. I've been fighting against this, and they say it's for disease traceability.” (She explains in the video how we already have excellent disease traceability) “So you look at all of that, and so you think, okay, what is this really about? And then you start looking at the countries that have implemented this. Ireland implemented in it in early 2022. By August 23, they were issuing an order that they had to slaughter 41,000 head of cattle. Not because of a disease outbreak, but BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING In Denmark, they adopted an EID mandate. And last year they imposed a $100 a head tax on every single head of cattle in the country, not because of a disease outbreak, BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING ” “So what you start seeing is how they use this information. This is a $1.2 - $1.9 billion tax on the cattle industry if it's actually implemented a 100%” double standard: Small ranchers must tag every animal while mega-feedlots get exemptions. The numbers tell the story—$15,000 per operation in new equipment costs, hitting 89% of independent producers. This isn't about safety—it's about control. When USDA tried similar rules in 2019, courts blocked it. Now they're back, adding costly requirements while beef prices soar 12.2%. Real reform means tracking government overreach, not cattle. Every new mandate needs congressional oversight and cost analysis. That's how accountability works in agriculture. https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1901577504214635000   https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1901322571561197639  fact, ~40% of respondents in the University of Michigan's survey blamed high prices for eroding their living standards. Moreover, 84% of them expect inflation to OUTPACE their wage growth. Consumers are exhausted from inflation https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1901453542877225111  TAKE A LISTEN Samsung halts investment, announces layoffs in Mexico due to tariffs uncertainty   Samsung has decided to stop any future investment in Mexico over economic doubts caused in part by President Trump's proposed tariffs, according to Roberto Vega Solís, president of Mexico's Business Confederation in Tijuana. The South Korean firm has also announced plans to lay off up to 30 percent of its labor force in Mexico. Vega Solís says President Trump has created “a very uncertain business environment by exposing Mexico to tariffs.” According to Vega Solís, Samsung is one of the oldest foreign corporations in Mexico, its manufacturing plant in Tijuana builds television sets. Source:  .borderreport.com 

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome an extraordinary young researcher, Vince Wu, a high school senior and Davidson Fellow Scholarship winner. Vince's groundbreaking research combines artificial intelligence and honey bee foraging behavior, using radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking and deep learning models to predict how weather influences bee foraging activity. Vince's project, which started as a personal exploration of beekeeping and science, turned into a sophisticated study that gathered over 50,000 data points. He tracked individual foraging flights across three hives using RFID tags and monitored concurrent weather conditions to build predictive models. His findings provide insight into how sunlight, temperature, and other environmental factors influence honey bee foraging. Before diving into Vince's research, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another insightful audio postcard, this time focusing on winter colony losses and the importance of performing necropsies on deadouts. He explains how beekeepers can better understand colony mortality by examining key indicators such as starvation, small winter clusters, and Varroa mite infestations. Dewey also discusses recent survey results on colony losses, highlighting the ongoing challenges beekeepers face in maintaining healthy colonies. If you've ever wondered how technology is shaping the future of beekeeping and pollination science, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Websites we recommend: Davidson Page about Vince's Project: https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/fellows-scholarship/fellows/current-and-past-fellows/2024-fellows/2024-davidson-fellow-vince-wu/ Vince's Full Paper on the IEEE Xplore Page: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10233527 Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com 2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast: https://2millionblossoms.com Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC     ______________ Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/   Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Join Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and my crew as we answer listener questions about electronic id tags.  Plus updates on the tariff war, news, sale recaps, cattle sale info and market commentary that you will only get on this all new episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. Season 5, EPISODE 228 Electronic ID Tags Q & A & News And Tariff Updates What Are The Pro's & Con's Of Electronic Animal I.D. Electronic Identification Tags From Merck As the leading provider of EID tags and readers through the Allflex® brand, Merck Animal Health wants to support cattle producers in their decision-making with the expertise and solutions they need. Key Distinctions With Official ID Rules The new policy only applies to interstate movement. Other exemptions include direct-to-slaughter cattle and sexually intact cattle (and bison) under 18 months of age. Animals that will need electronically and visually readable tags when they enter interstate movement include: Sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months or older All dairy cattle, including beef-on-dairy crossbred animals Cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo, recreation events, shows or exhibitions Another important detail: Visual ear tags applied before Nov. 5, 2024, will be recognized as official IDs for the life of the animal. They'll be grandfathered in and will not need an EID. Easing The Financial Burden Producers and the livestock industry have raised concerns about the potential cost burden of the new tagging policies. Congress recently directed USDA-APHIS to allocate no less than $15 million for the cost of tags and related infrastructure to help offset those costs.2 Producers may be able to access EID tags for free via their state veterinarian. They can apply those tags at approved tagging sites. Producers can also buy EIDs directly from a distributor, online vendor or local dealer and apply the tags themselves. In addition, producers are not required to invest in tag-reading hardware or software, unless they choose to do so for herd management and record keeping. The EID tags can be used the same way as visual tags. Addressing Data Privacy Concerns EID tags are encoded with a number that identifies the animal, but no owner-specific information. The data associated with the tags will be stored in various federal and state databases. Access to that data will also be restricted to the state and federal officials responsible for managing high-impact diseases of the cattle industry. USDA agnostic on EID tags USDA isn't mandating or recommending any one brand of ear tag. Tags must be approved by the department and will be imprinted with the Official Eartag Shield. The Allflex radio frequency ID (RFID) tags offered by Merck Animal Health meet these standards. They use a short-read range that doesn't interfere with radio frequencies commonly found in livestock operations. Allflex tags do not include any global positioning system (GPS) capabilities. Producers also use these RFID tags to track health protocols, performance, reproduction and genetics. The new tagging requirements are intended to bolster the industry's tracing capabilities in the event of a disease outbreak. Contact your Merck Animal Health representative or tag supplier to find out how Allflex tags can help you comply with these rules while managing your beef or dairy operation more efficiently. References National Archives. Federal Register. Rules and Regulations. Use of Electronic Identification Ear Tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. May 9, 2024. 89(91):39540-39566. APHIS-2021-0020. 2024-09717.pdf (govinfo.gov). Retrieved May 21, 2024. Rachael Oatman. Congress approves $15 million for EID tagging of cattle. Tri-State Livestock News. March 22, 2024. https://www.tsln.com/news/congress-approves-15-million-for-eid-tagging-of-cattle/. Retrieved May 21, 2024. Tariffs: Retaliatory China Tariffs On U.S. Meat Products Take Effect Tariff wars and constant updates.  Here are the latest moves.  On Monday, the Chinese government implemented new tariffs on a variety of U.S. agricultural products, including meat products. China's tariff on U.S. pork will increase from 37% to 47%, while its tariff on U.S. beef will rise from 12% to 22%. Additionally, U.S. poultry products now face a 15% tariff. According to USDA analysis, China and Hong Kong account for 5% of U.S. poultry exports, 15% of pork exports, and 14% of beef exports. Announced last week, the tariffs are a retaliation against a new 20% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods, and also cover wheat, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, fruits and vegetables, dairy and fish. China also blocked 15 U.S. companies from buying Chinese products, and another 10 companies from doing business in China; those companies, though, are not in agriculture. In a March 8 press release from the Chinese government, the Foreign Minister told the United States to rethink what it has achieved from the tariff and trade wars these years — whether its trade deficit has widened or narrowed, whether its manufacturing has become more or less competitive, whether its inflation has gone up or down, and whether the lives of its people have become better or worse. Tariffs: Canada Keeps Poultry Tariffs, Postpones Beef & Pork Canada's 25% tariffs on imports of U.S. chicken will remain in place, while the looming start of an identical levy against beef and pork has been postponed until April 2. The Canadian Finance Minister announced the decisions, after the U.S. President Donald Trump signed orders postponing or easing 25% tariffs on large amounts of Canadian and Mexican goods. Trump placed  tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, demanding more action against drug trafficking and illegal border crossing, while claiming that trade deficits constituted “subsidies” to the United States' neighbors. In the Oval Office, a White House aide said that the latest executive order excludes goods certified for entry under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) from 25% tariffs until April 2, when Trump is threatening to impose “reciprocal” global tariffs. Cars and car parts will be temporarily spared, while Canadian potash — an important fertilizer — will only be taxed at 10% “in order to help our farmers at this crucial time of year. The aide went on to say, quote, “So this is a modification to our tariff regime to protect American car manufacturers and American farmers.” The fast-moving trade wrangling between the North American governments follows concerns voiced by Democrats and some Farm Belt Republicans in Congress about disrupted trade with two of the biggest customers for  U.S. agricultural goods, especially meat. Canada and Mexico combined buy 31% of U.S. poultry exports, 45% of pork exports and 26% of beef exports. The Mexican President had promised a reciprocal action including tariffs, with U.S. meat products a likely target. RanchChannel.Com Now Has The Futures Markets & New Listings Futures Markets RanchChannel.com now has futures markets at your fingertips!  Feeder Cattle, Live Cattle, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Soybean Oil, Milk Class IV, and Ethanol.  Information is provided by DTN and market information may be delayed by as much as 10 minutes.  Click Here for more information!   UPCOMING SALES & EVENTS U2 Quality Seedstock:  March 18, 2025   Vollmer Angus Ranch:  April 1, 2025 CK Bar Ranch: April 4, 2025 Jorgensen Land & Cattle:  April 21, 2025 World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale: May 15 18, 2025 BULL SALE REPORT & RESULTS Click HERE for the latest Bull Sale Results https://ranchchannel.com/category/past-bull-production-sales-archive/ FEATURING David McElhaney Merck Animal Health https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/cattle Mark Vanzee Livestock Market, Equine Market, Auction Time https://www.auctiontime.com/ https://www.livestockmarket.com/ https://www.equinemarket.com/ @LivestockMkt @EquineMkt @AuctionTime Kirk Donsbach: Stone X Financial https://www.stonex.com/   @StoneXGroupInc    Shaye Koester Casual Cattle Conversation https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ @cattleconvos Questions & Concerns From The Field? Call or Text your questions, or comments to 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Or email RanchItUpShow@gmail.com FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow SUBSCRIBE to the Ranch It Up YouTube Channel: @ranchitup Website: RanchItUpShow.com https://ranchitupshow.com/ The Ranch It Up Podcast is available on ALL podcasting apps. https://ranchitup.podbean.com/ Rural America is center-stage on this outfit. AND how is that? Tigger & BEC Live This Western American Lifestyle. Tigger & BEC represent the Working Ranch world and cattle industry by providing the cowboys, cowgirls, beef cattle producers & successful farmers the knowledge and education needed to bring high-quality beef & meat to your table for dinner. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com https://tiggerandbec.com/ #RanchItUp #StayRanchy #TiggerApproved #tiggerandbec #rodeo #ranching #farming References https://www.stonex.com/ https://www.livestockmarket.com/ https://www.equinemarket.com/ https://www.auctiontime.com/ https://gelbvieh.org/ https://www.imogeneingredients.com/ https://alliedgeneticresources.com/ https://westwayfeed.com/ https://medoraboot.com/ https://www.tsln.com/ https://transova.com/ https://axiota.com/ https://axiota.com/multimin-90-product-label/ https://jorgensenfarms.com/ https://ranchchannel.com/ https://www.wrangler.com/ https://www.ruralradio147.com/ https://www.rfdtv.com/ https://www.ckbarranch.com/#/?ranchchannel=view https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/118243 https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/118220 https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/cattle/cattle-insights/beef/tagging-practices

Mobile computing, IoT, AI, RFID, robotics, mPOS…the future of enterprise technology is exciting, to be sure. Still, it's only as good as the networks connecting these devices and transmitting all that data for analysis and action. Networking and connectivity solutions may not currently be part of your portfolio, but if you desire to be THE trusted provider for your customers, they should be. Today, we're talking to iONLINE's Dave Farquharson & industry vet (now a BlueStar colleague) Jim Hilton to help you understand the connectivity landscape, the importance of multi-carrier interoperability, how to approach selling network solutions, and how to find and win opportunities.   Check out our new Connectivity Services site!   #VARValue - What is iONLINE looking for in the channel, and how do they help resellers find opportunities, win business, and overcome networking hurdles?   Around the Nation: The 2U Tour is coming to a city near you!   On Our Radar Dave - Waymo and AI Jim - Robotics Dean - AI couples therapy? John - The "city-killer" asteroid (that's no longer a concern?)   Keep in Touch! Email – nation@bluestarinc.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe    Sponsored by: Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin sits down with Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead at Zebra Technologies; Mark Delaney, Mobility Solutions Leader at Körber Supply Chain; and Mark Butler, Global Partner Management Manager at Zebra Technologies. Zebra, known for its barcode printers and scanners, has expanded significantly, incorporating AI, RFID, robotics, and machine vision technologies. Körber, recognized for its comprehensive warehouse management (WMS), order management (OMS), and now transportation management systems (TMS), tackles complex supply chain challenges for global enterprises. Together, Zebra and Körber leverage strategic collaboration to digitize warehouse operations, enhancing data capture and process optimization to meet growing market expectations for speed, efficiency, and accuracy.Find Big Joe during ProMat at booth N7157. Learn more about Zebra Robotics here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Code mit Impact: Creative Coding und Generative Kunst mit Sabine Wieluch“Ist das Kunst oder kann das Weg?” - Das ist eine gängige Frage von Leuten, die i.d.R. nix mit Kunst am Hut haben. Sogenannte Banausen. Denn oft kann man Kunst nicht in Daten und Fakten pressen. Es ist subjektiv. Anders. Neuartig. Ab und zu auch etwas schräg. Ggf. macht es dies so unverständlich.Wenn man aber ein unbekanntes Feld (in diesem Fall Kunst) mit einem Herzensthema (in unserem Fall Software-Engineering) verbindet, sieht es schon ganz anders aus. Auf einmal will man mehr wissen. Und genau darum geht es in dieser Podcast-Episode: Um Creative Coding und Generative Kunst.Im Interview mit Sabine Wieluch (aka bleeptrack) klären wir, was creative Coding und generative Kunst ist, warum eine Informatikern mit Machine Learning Background nicht am heißesten Thema der Industrie im Jahr 2025 arbeitet sondern sich eigenen künstlerischen Projekten widmet, wie ein Design für ein Holzstuhl aus Blattadern generiert werden kann, warum einzigartige Mittelfinger-Sticker von einem bayrischen Minister geehrt wurden, welche Open Source Projekte dich bei deiner Entwicklung von generativer Kunst unterstützen können aber auch wie kleine Details, zB Metall und die Funktionsweise von NFC, dein Kunstprojekt vor Herausforderung stellt.Bonus: Was Minecraft mit generativer Kunst zu tun hat.Unsere aktuellen Werbepartner findest du auf https://engineeringkiosk.dev/partnersDas schnelle Feedback zur Episode:

Send us a textNolan from Fortress Telecom joins Chuck to share insights from the Orlando Airport Terminal C tour at the BICSI Conference, revealing cutting-edge infrastructure innovations and valuable lessons for low-voltage professionals.• Exploring the 100% trackable RFID baggage system using reusable sleds with RFID tags• Behind-the-scenes look at telecommunications rooms with perfect installation practices• Virtual tower and ramp control systems allowing operations during lightning storms• LIDAR-based guidance systems helping pilots safely navigate without wing walkers• Surprising applications of PON (Passive Optical Networks) in commercial settings• The "four-layer cake" of cabling standards: NEC, TIA standards, BICSI best practices, and manufacturer specifications• Human connections and relationships as the most critical factor in successful projectsIf you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and that bell button to be notified when new content is being produced? If you're listening on one of the audio podcast platforms, please leave us a five-star rating.Support the showKnowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH#CBRCDD #RCDD

TalkLP host Amber Bradley chats with Jamie Kress, Director of RFID Sales North America with Sensormatic, to discuss the recent RFID explosion! They dive into the reasons behind the newfound interest in the technology (omnichannel retailing, inventory, etc.), and why it is no longer a question of “will it work?” but “how do I make it work in multiple ways?” Jamie details the product inventory life cycle and how accuracy, visibility and the Total Retail Loss model are supported by Sensormatic's Loss of Visibility Solutions product. Amber also gets him to bust some long-held RFID myths! You don't want to miss it!  Connect with Jamie here and check out Sensormatic's solutions on their website, sensormatic.com.

In Episode 109 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosts Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo discuss a variety of travel-related topics. Angie highlights a member's trip report on using AMEX Marriott Bonvoy card rewards to stay at the Westin Bora Bora, while Mike shares exciting news about new Capital One and Chase Sapphire lounges in Las Vegas and Philadelphia respectively. They also cover updates on CapitalOne's partnership with JetBlue, the reintroduction of United Premier luggage tags, and a Southwest discount code for award flights.The hosts then share their recent travel experiences and upcoming trips. Angie talks about her beach trip to the Hiatus Clearwater Beach hotel, while Mike mentions his plans to visit St. Kitts and Alaska. They also delve into their packing strategies and favorite travel gadgets, such as multi-device charging cords, TSA-compliant toiletry bags, and RFID-protected travel purses. The episode concludes with a tip of the week on using apps like Tripit Pro and Award Wallet to manage trip details.Links to Topics DiscussedCapital One Lounge Las VegasChase Sapphire Lounge PhiladelphiaCapitalOne adds JetBlue back as transfer partnerUnited Premier luggage tags are available againOrder Delta Medallian luggage tags20% Off Discount Code for award flights for Southwest cardholdersSouthwest targeted 3,000 point bonus offerWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup! Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

In this episode, I sit down with Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge Wallet, the brand that redefined men's accessories with its sleek, RFID-blocking wallets and everyday carry gear.Men's fashion rarely prioritizes accessories, and wallets are something most guys replace once a decade—yet Ridge built a thriving business in a space where success seemed unlikely. We dive into the Ridge Wallet story, the state of e-commerce, the challenges of manufacturing in America, and why the Amazon seller model is crumbling.Sean keeps it real and drops a ton of knowledge. Don't miss this one!Hope you enjoy the show!

Could the secret to cutting costs and boosting efficiency really be hidden in your department's equipment tracking system? This week on Power Supply, Suneil Mandava, Founder and CEO of Mobile Aspects, joins us to explore how RFID technology is transforming healthcare operations. From tracking high-value medical devices to preventing equipment loss, Suneil shares how hospitals are combining RFID and AI technologies to drive efficiency, cut waste, and improve patient care. Whether you're exploring smart tracking solutions or the latest trends in supply chain technology, this episode offers valuable insights to help you optimize your equipment management process. Discover how RFID could help solve your biggest equipment challenges—tune in now! Once you complete the interview, jump on over to the link below to take a short quiz and download your CEC certificate for 0.5 CEC! – https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/ps13-04 #PowerSupply #Podcast #AHRMM #HealthcareSupplyChain #SupplyChainTechnology #RFID #AI

The TEConnect Podcast is now BlueStar Nation! It has the same great content, the same hosts, and new packaging! Each week, John Martin & Dean Reverman explore the hottest trends, emerging technologies, new opportunities, and sales & marketing tips for the specialty IT reseller channel. Hear from experts in AI, RFID, robotics, barcoding, point-of-sale, AIDC, edge computing, automation, digital signage, and so much more. You can watch on YouTube (@BlueStarInc), subscribe anywhere you get podcasts, and tell us what you want to hear about on the show! Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot interviews Dana Telsey, CEO and Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group. They explore key trends shaping the future of retail, including AI-driven personalization, shifting consumer behaviors, and the evolution of store formats. Dana shares insights on top-performing brands like Birkenstock, Warby Parker, and Abercrombie & Fitch, along with the challenges facing luxury retail and department stores. The discussion also covers tariffs, global supply chain shifts, and the increasing role of social media in retail strategy.Key Topics DiscussedDana Telsey's Career Journey – Her experience in equity research, investment banking, and retail strategyRetail Trends for 2025 – Personalization, curation, and the growing role of AI in retailTop Companies to Watch – Birkenstock, Warby Parker, Walmart, Abercrombie & Fitch, and LululemonLuxury Retail & Department Stores – The Saks-Neiman Marcus merger and the shift toward direct-to-consumer strategiesThe Impact of AI in Retail – Enhancing personalization, content creation, and supply chain managementSocial Media & Retail – The influence of TikTok and social commerce on brand visibilityThe Evolution of Physical Retail – The rise of pop-up shops, smaller store formats, and experiential retailTariffs & Global Production – How supply chain shifts and economic uncertainty affect pricingNike & Sneaker Market Competition – Challenges from rising brands like Hoka, On Running, and SkechersRetail Technology & Customer Experience – AI-powered POS, RFID, and real-time analytics in retailHighlights & Key TakeawaysAI & Personalization – Retailers are investing in AI to refine customer experiences and optimize operationsSuccess of Top Brands – Birkenstock's full-price strategy, Warby Parker's store model, and Abercrombie's resurgenceLuxury Retail Shifts – Direct-to-consumer is becoming the primary focus for major luxury brandsRetail Media Networks – Gaining traction but still proving their impact on sales and customer engagementPower of Social Media – TikTok has become a critical platform for understanding emerging consumer trendsTariffs & Rising Costs – Retailers are diversifying supply chains to reduce dependency on ChinaIn-Store Experience Matters – Brands like Skims and RH are leveraging immersive retail environmentsNike's Competitive Pressure – Facing challenges from new brands, Nike must redefine its market strategyRetail's Need for Agility – The most successful brands are those that adapt quickly to changing consumer demandsHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week's EYE ON NPI is neither-here-nor-there - it's STMicroelectronics' ST25R200 NFC/HF RFID Reader IC (https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/s/stmicroelectronics/st25r200-nfc-hf-rfid-reader-ic) a simple but powerful NFC/RFID reader and writer chip that will let you add a contactless interface to your next design. Thanks to the high power RF stage and dual antenna support, you can avoid the frustration of "where do I tap??" by giving you plenty of surface area for successful transactions. We're big fans of intuitive RFID/NFC interfaces using tags, they come in all sorts of sizes and shapes (https://www.adafruit.com/product/365) from standard business cards to microtags that can fit in a manicure (https://www.adafruit.com/product/2800). They don't require a battery, and can store up to a few KB of data, including encrypted/secured data sections so as to make the tag 'trustworthy'. They're often used for small-money transactions like copy shops, laundromats and public transport, where speed is important and we can store value on the card. Or for identification like access cards. With proper design, they'll work up to 4 inches away from a reader, don't suffer from corrosion or contact wear or affected by water/humidity. Reading and writing RFID/NFC tags, which use 13.56MHz as a carrier frequency, requires a proper chip that can handle the requirements of blasting enough RF signal to 'power' the tag, then transmit a command and receive the response before the quiescent power runs out. If you have a big antenna, this isn't too hard - but the real challenge is to manage it with a small antenna. That's the nice thing about the ST25R200 (https://www.digikey.com/short/5ttf9ptj) - it has powerful output drivers so even mini wearable-sized antennas work well. You can configure the outputs to be one differential or two single-ended antenna coils. If you want to design your PCB antenna, we recommend ST's website for NFC inductance calculations (https://eds.st.com/antenna/#/) it will let you determine the inductance based on width, height, copper thickness and trace width so you get maximum power transfer. The ST25R200's connection to the controller is over standard 4-pin SPI, so you can use any microcontroller or microcomputer with 4 pins available. An IRQ line is also handy to 'wake on card detect'. Other than that, the interface is fairly low level: registers are used to configure the RF section and encoding but otherwise, data is transmitted or received via two FIFO buffers. This makes the chip easy to adapt to the various sub-protocols and standards (https://nfc-forum.org/build/specifications) designed by competing RFID companies: ISFO14443A/NFC-A, ISO14443B/NFC-B, ISO15693/NFC-V, NFC Forum T1T, T2T, T4T, and T5T tag types, and proprietary protocols, such as Kovio, CTS, and B'. In order to make your life easier when it comes to implementation, ST has released RFAL an RF/NFC abstraction layer (https://www.st.com/en/embedded-software/stsw-st25rfal004.html) that is written in pure C so that it can be ported to any platform or compiler. To get started quickly we recommend the STEVAL-25R200SA evaluation board (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/STEVAL-25R200SA/25701817) which comes with a USB debug STLink interface, SMTable module, 4 pluggable antenna options including one flex PCB printed antenna, and two micro-tags for testing. If you want to integrate RFID/NFC 'touchless' support to your next design, the ST ST25R200 NFC/HF RFID Reader IC (https://www.digikey.com/short/5ttf9ptj) is small, inexpensive, and fast to get started with minimal external components, and ready-to-go drivers. And best of all the chips are in stock right now at DigiKey for immediate shipment. Order the ST25R200 (https://www.digikey.com/short/5ttf9ptj) and an eval board today and you can tap your way to contactless communication by tomorrow afternoon!

TalkLP Podcast host Amber Bradley gets CEO of Controltek, Tom Meehan in the NYC HOT SEAT at the NRF Big Show! They dive into RFID (the #1 tech retail LP professionals say they can't live without) and how it went from expensive and underutilized to an industry standard in an LP pros arsenal.  They also discuss useful vs. gimmicky AI as well as 2 questions on everyone's mind, how close are we to solving the Ecosystem formula? And when can we stop talking about it? See Tom's Meta Glasses in action and the first pinky swear on the podcast. Whether you're in retail, security, or just love cool tech, this episode's for you. Let's talk shop! Connect with Tom here and sign up to receive the TalkLPnews Retail Rundown here featuring the “Talking Tech with Tom” column every Thursday. 

In this episode, we dive into the latest trends in retail investing with Claire Cherry, Partner at Era VC. Claire shares her journey from science to venture capital and provides a deep dive into how consumer brands can thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Customers have endless options at their fingertips. If they can't find what they need in your store, they'll simply go elsewhere to shop. But this isn't just a retailer's problem, it's a challenge that impacts the entire supply chain. In this episode, industry expert Mike Graen joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to break down the critical importance of on-shelf availability. Mike shares why ensuring products are accessible to customers is more essential than ever. He also shares how RFID, AI-driven algorithms, and robotics are transforming inventory accuracy, alongside actionable strategies to keep shelves stocked and customers satisfied.    In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between "in-stock" and "on-shelf availability" How technology is solving inventory challenges and boosting sales The evolving nature of customer loyalty and how to keep up   Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain (03:13) The importance of on-shelf product availability (OSA) (05:21) Why retailers are losing customers (07:41) Challenges with inventory management (14:15) The different ways customers shop  (18:52) Getting serious about measuring OSA  (22:47) Computer vision and RFID to track OSA (28:35) GS1 standards in the supply chain (32:52) Evolving together with technology (35:13) Mike's favorite tech   Connect with GS1 US: Our website - www.gs1us.org GS1 US on LinkedIn   Connect with the guest: Mike Graen on LinkedIn

About the Guest(s):Adam Peek is an expert in the packaging industry with over 14 years of experience. He specializes in labels, folding cartons, and RFID technology. Currently residing in West Jordan, Utah, Adam has a strong footprint in the labeling sector, working with a variety of companies to optimize their product packaging solutions. His deep understanding of the complexities of labeling and packaging positions him as a leading voice in sustainable packaging practices and innovations within the industry.Episode Summary:In this informative episode of the Packaging Today show, Adam Peek tackles an essential and often overlooked aspect of the packaging world: labels. While his co-hosts Cory and Evelio are attending Paris Packaging Week, Adam broadcasts solo from his home base in Utah. He provides an in-depth analysis of why labels are, in fact, a crucial component of packaging—contrary to some industry beliefs. Adam delves into the role labels play in product identification, compliance, and consumer information, asserting that labels are vital not only for brand identity but for the overall functionality and recyclability of packaging.Adam emphasizes the importance of selecting the right labels and adhesives, particularly concerning sustainability and recyclability. He discusses the declining PET resin prices and how the packaging industry must adapt to ensure the economic feasibility of recycling efforts. Adam dissects the complexities of label application, adhesive types, and the dire environmental implications of mismatched materials. The conversation underscores the transition in global packaging towards enhanced recyclability, highlighting how both consumers and companies can contribute to better recycling outcomes by understanding and improving label choices.Key Takeaways:* Labels are Essential Packaging: Labels are not merely decorative; they are essential for product identification, compliance, and consumer engagement, making them an integral part of the packaging.* Adhesive Selection is Crucial: The choice of adhesive on labels significantly impacts the recyclability of packaging, with the potential to either facilitate or hinder the recycling process.* Recyclability Challenges: PET and HDPE containers face distinct challenges regarding labels, and improper label choices can render materials unrecyclable, affecting recyclability economics.* Sustainable Practices: Understanding the complete lifecycle of packaging, including labeling, is necessary for developing sustainable solutions in the industry.* Technological Transition: Upcoming changes like the shift from UPC codes to QR codes (Sunrise 2027) signify evolving labeling technologies and their functionalities.Notable Quotes:* "Labels are packaging. They're not something separate from the realm of packaging, they are integral to it."* "The adhesive is not only about getting that label to stick, but about how we can navigate the challenges posed by recycling."* “There's no perfect solution for packaging. The perfect solution is really to have nothing, but that's not practical."* "The shift from the traditional UPC to QR codes by 2027 will transform how consumers and registers interact with packaging."* "It's not just the label material that needs attention; the adhesive is critically important when it comes to the recycling ecosystem."Resources:* SpecRight* Trayak* GS1 Website for information on Sunrise 2027* Consortium for Waste Circularity* Packaging Today Podcast: Search on Apple and Spotify for episodesDiscover more about the intricacies of packaging design and sustainability by tuning into this episode. Stay updated with the latest trends in the packaging industry, and anticipate insightful discussions from Packaging Today in future episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.packagingisawesome.com

This week we dig into your questions, and talk about Nvidia's new AI rig. -- During The Show -- 00:56 George From NYC Used computers for a church Lenovo laptops and Thinkcenters Dell Optiplex Ebay Made in the last 4 years Make sure they have TPM 2.0 04:50 Noah's new toy Flipper Zero (https://flipperzero.one/) Electronic multi-tool Had to legitimately bypass access control Read and emulate RFID and NFC Lots of Apps 08:58 HVAC - Ziggy Zigbee timer system? Wouldn't put the timer on device Steve's solution Why timers? 14:20 Battery Pack - Erik Anderson Power Pole Deep Cycle SLA INIU 100w Type C Dewalt Battery Adapter (https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Battery-Adapter-Regulator-Terminal/dp/B0CQJDGQDB) Offical Dewalt USB C Adapter (https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcb094k/20v-maxflexvolt-5-amp-usb-charging-kit?tid=577811) 83w 12v USB Outlet (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DHNLDS?ref=fed_asin_title) 21:40 NFS vs S3 for Home Lab - Brendan Recoverability Added complexity Would lean away from S3/Minio Hard to recover broken S3 file system It's ok to play with technology 28:21 Nextcloud Office - IK All-In-One master container Steve's attempt Not all Docker containers are official 33:52 News Wire Dillo 3.2 - github.io (https://dillo-browser.github.io/release/3.2.0/) OpenZFS 2.3 - github.com (https://github.com/openzfs/zfs/releases) Rsync 3.4 - samba.org (https://download.samba.org/pub/rsync/NEWS#3.4.0) Linux Mint 22.1 - linuxmint.com (https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_xia.php) Rhino Linux 2025.1 - rhinolinux.org (https://blog.rhinolinux.org/news-17) TuxCare Now Offering EOL MS Support - fossforce.com (https://fossforce.com/2025/01/tuxcare-stops-microsoft-from-killing-net-6-0/) Merit Systems Trying to Fund Open Source Devs - cnbc.com (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/merit-systems-raises-10-million-from-a16z-blockchain-capital.html) MiniMax Models - scmp.com (https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3294900/chinese-ai-start-minimax-releases-low-cost-open-source-models-rival-top-chatbots) 35:00 Ebook 2 Audio Book Ebook2Audiobook (https://github.com/DrewThomasson/ebook2audiobook/blob/main/README.md) Uses "local AI" Many types of text input Runs on CPU or GPU Surprised at the quality Steve's kid's apprenticeship Society has developed an aversion to anything "hard" Teaching the value of work and learning 42:00 Getting Started with AI What is AI? Math coprocessors CPUs are "generalist" processors GPUs are "specialized" processors CUDA Cores NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip (https://www.nvidia.com/en-eu/project-digits/) 3 Classes of GPUs Design software story Project Digits (https://newsroom.arm.com/blog/arm-nvidia-project-digits-high-performance-ai) LMStudio.at (https://lmstudio.ai/) GPT4All (https://docs.gpt4all.io/) TecMint.com (https://www.tecmint.com/ai-for-linux-users/) -- The Extra Credit Section -- For links to the articles and material referenced in this week's episode check out this week's page from our podcast dashboard! This Episode's Podcast Dashboard (http://podcast.asknoahshow.com/424) Phone Systems for Ask Noah provided by Voxtelesys (http://www.voxtelesys.com/asknoah) Join us in our dedicated chatroom #GeekLab:linuxdelta.com on Matrix (https://element.linuxdelta.com/#/room/#geeklab:linuxdelta.com) -- Stay In Touch -- Find all the resources for this show on the Ask Noah Dashboard Ask Noah Dashboard (http://www.asknoahshow.com) Need more help than a radio show can offer? Altispeed provides commercial IT services and they're excited to offer you a great deal for listening to the Ask Noah Show. Call today and ask about the discount for listeners of the Ask Noah Show! Altispeed Technologies (http://www.altispeed.com/) Contact Noah live [at] asknoahshow.com -- Twitter -- Noah - Kernellinux (https://twitter.com/kernellinux) Ask Noah Show (https://twitter.com/asknoahshow) Altispeed Technologies (https://twitter.com/altispeed)

Retail theft is costing businesses billions, but locking up merchandise alienates customers and reduces sales. Solutions exist, and finding a balance between security and customer satisfaction is crucial for retailers. • Retail theft costs nearly $94.5 billion annually • 60% of shoppers encounter locked merchandise regularly • 27% of customers abandon purchases due to locked items • Locking up products damages trust and customer loyalty • Innovative solutions include RFID technology and smart shelving • Open store layouts can encourage theft prevention and customer satisfaction • Retailers must balance theft prevention with a positive shopping experienceReferencesNumerater 2024  https://www.numerator.com/press/60-of-consumers-encounter-locked-up-merchandise-27-will-switch-retailers-or-abandon-purchase-numerator-reports/?utm_source=chatgpt.comCrain's New York Business https://www.crainsnewyork.com/retail/walgreens-says-locking-items-hurts-sales?utm_source=chatgpt.comSupport the show► Subscribe to The Scott Townsend Show YouTube channel --- https://bit.ly/3iV8sOTThe Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2Resources and Links--------------------------------------------My contact info:LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qweTwitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQaFacebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItOInstagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWlSend me a text: 918-397-0327Executive Producer: Ben TownsendCreative Consultant: Matthew Blue TownsendShot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAuSamson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack https://amzn.to/3TIbACeVoice Actor: Britney McCulloughLogo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

This week's Ag Tribes Report features Kristjan Hebert, a prominent Canadian grain farmer, zero-till advocate, and ag-tech entrepreneur from Saskatchewan. Hebert, who manages Hebert Grain Ventures (HGV) covering 40,000 acres, initially worked as a Certified Public Accountant before returning to farming. The discussion includes:Canadian farmers' reactions to Trudeau's resignation.Expectations of rising Canadian land prices in 2025 despite profitability concerns.The controversy surrounding the BANGs Vaccine and mandatory RFID chips for cattle.Other topics covered are:Kristjan's take on the Peter Thiel Paradox.Insights from the Bitcoin Land Price Report.Discussion on the concept of a worthy adversary in agriculture.Hebert, known for his co-hosting role on "The Truth About Ag," emphasizes sustainable agriculture, business management, and the importance of agricultural policy.If you buy your Bitcoin with River, River will give the show a few Sats. https://river.com/signup?r=OAB5SKTP 

Get an exclusive preview of NRF 2025 as retail tech leaders dive into the game-changing innovations shaping the industry. From AI chatbots and RFID-driven inventory systems to unified commerce and omnichannel strategies, learn how these tools are driving better customer experiences and operational efficiency. Key moments include: 0:00 - Introduction and show overview 1:33 - GreyOrange: Revolutionary RFID and store intelligence 15:46 - Quorso: AI-powered store management solutions 25:16 - VusionGroup: Smart store technology and digital pricing 40:16 - Scandit: Smart data capture and computer vision solutions 51:48 - Microsoft: AI transformation in retail 1:04:25 - SPS Commerce: Supply chain optimization 1:17:40 - Aptos: Unified commerce solutions Music by hooksounds.com #NRF2025 #retailtechnology #retailinnovation #smartstores #digitaltransformation #retailtech #futureofretail #retailstrategy #retailsolutions Sponsored Content

Today on Speaking Out of Place I talk with Lindsay Weinberg and Robert Ovetz about the use of Artificial Intelligence in higher education. Under the guise of “personalizing” education and increasing efficiency, universities are increasingly sold on AI as a cure to their financial ills as public funds dry up and college applications drop.  Rather than maintain  that education is an essential public good that needs broad support, universities are looking to technology in ways that are changing the nature of education in dangerous and destructive ways.  As Lindsay writes in the book, Smart University,“Higher education is becoming increasingly synonymous with digital surveillance in the United States. Advanced network infrastructure, internet-­ connected devices and sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID), data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are being celebrated as a means of ushering in the age of “smart universities,” one where institutions can run their ­ services more efficiently and strengthen the quality of higher education using digital tools. However, as this book demonstrates, ­ these tools have a darker side. They allow public universities to respond to and perpetuate corporate logics of austerity, use student data to reduce risk of financial investment in the face of dwindling public resources, and track student be­hav­ior to encourage compliance with institutional metrics of success. Surveillance of student be­hav­ior forms the foundation ofthe smart university, often in ways that prove harmful to students—­ particularly ­ those who are already marginalized within the acad­emy."We talk about these issues, and attach them to critical issues of labor—everything from the outsourcing of the most dangerous work to laborers in the Global South, to the way university workers at all levels are subordinated to the logic that drives AI.  We end with a discussion of what we can and should do about it.Dr. Lindsay Weinberg is a clinical associate professor in the Honors College at Purdue University, and the Director of the Tech Justice Lab. Her research and teaching are at the intersection of science and technology studies, media studies, and feminist studies, with an emphasis on the social and ethical impacts of digital technology. She is interested in the constitutive role that history and unequal power relations play in shaping the design, application, and reception of technological innovations. Her work has appeared in Lateral, Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture, Impost: A Journal of Critical and Creative Work, the Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience, and Frontiers: International Journal of Study Abroad. Her book, Smart University: Student Surveillance in the Digital Age (John Hopkins UP, 2024) examines the proliferation of digital tools for higher education governance, and their impacts on marginalized people within and beyond the university's walls. She has been the recipient of internal and external grants to support research, seminars, and workshops concerning the justice-related implications of digital technology, including from the National Science Foundation, the Indiana Humanities, and the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence.Robert Ovetz, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science and teaches non-profit management and labor relations in the Master of Public Administration program at San José State University. He is the author and editor of four books, including We the Elites (Pluto, 2022), and the forthcoming Rebels for the System: NGOs and Capitalism to be published in 2025 by Haymarket Press. Robert writes regularly for Dollars & Sense magazine. 

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 24. It dropped for free subscribers on Dec. 1. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:What There's a good reason that the Ikon Pass, despite considerable roster overlap and a more generous bucket of days, failed to kill Mountain Collective. It's not because Mountain Collective has established itself as a sort of bargain Ikon Junior, or because it's scored a few exclusive partners in Canada and the Western U.S. Rather, the Mountain Collective continues to exist because the member mountains like their little country club, and they're not about to let Alterra force a mass exodus. Not that Alterra has tried, necessarily (I frankly have no idea), but the company did pull its remaining mountains (Mammoth, Palisades, Sugarbush), out of the coalition in 2022. Mountain Collective survived that, just as it weathered the losses of Stowe and Whistler and Telluride (all to the Epic Pass) before it. As of 2024, six years after the introduction of the Ikon Pass that was supposed to kill it, the Mountain Collective, improbably, floats its largest roster ever.And dang, that roster. Monsters, all. Best case, you can go ski them. But the next best thing, for The Storm at least, is when these mountain leaders assemble for their annual meeting in New York City, which includes a night out with the media. Despite a bit of ambient noise, I set up in a corner of the bar and recorded a series of conversations with the leaders of some of the biggest, baddest mountains on the continent.Who* Stephen Kircher, President & CEO, Boyne Resorts* Dave Fields, President & General Manager, Snowbird, Utah* Brandon Ott, Marketing Director, Alta, Utah* Steve Paccagnan, President & CEO, Panorama, British Columbia* Geoff Buchheister, CEO, Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado* Pete Sonntag, VP & General Manager, Sun Valley, Idaho* Davy Ratchford, General Manager, Snowbasin, Utah* Aaron MacDonald, Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Peaks, British Columbia* Geordie Gillett, GM, Grand Targhee, Wyoming* Bridget Legnavsky, President & CEO, Sugar Bowl, California* Marc-André Meunier, Executive Marketing Director, Bromont, Quebec* Pete Woods, President, Ski Big 3, Alberta* Kendra Scurfield, VP of Brand & Communications, Sunshine, Alberta* Norio Kambayashi, director and GM, Niseko Hanazono, Japan* James Coleman, Managing Partner, Mountain Capital Partners* Mary Kate Buckley, CEO, Jackson Hole, WyomingRecorded onOctober 29, 2024About Mountain CollectiveMountain Collective gives you two days each at some badass mountains. There is a ton of overlap with the Ikon Pass, which I note below, but Mountain Collective is cheaper has no blackout dates.What we talked aboutBOYNE RESORTSThe PortfolioBig SkySunday RiverSugarloafTopicsYes a second eight-pack comes to Big Sky and it's a monster; why Sunday River joined the Mountain Collective; Sugarloaf's massive West Mountain expansion; and could more Boyne Resorts join Mountain Collective?More Boyne ResortsSNOWBIRDStats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe new Wilbere lift; why fixed-grip; why 600 inches of snow is better than 900 inches; and how Snowbird and Alta access differ on the Ikon versus the Mountain Collective passes.Wilbere's new alignmentMore SnowbirdALTAStats: 2,538 vertical feet | 2,614 skiable acres | 540 inches average annual snowfallTopicsNot 903 inches but still a hell of a lot; why Alta's aiming for 612 inches this season; and plotting Mountain Collective trips in LCC.PANORAMAStats: 4,265 vertical feet | 2,975 skiable acres | 204 inches average annual snowfallTopicsPanorama opens earlier than most skiers think, but not for the reasons they think; opening wall-to-wall last winter; Tantum Bowl Cats; and the impact of Mountain Collective and Ikon on Panorama.More PanoramaASPEN SKIING COMPANYStatsAspen MountainAspen HighlandsButtermilkSnowmassTopicsLast year's Heroes expansion; ongoing improvements to the new terrain for 2024-25; why Aspen finally removed The Couch; who Aspen donated that lift to, and why; why the new Coney lift at Snowmass loads farther down the mountain; “we intend to replace a lift a year probably for the next 10 years”; where the next lift could be; and using your two Mountain Collective days to ski four Aspen resorts.   On Maverick Mountain, MontanaDespite megapass high-tides swarming mountains throughout the West, there are still dozens of ski areas like Maverick Mountain, tucked into the backwoods, 2,020 vertical feet of nothing but you and a pair of sticks. Aspen's old Gent's Ridge quad will soon replace the top-to-bottom 1969 Riblet double chair that serves Maverick now:On the Snowmass masterplanAspen's plan is, according to Buchheister, install a lift per year for the next decade. Here are some of the improvements the company has in mind at Snowmass:On the Mountain Collective Pass starting at AspenChristian Knapp, who is now with Pacific Group Resorts, played a big part in developing the Mountain Collective via Aspen-Snowmass in 2012. He recounted that story on The Storm last year:More AspenSUN VALLEYStats* Bald Mountain: 3,400 vertical feet | 2,054 skiable acres | 200 inches average annual snowfall* Dollar Mountain: 628 vertical feetTopicsLast season's massive Challenger/Flying Squirrel lift updates; a Seattle Ridge lift update; World Cup Finals inbound; and Mountain Collective logistics between Bald and Dollar mountains.More Sun ValleySNOWBASINStats: 3,015 vertical feet | 3,000 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe Olympics return to Utah and Snowbasin; how Snowbasin's 2034 Olympic slate could differ from 2002; ski the downhill; how the DeMoisy six-pack changed the mountain; a lift upgrade for Becker; Porcupine on deck; and explaining the holdup on RFID.More SnowbasinSUN PEAKSStats: 2,894 vertical feet | 4,270 skiable acres | 237 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe second-largest ski area in Canada; the new West Bowl quad; snow quality at the summit; and Ikon and Mountain Collective impact on the resort.The old versus new West Bowl liftsMore Sun PeaksGRAND TARGHEEStats: 2,270 vertical feet | 2,602 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsMaintaining that Targhee vibe in spite of change; the meaning of Mountain Collective; and combining your MC trip with other badass powder dumps.More Grand TargheeSUGAR BOWLStats: 1,500 vertical feet | 1,650 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsBig-time parks incoming; how those parks will differ from the ones at Boreal and Northstar; and reaction to Homewood closing.More Sugar BowlBROMONTStats: 1,175 vertical feet | 450 skiable acres | 210 inches average annual snowfallTopicsWhy this low-rise eastern bump was good enough for the Mountain Collective; grooming three times per day; the richness of Eastern Townships skiing; and where to stay for a Bromont trip.SKI BIG 3Stats* Banff Sunshine: 3,514 vertical feet | 3,358 skiable acres | 360 inches average annual snowfall* Lake Louise: 3,250 vertical feet | 4,200 skiable acres | 179 inches average annual snowfallSunshineLake LouiseTopicsThe new Super Angel Express sixer at Sunshine; the all-new Pipestone Express infill six-pack at Lake Louise; how Mountain Collective access is different from Ikon access at Lake Louise and Sunshine; why Norquay isn't part of Mountain Collective; and the long season at all three ski areas.SUNSHINEStats & map: see aboveTopicsSunshine's novel access route; why the mountain replaced Angel; the calculus behind installing a six-person chair; and growing up at Sunshine.NISEKO UNITEDStats: 3,438 vertical feet | 2,889 skiable acres | 590 inches average annual snowfallTopicsHow the various Niseko ski areas combine for one experience; so.much.snow; the best way to reach Niseko; car or no car?; getting your lift ticket; and where to stay.VALLE NEVADOStats: 2,658 vertical feet | 2,400 skiable acres | 240 inches average annual snowfallTopicsAn excellent winter in Chile; heli-skiing; buying the giant La Parva ski area, right next door; “our plan is to make it one of the biggest ski resorts in the world”; and why Mountain Capital Partners maintains its Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective partnerships even though the company has its own pass.More Valle/La Parva JACKSON HOLEStats: 4,139 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 459 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe Sublette lift upgrade; why the new lift has fewer chairs; comparisons to the recent Thunder lift upgrade; venturing beyond the tram; and managing the skier experience in the Ikon/Mountain Collective era.More Jackson HoleWhat I got wrong* I said that Wilbere would be Snowbird's sixth quad. Wilbere will be Snowbird's seventh quad, and first fixed-grip quad.* I said Snowbird got “900-some inches” during the 2022-23 ski season. The final tally was 838 inches, according to Snowbird's website.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 79/100 in 2024, and number 579 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 23. It dropped for free subscribers on Nov. 30. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:What is this?Every autumn, ski associations and most of the large pass coalitions host media events in New York City. They do this because a) NYC is the media capital of the world; b) the city is a lot of fun; and, c) sometimes mountain folks like something different too, just like us city folks (meaning me), like to get to the mountains as much as possible. But I spend all winter traveling the country in search of ski areas of all sizes and varieties. This is the one time of year skiing comes to me. And it's pretty cool.One of the associations that consistently hosts an NYC event is Ski Utah. This year, they set up at the Arlo Soho, a chic Manhattan hotel. Longtime President Nathan Rafferty asked if I would be interested in setting up an interview station, talking to resort reps, and stringing them together into a podcast. It was a terrific idea, so here you go.Who* Nathan Rafferty, President of Ski Utah* Sara Huey, Senior Manager of Communications at Park City Mountain Resort* Sarah Sherman, Communications Manager at Snowbird* Nick Como, VP of Marketing at Sundance* Rosie O'Grady, President and Innkeeper of Alta Lodge* Jessica Turner, PR Manager for Go Heber Valley* Taylor Hartman, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Ogden* Brooks Rowe, Brand Manager at Snowbasin* Riley Elliott, Communications Specialist at Deer Valley* Andria Huskinson, Communications and PR Manager at Solitude* Anna Loughridge, PR Manager for Visit Utah* Courtney Ryan, Communications Manager for Visit Park City* Ryan Mack, VP of Communications for Visit Salt LakeRecorded onOctober 3, 2024About Ski UtahMost large ski states have a statewide trade group that represents its ski areas' interests. One of the best of these is Ski Utah, which is armed with a large staff, a generous budget, and some pretty good freaking skiing to promote (Buckskin, Utah Olympic Park, and Wasatch Peaks Ranch are not members of Ski Utah):What we talked aboutSKI UTAHTopicsWhy NYC; the Olympics return to Utah; why the state is such a great place to host the games (besides, you know, the awesome skiing); where we could potentially see future ski area development in Utah; Pow Mow's shift toward public-private hybrid; Deer Valley's expansion and ongoing snowboard ban; and the proposed LCC Gondola – “Little Cottonwood Canyon is not a great place for rubber-wheeled vehicles.”On Utah skier visits and population growth over timeOn chairlifts planned in Utah over the next three yearsUtah is on a chairlift-building binge, with the majority slated for Deer Valley's massive expansion (11) and Powder Mountain (4 this year; 1 in 2025). But Snowbird (Wilbere quad), Park City (Sunrise Gondola), and Snowbasin (Becker high-speed quad) are also scheduled to install new machines this year or next. The private Wasatch Peaks Ranch will also add two lifts (a gondola and a high-speed quad) this year. And Sundance is likely to install what resort officials refer to as the “Flathead lift” some time within the next two years. The best place to track scheduled lift installations is Lift Blog's new lifts databases for 2024, 2025, and 2026.On expansion potential at Brian Head and Nordic ValleyUtah's two largest expansion opportunities are at Brian Head and Nordic Valley, both operated by Mountain Capital Partners. Here's Brian Head today:The masterplan could blow out the borders - the existing ski area is in the lower-right-hand corner:And here's Nordic Valley:And the masterplan, which could supersize the ski area to 3,000-ish acres. The small green blob represents part of the existing ski area, though this plan predates the six-pack installation in 2020:PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORTStats: 3,226 vertical feet | 7,300 skiable acres | 355 inches average annual snowfallTopicsSnowmaking upgrades; the forthcoming Sunrise Gondola on the Canyons side; why this gondola didn't face the opposition that Park City's last lift upgrades did; Olympic buzz in Park City; and which events PCMR could host in the 2034 Olympics.On the Great Lift Shutdown of 2022Long story short: Vail tried to upgrade two lifts in Park City a couple of years ago. Locals got mad. The lifts went to Whistler. Here's the longer version:More Park City Mountain ResortSNOWBIRDStats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe new Wilbere lift; why Snowbird shifted the chairlift line; the upside of abandoning the old liftline; riding on top of the new tram; and more LCC gondola talk.On the new Wilbere lift alignmentHere's where the new Wilbere lift sits (right) in comparison to the old lift (left):On inter-lodgeIf you happen to be at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon when avalanche danger spikes, you may be subject to something called “inter-lodge.” Which means you stay in whatever building you're in, with no option to leave. It's scary and thrilling all at once.Inter-lodge can last anywhere from under an hour to several days.On the LCC gondola and phase-in planAnother long story short: UDOT wants to build a gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon. A lot of people would prefer to spend four hours driving seven miles to the ski areas. Here's a summary of UDOT's chosen configuration:As multiple lawsuits seeking to shut the project down work through the courts, UDOT has outlined a phased traffic-mitigation approach:More SnowbirdSUNDANCE Stats: 2,150 vertical feet | 450 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsThe importance of NYC to the wider skiing world; how the Wildwood terrain helped evolve Sundance; Epkon refugees headed south; parking improvements; options for the coming Flathead terrain expansion; and potential lift switcheroos. More SundanceSundance's new owners have been rapidly modernizing this once-dusty ski area, replacing most of the lifts, expanding terrain, and adding parking. I talked through the grand arc of these changes with the mountain's GM, Chad Linebaugh, a couple of years ago:ALTA LODGEAlta stats: 3,240 vertical feet | 2,500 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopics65 years of Levitt family ownership; Alta's five lodges; inter-lodge; how Alta has kept its old-school spirit even as it's modernized; and an upcoming women's ski event. On Alta's lift evolutionIt wasn't so long ago that Alta was known for its pokey lift fleet. As recently as the late ‘90s, the mountain was a chutes-and-ladders powder playground:Bit by bit, Alta consolidated and updated its antique lift fleet, beginning with the Sugarloaf high-speed quad in 2001. The two-stage Collins high-speed quad arrived three years later, replacing the legacy Collins double and Germania triple lines. The Supreme high-speed quad similarly displaced the old Supreme triple and Cecret double in 2017, and the Sunnyside sixer replaced the Albion double and Sunnyside high-speed triple in 2022. As of 2024, the only clunker left, aside from the short hotel lifts and the long transfer tow, is the Wildcat double.GO HEBER VALLEYTopicsWhy Heber Valley makes sense as a place to crash on a ski trip; walkable sections of Heber; ease of access to Deer Valley; and elevation.VISIT OGDENConsidering “untamed and untouched” Ogden as ski town; “it's like skiing in 2005”; Pow Mow, Snowbasin; accessing the mountains from Ogden; Pow Mow's partial privatization; art on the mountain; and Nordic Valley as locals' bump.  On Powder Mountain size claimsPow Mow has long claimed 8,000-ish acres of terrain, which would make it the largest ski area in the United States. I typically only count lift-served skiable acreage, however, bringing the mountain down to a more average-for-the-Wasatch 3,000-ish acres. A new lift in Wolf Canyon next year will add another 900 lift-served acres (shaded with stripes on the right-hand side below).On Nordic Valley's fire and the broken Apollo liftLast December, Nordic Valley's Apollo chairlift, a 1970 Hall double, fell over dead, isolating the mountain's glorious expansion from the base area. The next month, a fire chewed up the baselodge, a historic haybarn left over from the property's ranching days. Owner MCP renovated the chairlift over the summer, but Nordic will operate out of “temporary structures,” GM Pascal Begin told KSL.com in June, until they can build a new baselodge, which could be 2026 or '27.SNOWBASINStats: 3,015 vertical feet | 3,000 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsBreaking down the coming Becker lift upgrade; why Becker before Porcupine; last year's DeMoisy six-pack installation; where is everyone?; where to ski at Snowbasin; the 2034 Olympics plan; when will on-mountain lodging arrive?; and RFID.More SnowbasinDEER VALLEYStats: 3,040 vertical feet | 2,342 skiable acres | 300 inches average annual snowfallTopicsMassive expansion; avoiding Park City; and snowmaking in the Wasatch Back.On Expanded ExcellenceDeer Valley's expansion plans are insane. Here's a summary:More Deer ValleySOLITUDEStats: 2,030 vertical feet | 1,200 skiable acres | 500 inches average annual snowfallTopicsAlterra; Big versus Little Cottonwood Canyons; and Alta.More SolitudeVISIT UTAHTopicsWatching the state's population explode; the Olympics; comparing 2002 to 2034; RIP three percent beer; potential infrastructure upgrades to prepare for the Olympics; and SLC airport upgrades.VISIT PARK CITYTopicsPark City 101; Main Street; the National Ability Center; mining history everywhere; Deer Valley's trail names; Silver to Slopes at Park City; Deer Valley's East Village; public transit evolution; Park City Mountain Resort lift drama; paid parking; and why “you don't need a car” in Park City.On Silver to SlopesThe twice-daily guided ski tour of on-mountain mining relics that we discuss on the podcast is free. Details here.On Park City and Deer Valley's shared borderPark City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley share a border, but you are forbidden to cross it, on penalty of death.* Alta and Snowbird share a crossable border, as do Solitude and Brighton. All four have different operators. I'm not sure why PCMR and Deer Valley can't figure this one out.*This is not true.^^Though actually it might be true.VISIT SALT LAKETopicsThe easiest ski access in the world; why stay in SLC during a ski trip; walkable downtown; free transit; accessing the ski areas without a car; Olympic buzz; and Olympic events outside of the ski areas.What I got wrong* I said that former mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to bring the Olympics to NYC “around 2005 or 2006.” The city's bid was for the 2012 Summer Olympics (ultimately held in London). I also said that local opposition shut down the bid, but I confused that with the proposed stadium on what is now Manhattan's Hudson Yards development.* I said you had to drive through Park City to access Deer Valley, but the ski area has long maintained a small parking lot at the base of the Jordanelle Gondola off of US 40.The robots aren't readyEveryone keeps telling me that the robots will eat our souls, but every time I try to use them, they botch something that no human would ever miss. In this case, I tried using my editing program's AI to chop out the dead space and “ums,” and proceeded to lose bits of the conversation that in some cases confuse the narrative. So it sounds a little choppy in places. You can blame the robots. Or me for not re-doing the edit once I figured out what was happening.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 78/100 in 2024, and number 578 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

From shelf life to shelf appeal, Jessica Wynn explores the science and psychology of food packaging on this week's Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Food packaging evolved from natural containers (shells, leaves) to complex materials, fundamentally changing how we store and consume food. The industrial revolution particularly accelerated this evolution. Modern food packaging is heavily regulated, with strict requirements for nutritional labeling, ingredients lists, and safety standards. The FDA didn't mandate standardized nutrition facts panels until 1990. Package design psychology significantly influences consumer behavior — colors (red/yellow stimulate appetite), placement, and imagery affect purchasing decisions within 90 seconds of viewing. Smart packaging technology is emerging, with developments like RFID tracking and nanosensors that can detect food freshness, contamination, and proper storage conditions. Consumers can make a positive impact on this industry by supporting companies using sustainable packaging alternatives and staying informed about packaging innovations — this helps drive industry change while maintaining food safety and convenience. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know! Connect with Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletter: Between the Lines! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1082 And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally! This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom! Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 13. It dropped for free subscribers on Nov. 20. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:WhoMatt Jones, President and Chief Operating Officer of Stratton Mountain, VermontRecorded onNovember 11, 2024About Stratton MountainClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Alterra Mountain Company, which also owns:Located in: Winhall, VermontYear founded: 1962Pass affiliations:* Ikon Pass: Unlimited* Ikon Base Pass: Unlimited, holiday blackoutsClosest neighboring ski areas: Bromley (:18), Magic (:24), Mount Snow (:28), Hermitage Club (:33), Okemo (:40), Brattleboro (:52)Base elevation: 1,872 feetSummit elevation: 3,875 feetVertical drop: 2,003 feetSkiable Acres: 670Average annual snowfall: 180 inchesTrail count: 99 (40% novice, 35% intermediate, 16% advanced, 9% expert)Lift count: 14 (1 ten-passenger gondola, 4 six-packs, 1 high-speed quad, 2 fixed-grip quads, 1 triple, 1 double, 4 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Stratton's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himI don't know for sure how many skier visits Stratton pulls each winter, or where the ski area ranks among New England mountains for busyness. Historical data suggests a floor around 400,000 visits, likely good for fifth in the region, behind Killington, Okemo, Sunday River, and Mount Snow. But the exact numbers don't really matter, because the number of skiers that ski at Stratton each winter is many manys. And the number of skiers who have strong opinions about Stratton is that exact same number.Those numbers make Stratton more important than it should be. This is not the best ski area in Vermont. It's not even Alterra's best ski area in Vermont. Jay, MRG, Killington, Smuggs, Stowe, and sister resort Sugarbush are objectively better mountains than Stratton from a terrain point of view (they also get a lot more snow). But this may be one of the most crucial mountains in Alterra's portfolio, a doorway to the big-money East, a brand name for skiers across the region. Stratton is the only ski area that advertises in the New York City Subway, and has for years.But Stratton's been under a bit of stress. The lift system is aging. The gondola is terrible. Stratton was one of those ski areas that was so far ahead of the modernization curve – the mountain had four six-packs by 2001 – that it's now in the position of having to update all of that expensive stuff all at once. And as meaningful updates have lagged, Stratton's biggest New England competitors are running superlifts up the incline at a historic pace, while Alterra lobs hundreds of millions at its western megaresorts. Locals feel shafted, picketing an absentee landlord that they view as negligent. Meanwhile, the crowds pile up, as unlimited Ikon Pass access has holstered the mountain in hundreds of thousands of skiers' wintertime battle belts.If that all sounds a little dramatic, it only reflects the messages in my inbox. I think Alterra has been cc'd on at least some of those emails, because the company is tossing $20 million at Stratton this season, a sum that Jones tells us is just the beginning of massive long-term investment meant to reinforce the mountain's self-image as a destination on its own.What we talked aboutStratton's $20 million offseason; Act 250 masterplanning versus U.S. Forest Service masterplanning; huge snowmaking upgrades and aspirations; what $8 million gets you in employee housing these days; big upgrades for the Ursa and American Express six-packs; a case for rebuilding lifts rather than doing a tear-down and replace; a Tamarack lift upgrade; when Alterra's investment firehose could shift east; leaving Tahoe for Vermont; what can be done about that gondola?; the Kidderbrook lift; parking; RFID; Ikon Pass access levels; and $200 to ski Stratton.Why I thought that now was a good time for this interviewHow pissed do you think the Punisher was when Disney announced that Ant Man would be the 12th installment in Marvel's cinematic universe? I imagine him seated in his lair, polishing his grenades. “F*****g Ant Man?” He throws a grenade into one of his armored Jeeps, which disintegrates in a supernova of steel parts, tires, and smoke. “Ant Man. Are you f*****g serious with this? I waited through eleven movies. Eleven. Iron Man got three. Thor and Captain f*****g America got two apiece. The Hulk. Two Avengers movies. Something called ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,' about a raccoon and a talking tree that save the goddamn universe or some s**t. And it was my turn, Man. My. Turn. Do these idiots not know that I had three individual comic lines published concurrently in the 1990s? Do they not know that I'm ranked as the ninth-greatest Marvel superhero of all time on this nerd list? Do you know where Ant Man is ranked on that list? Huh? Well, I'll tell you: number 131, behind Rocket Raccoon, U-Go Girl, and Spider Man 2099, whatever the hell any of those are.” The vigilante then loads his rocket launcher and several machine guns into a second armored Jeep, and sets off in search of jaywalkers to murder.Anyway I imagine that's how Stratton felt as it watched the rest of Alterra's cinematic universe release one blockbuster after another. “Oh, OK, so Steamboat not only gets a second gondola, but they get a 600-acre terrain expansion served by their eighth high-speed quad? And it wasn't enough to connect the two sides of Palisades Tahoe with a gondola, but you threw in a brand-new six-pack? And they're tripling the size of Deer Valley. Tripling. 3,700 acres of new terrain and 16 new lifts and a new base village to go with it. That's equal to five-and-a-half Strattons. And Winter Park gets a new six-pack, and Big Bear gets a new six-pack, and Mammoth gets two. Do you have any idea how much these things cost? And I can't even get a gondola that can withstand wind gusts over three miles per hour? Even goddamn Snowshoe – Snowshoe – got a new lift before I did. I didn't even think West Virginia was actually a real place. I swear if these f*****s announce a new June Mountain out-of-base lift before I get my bling, things are gonna get Epic around here.”Well, it's finally Stratton's turn, with $20 million in upgrades inbound. Alterra wasn't exactly mining the depths of locals' dreams to decide where to deploy the cash – snowmaking, employee housing, lift overhauls – and a gondola replacement isn't coming anytime soon, but they're pretty smart investments when you dig into them. Which we do.Questions I wish I'd askedAmong the items that I would have liked to have discussed given more time: the Appalachian Trail's path across the top of Stratton Mountain, Stratton as birthplace of modern snowboarding, and the Stratton Mountain School.What I got wrong* I said that Epic Pass access had remained mostly unchanged for the past decade, which is not quite right. When Vail first added Stowe to the Epic Local Pass for the 2017-18 season, they slotted the resort into the bucket of 10 days shared with Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler. At some point, Stowe received its own basket of 10 days, apart from the western resorts.* I said that Sunday River's Jordan eight-pack was wind-resistant “because of the weight.” While that is one factor, the lift's ability to run in high winds relies on a more complex set of anti-sway technology, none of which I really understand, but that Sunday River GM Brian Heon explained on The Storm earlier this year:Why you should ski StrattonA silent skiing demarcation line runs roughly along US 4 through Vermont. Every ski area along or above this route – Killington, Pico, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, Stowe, Smuggs – lets trails bump up, maintains large glade networks, and generally provides you with balanced, diverse terrain. Everything below that line – Okemo, Bromley, Mount Snow – generally don't do any of these things, or offer them sporadically, and in the most shrunken form possible. There are some exceptions on both sides. Saskadena Six, a bump just north of US 4, operates more like the Southies. Magic, in the south, better mirrors the MRG/Sugarbush model. And then there's Stratton.Good luck finding bumps at Stratton. Maybe you'll stumble onto the remains of a short competition course here or there, but, generally, this is a groom-it-all-every-day kind of ski area. Which would typically make it a token stop on my annual rounds. But Stratton has one great strength that has long made it a quasi-home mountain for me: glades.The glade network is expansive and well-maintained. The lines are interesting and, in places, challenging. You wouldn't know this from the trailmap, which portrays the tree-skiing areas as little islands lodged onto Stratton's hulk. But there are lots of them, and they are plenty long. On a typical pow day, I'll park at Sun Bowl and ski all the glades from Test Pilot over to West Pilot and back. It takes all day and I barely touch a groomer.And the glades are open more often than you'd think. While northern Vermont is the undisputed New England snow king, with everything from Killington north counting 250-plus inches in an average winter, the so-called Golden Triangle of Stratton, Bromley, and Magic sits in a nice little micro-snow-pocket. And Stratton, the skyscraping tallest peak in that region of the state, devours a whole bunch (180 inches on average) to fill in those glades.And if you are Groomer Greg, you're in luck: Stratton has 99 of them. And the grooming is excellent. Just start early, because they get scraped off by the NYC hordes who camp out there every weekend. The obsessive grooming does make this a good family spot, and the long green trail from the top down to the base is one of the best long beginner runs anywhere.Podcast NotesOn Act 250This is the 20th Vermont-focused Storm Skiing Podcast, and I think we've referenced Act 250 in all of them. If you're unfamiliar with this law, it is, according to the official state website:…Vermont's land use and development law, enacted in 1970 at a time when Vermont was undergoing significant development pressure. The law provides a public, quasi-judicial process for reviewing and managing the environmental, social and fiscal consequences of major subdivisions and developments in Vermont. It assures that larger developments complement Vermont's unique landscape, economy and community needs. One of the strengths of Act 250 is the access it provides to neighbors and other interested parties to participate in the development review process. Applicants often work with neighbors, municipalities, state agencies and other interested groups to address concerns raised by a proposed development, resolving issues and mitigating impacts before a permit application is filed.On Stratton's masterplanStratton is currently updating its masterplan. It will retain some elements of this 2013 version. Some elements of this – most notably a new Snow Bowl lift in 2018 – have been completed:One curious element of this masterplan is the proposed lift up the Kidderbrook trail – around 2007, Stratton removed a relatively new (installed 1989) Poma fixed-grip quad from that location. Here it is on the far left-hand side of the 2005 trailmap:On Stratton's ownership historyStratton's history mirrors that of many large New England ski areas: independent founders run the ski area for decades; founders fall into financial peril and need private equity/banking rescue; bank sells to a giant out-of-state conglomerate; which then sells to another giant out-of-state conglomerate; which eventually turns into something else. In Stratton's case, Robert Wright/Frank Snyder -> Moore and Munger -> Japanese company Victoria USA -> Intrawest -> Alterra swallows the carcass of Intrawest. You can read all about it on New England Ski History.Here was Intrawest's roster, if you're curious:On Alterra's building bingeSince its 2018 founding, Alterra has invested aggressively in its properties: a 2.4-mile-long, $65 million gondola connecting Alpine Meadows to the Olympic side of Palisades Tahoe; $200 million in the massive Mahogany Ridge expansion and a three-mile-long gondola at Steamboat; and an untold fortune on Deer Valley's transformation into what will be the fourth-largest ski area in the United States. Plus new lifts all over the place, new snowmaking all over the place, new lodges all over the place. Well, all over the place except for at Stratton, until now.On Boyne and Vail's investments in New EnglandAmplifying Stratton Nation's pain is the fact that Alterra's two big New England competitors – Vail Resorts and Boyne Resorts – have built a combined 16 new lifts in the region over the past five years, including eight-place chairs at Loon and Sunday River (Boyne), and six-packs at Stowe, Okemo, and Mount Snow (Vail). They've also replaced highly problematic legacy chairs at Attitash (Vail) and Pleasant Mountain (Boyne). Boyne has also expanded terrain at Loon, Sunday River, and, most notably – by 400 acres – Sugarloaf. And it's worth noting that independents Waterville Valley and Killington have also dropped new sixers in recent years (Killington will build another next year). Meanwhile, Alterra's first chairlift just landed this summer, at Sugarbush, which is getting a fixed-grip quad to replace the Heaven's Gate triple.On gondola wind holdsJust in case you want to blame windholds on some nefarious corporate meddling, here's a video I took of Kirkwood's Cornice Express spinning in 50-mile-per-hour winds when Jones was running the resort last year. Every lift has its own distinct profile that determines how it manages wind.On shifting Ikon Pass accessWhen Alterra launched the Ikon Pass in 2018, the company limited Base Pass holders to five days at Stratton, with holiday blackouts. Ahead of the 2020-21 season, the company updated Base Pass access to unlimited days with those same holiday blackouts. Alterra and its partners have made several such changes in Ikon's seven years. I've made this nifty chart that tracks them all (if you missed the memo, Solitude just upgraded Ikon Base pass access to eliminate holiday blackouts):On historic Stratton lift ticket pricesAgain, New England Ski History has done a nice job documenting Stratton's year-to-year peak lift ticket rates:The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 76/100 in 2024, and number 576 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe