Tag Archives: Innovation

Astute Solutions Selected As Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Service in TechColumbus Innovation Awards

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Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) January 04, 2012

On Thursday, February 2, 2012 the annual TechColumbus Innovation Awards will showcase Central Ohios many achievements by honoring its top innovators. It is a night of networking, prestige, and celebration. Winners in 13 award categories will be announced to an audience of 1,100+ attendees.

Astute Solutions is proud to announce they are a Semi-Finalist in the Outstanding Service category. Alex George, Chief Technology Officer at Astute Solutions comments, It is an honor to be recognized for our Social Relationship Management Service in becoming a Semi-Finalist for this award. As advancements in technology evolved the world’s communications channels, so then, did our offerings. From the call center to the web or the ever-expanding social world, we sought to develop innovative services in response and anticipation to our customers’ growing needs. To be recognized for these innovations is a great accomplishment.

The team at Astute Solutions has built a Social Media Service called Social Relationship Management (SRM), which uses consumer opinion from over 150 million websites to help Astute customers learn from their consumers. This service aggregates incredible quantities of data then provides a range of tools to execute on everything from identifying macro trends to interacting with individual consumers.

The Social Media Service utilizes software they have developed and an innovative services model. The team at Astute Solutions has identified 25 possible use cases for social media in the enterprise and work with their customers to evaluate each of the possible use cases, and sequence these use cases based on value to the business.

The TechColumbus Innovation Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation by recognizing outstanding technology achievements in Central Ohio. This prestigious evening showcases the regions advancements and promising future. Astute Solutions was the honored recipient of the 2010 TechColumbus Innovation Awards Executive of the Year, accepted by Astute Solutions founder and CEO, Mr. Joe Sanda.

For more information on the TechColumbus Innovation Awards, visit http://www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org.

About Astute Solutions

Astute Solutions was founded in 1995 on the belief that engagement with customers should be leveraged as a strategic advantage. That fundamental belief has guided the companys growth and evolution throughout its 17 years in business.

Astute Solutions’ customer relationship management, knowledge management and social CRM solutions support the strategies of customer-centric companies around the world. Its award-winning technologies remove the operational barriers to service excellence, enabling consistent, accurate, and complete discovery and service experiences.

Companies partner with Astute Solutions to improve enterprise processes, reduce costs, increase sales, and strengthen relationships. They earn the loyalty of empowered customers through differentiated service experiences and market-driven innovations. For more information, visit http://www.astutesolutions.com.

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AutoHarvest, DHS and TARDEC Sign Technological Innovation Information Collaboration Agreement

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Detroit, Michigan (PRWEB) April 19, 2012

The AutoHarvest Foundation announces that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

AutoHarvest, DHS S&T and TARDEC have identified a framework for partnership to promote the adaptation of automotive-related technological innovation for use at the Federal, State and local levels. This framework provides for more efficient communication of publicly available requirements, capability gaps, technology and information to the private sector.

Both DHS S&T and TARDEC require an awareness of cutting edge advancement in the mobility industries in order to fulfill their missions. AutoHarvests role is to assist the U.S. Army and DHS by enabling their respective participation in an online portal where interested private sector entities can learn about DHS and U.S. Army needs, resources, and missions. “Collaboration with industry and academia is vital to our efforts at TARDEC, said Ms. Jennifer Hitchcock, TARDEC Interim Director. The MOU with AutoHarvest is a great way to make new connections and begin sharing ideas and information that will help bring new technology to our Warfighters.”

This Memorandum provides for a centralized and convenient clearinghouse for information exchange between the DHS, TARDEC, first responders, end-users, and the private sector, said AutoHarvest Co-Founder and Chairman, Dr. David E. Cole. It sets forth the terms by which DHS, TARDEC, and AutoHarvest will work towards furthering research, product development, commercialization, and facilitating economic development, added Jayson D. Pankin, AutoHarvest Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer.

All parties involved in this initiative will benefit from cost savings, technology awareness, and enhanced relationships. The Federal government will benefit by being made aware of technology solutions and services that fit the expressed needs of homeland security and U.S. Army end users. Furthermore, the private sector will benefit by being made aware of specific, publicly available, DHS and TARDEC requirements and capability gaps.

“This agreement provides an opportunity to partner with recognized organizations such as the U.S. Army, TARDEC and AutoHarvest, said Ms. Deborah Determan, Director of Research & Development Partnerships, DHS S&T. Public-private partnerships like this provide us with valuable insight into the many activities and development projects of TARDEC and AutoHarvest members. These relationships are invaluable to DHS S&Ts technology foraging efforts that seek to more rapidly identify innovative solutions to challenges faced across the homeland security enterprise.”

Congressman Hansen Clarke (D-MI-13) said In order to sustain Americas competitive and innovative capacity, it is crucial that we support this type of information exchange between the public and private sectors. These partnerships help to create jobs and develop and streamline the best technologies. As a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, I am excited to see the innovation that will come from the partnership between AutoHarvest, DHS, and TARDEC.

To Learn More:

Contact Jayson D. Pankin at info(at)autoharvest(dot)org

ABOUT AUTOHARVEST

AutoHarvest Foundation is a Michigan 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and is led by some of the most highly respected figures in the automotive industry. AutoHarvest is designing and planning to launch a marketplace-driven Ecollaboration system that accelerates innovation in advanced manufacturing. AutoHarvest is guided by its peer interest group, which consists of over 70 prominent government, university, automaker, supplier, venture capital, business accelerator and manufacturing organizations. Located within the innovation hubs of the Southeast Michigan region including Wayne State University’s Research and Development Park – TechTown – and the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex, AutoHarvest sits in the heart of NAFTAs automotive cluster. Recently awarded a grant by the New Economy Initiative Foundation (NEI), AutoHarvest will join the NEI’s Detroit Regional Innovation Network, a 10-year program to boost high-tech development and job creation in Southeast Michigan. For more information visit: http://www.autoharvest.org.

ABOUT TARDEC

Headquartered at the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich., TARDEC is the Nation’s laboratory for advanced military automotive technology and serves as the Ground Systems Integrator for all Department of Defense (DOD) manned and unmanned ground vehicle systems. With roots dating back to the World War II era, TARDEC is a full life-cycle, systems engineering support provider-of-first-choice for all DOD ground combat and combat support weapons, equipment and vehicle systems. TARDEC develops and integrates the right technology solutions to improve Current Force effectiveness and provides superior capabilities for Future Force integration. TARDEC’s technical, scientific and engineering staff lead cutting-edge research and development in Ground Systems Survivability; Power and Mobility; Ground Vehicle Robotics; Force Projection; and Vehicle Electronics and Architecture. TARDEC is a major research, development and engineering center for Research, Development and Engineering Command and an enterprise partner in the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. http://tardec.army.mil For more information about TARDEC contact Public Affairs Officer Bruce J. Huffman at: mailto:bruce.j.huffman.civ(at)mail(dot)mil or (586)215-8763 Facebook: US Army TARDEC Twitter: TARDEC_PAO

ABOUT DHS

The DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Research & Development Partnerships (RDP) manages a set of core competencies that provide measureable value to DHS S&T in facilitating win-win relationships with members of the homeland security enterprise, comprised of both government and non-government agencies and organizations. RDP conducts extensive outreach efforts with members of the homeland security enterprise based on the strategic and programmatic needs of DHS and S&T. RDP enables opportunities for information sharing and relationship building that assist in evaluating, expediting and monitoring the execution of programs through cooperative development activities. RDP maintains extensive contacts and key references across government, academia, laboratories, industry and other R&D organizations to conduct outreach, and provide research and funding opportunities to the public and private sectors both domestically and internationally.

For more information about the Research & Development Partnerships Group please contact us at SandT_RDParnterships(at)dhs(dot)gov or call (202) 254-6749.







Cloud Computing and Hosted Technology Innovation Take Center Stage at HostingCon 2012

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West Chester, OH (PRWEB) June 15, 2012

Cloud computing and hosted technology services are enabling a massive shift in the business landscape, both in the USA and worldwide, bringing commerce online and enabling small businesses to compete with the largest enterprises. Likewise, small businesses from software start-ups to old-school storefronts are driving the adoption of the cloud, and according to a recent Parallels SMB Cloud Insights report, accounting for more than $ 15 billion in cloud spending in the US in 2011. The symbiotic relationship between small business entrepreneurs and hosted service providers is central to HostingCon, the hosted services industrys premier conference and trade show.

On July 16-18 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, more than 1,800 hosted services professionals from all over the world will meet at HostingCon 2012. A hotbed of technology start-up activity and the heart of business academia, Boston, Massachusetts, offers a vibrant environment for small business entrepreneurs and hosted service providers to learn, network and grow.

WSI Announces Launch of Innovation Partners International Web Presence

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Regina, SK (PRWEB) October 21, 2008

Greg Fieger, Internet Consultant with WSI (We Simplify the Internet), announced today the company’s launch of a new web presence for Innovation Partners International (IPI). “This site is an important part of an integrated communications plan for our client, Innovation Partners,” said Mr. Fieger. Innovation Partners International (IPI) is a consulting firm that specializes in building strength-based organizations. Using theAppreciative Inquiry model, IPI consultants help you get outstanding results by bringing out the best in your people and your organization.

The site has been built using WSI Business Edge, a leading edge product built upon Modular Development Technology (MDT) that ensures the highest quality of Web development.

WSI Business Edge is a fifth generation Internet business solution that will increase profits, reduce costs, improve operational efficiencies and produce ongoing return on investment (ROI) for Innovation Partners. “WSI Business Edge enables Innovation Partners to efficiently manage their Web presence in real-time,” said Mr. Fieger, “Our solution supports easy to interpret website traffic and analysis reports that help IPI track their online business ROI, 24×7.”

Strategic Future Group ebusiness services inc., a WSI franchise, has provided Internet marketing services to a number of companies since 2003, developing a reputation for high quality, effective business solutions. These Internet based services range from e-commerce sites to corporate intranets for companies in the small to medium business scale.

Innovation Partners International (IPI) works with a wide variety of clients to implement strategy by engaging people across the entire organization to achieve high impact results. Clients experience major changes including employee culture of engagement. This culture is characterized by employee commitment to the organization’s future, consistent high-performance and maximized use of individual strengths and talents.

About WSI:

Through its network of over 1500 offices in 87 countries, WSI delivers thousands of e-Business solutions to small and medium sized businesses annually. WSI provides affordable Internet related services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses.

As the world leader in providing profitable Internet solutions to SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprise), making information accessible for all via the Internet is an essential component of our offering. WSI is committed to assisting customers to ensure their websites are accessible for people with disabilities by providing education, guidance, tools and techniques that comply with the worldwide W3C standards.

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Launch of the world’s first innovation management franchise

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Leeds, Yorkshire, UK (PRWEB UK) 30 November 2011

The UK has an outstanding reputation for creativity, from the Beatles in the 60′s to Damien Hurst today; and continues to be a centre for innovation excellence.

But taking time out to think is tough, especially when people are anxious about the future. They find it hard to look beyond what they know. When there is uncertainty most people want to stick to familiar territory and not consider new possibilities. They want to play safe and not stray too far from what they are comfortable with.

Perhaps but that doesnt apply to everyone in-fact thinking and going beyond borders is exactly what Tina Catling and Mark Davies, a pair of UK based entrepreneurs have done to create new opportunities for organisations and entrepreneurs all over the world. Tina and Mark have worked around the world in marketing, advertising and innovation for the past 25 years with organisastions such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Boots, Glaxo Smith Kline, Thomas Cook, Arup and Save the Children.

Ten years ago – frustrated the lack of creative courage that they saw around them they decided to do something about it. Using experience gained from running their successful advertising agency aptly named outside the box – they researched ‘what makes people more creative’ and in 2000 published a best selling book on the subject. The book, think was published by Wiley, one of the worlds largest publishers.

This success of the ‘think’ book led to the formation of a company of the same name. The company was created so that their work could be turned into training courses and consulting frameworks to support some of the biggest and best organisations in the world.

That was 10 years ago and since then Tina and Mark have been invited to work with teams in India, Iran, Ireland, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Australia and recently Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to share their work.

Now, after a decade of consistant profitability, Tina and Mark are opening up their organisation to other creative thinkers by offering ‘think’ as a franchise – making ‘think’ the first innovation management company in the world to do this. They are looking for entrepreneurs who have the courage to think outside the box.

During the last two years the template for success has been analysed and all the tools and techniques captured. The systems and procedures, the proposition and the pricing have all been rigorously tested by a pilot group of original thinkers. These pilots were based in Canada, Scotland, Spain, India, the UK and also in the Republic of the Maldives!

This is a very unique opportunity for the right people. Many people are ‘sleep-working’ and we aim to wake them up – this is a time of growth and change around the world and think can play a positive role” said Tina Catling

The think team are really motivated to make this opportunity work and for some very good reasons. Tina Catling and Mark Davies are amongst a growing band of companies who position themselves a for more than profit organisation.

Putting something back into charities around the world is central to their business philosophy. Every new ‘think’ licensee commits to investing 2.5% to their turnover to charity every year.

We aim to make

Boosting Innovation in Manufacturing Competencies

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(PRWEB UK) 10 December 2011

The Technology Strategy Board (http://www.innovateuk.org) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk) are seeking proposals for R&D that will focus on new technologies with the potential to underpin new production processes for a wide range of industrial applications and market sectors.

The Boosting Innovation in Manufacturing Competencies competition aims to support business-oriented innovation in production processes. It focuses on production technologies that, within a global marketplace, can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques to enable greater product customisation. It also encourages technologies that will facilitate greater environmental sustainability through efficient disposal, recycling or remanufacture of assets at the end of their useful life.

The Technology Strategy Board is particularly keen to support projects which explore:

DeviantART Critically Advances Innovation in the Arts by Developing New Educational Tool: Redraw

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 08, 2012

DeviantART, the worlds largest online art community, with 20 million registered members, today announced the new and improved deviantART muro featuring Redraw, the latest enhancement added to its free HTML5 digital drawing application. With Redraw, people using deviantART muro can now record and replay their digital drawing sessions with a click of the newly embedded playback button. This cutting-edge technology provides artists an insightful method for analyzing their artwork and visually communicating with their audience. By opening a digital window into the step-by-step creative process, Redraw gives artists and art enthusiasts a critical learning resource that was never before available.

deviantART muro

DeviantART muro is a proprietary raster program created by Devious Technology, deviantARTs in-house development team, offered as a free digital drawing application publicly available through the deviantART website. In turn, a variety of artists have used deviantART muro to create original artwork for both personal collections and commercial clients without having to pay for expensive software. In the beta stages of its release, artists have created over 2.5 million deviantART muro-related deviations (original works of art).

The new deviantART muro featuring Redraw

As the first of its kind, Redraw offers people a way to view the stylistic process from beginning to end speeding up or slowing down digital brush strokes to observe each step as a piece of art is created. Amateur artists, DIY craftsmen and highly skilled professionals all benefit from deviantART muro Redraw by tracking artists movements as they unfold, providing both education and entertainment for the viewer.

Advanced Circulatory Systems Receives Innovation Awards from the Small Business Administration

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Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) May 04, 2012

Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. announced today that it has received the Tibbetts Award from the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the critical role they play in research and development and for their success in driving innovation. The company was recognized at a White House ceremony. Advanced Circulatory Systems also received the U.S. Army SBIR Achievement Award, for its ResQVENT transport ventilator.

Award criteria for the Tibbetts Award include research innovation and originality; relevance to the U.S. Armys mission, immediate commercialization potential and overall quality performance of the project. Advanced Circulatory Systems was honored specifically for its work in developing and deploying an innovative therapy for the treatment of low blood pressure and elevated intracranial pressure.

The Tibbetts Awards is named after Roland Tibbetts, a leader in developing the SBIR program. The SBA said in its news announcement that the awards are presented to companies and individuals from across the United States who are beacons of promise and models of excellence in high technology. Advanced Circulatory Systems was one of 18 companies in the US recognized with this award and was one of two companies from Minnesota. Since its inception, Advanced Circulatory Systems has received over $ 17 million in funding from a combination of government grant sources including Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health.

The companys first product, the ResQPOD

Third annual Privacy Identity Innovation conference opens today in Seattle

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Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

The 3rd annual Privacy Identity Innovation conference (pii2012) opens today with a sold-out audience of over 250 participants. Taking place May 14-16 in downtown Seattle, pii2012 will kick off at 1:00pm today with a workshop on mobile app privacy sponsored by ACT. The workshop will be followed by the opening session of pii2012, a panel discussion featuring local consumers who will share their views on digital privacy and identity in a candid conversation hosted by CBS News technology analyst Larry Magid.

The theme of Privacy Identity Innovation is Building Trust in the Digital Age and pii2012 will explore how to protect sensitive information while enabling emerging business models and technologies.

The debate about how companies are handling personal information has grown more intense in recent months, with government officials in both the United States and Europe taking additional steps to try and protect consumer privacy. The White House recently recommended a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, and the European Union is days away from requiring companies to get consent from website visitors before storing advertising cookies on their devices.

Its the perfect time for this years conference to take place, said Privacy Identity Innovation co-founder and executive producer Natalie Fonseca. There are a lot of questions facing companies and consumers, and Privacy Identity Innovation is the only tech conference that focuses on where innovation is heading and how businesses can build trust with their users.

The pii2012 program features over 80 speakers from companies like Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Personal, TRUSTe, PrivacyChoice, Spokeo, Intelius, Experian, Banjo and Disconnect. In addition, keynote speakers include authors Andrew Keen, whose new book Digital Vertigo comes out next week, and Allison Cerra who co-authored Identity Shift.

According to Privacy Identity Innovation co-founder Marc Licciardi, What makes pii2012 unique is that its not just for legal or policy experts. Its about involving entrepreneurs, developers, marketing professionals and even investors in the conversation.

Along with the keynotes and panel discussions, other highlights of pii2012 include the Innovator Spotlight program where a select group of entrepreneurs will demo their technologies on stage and the Technology Showcase product expo.

Sponsors for pii2012 include ACT, Google, Xbox 360, Cooley LLP, TRUSTe, Ensighten, Personal, Experian, TrueRep, GeekWire, IAB Europe, Internet Identity Workshop, LunaWeb, Data 2.0 Summit , Online Trust Alliance, OReilly Media, Privacy Camp, ProgrammableWeb, Rapleaf, TechAmerica, VentureBeat, WTIA and Women 2.0.

For more information on the agenda and the speakers participating in pii2012, visit the conference website at http://PrivacyIdentityInnovation.com.

About SageScape

Privacy Identity Innovation and pii Labs are independently owned and produced by SageScape. Founded in 2003, SageScape is passionate about promoting innovation and exploring how technology impacts, and is shaped by, culture, policy and business. In addition to the annual Tech Policy Summit and Privacy Identity Innovation conferences, SageScape works on leading industry events for a variety of clients ranging from early-stage start-ups to top global brands. To learn more, visit our sites at http://PrivacyIdentityInnovation.com and http://TechPolicySummit.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @TechPolicy.







Related Business Press Releases

2009 Brings Innovation And Growth To Marriott Vacation Club Resorts In The Southwest

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Orlando, FL (PRWEB) April 7, 2009

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the recognized worldwide leader in the vacation ownership industry and a division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), announces the brand’s latest villa design at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, Calif. along with the opening of additional villas at Marriott’s Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Ariz. As Marriott Vacation Club celebrates 25 years of delivering unforgettable vacation experiences this year, the brand continues to demonstrate its leadership position in the industry through product innovation and continued growth.

Marriott’s Shadow Ridge

The modern and stylish new villas at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge reveal the brand’s latest innovation in villa design with 73 additional two-bedroom, two-bath villas. The new deluxe lock-off concept features an open and flexible design with two completely separate living rooms, balconies and a kitchen and kitchenette, allowing guests to divide villas into two separate accommodations. Each spacious villa ranges from approximately 1,110 to 1,330 square feet and includes a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and custom cabinets; generous living and dining areas; luxurious bedding; multiple flat-panel televisions with DVD players; private balcony; washer/dryer and Wi-Fi internet access.

Owners and guests have called the new layout “contemporary” and “high end” while describing the ambiance as “uplifting” with a stronger preference for the new design over the original. Designed principally based upon input from Owners, Marriott Vacation Club continues to deliver resorts with amenities that its Owners value and expect. The brand expects to implement this new villa design at future Marriott Vacation Club resorts, worldwide. Elements of the new villa design have also been implemented at the three Marriott Vacation Club resorts currently under development in Florida.

Adding onto the vacation resort’s existing 424 two-bedroom villas, the new villas bring the total unit count to 497 out of a proposed 984 villas upon build out. The new phase also brings on two pools; two whirlpool spas; a children’s splash zone and beach play area; Snake Bites Bar & Grill; and a nearly two-acre recreational park featuring multiple mosaic stone and tile water features scattered throughout.

Located in the heart of Palm Desert, the resort boasts Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club, the first Nick Faldo-designed championship golf course in the U.S., and the Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott. Owners and guests can perfect their game at the Faldo Golf Institute which provides a comprehensive instructional environment for golfers of all skill levels. The elegant sophistication and surrounding natural beauty of the Palm Springs area make this oasis a coveted vacation destination boasting endless recreation, world class dining and shopping, along with luxurious spa offerings. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge is a 10 mile drive from Palm Springs International Airport.

Marriott’s Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge

Marriott’s Canyon Villas is located in the heart of Desert Ridge, a 5,700-acre master planned community which includes the spectacular 950-room JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Nick Faldo and Arnold Palmer designed championship golf courses, biking and walking trails, tennis facility and various retail and community amenities within the city of Phoenix.

Adding onto the existing 159 two-bedroom villas, the new villas bring Marriott’s Canyon Villas total unit count to 213 out of a proposed 252 villas upon completion, each with approximately 1,260 square feet of living space. Each villa features a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops, spacious living and dining areas, multiple flat-panel televisions and DVD players, washer/dryer and Wi-Fi internet accessibility. Furthermore, the new phase brings on an expanded pool bar and grill offering new menu items and additional seating, as well as new adult pool and courtyard area with multiple barbeque areas and a fire pit.

Year-round, visitors are attracted to the Phoenix area where the landscape provides active vacationers with memorable adventures and experiences through golf, horseback riding, hiking, biking and hot air ballooning. The spectacular scenic road trips emphasize the great variety of Arizona’s landscape, history, flora and fauna. Known for its breathtaking skies, the destination offers spectacular sunsets, sunrises, lightening displays and star-filled evening skies. Marriott’s Canyon Villas is a 30-minute drive from Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce the additional villas at both Marriott’s Shadow Ridge and Marriott’s Canyon Villas for our Owners and guests to enjoy,” said Jane Berg, regional vice president of customer experience for the West region. “The new villa design at Shadow Ridge reflects a lot of valued input from our Owners and guests and it has already received rave reviews. I know the additional amenities at both resorts will also greatly enhance our Owner’s and guest’s vacation experiences.”

About Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. In 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry. Marriott Vacation Club continues to expand with a diverse portfolio of over 10,600 timeshare resort villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today, more than 392,000 vacation owners around the globe own their vacations “the Marriott way,” offering options to exchange weeks with priority within the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio or within Interval International’s global system of more than 2,300 resorts in over 75 countries, trade their week(s) for Marriott Rewards points, or rent their week(s). For more information on ownership, please visit http://www.marriott-vacations.com. For nightly rentals please visit http://www.marriott.com.

James Woelbern / Amy Immerfall

Marriott Vacation Club International

407.513.6969 / james.woelbern (at) vacationclub.com

407.513.6968 / amy.immerfall (at) vacationclub.com

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in 66 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA and had approximately 146,000 employees at 2008 year-end. It is recognized by BusinessWeek as one of the 100 best global brands, by FORTUNE