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Sodium-ion batteries hit 458 Wh/kg: Breakthrough material closes gap with lithiumJaylon Johnson isn't interested in bright spots with the Bears' skid at 5 gamesNoneAdele says it is time to ‘move on’ after completing her Las Vegas residency
Woodward Reports Record Sales & Earnings for Fiscal Year 2024Dana White makes shock political U-turn after backing Donald Trump in the election
Friday, December 20, 2024 As the holiday season approaches, travelers are embracing digital tools to plan their getaways, from booking hotels to reserving rental cars with just a few clicks. However, one critical aspect of travel—identity verification—remains heavily reliant on physical documents. But change is on the horizon, with advanced technologies poised to redefine the travel experience. Digital Solutions Enhance Efficiency at Borders Modern technology is already transforming parts of the identity verification process, making it faster and more secure. Travelers can now use apps with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to transfer personal data from their e-passport chip directly to their smartphones. This data can then be securely shared with trusted parties, such as airlines or border authorities, enabling travelers to apply for visas or provide necessary documentation online, eliminating tedious manual steps. Streamlined Airport Experiences: eGates and eKiosks Automated systems like eGates and eKiosks are reducing queues and improving the efficiency of airport processes: eGates, common in European airports, allow travelers to scan their electronic passports and verify their identity through facial recognition within seconds. eKiosks, frequently seen in U.S. airports, offer a similar process. Travelers input personal information, scan their passport, and complete biometric verification, resulting in faster processing times at checkpoints. These innovations minimize manual interventions, making travel smoother and more convenient. Physical IDs Still Essential – For Now Despite advancements, physical ID documents remain indispensable. Passports and IDs include sophisticated security features, such as holograms and watermarks, that digital systems have yet to replicate. Additionally, the absence of global standards and infrastructure for digital identities limits their widespread adoption. For the time being, traditional passports will continue to serve as the primary identity verification tool for international travel. A Glimpse into the Future: Biometric Corridors The future of travel could see a shift to entirely biometric systems. The European Union’s pilot project for biometric corridors offers a preview of a world without physical passports. After pre-registering their passport and biometric data online, travelers could seamlessly pass through advanced biometric corridors at airports. These corridors use high-tech cameras to verify identity, linking pre-registered data with passenger manifests and sharing this information with destination border authorities. This futuristic system could eliminate the need for manual identity checks upon arrival, creating a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Toward a More Seamless Travel Experience While physical IDs are here to stay for now, digital innovations are paving the way for a future where travel is faster, safer, and more convenient. As biometric and NFC technologies continue to evolve, the vision of a fully digital travel experience is becoming a reality, ensuring that the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.
Is France’s Emmanuel Macron ... based? The French President made some comments that, well, let’s just say if President-elect Donald Trump said the same, the entire international media would call him a vicious white supremacist. Of course, the simple observational truth is nothing of the sort. Haiti is, in fact, a “shithole,” as Trump pointed out. And it seems Macron agrees. “It is the Haitians who killed Haiti by letting in drug trafficking,” Macron explained on a state trip in Brazil. (Watch Daily Caller documentary ‘Lawless’ here) “The Prime Minister was great. I defended him, and they fired him. It’s terrible. It’s terrible. I can’t replace him. They are completely dumb,” he continued. In his latest display of neocolonial arrogance, Macron blames Haitians for ‘killing Haiti,’ calling them ‘dumb.’ Are we ignoring centuries of French colonization and Western intervention that systematically undermined the nation’s development? pic.twitter.com/jd1OaJxUWD — RT (@RT_com) November 24, 2024 First off, the idea that Macron is broadly calling Haitian people “dumb” is as twisted as it is asinine. He’s saying that ousting the Prime Minister was a politically dumb move — obviously. And there’s no shortage of political stupidity in his own country either. Second, what he’s saying is obviously true. Leftists want to blame France for the sorry state of Haiti today. But France left Haiti to its own devices over two hundred years ago, and despite untold billions of humanitarian aid pouring in for decades, the country is little better — and probably much worse — than where it started. Over the same time period, China went from colonial hovel to the most technologically advanced dictatorship in the history of the world. Israel went from barren desert to nuclear power, and even the former slave territory of the Cayman Islands became an international banking paradise. What’s Haiti’s excuse?Jets' Ulbrich says Rodgers 'absolutely' remains the team's starting quarterbackAfter rocketing more than 40% at its high this week, SoundHound AI ( SOUN -9.55% ) stock gave back much of those gains. But shares were still higher by about 10.3% for the week, as of late Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The week is capping off a massive run for shares of the maker of conversational artificial intelligence (AI) technology solutions over the last month. The stock has more than tripled in that time, bringing year-to-date returns to 780%. The under-the-radar pure-play AI stock The big catalyst that drove SoundHound shares higher this week was a very bullish report from a widely followed Wall Street tech analyst. Wedbush's Dan Ives thinks investors should be buyers of SoundHound and raised his price target from $10 to $22 per share this week, according to reports. "SoundHound represents an underappreciated pure-play AI company ," Ives wrote. "The company is likely to expand its total addressable market and growth trajectory in 2025." That comes as SoundHound has been increasing revenue guidance throughout 2024. After its first-quarter report in May, the company raised projections for full-year revenue to a midpoint of $71 million. Now management predicts 2024 revenue will be in the range of $82 million to $85 million. And the 2025 outlook is for sales to be in the range of $155 million to $175 million. SoundHound's transformative acquisition of enterprise AI software company Amelia closed in the third quarter. That's helping the company expand into markets most notably for enterprise conversational AI in healthcare. In his report, Ives said, "We believe that SoundHound is a long-term winner in the AI revolution as the innovative tech stack provides various use cases for chat AI integrations." Wedbush believes new verticals including healthcare will continue to improve the ability to monetize its technology. SoundHound is still not profitable, however, and the stock's parabolic move now has it valued at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of about 83. That's a very high level of risk investors need to consider.
Sarah Heinz House event empowers young girls to break barriers in STEMIncumbent Bob Casey concedes Pennsylvania Senate race to Dave McCormick
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CAMBRIDGE - Henry County is one of five counties being sued in a class action suit in which landowners are claiming that in tax sales of their properties, the county is seeking more than it should and not returning enough to the landowner. Executive committee chairman Marshall Jones told the county board of the lawsuit Thursday, asking them to approve a letter of engagement with an attorney to represent the county in federal court. Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty would not be able to do so. The board approved the letter of engagement 17-0 with board members Rex Kiser, Jim Thompson and Lynn Sutton absent. "We'll let it go through the courts and see where it goes," said Jones. The initial complaint in the suit was filed in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern Illinois, listing officials and St. Clair and Sangamon counties as defendants. Henry County was added in an amended complaint filed in August, when Aaron Lindquist, a Colona resident, was added as a plaintiff. People are also reading... In other business the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the village of Cambridge for police protection from the sheriff's department. The agreement provides for up to 80 hours of coverage a month at $29 per hour plus benefits. It is similar to agreements with Andover and Orion. Board member Natalie Hendryx also reported that with two deputies graduating from the police academy and one entering the academy in January, the sheriff's department is fully staffed, although three will be in training. The department is aware, however, that one deputy is leaving to join the state police. The Bishop Hill wind generator project is now completed and emergency generators have been put in place at the highway department. Finance committee chairman Mark Burton reported that the county ended the recent fiscal year in "outstanding financial condition" and has built reserves to continue making capital improvements without incurring any debt. He credited department heads, county administrator Eriun Knackstedt and "every single employee in the county" with putting the county in such a good place. Board members also learned the phone system at Hillcrest Home had failed and was temporarily replaced with cell phones from the Office of Emergency Management. Ultimately a new phone system was installed and the board approved the purchase for $24,119.83. Board member Brian Corkill reported the new system is better technology and working great. The board also approved an architect's agreement for the nursing home which is planning to remodel bathrooms in the facility. Corkill said the Illinois Department of Public Health requires that an architect be used for the project. Corkill said the nursing home is still having to use agency staffing although the census is down to 59. Total capacity at the home is nearly 100. "We encourage them to find the right balance," he said. "We can't keep cutting back." Here’s what you should know about tax deductions. Pennygem’s Natasha Abellard has the story. Hedge funds may soon be banned from owning single-family homes Hedge funds may soon be banned from owning single-family homes The bulk purchase of single-family homes by corporate owners—who then turn them into rentals—has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Legislators have gradually been responding with bills to rein in and in some cases ban private equity, real estate investment trusts and hedge funds from purchasing single-family homes. According to Next City , the most prominent of these bills was introduced in December 2023: the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act, introduced in the Senate by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley with companion legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Adam Smith . The bill, which has been referred to committee but has yet to receive a vote, would effectively ban hedge funds from owning any single-family homes within 10 years of its passage. The Merkley/Smith bill as written would force large corporate owners to divest from their current holdings of single-family homes over 10 years. An applicable entity that manages investor funds, is a fiduciary of the funds, and purchases new homes would be taxed half the cost of each additional home. Entities that fail to divest homes they own in excess of the 50-home cap would be taxed $50,000 for each excess home. And hedge funds, specifically, would pay that fine if they own any homes at all (with 10 years to divest of them). The taxes would go toward a new housing trust fund for downpayment assistance for aspiring homeowners. The legislation defines a "hedge fund" as any taxpayer with $50 million or more of assets under management. There are exemptions for nonprofits or any organization that primarily builds or rehabilitates single-family housing. Merkley told Next City/Shelterforce that he first learned about the issue from constituents who were being outbid for starter homes for their families by deep-pocketed investors who were willing to buy the homes sight unseen. "I started to hear the vignettes of people competing with all-cash, no-inspection offers in Oregon," Merkley says. "And three years ago or so I started seeing the stats of the large number of homes that were being purchased." While the overall ownership of single-family homes by private equity remains relatively small, a 2022 report by MetLife estimated that by 2030, 7.6 million single-family rental homes in the United States—more than 40 percent—could be owned by corporate investors. According to a November report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) the estimate of 1.6 million housing units owned by private equity is "likely a dramatic underestimate due to a lack of transparency in ownership records." The issue was the subject of a much-publicized Congressional hearing in 2022. And on March 7 President Biden released a policy announcement on housing ahead of his State of the Union address that mentioned private equity's influence on housing, saying, "Corporate landlords and private equity firms across the country have been accused of illegal information sharing, price fixing, and inflating rents," a reference not only to rent gouging but to ongoing litigation against RealPage, a data analytics company providing research to landlords, for coordinating rents among customers. Private equity firms generally purchase houses with the goal of quickly turning a profit and then selling them. According to the November report by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, private equity firms generally seek to turn a 15 percent return to investors within a 3- to 5-year period, and they accomplish this by cutting costs, including "deferring maintenance, skirting regulations, and imposing unnecessary fees on tenants." A 2022 report from Drexel University found that between 2020 and 2021, 19 percent of sales of single-family homes in Richmond, Virginia, went to investors (a broad category that includes individual house flippers and private equity giants), and a quarter of the homes purchased in the same time period in Jacksonville, Florida, and Philadelphia were bought by investors. The bill is one of several pieces of legislation introduced in recent years in an attempt to address private equity purchases of housing, although the other bills are all at the state or local level. Among them is a North Carolina bill that would ban any single entity from owning more than 100 homes in counties that have above 150,000 residents. Every home owned above 100 would result in a daily fine of up to $100. In its report, PESP referred to the bill, which was referred to committee over a year ago but has never received a vote, as "one of the most stringent regulations of corporate landlords ever attempted by any state government." A bill in Minnesota, HF685 , would ban corporate entities from converting single-family homes into rentals. Introduced in January 2023, the bill hasn't received a vote but has been picking up support: it has 18 authors as of this writing. Minnesota has been particularly impacted by private equity landlords. In 2022, Next City covered a group of tenants in single-family homes in Minnesota putting their rent in escrow rather than paying their private equity landlord, Pretium Partners, which was failing to provide needed repairs. Pretium was the subject of a lawsuit by the state's attorney general, Keith Ellison. The Merkley/Smith legislation caps ownership for all pooled investment funds at 50 single-family homes. Merkley told Next City/Shelterforce the number was "arbitrary" but chosen so that large hedge funds don't form smaller companies to evade detection. "We didn't want the large billion-dollar hedge funds to create the same board of officers and create a smaller hedge fund," he says. Private equity owners of single-family homes have continually argued that they are creating supply in the rental market, particularly for growing families who would feel cramped in a small apartment. Merkley says the legislation negates that argument, because it requires private equity landlords to sell off their properties to new homeowners. "That's a completely bogus argument," he says. "You're taking a family out of the rental market when they become the owner of this home." He says that allowing aspiring homeowners to buy homes is "systematically reducing the demand for rental housing." Merkley had a front-row seat to the beginning of this crisis. He entered Congress in 2009, during the financial crisis and mortgage crisis, when the federal government had acquired hundreds of thousands of single-family homes with predatory mortgages that it needed to get rid of. After the financial crisis, the Obama administration began selling off hundreds of thousands of the single-family homes that it had foreclosed on. Rather than selling them to homeowners, they sold them to hedge funds and private equity with massive discounts. Merkley says that he was pushing the Obama administration at the time to make the homes available to Americans who had been victims of the subprime mortgage crisis. The Obama administration, Merkley says, responded that they didn't have time to build capacity for a discounted homeownership program before the buildings started to deteriorate. "I do understand the arguments the administration was making ... they were also worried about pipes freezing, they were worried about houses being broken into, they were worried about houses being stripped of their copper," Merkley says. But he says that whatever the Obama administration's limitations, "That process of selling off houses in these large bulk sales that only large hedge funds can buy them really set this in motion." Hedge funds and private equity firms make money off these homes with or without renters—the buildings appreciate in value, and that appreciation is not subject to taxation until a sale. Merkley then joined the banking committee, where he worked on regulating subprime mortgages. "We made them illegal, they were turning the dream of homeownership into a nightmare," Merkley says. (This is not exactly true, but the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act did put greater guardrails on subprime mortgages, putting them under the purview of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Merkley, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, contributed to language in the bill that prohibited mortgage lenders and brokers from receiving financial incentives to offer high-risk loans.) The Merkley/Smith bill also does not address private equity ownership in the multifamily housing market, where it owns a larger share of the market. Since multifamily units are mostly rentals already, private equity does not have the same effect on overall supply. But corporate consolidation of housing can lead to higher rents. Merkley says he doesn't have a plan for multifamily yet. "I don't feel I understand that multifamily issue well enough to propose a specific strategy on it," he says. The End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act doesn't have a strong solution for one of the largest impediments to regulating corporate ownership: tracking who owns what. Many rental properties are owned by shell LLCs, making ownership hard to discern. The bill sets up a reporting requirement around acquisitions, and issues a $20,000 fine for not reporting. But it doesn't create a mechanism for uncovering who owns the units, nor does it establish a new database of rental ownership. In an email statement to Next City/Shelterforce, Merkley's office said, "LLC transparency is a key piece of the puzzle to ensuring houses in our communities are homes for families, not profit centers for Wall Street" and that the senator is "exploring the most effective transparency and reporting strategy for tracking future acquisitions." "It's tough to really hold somebody accountable when you don't really know what the true ownership is," says Chris Noble, policy director at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. The group has endorsed the legislation, saying it addresses the "root cause" of corporate housing consolidation. Noble says any mechanism to track housing ownership would need to be as "robust" as the tax portion of the bill for the legislation to work. PESP has advocated for a national landlord registry. "There has to be some way to track what everybody has because a lot of times it is an LLC that is owned by something else that is ultimately owned by a real estate investment trust or something like that," he says. This story was co-published in collaboration with Shelterforce , the only independent, non-academic publication covering the worlds of affordable housing, community development and housing justice. This story was produced by Next City and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Hedge funds may soon be banned from owning single-family homes Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Adele has said she will miss her residency shows “terribly” but needs to “move on” after playing her 100th and final show in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The British singer-songwriter, 36, launched Weekends With Adele, located at The Colosseum theatre in Caesars Palace in November 2022. In July, she announced she would be taking a “big break” from music after her run of of sell-out shows at the venue, which seats around 4,000 people. In a social media post on Monday, she said: “Well what an adventure! Las Vegas you’ve been so good to me. A post shared by Adele (@adele) “This residency went on to mirror what 30 was about, lost and broken to healed and thriving! “Seems so fitting in the end. The only thing left to do in this case is move on.” The Easy On Me star made a return to the spotlight in 2021 when she released her fourth album, 30. Adele said: “These 100 shows have been so easy to love. “They were all completely different because I got to really be with every single person in the room every night. “I’ve loved every single second of it and I am so proud of it! I will miss it terribly, and I will miss you all terribly too. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! See you next time.” Videos posted online from her concert on Saturday show the singer getting tearful as she bid farewell to Vegas. “It’s been wonderful and I will miss it terribly and I will miss you terribly,” she said. “I don’t know when I next want to perform again.” The singer, full name Adele Adkins, shared an emotional embrace with Celine Dion after she spotted the music artist in the audience during her Las Vegas show last month. In August, Adele played shows in a purpose-built outdoor arena in Munich, with capacity for 80,000 people per night, and told fans on the last night that they would not be seeing her for a “long time”.SARAH Hadland and Vito Coppola kicked off Musicals Week on Strictly tonight with a dance to Popular from Wicked. Fans were in love with their electric performance to the song, and despite the duo receiving praise from the judges, many felt they had been underscored. Sarah and Vito's Charleston was full of energy and included several intricate lifts. Judges commended the telly star for having the vitality to be swung around on stage so vigorously despite being 50 years old. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse each awarded the performance a 9, while Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke gave it a perfect 10. Although the pair did quite well, several fans were frustrated that they didn't receive a perfect score. One viewer took to social media, fuming: "Sarah undermarked again! Should have got 40." Another branded the scores a "joke", adding: "How was that not 4 10s for Sarah & Vito... it was absolutely BRILLIANT. "What has she got to do to get 40??" A third even questioned if the duo had done something to annoy the judges early on in the competition, asking: "So what do Sarah and Vito have to do to get 10s from Craig and Motsi? "Thinking Claudia was right last week when she asked Craig what the beef with Sarah was. Undermarked yet again." This comes after fans had previously claimed that Sarah and Vito had been given an unfair advantage by getting assigned a song from Wicked. This is because the recent release of the highly-anticipated remake has made the song more relevant than others. Although many people predicted this selection would land Sarah at the top of the leader board, it seems judges only have eyes for the actress's actual dancing skills.
Digital IDs revolutionize the future of travel: A seamless holiday experience awaitsTata Motors, a leading manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, has proposed an initial investment of ₹914 crore to set up a new vehicle manufacturing project in Tamil Nadu. The company officially broke ground for the new factory on September 28 at Panapakkam in Ranipet District, located approximately 85 km from Chennai. The upcoming greenfield facility will focus on the production of high-end cars and SUVs, both under the Tata Motors brand and its luxury division, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). As per the agreement signed with the Tamil Nadu government, Tata Motors has committed to an overall investment of ₹9,000 crore for this ambitious project, which will be executed in phases over several years. In the first phase, Tata Motors plans to invest ₹914 crore to construct a manufacturing plant over a built-up area of 52,000 square meters, out of a total land space of 19,02,022.5 square meters, as per the documents filed to seek environmental clearance. The construction of the proposed factory is expected to take approximately 15 months and the new factory will employ about 1,500 employees. The company had stated that the new facility will have an annual production capacity of more than 2.5 lakh units, with production ramping up over the next 5 to 7 years to meet this target. The new facility is expected to serve as a central hub for the production of next-generation cars and SUVs, including electric and luxury vehicle models. In addition to the new plant, Tata Motors is focused on building a local supplier base in the region, aimed at creating a localised manufacturing ecosystem and improving supply chain efficiency. At a recent event organized by EEPC India in Chennai, JLR officials offered businesses the opportunity to engage directly with the company, discussing its procurement policies, technological innovations, and sustainability efforts. JLR operates globally with key facilities in the UK, the US, India, China, and other regions. The company’s prestigious brand portfolio includes Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar. Additionally, JLR produces bespoke vehicles through its Special Vehicle Operations division and preserves the legacy of its iconic cars through its Classic Vehicles programme. Tata Motors’ factory in Pune currently assembles the Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar F-PACE, and Discovery Sport models. CommentsLake is mayor Adam Shultz's Labor of love
New vaccines show promise against seasonal, H5N1 flu strainsShare Tweet Share Share Email December 19, 2024 – Roam, the leader of decentralized global open wireless network, announced a major milestone today: the Roam Network has surpassed 1 million active WiFi nodes , supported by over 1.7 million registered users across 190+ countries and regions . This achievement highlights Roam’s continued success in delivering innovative solutions to create a free,secure and seamless network . At its inception in 2021, Roam identified the challenges faced by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) in scaling OpenRoamingTM globally. By integrating Web3 technologies , including Decentralized Identifiers (DID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC) , Roam has fostered community-driven growth and secured its position as a pioneer in the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) sector. 2025 Roadmap: Accelerating Innovation Across Products, Technology, and Ecosystem Roam also unveiled its ambitious 2025 roadmap , outlining 11 key updates spanning product ,technology and community ecosystem growth. Product Updates Roam will roll out four major product launches: Q1: Roam Loan – A groundbreaking initiative in partnership with Huma Finance , enabling users to acquire mining hardware with low/none upfront costs. Payments are seamlessly deducted from mining rewards, ensuring a user-friendly “Buy Now, Pay Later” experience. Q2: Roam Growth – Enhancements to the Roam Growth platform, introducing a sustainable framework to maximize user rewards and upgrade the existing product suite. Q3: Roam App 2.0 – A revamped app delivering a richer, more interactive user experience with expanded connectivity features. Q4: Roam Innovator Hub – A comprehensive platform offering APIs , SDKs , and grants to empower developers to build and innovate within the Roam ecosystem. Technological Advancements Roam’s technology roadmap emphasizes seamless integration and performance: Proof of Presence Protocol (Q1) – Real-time validation and verification of local interactions within the Roam Network. Router OS Updates & Next-Gen WiFi Miners (Q3) – Launch of new WiFi mining devices, including third-party certified hardware and OpenRoamingTM-enabled community devices. Fully Converged Wireless Network (Q4) – Integration of WiFi and cellular data networks to enable seamless, uninterrupted global roaming. Community Ecosystem Expansion To strengthen its global user base, Roam will introduce: Roam eSIM Long-Term Plan (Q1) – An industry-first eSIM offering with no expiration, no binding commitments, and no monthly fees, providing ultimate convenience for users worldwide. Roam Discovery Program (H1) – A suite of initiatives, including Discovery Pool , Discovery IMPACT , and the Discovery Incubator , designed to attract industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Community DAO Governance (H2) – A decentralized governance framework that empowers users to participate actively in shaping the Roam Network’s future. A Year of Strategic Growth and Recognition Roam’s commitment to steady, incremental progress has driven its exceptional growth. In 2023, Roam secured $5 million in strategic funding , led by Anagram and Volt Capital , with participation from Comma3 Ventures , ECMC Group , and continued support from early investors Synergis and SNZ . In April 2024 Samsung Next made a notable investment in Roam, which also made it the only investment from Samsung Next in this sector since DePIN had been defined by Messari. This year, Roam’s hardware node count maintained its leadership position on DePINscan , and the network’s expansion to over 1 million nodes underscores its effectiveness in bridging Web3 innovation with real-world connectivity solutions. Building the Future of Global Connectivity As Roam looks ahead to 2025, the team remains steadfast in its mission to provide secure, seamless, and accessible global connectivity. With a user base spanning over 190 countries, Roam continues to transform WiFi and cellular networks, empowering communities and developers to create sustainable digital economies. Roam’s journey from 0 to 1 million nodes reflects their commitment to building a truly decentralized global network. The 2025 Roadmap marks the next phase of growth, delivering cutting-edge products, breakthrough technologies, and a thriving ecosystem to meet the evolving needs of the users worldwide. About Roam Roam is a DePIN open wireless network engaging OpenRoaming & eSIM technologies to create a free, secure & seamless decentralized global network . With over 1.7 million users in 190+ countries, Roam is dedicated to creating innovative products and tools that empower communities, developers, and the ecosystem. Related Items: decentralized global network , Roam Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Roam Ranks #1 on DePINscan, Paving the Way for DePIN’s Future Roam Revolutionizes Travel Connectivity: A Milestone of 1 Million Users Roam Telecom Data Layer: A Revolutionary Ecosystem Uniting People, Devices, and Data CommentsLDI 2025 Announced for December 3-9 in Las Vegas NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questex's Live Design International (LDI) 2024 delivered an unforgettable experience, bringing together over 13,000 global live event and entertainment design technology professionals and over 350 exhibitors. Packed with groundbreaking gear and technology, unparalleled education, and industry-defining moments, LDI 2024 proved why it remains the ultimate gathering for live entertainment and production technology. A Milestone Year for LDI 2024 Bursting with cutting-edge technology, unmatched education programs, and unforgettable networking opportunities, LDI 2024 reached new heights. The event featured the largest professional training program in its history, a 50% increase in LDInstituteTM classes, more than 125 LDInnovationTM Conference sessions, and a 10% larger exhibit floor showcasing over 350 exhibitors. "LDI 2024 was a vibrant celebration of the creativity, innovation, and community that power the live entertainment industry,” said Jessi Cybulski, Show Director, LDI. "With outstanding professional training, an electric show floor, and countless opportunities to connect, this year's event exceeded expectations. We can't wait to see what the industry will create in the coming year and showcase at LDI 2025.” LDI 2024 Highlights: "As far as the quality of programming and the quality of showroom floor, it's definitely some of the top memories I'll have when it goes to conferences and attending events,” said Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Creator, Immersive, Spatial, & Interactive Experiences (VR, AR, AI). "It's been really, really great to come back and experience LDI and just seeing the growth that has happened in just a short amount of time, both in the size of the overall event and then also the technology. If you're thinking about coming to LDI or getting into this industry, I would certainly recommend you taking advantage of this amazing opportunity that happens every year. Just great exposure to many of the manufacturers, all of the technology that you see on any of the events that are happening out there is here at the LDI conference. Even better are the people and the relationships that make all the live events in the industry happen. It's all about the people and the products, and it all happens here at LDI,” said Shane Smith, Sr. Director Technology, LMG, Inc. "It's the perfect opportunity to see a showcase of the latest and greatest in tech, and also network and meet with the movers and shakers who are in this exciting field. As a first-time attendee when the Expo Floor opened, I was like a kid walking into a candy store. It was just incredible. The lights, the sounds, the noises, the people, the technology. Yeah, this is a great experience,” said Brian Crane, Founder, Crane Light & Design. "This is the conference that I go to because all of my friends are here. I was a lighting person back in the day. And this is the place that I come to see all the new technology, the new equipment. And now that I'm working more on the rigging side of things, I get a chance to come and talk about that this year,” said Kristi Ross-Clausen, Director of Education and Training, TheaterHealthandSafety.com. "LDI is a wonderful thing every year where all the vendors come together and you get an opportunity to see all of the new things out there. But, also, it's really a meeting of the minds where you get all the people who are actually creating this cutting-edge technology into one space. So, it's a great place to talk to people, pick up on what's coming up as far as ideas goes and what people have in the pipeline,” said Tyler DeLong, Managing Partner, DeLong Rigging Solutions. "LDI to me is the mecca for theater technology around the planet. If you want to broaden your horizons and know more about your craft, whatever that craft is, whether it's rigging, whether it's lighting, whatever it is, you come to LDI to see the latest products, to talk to the leaders in the industry and learn more about what it is that they do that makes them successful. It's honestly just a great place to get together with the OGs in the industry to swap stories, meet new people, encourage the young ones today to get into the business and help it grow, because this business is growing exponentially every day,” said Tracy Nunnally, Owner, Vertigo. "This is my favorite show. Not only do a lot of our customers come here, you have end users and production companies from some of the leading companies. So, we've met so many incredible contacts here. Many touring companies have come to visit our booth, and we're really excited for them to use INFiLED with some of the top performers in the country. Such amazing contacts, just a real incredible place, and really just a fun place to be. So, I definitely recommend everyone to be at LDI,” said Larry Lipsie, Senior Sales Manager, INFiLED. "It's been a great show. We've had a lot of really great interactions with tons of different people. Attendance has been really good this year,” said Will Komassa, President/CEO, Blizzard Lighting LLC. "It's been a fantastic show. We've seen all kinds of people here from students who are just starting out in their careers in the entertainment technology world, all the way up to the most seasoned professionals that we've ever seen at this show,” said Ryan Hindinger, Market Manager CT≤, ACT Entertainment. Looking Ahead to LDI 2025 LDI 2025 will take place December 3-9, 2025 at the West Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, with the conference starting December 3 and the expo floor open December 7-9. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kelly Turner, Director of Sales, at [email protected] . About Live Design International (LDI) Established in 1988, Live Design International (LDI) is built on a 36-year history as the essential trade show and conference for global live design professionals. Attendees come to LDI to see the latest gear and entertainment technology in action, covering audio, lighting, projection, video, staging, special effects, and XR. It is also a great opportunity to refresh knowledge and professional training, in addition to networking and finding inspiration from colleagues, manufacturers, and distributors at the vanguard of entertainment technology. For more information, visit http://www.ldishow.com/ . LDI will take place December 3-9, 2025, at the West Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. About Questex Questex helps people live better and longer . Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better : hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer : life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences . We live in the experience economy - connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. Media Contact Charlene Soucy LDI [email protected]
