Acuver Consulting strengthens its global footprint, forays into the UK Market

LONDON, Aug 24, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Acuver Consulting, a niche global supply chain management company, is thrilled to announce its strategic expansion into the UK. Building on its tremendous success in the Asia-Pacific and North American regions, Acuver is now poised to bring its world-class consulting solutions to the UK, catering to an array of industries and clients. This strategic move marks an exciting milestone in Acuver's commitment to extending its expertise and services to support Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) omni commerce enterprises.

Acuver Consulting is now set to work with UK local supply chain and logistics players to transform their day-to-day operations, order management, inventory visibility and optimization, marketplace integration, going omnichannel and last-mile fulfilment solution. Key areas of focus for the latest foray into UK and European operations will include but not be limited to Digital Strategy and Transformation, Supply Chain Optimization, Data-driven Insights and Analytics, E-commerce, Retail Technology Integration and Customer Experience Enhancement.

The decision to expand into the UK market comes as part of Acuver's commitment to providing unsurpassed Customer success and supreme business advisory services to organizations worldwide and to continue its record of introducing market need driven solutions. With a proven track record of empowering clients to achieve sustainable growth, streamline operations, and enhance their competitive edge, Acuver is well-positioned to meet the unique challenges and opportunities presented.

On the expansion occasion, Sunny Nandwani, Founder & Managing Director, Acuver Consulting said, "As a specialized supply chain management company, we bring extensive expertise in order management and warehouse management space working with businesses across retail, manufacturing, consumer goods, and logistics. We understand the unique challenges faced by each business in each market and we craft customized solutions that have fostered successful partnerships with businesses worldwide. The UK market excites us and we are thrilled by the opportunity. We aim to empower businesses by optimizing their supply chain processes, driving scalability and success. With an unwavering commitment to tailor-made solutions, we eagerly anticipate making a positive impact in the UK's supply chain management field."

Success in the UK retail industry is driven by the ability to strategically connect target audience with right set of products at accurate price and timelines. Acuver is known for its ability to offer customized solutions. The UK supply chain management and logistics sector has faced significant challenges such as Brexit Impact, Labor shortages, infrastructure constraints, rising fuel costs, e-commerce boom and technology integration across sectors that demand urgent attention and heavy embracement of innovative digital solutions to transform industry multifaceted.

"Even the best inventory management systems and processes can fail without a strong supply chain management system. Customers will move on in minutes if you can't deliver what they need when they need. But not when you have Acuver as your supply chain management partner. Acuver Consulting is an IBM Gold Partner and we bring a comprehensive suite of customizable solutions that help our clients retain their customers", said Krishna Raj Kodoth, Director Business Development Acuver Consulting.

"We have entered the UK market with more than 500-man years of domain knowledge and experience into creating cutting-edge solutions. Our offerings are a combination of technology and human intelligence and we are confident that making a good first impression will open more avenues in the market. We are looking forward to collaborating with local enterprises to create a successful, mutual business trajectory", Krishna added.

According to market reports, revenue in the UK Supply Chain Management Software market is projected to reach US$0.96bn in 2023. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 6.42%, resulting in a market volume of US$1.32bn by 2028.

For more information on Acuver, please visit www.acuverconsulting.com

About Acuver Consulting

Acuver Consulting helps companies optimize their supply-chain for enhanced efficiency, profitability and consumer experience. We combine the right tools, methodologies and expertise in IT, Business and Technology to deliver solutions customized to your unique requirement. Proactively employing the latest industry innovations and ensuring the customer-centric digital transformation of clients are the operating paradigms of Acuver. We have a strong global presence encompassing the United States, United Kingdom, India, Europe, Australia, and the APAC regions.

For more information, please contact
Krishna Raj Kodoth,
Tel: +44 77959 18636
Email: krishnaraj.k@acuverconsulting.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Asia’s fashion spotlight CENTRESTAGE returns in September

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Asia's premier fashion event CENTRESTAGE will be held from 6 to 9 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day event will feature runway shows, curated presentations, and interactive seminars and forums on fashion trends and sustainability. Cutting-edge concepts and designs will be unveiled at the event, which will shed light on the latest in fashion.

HKTDC's Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong (3L), HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee Chairman Katherine Fang (3L) and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel CEO Edwin Keh (2R) share highlights of CENTRESTAGE and the latest industry trends at the CENTRESTAGE press conference.

The annual fashion extravaganza, now in its eighth year, is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region* as the Lead Sponsor.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, said, "The public's awareness of health and well-being has grown exponentially in recent years. Appropriately, CENTRESTAGE embraces the theme ''Radiant Wellness" this year. With over 210 brands from 18 countries and regions participating, the exhibition is open exclusively to fashion buyers on the first two days, and welcomes both buyers and the public on the final two days, allowing fashionistas to browse the latest designs."

Emerging Designers Unveil Collections, Fusion of Local Fashion and Ballet

The opening gala show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, spotlights the latest collection from acclaimed Hong Kong designer, Wilson Choi, and his premium streetwear brand, REDEMPTIVE. Wilson's designs have graced prominent runways around the world, including Paris Fashion Week, and he was a finalist for the YU PRIZE at Shanghai Fashion Week.

Additionally, the event will feature the debut of FETICO, a women's brand founded by Emi Funayama from Japan, who will present her Spring/Summer 2024 collection for the very first time. Emi, a recipient of the TOKYO FASHION AWARD and JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD in 2022 and 2023, respectively, infuses her designs with a captivating and timeless retro charm.

At this year's Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, the talented dancers of the Hong Kong Ballet will showcase the latest collections from four renowned Hong Kong fashion brands: 112 mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, DORISKATH and SUN=SEN.

CENTRESTAGE will also feature Brand Collections' Shows and Designers' Collection Shows. The former will showcase renowned Hong Kong fashion brands, while the latter will highlight the best creations from different fashion designers. The Hong Kong Kids Fashion Show which is always a hit with fashion-loving parents, will also be held.

Pioneering Sustainability in Fashion

CENTRESTAGE is thrilled to welcome esteemed institutions, such as the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Fashion and Textiles (PolyU SFT), Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), Fashion Farm Foundation (FFF) and the Hong Kong Woollen & Synthetic Knitting Manufacturers' Association, which will present innovative creations from Hong Kong fashion brands.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong, a first-time participant of CENTRESTAGE, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center, and institutions and fashion showrooms from Japan and South Korea will bring their unique and vibrant designs to Hong Kong.

With sustainable fashion a growing trend, CENTRESTAGE will feature renowned brands and organisations that champion sustainable development. Participating brands include DETERMINANT, a local brand using sustainable dyeing techniques, and The Billie, a recycled fashion brand by Novetex Textiles. Hong Kong brands Absurd Laboratory, Rou So and WHY, Earlyink from Macau, XAVAN from Vietnam, and PCES and Pei-wen Jin from Taiwan and more will also be featured.

Heavyweight speakers from Novetex Textiles and Redress will host a seminar on sustainability. CENTRESTAGE will stage the final of the world's largest sustainable fashion design competition, the Redress Design Award 2023, organised by Redress with CreateHK as the Lead Sponsor.

Moreover, the Partners for Progress Forum held by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) will look at how interdisciplinary collaboration drives innovation in the textile and apparel sector. Shanghai's Jiemian News, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, will host its annual fashion summit at CENTRESTAGE to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in fashion, make-up and skincare.

Giovanni Musillo, representing OnTheList, will analyse the latest market and consumer trends at the Fashion Trend Forum. Representatives from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Stratasys AP Ltd and CLO Virtual Fashion will also enlighten attendees about the latest developments in digital fashion.

Nurturing Local Talents, Discovering Stars of Tomorrow

CENTRESTAGE continues to shine a spotlight on local emerging design talents. The FASHIONALLY Collection #21, a fashion showcase held on the opening day on 6 September, will feature eight home-grown designer brands, including FromClothingOf, Lapeewee, MARCCH, MOODLABBYLORRAINE, POISSON, NONOBO, VO-YAGE, and WHY. Furthermore, three FASHIONALLY presentations will take place from 6 to 7 September, at which three emerging local fashion brands, Kin Yan Lam, the Hole, and IP-AXIS INDUSTRIAL, will unveil their latest creations.

The final of the Thread of Creativity – Fashion Design Competition 2023. organised by the Asian New Generation Creativity Design Association. will also take place at the event.

Furthermore, the finale of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) will take place on 9 September, with MINI Hong Kong as the event's lead sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. An esteemed panel of judges, including Han Chong, the mastermind behind self-portrait, will select the contest winners. The 10 shortlisted designers will compete for multiple honours, including Champion, the Excellence Award and the Best Visual Presentation Award. For the My Favourite Collection Award, members of the public can vote for their favourite collection online from now until 8 September to be in with a chance to win one of five HK$3,000 Lee Gardens Area e-gift coupons, sponsored by Hysan Development. Vote now: https://bit.ly/YDC2023_VOTENOW.

This year's event will once again feature various digital fashion and artificial intelligence (AI) concepts. Among others, AI will be utilised to create AI models that will appear throughout the fairground, showcasing various designers' creations.

CENTRESTAGE will be held concurrently with the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the Salon de TE, providing attendees with a one-stop opportunity to explore both branded fashion and timepieces.

CENTRESTAGE X Watch & Clock Lucky Draw will be held on 9 September, offering participants a chance to win exciting prizes.

Websites
CENTRESTAGE: www.centrestage.com.hk
CENTRESTAGE Visitor Pre-registration: https://bit.ly/3QNzd7M
Fashion Hong Kong: https://www.fashionhongkong.com.hk/tc
Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC): www.fashionally.com/en
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3qxWzqQ

Media enquiries
Best Crew Public Relations & Marketing
Diana Tang, Tel: +852 9199 6723, Email: diana.tang@bestcrewpr.com
Reni Kwok, Tel: +852 6291 4283, Email: reni.kwok@bestcrewpr.com

The HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4524, Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.orgJanet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org
About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

About Create Hong Kong

Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia's creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community.

*Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Ascendiant Capital Markets: Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA) 2Q 2023 Saw Strong Revenue Growth of 338% Year on Year; Major Acquisition and Expected Cash Probability in 2H 2023 to Drive Share Price Higher

New York, Aug 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Ascendiant Capital Markets LLC (“Ascendiant“) initiates equity research coverage on Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa” or the “Company“), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem.

Click Here (on Society Pass website) or Here (on Ascendiant Capital Markets website) to view the full Ascendiant Capital Markets Equity Research Report.

Summary Points:

• Strong 2Q 2023 Revenue Growth: SoPa reported its quarterly financial results on 10 August with 2Q 2023 revenues totaling $2.2 million, representing a 338% y-o-y.

• Major M&A: Announced in July 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 95% of PT Inetindo Info (“Inetindo”), a wholly subsidiary of Story-I Limited (“Story-I”). Inetindo is a leading Indonesia-based Apple Premium Reseller and Authorised Education Partner as well as an electronic gaming retailer for several different gaming companies. The purchase price is ~$1.9 million and the deal is expected to close by September 2023. Ascendiant notes that Inetindo’s annual revenue of ~$30 million will be a significant contributor to Society Pass results going forward.

• Significant 2023 Revenue Growth and Expected Cash Profitability in 2H 2023: SoPa stated that 2023 revenue run rate can be $60 – 100 million and it expects to reach cash profitability sometime in 2H 2023.

• Focused on Loyalty Platform: SoPa’s ecosystem of technology-enabled companies synergistically work together to transform how consumers and merchants interact with one another. Its key focus is on generating customer loyalty, ease of transaction for consumers, and revenues for merchants. As more merchants and consumers in SEA register on its Society Pass platform, more transaction data is generated, and thus presenting more opportunities for creating loyalty from consumers to merchants.

• Lifestyle Platform: The Company has developed an online lifestyle, “Leflair” branded platform in Vietnam to enable consumers to purchase high-end brands in many categories. Using the company’s smart search engine, consumers search or review their favorite brands among hundreds of choices in various categories, including Apparel, Bags & Shoes, Accessories, Health & Beauty, Home & Lifestyle, International, Women, Men and Kids & Babies categories.

• Market Opportunities: Ascendiant believes that continued strong economic expansion, robust population growth, rising level of urbanization, the emergence of the middle class, and the increasing rate of adoption of mobile technology provide fast growing market opportunities for SoPa in SEA.

• Positive High Risks versus High Rewards: Overall, concerns outweighed by growth prospects and valuation. Society Pass’s main products still has long commercialization challenges ahead, but we believe the ~billion dollars market potential presents high rewards for the risks.

• Current valuation attractive: We are maintaining our BUY rating, but raising our 12-month price target to $3.75 from $3.50, based on a NPV analysis, representing significant upside from the current share price. We believe this valuation appropriately balances out the company’s high risks with its high growth prospects and large upside opportunities.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, Vietnam’s leading provider of hotel management and payment solutions; Gorilla Global, a Singapore-based, mobile network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; and NextGen Retail, a Indonesia-based e-commerce platform.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:

Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or

Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contact:

Rokas Sidlauskas

Chief Marketing Officer

rokas@thesocietypass.com

HKTDC Food Expo and concurrent events reflect spending power

HONG KONG, Aug 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo and Home Delights Expo, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on a high note today while the two trade fairs – Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair – drew to a successful close on 19 August. The five fairs featured more than 1,800 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions and attracted close to 480,000 public visitors, an encouraging recovery sign for the trade and fairs industries. The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIIA) in collaboration with the HKTDC and eight major research institutes, also concluded on 18 August.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo concluded on a high note today.

Food tasting returned at the Expo following a ban during COVID-19, the Food Expo and concurrent fairs became festive public events attracting both local families and visitors.

The newly rebranded Food Expo PRO, previously known as the Trade Hall, was held for the first time since travel links returned to normal. Food Expo PRO and the Tea Fair together attracted more than 20,100 buyers from 69 countries and regions, including Mainland China, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States, Mexico and Poland, reaffirming Hong Kong's F&B trading hub role in Asia.

Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: "This year's Food Expo and the concurrent events have been truly exciting and bustling, with the number of visitors and exhibitors' sales showing positive signs, underlining strong public demand and appetite for food shopping. The two trade fairs, including the rebranded Food Expo PRO and concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair, were well supported by group pavilions and exhibitors from a vast spectrum of countries and regions. We are pleased to see that the five events have successfully created business opportunities for exhibitors and the public, who were truly satisfied."

Electronic payment helps boost spending

The second phase of the Consumption Voucher Scheme rolled out shortly before the fairs and the promotion of electronic payments at the expo by HKTDC has made transactions faster and more convenient. More than 50% of about 1,300 respondents in an on-site survey had spent HK$1,000 (US$128) or more at the exhibition; the overall per capita spending was about HK$1,500, a year-on-year rise of more than 8%. Nearly 80% of survey respondents paid electronically, underlining the spending boost e-payment brought.

Strong consumer sentiment brings rewarding sales

The Food Expo has always been Hong Kong's annual culinary highlight, bringing together a selection of the world's finest specialities. Eric Lin, Managing Director of exhibitor Hop Hing Loong Company Limited, said: "We import more than 100 brands from different countries worldwide. Consumers are keen to make purchases while Japanese fruit liqueurs and sake are among the best sellers. We expect total sales to reach HK$800,000 to HK$1 million at the Expo this year."

Trade buyers broaden business networks

The Food Science and Technology Zone was a new addition at the Food Expo PRO. A Hong Kong exhibitor, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), showcased non-alcoholic beer and the "electronic tongue", a smart device which carries out a full range of quantitative and qualitative taste sensing analysis. Dr Carmen Man, a lecturer at the institute, said: "We have met a good number of food-tech companies and government representatives from different countries, including Japan and Singapore. They expressed keen interest in our technology and products and we will continue to explore business collaboration."

At the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Shobel Mulinge, Commercial Director of Nala Tea Company Ltd from Kenya, established links with buyers from Egypt, Mainland China and Singapore. The company expects to receive new orders worth US$400,000 through this year's fair.

EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode boosts borderless business exchange

Food Expo PRO and the Tea Fair are still being held online under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model. Buyers and sellers can continue to check out AI-recommended business leads as well as arrange and conduct online meetings with each other through Click2Match, a smart business-matching platform, until 26 August. The trade fairs also launched the offline-to-online communication function Scan2Match, helping buyers bookmark favourite exhibitors, browse product information, and continue their online chat with exhibitors during and after the physical fairs.

The concurrent Beauty & Wellness Expo offered a wide range of beauty and health products. Exhibitor Erica Yu, Founder & CEO of Quantumbeauty Biotechnology Co, Ltd from Mainland China said: "Our main goal in participating in the Beauty & Wellness Expo for the first time is to promote our brand and our home beauty device. We prepared 100 sets at our booth, but they were all sold out on the first day. We had to immediately replenish another 500 sets from Shenzhen. We expect sales will reach HK$650,000."

Home Delights Expo exhibitor Qivation Company Limited, showcased various nano photocatalytic home and personal products. Director Jeff Chan expected that their onsite sales turnover would rise 30% from last year to HK$400,000.

Mainland and overseas participants return, unleashing business opportunities

This year's five major events featured various group pavilions, including Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, 10 provinces from Mainland China and more. The turnout showed that mainland and overseas exhibitors and buyers were eager to return to physical fairs in Hong Kong.

At Food Expo PRO, Singapore buyer Gary Lee, Business Development Director of San SeSan Global Pte Ltd, met 10 exhibitors through the business matching service, placing orders with exhibitors from Poland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mainland China and more, seeking frozen foods, instant foods, cashew nuts and tea leaves completing orders worth SG$300,000 (US$221,000).

Chinese Medicine conference creates synergies

The Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA), together with the HKTDC and eight scientific research institutions, presented the latest International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM), offering invaluable Chinese medicine insights and information for industry participants. Under the theme Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 18 keynote speakers from around the globe discussed Chinese medicine research and development and shared on successful product commercialisation. The conference was held in conjunction with five major fairs, achieving a cross-fair synergy effect.

For more comments from exhibitors and buyers, please visit:
HKTDC Food Expo PRO: http://bit.ly/3YH8zTf
HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair: https://bit.ly/3KKsz1C
HKTDC Food Expo: https://bit.ly/3YJuJEy
HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo: https://bit.ly/3YFWSMA
HKTDC Home Delights Expo: https://bit.ly/3qCgp3Z
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3KS72nJ

Websites:
HKTDC Food Expo PRO: https://foodexpopro.hktdc.com
HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair: https://hkteafair.hktdc.com
HKTDC Food Expo: https://hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com
HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo: https://hkbeautyexpo.hktdc.com
HKTDC Home Delights Expo: https://homedelights.hktdc.com
The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM): https://icmcm.hktdc.com
August Happy Buy website: https://ecoupon.hktdc.com/food/

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn.

Media enquiries
HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department:
HKTDC Food Expo, HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org

HKTDC Food Expo PRO, HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair, ICMCM
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

HKTDC Home Delights Expo
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Welcome to the World of Holistic Beauty – The Epitome of Health and Beauty with LAC MASQUELIER’s(R) French Pine Bark Extract

SINGAPORE, Aug 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – What if the key to timeless beauty lies not in cosmetics or skincare products, but in our inner health? Gone are the days when beauty was merely skin deep, defined by cosmetics and outward enhancements. The buzzwords – Holistic Beauty – have been in the rage recently, where the concept of Holistic Beauty recognises that our physical appearance is a reflection of our overall health.

Introducing the unsung hero of beauty and health: Antioxidants. These remarkable allies offer a more effective and long-term solution for women seeking radiance and vitality. Antioxidants, found in foods or supplements like French Pine Bark Extract, can help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This protection may assist in maintaining skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting a radiant complexion.

At LAC, we redefine the concept of beauty, promoting a deeper meaning behind achieving radiant skin. We encourage individuals to prioritise overall wellness, recognising that a nourished body and balanced mindset contribute to long-term beauty and well-being.

Offering a holistic approach to beauty that goes beyond superficial enhancements, LAC MASQUELIER's(R) French Pine Bark Extract antioxidant work from within, helping to counteract oxidative stress and free radicals that can contribute to premature ageing and other skin-related concerns.

Loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), a potent antioxidant, LAC MASQUELIER's(R) French Pine Bark Extract reduces the amount of free radicals in the body, allowing the body to combat pathogens and infections effectively.

About LAC Global

Headquartered in Singapore, LAC Global is one of Asia's largest speciality retailers in nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal, and other speciality supplements in Anti-ageing and Beauty, Immunity, Weight Management, Sports Nutrition, and Energy.

The Company owns the LAC brand, short for Leader in Antioxidative Control(TM), a leading health and wellness supplement brand with a global presence. Since its founding, LAC has embarked on a pioneering journey to develop scientifically based formulas, harnessing the best of eastern wisdom and western technology to fight free radicals, combat ageing brought forth by oxidative stress, and support you daily in looking, feeling, and functioning at your best. Having established a global presence since 1997, LAC's reach includes Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, USA, Central & South Americas, and the Middle East. Currently, there are more than 220 LAC branded stores in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan ROC. LAC stringently sources ingredients from around the globe, such as USA, Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland to ensure utmost quality, and works only with the most specialised partners in developing and manufacturing health solutions.

Its other brands include Xndo Food For Health. LAC Global is dedicated to ensuring consumers stay well, and live life to the fullest.

Website: LAC.sg
Instagram: @LACGlobalSingapore
Facebook: @LACGlobalSingapore

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

HKTDC Food Expo and inaugural Food Expo PRO open today

HONG KONG, Aug 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the eagerly anticipated HKTDC Food Expo, HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo, and HKTDC Home Delights Expo has grandly opened from today to 21 August at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for five consecutive days. The three-day inaugural Food Expo PRO also kicked off this morning with the returning Hong Kong International Tea Fair at the same venue from today to 19 August. Moreover, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA) together with the HKTDC and eight scientific research institutions, runs concurrently today and tomorrow. Guest of honour Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), officiated at this morning's opening ceremony for the concurrent fairs, joined by Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, and Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC.

The 33rd Food Expo, the seventh Beauty & Wellness Expo, the ninth Home Delights Expo, along with the inaugural Food Expo PRO and the 14th Hong Kong International Tea Fair jointly and officially opened today.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony of the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM)

Starting from today until 21 August, the five-day Food Expo opens for the public to visit. On the opening day, the Public Hall of the Food Expo once again attracted huge crowds.

Welcoming guests to the fairs at the opening ceremony today, Dr Lam said: "Our flagship Food Expo and its concurrent events attracted more than 1,800 exhibitors and group pavilions from 24 countries and regions. The Trade Hall of the Food Expo has been renamed as Food Expo PRO this year. These fairs showcase an amazing variety of quality products and underline Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading hub for business. I am particularly grateful to the HKSAR Government for enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in trade and public exhibitions through various funding schemes, and the Consumer Voucher Scheme for providing the public with an exciting shopping experience. We hope that the various exhibitions will help the trading industries expand their business network, and everyone will return home with a rewarding experience."

Food Expo PRO – Building a trade network and presenting the latest and specialised food trends (17-19 August)

This year, the Food Expo's Trade Hall is renamed as Food Expo PRO. Today and tomorrow (18 August) the Expo will be open to trade buyers, while the last day (19 August) will be for the public and trade buyers. The Food Expo PRO showcases food and beverage products from 20 countries and regions, with 21 pavilions from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Thailand, and from Mainland China's provinces including Fujian, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Jilin, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and more.

Global exhibitors are showcasing a vast array of food, services, and technology that reflect the latest product trends, such as Mexico's Agave Syrup (Booth: 5C-C18A), Korea's flavoured pickled seafood, which is the female blue crab marinated with glasswort and soy sauce (Booth: 5B-E15), Thailand's freeze dried mango with sticky rice (Booth: 5C-A24), and Sakura Brightening soft gel capsule (Booth: 5B-B01). From food and beverage to health and wellness, the Expo has it all.

More industry-specific and tech-related insights are also provided at the fair alongside a wide range of exhibits. The new Food Science and Technology Zone showcases innovative food processing technologies, such as peanut protein-based and alternative plant-based chicken products (Booth: 5C-A29) developed by food tech start-ups, and non-alcoholic beers (Booth: 5C-E24) developed by local academic institutions. Two Food Tech Symposium sessions have been scheduled during the fair, with the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Controlled Environment Hydroponic Research and Development Centre and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong discussing the development of emerging technologies in the food industry in Hong Kong (17 August), and food technology start-ups sharing how technology is reshaping the F&B and retail industries (18 August).

Hong Kong International Tea Fair – The charm of tea cultures (17-19 August)

The 14th Hong Kong International Tea Fair is open to trade buyers on the first two days (17 and 18 August) of the fair, and to the public and trade buyers on the last day (19 August). There are 10 pavilions, including the debut participation of Kenya Pavilion, and returning exhibitors from Sri Lanka, and Mainland China's Fujian, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangsu provinces, exhibiting famous teas, tea products and tea wares. Select products include the Purple Tea originating from Kenya (Booth: 5G-D02), a modern version of Chaoshan Gongfu Tea that is brewed innovatively with a new method (Booth: 5F-E30), the Organic Jasmine Dragon Pearls that are produced by scenting high-quality green tea with freshly picked jasmine buds (Booth: 5G-B25), amongst others.

The Tea Fair also features several exciting events, including the KamCha Workshop (19 August), the Tea Forums (19 August), and the International Tea Arts Performance (17 to 18 August). The Hong Kong International Tea Fair Tea Competition 2023 has been one of the highlights of the Expo, with awards such as "The Best Aroma Award" and "The Best Taste Award", selected by professional tea judges in a blind tasting. The public and buyers will be able to taste the winning teas for free on the morning of 19 August and enjoy the rich flavours in the winning teas.

The two trade fairs continue to be held under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, allowing global food and tea buyers to view exhibitors recommended by AI, and to arrange and conduct online meetings with exhibitors through the smart business matching platform Click2Match from today to 26 August, in addition to the physical trade fairs. For the first time, the Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair are piloting a brand-new Scan2Match function that brings communications from offline to online. Buyers can scan exhibitors' unique QR codes using the HKTDC Marketplace app during the exhibition period, bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information, and continue to chat with exhibitors online during or after the exhibition period, thereby extending their sourcing journey.

Food Expo – A culinary voyage around the world (17-21 August)

The 33rd edition of the Food Expo presents the Public Hall and Gourmet Zone. The five-day Public Hall (17 to 21 August) showcases global cuisines and dining options from around the world, including the Mainland China Agri pavilion, which is exhibiting high quality speciality agricultural products from 67 enterprises across 10 provinces, including trendy prepared and ready meals (Booth: 3C-A02). The Public Hall also features frozen dried ice cream from Thailand (Booths: 3B-D06 and 3D-A06), an organic Korean black garlic juice with 100% natural black garlic extract (Booth: 3B-C04), an Italian Fruit Paccherini made with premium durum wheat semolina and natural fruit puree-juice (Booth: 3C-D07). The Public Hall also features various exhibitors, including more than 30 well-known brands, such as Maxims, Tai Pan, Nissin, Sau Tao, Tao Ti, Kee Wah Bakery, Wing Wah, and Four Seas Group in the Premium Food Zone.

The Gourmet Zone features the finest cuisines assembled from all around the world, and comprises seven thematic zones, namely Asian Cuisine, Western Delicacy, Sweet Delight, Green Palate, Coffee Avenue, Beer Cheers, and an exciting new addition, Wine Whisky Wonderland along with the additional Korean food zone, K-Food. The thematic zones bring a wide range of food and beverage options, including Kyeongbokgung LA BBQ ribs (Booth: 3B-C02), an aged cocktail with taste of the ocean (Booth: 3B-F02), rich ice-cream made out of freshly handcrafted nut butters (Booth: 3B-E04), the first handmade truffle milk tea in Hong Kong (Booth: 3B-D11), and a local mead brand (Booth: 3B-C13).

Once again, there will be the ever-popular cooking demonstration at the Star Kitchen. This year, the Star Chef Cooking Demonstration will cover 18 sessions at the Food Expo. These will include Ronald Shao, Executive Chef of Mian; Hung Chi Kwong, Executive Chinese Chef of Run at St. Regis Hong Kong; Adam Wong, Executive Chef of Forum Restaurant Ah Yat Abalone; Chan Sai Fai, Executive Chef (Dim Sum) of Chuan Palace; Au-Yeung Chung Kei, Executive Chef of YUE; and Olivier Elzer, French founder, and mastermind behind Clarence.

Other activity highlights at the Food Expo include:

– Culinary master classes on "Less Salt and Sugar" recipes to encourage the public to develop healthy eating habits (17 August)

– Interesting tutorials and various activities on various food and beverages, will include "Lodi in USA and Its Grape Zinfandel Lecture and Wine Tasting", "Exploring New Frontier of Coffee: World-Class Judge Leads You Into the Revolutionary Wave of Specialty Coffee" , and "Hanwoo (Korean Beef) Cooking Demonstration", all taking place on 18 August.

– A series of seminars covering topics such as the "'EatSmart Restaurant Star+', for All!" event co-organised by the HKTDC with the Department of Health (17 and 18 August), "Master Chef Kitty Siu – 10 Minutes Meal" (19 August), a "Getting Matchy with Eagle Coin and Campari" session hosted by Ricky Cheung (20 August), and a session on "Current Development of Frozen Prepared Meal and Microwave Food" (21 August)

– Hosted by media veteran Jacky Chan, Chef's Dialogue features three renowned Hong Kong chefs who will share their tips on cooking, eating and ingredient selection (19 August)

Beauty & Wellness Expo – Rejuvenating the natural beauty from within (17-21 August)

The seventh Beauty & Wellness Expo will showcase a wide range of beauty, cosmetic, hairdressing, fitness, and wellness products. In addition to the major pavilions hosted by the Federation of Beauty Industry (H.K.), Hong Kong Hair & Beauty Merchants Association, International Beauty & Health General Union, Cosmetic & Perfumery Association of Hong Kong Ltd, and Hong Kong China Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, there will be new pavilions presented by the International CICA Association of Esthetics and Association of International Aesthetics Management, showcasing a wide range of Hong Kong-made beauty and skincare products to satisfy consumers who are looking for both beauty and fitness. For instance, the Advanced Derma Laser Skin Peel that is infused with natural extracts from seven alpine botanicals (Booth: 3E-B02), the Cytopeutic Eczema Cream that helps purify and extract microRNA from natural stem cells (Booth: 3D-D14), the Pharmano 30-day Hair Growth Package (Booth: 3E-A22), Aroma Sachet with essences of verbena and mint (Booth: 3E-A19), and more. In addition, the Hieggo Pavilion will be exhibiting for the first time at the Beauty & Wellness Expo, bringing a wide range of health products, with Lawrence Cheng and other guests sharing wellness knowledge at the fair.

A series of informative and exciting activities have been scheduled during the Expo, including an "Introduction to Mental Health" sharing session organised by Mind HK (20 August); a preview of the 2023 IFBB Hong Kong Fitness Awards Charity Open Championship (18 August); a seasonal autumn/winter make-up demonstration by expert Edmon Wong (17 August); and seminars on topics such as Japanese manicure (18 August), slimming and nutritional dieting (20 August), and more.

Home Delights Expo – Igniting an ideal smart home (17-21 August)

The ninth Home Delights Expo showcases smart home products, kitchen appliances, kitchenware, tableware, and household products. The Avenue of Delights features over 40 exhibitors and several lifestyle brands, including Towngas, ZWILLING JA Henckels, A-Fontane, LAURASTAR, Tiger, and German Pool. The Expo will present new home products, including MasterMind, an AI massage chair equipped with voice control and bespoke functions (Booth: 3F-C02), the Bursa cassia seed and lavender herbal neck pillow (Booth: 3F-D18), a multifunctional electric cooker (Booth: 3F-A18), and the LAURASTAR IGGI Hygiene Handheld Steamer (Booth: 3F-D22).

This year, the Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association pavilion continues to showcase home design elements that integrate technology into people's daily lives to build an ideal smart home. In addition, the Creative Corner provides a platform for young start-ups to promote and sell their products. Apart from cultural and creative products, the public can participate in exciting activities such as dried flower gift making workshops.

ICMCM – High-level experts will discuss the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine (17-18 August)

The Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, together with the HKTDC and eight scientific research institutions, present the latest International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM), offering invaluable Chinese medicine insights and information for industry participants. This year's theme is "Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine", featuring 18 keynote speakers from the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, and Hong Kong who will discuss new Chinese medicine research and development and share successful product commercialisation cases. Running in a hybrid format, the conference stimulates and facilitates the exchange of ideas among speakers and participants. By attending the conference, registered Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong may also apply for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits.

Electronic payment with Consumption Voucher Scheme comes in handy and daily lucky draw

With the second instalment of the Consumption Voucher Scheme rolled out, the HKTDC has been encouraging exhibitors to embrace electronic payment methods to streamline transactions and enable a more convenient and efficient shopping experiences for the public. There will be a "Lucky Draw" taking place daily during the exhibition period with prizes including hotel accommodation and buffet vouchers, homeware, skincare products, gourmet food, health products and fitness classes.

Spending HK$200 or more on a single receipt allows visitors to enjoy one lucky draw entry, with a maximum of five entries per receipt. The HKTDC's promotional website, "August Happy Buy", continues to help the public keep abreast of the latest shopping information, various flash sales, "HK$1" offers and more than 160 shopping coupons will be given away. In addition, the HKTDC has also launched a "BYO Utensils for Bonus Rewards" campaign during the Food Expo and concurrent events to encourage people to support environmental protection, and some exhibitors give bonus offers to those who bring their own utensils.

E-tickets are available for sale at AlipayHK, Alipay (HKTDC's ticketing partner), which offers a HK$3 and Rmb3 discount for every transaction. Other sales outlets include the 01 Space e-ticketing platform, all 7-11 and Circle K convenience stores, and via the Octopus App. Physical ticket sales for the August exhibitions will not be available at the fairground. Instead, toll booths will be set up at the entrance to allow visitors to use their AlipayHK, Alipay, or Octopus card for admission instantly. The HKTDC has also extended the discounted morning and night admission tickets for the public to visit the exhibitions during non-peak hours on designated dates.

HKTDC Food Expo PRO http://foodexpopro.hktdc.com
HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair http://hkteafair.hktdc.com
HKTDC Food Expo http://hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com
HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo http://hkbeautyexpo.hktdc.com
HKTDC Home Delights Expo http://homedelights.hktdc.com
The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM) http://icmcm.hktdc.com
August Happy Buy website http://ecoupon.hktdc.com/food/
Photo download: http://bit.ly/3KIbc1v

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries

HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department:
HKTDC Food Expo, HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org

HKTDC Food Expo PRO, HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair, ICMCM
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

HKTDC Home Delights Expo
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

U.S. Polo Assn. Extends Global Partnership with the Federation of International Polo (FIP)

West Palm Beach, FL, Aug 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) has announced that U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), has extended its global partnership with the Federation of International Polo (FIP) through 2026. This extension marks a continued commitment to the global promotion of the sport of polo from the authentic, sport-inspired brand.

True to the heritage of the brand, U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to support polo around the world. FIP is the international federation representing the sport of polo, officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This strategic partnership between FIP and U.S. Polo Assn. represents the strong alliance that has thrived since the partnership's inception in 2015, and means that the global, sport-inspired brand will continue to be the Official Apparel Partner for FIP's top events.

In 2022, the shared vision of FIP, the USPA, and U.S. Polo Assn. culminated in the historic XII Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Polo Championship, held at the USPA National Polo Center (NPC) – Wellington. The 2022 FIP tournament was only the second time in history the competition was held in the United States and was its first time being broadcast on ESPN to millions of households around the world.

As the Official Apparel Partner for FIP events, U.S. Polo Assn. will continue to support the sport's leading events, including the FIP World Polo Championship, FIP European Polo Championship, FIP Ladies World Polo Championship, and FIP Ladies European Polo Championship. The brand will also continue to supply custom performance jerseys for all teams, alongside other essential apparel items such as hats and shirts, for players and officials to elevate the experience both on and off the field.

This partnership will also encompass support for the highly anticipated Ambassador Cups, set to take place this year in Brazil and Italy; the FIP Arena Polo World Championship; as well as other international polo events, such as potential Olympic Exhibition Games.

"We're looking forward to continuing our strategic relationship with FIP over the next four years," said J. Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPAGL, the company that manages and oversees the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. "This meaningful partnership underscores our continued efforts to help grow the sport of polo around the world and aligns with our strategy as a brand to authentically connect with our global markets as we continue to execute our aggressive international growth strategies."

"We are thrilled by this renewed partnership with U.S. Polo Assn. and their continued support of the sport of polo, which goes far beyond supplying jerseys and gear for our players," said Piero Dillier Chairman of FIP. "With the support of U.S. Polo Assn., we are now able to reach so many new polo fans globally through ESPN. This is a dream come true for us, and we are excited to use this platform to help broaden interest, access, and exposure to polo around the world."

About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL)

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named one of the top global sports licensors in 2023, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.

USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides polo, sport, and lifestyle content. A historic, multi-year, global arrangement between USPAGL and ESPN, now showcases many of the top championship polo games in the U.S., enabling millions of sports fans and consumers to enjoy the sport across ESPN's broadcast and streaming platforms. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.

About the Federation of International Polo (FIP)

Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation of International Polo (FIP) is the global organization representing the sport of polo. FIP's mission is to promote, develop and regulate the sport of polo internationally.

Contact Information
Stacey Kovalsky
Senior Director, Global Communications
skovalsky@uspagl.com
+001.561.790.8036

Shannon Stilson
VP, Sports Marketing & Media
sstilson@uspagl.com
+001.561.227.6994

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA) / Thoughtful Media Enter Philippines Market and Launch Creator Economy Focused Advertising Platform

SoPa officially launches Thoughtful Media Group (TMG), the leading digital advertising platform in Southeast Asia, in the Philippines market.
TMG will present its Philippines executive team and disruptive influencer advertising business model at a media presentation in Manila on Thursday, 17 August 2023.
TMG has expanded its ecosystem of multi-platform advertising services through a network of more than 10,000 talented creators across multiple industries in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines, assisting brands maximise marketing budgets and achieve significant revenue generation.

Manila, Aug 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”), Southeast Asia (SEA)’s next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces the official launch of its digital advertising platform, Thoughtful Media Group Inc (TMG), in the Philippines market. With the theme of “The Power of Influence”, TMG will introduce its new Manila-based executive team and its disruptive influencer advertising business model at a media presentation at 4 pm on Thursday, 17 August 2023 at Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge, OPL Building, 100 Don Carlos Palanca, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila, Philippines.

Established in 2010 and acquired by SoPa in 2022, TMG’s growth trajectory has been impressive. In just 12 months, TMG has grown from operating exclusively in its headquarters of Bangkok, Thailand, to expanding to Vietnam in 4Q 2022, to Indonesia in 1Q 2023 and now to Philippines in 3Q 2023. In addition, TMG’s employee count has increased from just 15 professionals in July 2022 to over 75 staff today. With an influencer network of more than 10,000 talented creators, an integrated roster of digital advertising products and services including influencer marketing and brand campaigns, social commerce, and sports marketing, and 13 years of experience serving more than 100 brands, TMG’s market entry into the Philippines market offers a significant value proposition to advertisers, merchants, and influencers in SEA’s fourth largest economy. Well positioned to benefit from Philippine’ forecast soaring digital advertising revenues over the next decade as increasingly more consumers make direct purchases on social media platforms, TMG collaborates with social media platforms, advertisers and influencers to develop the entire creator economy in Philippines.

Mr. Dennis Nguyen, SoPa Founder/Chairman/CEO and TMG Chairman, states, “We are very pleased to bring the Philippines market into the TMG ecosystem. TMG’s disruptive advertising platform, combining over 10,000 talented creators, market-leading design/branding capabilities, influencer advertising-focused social commerce services, will generate massive storytelling capabilities and revenue generation opportunities for local, regional and international advertisers seeking to market in Philippines. By leveraging our local knowledge of market trends from other offices in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, TMG provides international quality advertising products and services for our brand partners as well as a significant revenue generating opportunities for Philippines creators”.

Mr Nguyen continues, “I am very excited to hire Billy Soo to head our TMG Philippines operations. Billy brings a wealth of experience in gaming and advertising from his time at Gushcloud International, Nixgen Entertainment and Powerplay Inc. I look forward to seeing Billy and his team create the most unique and powerful advertising platform here in Philippines”.

Although currently at a nascent stage, the Philippines creator economy is experiencing a dynamic surge, driven by a tech-savvy population and widespread internet access. According to Datareportal, Philippines’s internet penetration rate stood at 73.1 percent of the total population at the start of 2023 with the number of internet users increasing by 10 million between 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, Filipinos spend a combined 3 hours and 43 minutes a day on social media. INSG forecasts the value of SEA’s influencer marketing industry to reach US$2.59 billion in 2024, up from US$638 million in 2019 alone.

Responsible for driving sales and onboarding Philippines clients onto TMG’s regional digital advertising platform, Mr. Billy Soo, Country Head of Thoughtful Media Group Philippines, comments, “Bonding through the power of influence, we want to create a genuine connection for brands and content creators, tapping onto TMG’s broad advertising network and extensive ecosystem to open new doors towards more business opportunities, capitalising on digital-first and fully integrated advertising networks. Mr. Nguyen hired me to turbocharge TMG’s expansion here in the land of the Kabayan. In just five weeks’ time, we have already built a staff of 10+ Manila-based advertising professionals. TMG Philippines will offer premium branded campaigns, MCN, sports marketing and e-sports verticals and we look forward to serving the creator and advertiser communities”.

About Thoughtful Media Group Inc.

Founded in 2010, Thoughtful Media Group is the leading digital advertising platform in SEA. Through our network of more than 10,000 talented creators across multiple industries in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines, we help brands maximise marketing budgets and achieve business objectives through some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in the region.

In July 2022, Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA), the next generation acquisition-focused fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in SEA, acquired Thoughtful Media Group Inc. Since then, TMG has fully evolved into a digital-first and fully integrated advertising powerhouse, servicing creators and advertisers in SEA.

For more information on TMG, please visit:

Website at www.thoughtfulmedia.com or

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoughtful-media-group-inc or

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfulmedia/ or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thoughtfulmediaasia or

Twitter at https://twitter.com/ThoughtfulMedia.

About Society Pass Inc.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:

Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or

Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Media Contact:

Rokas Sidlauskas

Chief Marketing Officer

rokas@thesocietypass.com

Maxim: Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) – Compelling Valuation; Positive on Organic Growth & M&A; Raises Revenue Targets for 2023 and 2024

New York, Aug 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) issues research report on Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem.

Click Here (on Maxim research website) or Here (on Society Pass website) to view the full Maxim research report.

Summary Points:

• Diversification – SOPA started 2022 with just F&B (food & beverage) and Leflair (lifestyle) and now has 6 verticals. The company has also expanded to 5 countries; Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. Maxim believes there are significant cross selling opportunities. Specifically, Maxim believes Thoughtful Media can market the company’s other brands and the lifestyle business can be expanded geographically. Maxim has a positive view on the SEA market due to increasing mobile and ecommerce penetration, younger populations, travel coming back, and the opportunity to consolidate smaller companies. The acquisition of Inetindo creates additional expansion opportunities in other geographies and other branded products to be sold, and can increase the subscriber base that can be deployed to the potentially highest profit margin business of Society Points (loyal progam).

• Acquisitions – Acquisitions have diversified revenue streams to include Apple distribution stores, online advertising, travel/hotel ticketing, and telecom while expanding geographies in SEA. The Apple distribution stores acquisition was the largest acquisition to date in terms of revenue, with the potential to expand geographically and add users for its Loyalty program.

• Cashflow Positive – Management is forecasting to be cash flow positive at some point in 2H23.

• Healthy balance sheet – SOPA ended 2Q23 with unrestricted cash of $10.8M (close to the entire market cap of SOPA), slightly down from $13.8M at the end of 1Q23, and no material amount of debt. 2Q23 cash flow from operations was an outflow of ($2.9M). With expense reduction plans and newer businesses, along with the launch of the Loyalty program, Maxim expects the cash burn to decline and that current levels of cash should be sufficient to fund organic growth through 2024.

• Raise Revenue Targets – Maxim projects revenue to increase from $5.6M in 2022, to $16.5M ($15.0M prior) in 2023, up 194% y/y, with an adjusted EBITDA loss of ($11.0M) ($7.7M prior). For 2024, Maxim projects revenue of $44.3M ($25.1M prior), up 168% y/y.

• Compelling valuation/Reiterate Buy – Maxim targets share price to increase to $1.50. SOPA trades at an EV/revenue multiple of 0.1x Maxim’s 2024 revenue estimate vs. the peer average of 2.4x. Maxim’s $1.50 price target is based on its 10-year DCF analysis, which utilizes a 22% discount rate, 13x terminal multiple, and 3% terminal growth rate, equating to 0.7 x 2024 revenue estimate. Maxim’s positive outlook is supported by the attractive SEA markets and opportunities to consolidate smaller companies.

About Society Pass Inc.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:

Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or

Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Media Contact:

Rokas Sidlauskas

Chief Marketing Officer

rokas@thesocietypass.com

“Think Business, Think Hong Kong” coming to Paris

HONG KONG, Aug 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will take its mega promotion campaign, Think Business, Think Hong Kong, to Paris on 19 September. The full-day symposium, set to take place at Carrousel du Louvre Paris, will bring together business leaders from Hong Kong and France to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in Asia's new economy and across diverse sectors, including green finance, sustainability, innovation and technology, and more.

As the HKTDC's first large-scale promotion event in Europe after the pandemic, it is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants to explore business cooperation and opportunities.

The HKTDC's Think Business, Think Hong Kong campaign aims to showcase Hong Kong as a resilient business and investment hub and the ideal platform for global businesses to tap opportunities in the thriving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and wider China and Asia markets.

At the event, Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR and Mr Olivier Becht, France's Minister for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad will deliver remarks at the symposium's opening session.

A number of high profile speakers will share their insights, including Mr Arnault Castel, Founder of kapok; Mr Dennis Chan, Founder and Creative Director of Qeelin; Mr Jose Maurellet, SC, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association and Des Voeux Chambers; and Mr Wilfred Yiu, Co-Chief Operating Officer & Head of Equities of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

The event will feature thematic sessions on hot topics in business today, including on green finance, opportunities in innovation in Asia and business opportunities in the GBA, and how French companies can capture opportunities through Hong Kong.

There will be extended networking activities, with Hong Kong government officials and business leaders from across sectors, including technology, finance and professional services, taking part in the programme. One-on-one business consultations, on-site business matching with French companies as well as the Hong Kong Dinner provide many opportunities for the business communities of France and Hong Kong to connect.

Strong France-Hong Kong ties

France is an important trading and investment partner of Hong Kong. In 2021, it was Hong Kong's third largest trading partner, export market and import market in the EU. France was also the largest EU investor in Hong Kong at the end of 2020, while Hong Kong was the fourth most popular destination for French investment in Asia. Hong Kong investors also made substantial investments in France, with the city the second largest Asian investor in the country. As of 2022, there are more than 360 French companies in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong an ideal business partner

Hong Kong has been consistently ranked top on economic freedom and competitiveness. Its institutional strengths, including the free trade and investment regimes, a simple and low tax system and free flow of capital and goods offer a favourable business environment for investors.

Beyond trade and finance, Hong Kong offers exciting prospects in innovation and technology (I&T) for French start-ups. Entry into or expansion in Mainland China as well as conducting joint research can help French enterprises further grow their business. With its aim to create an I&T new hub of 30,000 hectares, Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis project also offers many opportunities, which will be highlighted at the symposium.

Hong Kong's strategic location as an international financial, fundraising and investment hub and as the international gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world presents immense opportunities for French companies seeking to expand in the GBA, Mainland China, Belt and Road countries and ASEAN.

For more information, visit:
https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2023-paris/symposium/en/index.html

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
HKTDC's Communication & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

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