Emeryville, CA (PRWEB) February 21, 2012

HomeGain, a leading online real estate resource that connects home buyers and sellers with real estate professionals, today announced its 2011 Top Performers™.

For the past decade HomeGain has annually recognized its most successful and productive real estate agents and brokers who are members of its AgentEvaluator® product in each of six regions across the United States, as well as the overall top performing agents in all 50 states.

Overall, in 2011 HomeGain’s top four agents in the Highest Dollar Volume category earned an average of $ 88,072 in gross closed commissions from their HomeGain AgentEvaluator business with an average of 9 closed home sales (transactions).

“We are proud of our HomeGain members who have achieved great success with our AgentEvaluator product,” stated Louis Cammarosano, General Manager at HomeGain. “We are pleased that HomeGain continues to contribute to their success by connecting them with qualified home buyers and sellers.”

HomeGain’s 2011 Nationwide Top Performer in total number of home sales for the sixth consecutive year is Barbara Tidwell with Keller Williams Realty in Texas (South region), closing 17 home transactions from AgentEvaluator business. The 2011 Nationwide Top Performer by total commissions earned is the team of Eric and Janelle Boyenga with Intero Real Estate in California (West region), earning $ 97,931 from AgentEvaluator®. Barbara and Eric and Janelle are also the Top Performers in their regions and states.

Regional HomeGain 2011 AgentEvaluator® Top Performer award recipients include:

Northeast Region by Highest Dollar Volume: Eric Pakulla, RE/MAX Advantage Realty in Maryland

Northeast Region Highest Volume of Home Sales: Bob McTague, Coldwell Banker in New York

•Southeast Region by Highest Dollar Volume: Sandra Crews, RE/MAX Allegiance in Virginia

Southeast Region Highest Volume of Home Sales: Andy Rivera, INFINITY Real Estate Group in Florida

Midwest Region by Highest Dollar Volume: Les Davis, Realty Executives of Kansas City in Missouri

Midwest Region by Highest Volume of Home Sales: Barbara and John Wyatt, RE/MAX Gold III in Missouri

Northwest Region by Highest Dollar Volume and Highest Volume of Home Sales: John & Melody Hatch, Keller Williams Realty, Oregon

West Region by Highest Volume of Home Sales: Alisha Wade, HomeSmart International Real Estate in Arizona

HomeGain also has a total of 1,061 member agents in the AgentEvaluator Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Million Dollar Clubs based on the following criteria:

2 agents are Million Dollar Club honorees, having earned over one million dollars in gross lifetime commissions from HomeGain business

29 agents are Diamond Club honorees, having earned over $ 500,000 in commissions

408 agents are Platinum Club honorees, having earned over $ 125,000 in commissions

329 agents are Gold Club honorees, having earned over $ 75,000 in commissions

297 agents are Silver Club honorees, having earned over $ 50,000 in commissions

For a complete list of AgentEvaluator® Top Performing real estate agents, including honorable mentions, Top Performers listed by state and HomeGain end of year highlights, visit the HomeGain Real Estate Blog.

AgentEvaluator® is a marketing program for real estate agents who are looking to connect with online home buyers and sellers.

About HomeGain

HomeGain is a leading provider of online marketing solutions that connect real estate agents and brokers with home buyers and sellers. HomeGain offers free services to find and compare real estate agents, research home values, and view homes for sale. Since 1999 REALTORS® have used HomeGain’s real estate marketing programs to connect with consumers, promote their services and grow their business. HomeGain.com has been a top visited real estate website since 1999. HomeGain is your real estate connection.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Links of London open new store in St Pancras International

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 14 February 2012

With almost a million people a week passing through the station and a large mix of retailers, this is an exciting new addition to Links of London’s portfolio of retail jewellery stores. Opening with the latest store concept, the 522 sq ft store will have a bright, open atmosphere. Colourful deer heads mounted on the wall and a luxurious brushed leather till area will add touches of British flair for which Links of London is renowned. For the cosmopolitan shoppers as well as international visitors, the store will stock a selection of all jewellery ranges including the hugely successful Official Jewellery Collection of London 2012 Olympics.

David Riddiford, CEO, Links of London said: “This is a great new opening for us. We look forward to being involved in the growth of St Pancras International, particularly with it being the main transport gateway for the London 2012 Olympic Games, of which we are a part of.”

About Links of London:

Links of London offer an eclectic mix of men’s and women’s jewellery in sterling silver and 18 carat gold, with an enviable collection of charms and charm bracelets for you to choose from. We also offer a desirable mix of leather and silver items, for the home or the workplace, or for the perfect gift. Our collections are available nationwide in Links of London stores and online at http://www.linksoflondon.com as well as selected stockists.

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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

IBISWorld Market Research

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 08, 2012

The Costume and Team Uniform Manufacturing industry tells a similar story as the rest of the apparel-manufacturing sector in the United States. Intense import competition, spurred by pervasive production outsourcing, has pushed industry revenue down for more than a decade. The five-year period to 2012 is expected to be no different. In fact, the economic recession has exacerbated the decline. During the five years to 2012, aggregate revenue will drop by 9.6% per year to $ 906.6 million, according to IBISWorld industry analyst Nikoleta Panteva. In addition to weak consumer sentiment and low disposable incomes, mounting foreign competition stifled growth.

Foreign-made infant apparel dominates import values. Of the $ 3.6 billion worth of industry imports, 80.0% of the dollars come from babies’ clothes. “This product segment has increasingly been outsourced to countries with low labor costs, specifically China, which accounts for 53.4% of imports,” Panteva said. Over the five years to 2012, this category has declined as a share of domestic revenue (from 16.0% to 2.8%) while growing as a share of imports. However, domestic manufacturers in the Costume and Team Uniform Manufacturing industry have begun shifting their product mix to include more handcrafted and intricate designs. Theatrical costumes have increased their share of US production and industry exports.

IBISWorld forecasts revenue to continue its downward trend. However, the severity of the declines is expected to be less drastic in coming years. Most outsourcing has already taken place, limiting new import competition. Moreover, remaining industry participants will focus on producing and exporting high-value items, mitigating revenue drops.

The Costume & Team Uniform Manufacturing industry has a low level of market concentration, reflecting a largely fragmented market that has a mix of small and medium participants. Most participants in this industry employ fewer than 20 workers. The only major player in the industry is Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which manufactures athletic apparel and underwear. Carter’s Inc., a maker of baby clothes, is another well-known name in this industry. The highly competitive nature of this industry, due to increased outsourcing, high import competition and dropping prices, will continue to place pressure on participants to close operations or merge facilities to maintain profitability. Consolidation of establishments may help firms increase their buying power, use larger production runs and decrease administrative and management costs. For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Costume and Team Uniform Manufacturing in the US industry page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld

Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

This industry manufactures cut and sew apparel from purchased fabric, and products include fur apparel, leather apparel, infants’ apparel, costumes and clerical vestments. Activities include buying raw materials, designing and preparing samples, arranging for apparel to be made from their materials and marketing finished apparel. The term “infant apparel” includes apparel for young children aged 24 months or less.

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

Globalization & Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Barriers to Entry

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

BetterYou.com

Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) February 09, 2012

BetterYou.com celebrated the launch of its online concierge services for all Angelenos to find the best fitness trainers, nutritionists, beauty services and wellness advisors on Saturday, February 4th at the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica. Guests commemorated the event by getting fit, being healthy, finding wellness and a better you. Founder of BetterYou.com Hope Horner expressed, “I am so grateful we are celebrating the launch of BetterYou! The beautiful weather, the warm and energetic crowd, and our generous sponsors created a magical day for all of those involved. We look forward to creating a robust, online marketplace to connect with professionals who make you look and feel better.”

As promised, heart pounding, body sculpting fitness classes were the backdrops for the entire event. Grace Lazenby kicked off the day with a leg shaking, butt burning, burlesque, ballet and yoga combination class known as the Rockin Models class. Carly Steel, a correspondent for TV Guide Channel exited the class exclaiming, “My legs are still shaking, that was amazing!” Celebrity trainer Teddy Bass, one of the most sought after trainers in Hollywood, launched Rock Bottom Body, his fitness technique that can now be experienced by anyone, anywhere. Guests also toned, tightened and sweat it out to POUND, YogaPoser at Fred Segal, Sonki Fitness Beach Bootcamp and AssKicker with Nicole Sciacca.

Carly Steel, Sheila Shah and David Golshan walked the red carpet, but Sonny Ray the dog stole the show. Sonny Ray, a pit-bull that sports “Sonny Rays” sunglasses is a therapy dog to cancer patients and children with terminal illnesses. He is loving, obedient and enjoyed basking in the sun, laying on the red carpet and being photographed with any and all attendees.

Guests enjoyed learning about the latest fitness products, wellness techniques and garnering nutrition advice from top certified experts in the field. Steve Moyer, fitness trainer and nutritionist to Zoe Saldana, displayed two seemingly similar salads to educate guests on which salad was more than 1,000 calories. Task Rabbit showed guests how to leverage their time by having the efficient personal assistant rabbits do your tasks for you. Nimira Alihboy with UCSC demonstrated how to restore communication between the brain and the rest of the body to create a sense of overall healing.

Beauty and relaxation is a significant aspect to a balanced, healthy lifestyle so the ladies from Braid Bar, Blushington and Mary Kay pampered guests all day with the latest tips and trends in makeup, styling hair with perfectly coiffed braids to go from a workout to a night out seamlessly, as well as manicures by Bellacures. Meanwhile, the professional masseuses were busy kneading the knots of the trim and fit and Airbrush Tanning by Beaute Bar was turning the partygoers into sun-kissed beauties.

Bountiful arrays of goodies were provided for healthy sustenance including Honest Tea, VitaCoco, PopChips, Whole Foods and Promax. It was approximately 12:30 in the afternoon as the sun was hitting its highest point in the sky when Garden of Eating unveiled a feast of healthy eats for lunch. The servers were overwhelmed by the response as the guests noshed on Chinese Chicken Salad in too cute, to-go cartons with chopsticks and an array of hummus with freshly cut vegetables.

The secluded VIP Oasis, perched kissing the sand, dotted with umbrellas for shade, and a water fountain for relaxation featured the LEAF Lifestyle experts, makeup touchups by Blushington, facial care and rejuvenation by Ali Forte Skin and Beauty and tasty treats by Running with Forks. The highlight for most VIP guests was the massage service on the beach, a 20-minute, calming body massage under a white tent with billowing curtains.

Untitled Magazine was the official media sponsor of the event, and ALO Clothing provided the latest in workout gear to all the trainers. Other sponsors include ThinkThin, Reebootizer, Kitchen Coach RD, Little Black Bag, Ashley Coff RD, Picky Eater Blog, Loving_Eco, Lilla Bello Studio, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Carrie White Hair.

Photos from the event can be viewed and downloaded from BetterYou’s Facebook Page and check out footage from the event on YouTube.

CONTACT: For MEDIA INQUIRIES contact Kelley Coughlan, Kelley(at)melrosepr(dot)com – Melrose PR, 310.776.9265

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

London 2012 volunteers among 10,000 for orientation training at Wembley Arena

(PRWEB) February 07, 2012

The first orientation training event for 10,000 London 2012 Games Maker volunteers and Games time employees took place at Wembley Arena in London. The event was the first of six national orientation events on 4th, 5th and 18th February which will form the biggest London 2012 events outside of the Games this year.

     Around 10,000 people attend first of six orientation training events for Games Makers and employees at Wembley Arena
    Orientation sessions to take place in London in February and across the UK in March
    Images from the event available to download here

The events are the first stage in the training programme for London 2012 employees and up to 70,000 ‘Games Makers’, the volunteers who will to help make the Games a success. Around 70% of the trainees at each session will be volunteers.

The Orientation Training events provide an introduction to the heritage and importance of the Games as well as an insight into what working at London 2012 will be like, including the sports, venues and the roles. Games Makers will leave the session prepared for the next steps on the journey to Games time. The sessions include welcome talks from hosts, presentations and mocked up scenarios which will introduce all Games time workers to the realities of putting on an event the size of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Six smaller regional orientation sessions will be held in March for Games Makers who have been offered roles at venues outside of London in Weymouth and Portland, Cardiff, Coventry, Newcastle, Manchester and Glasgow. Invites for these have started to be sent out.

By the time the Games Makers reach Games Time, collectively they will have undertaken 1.2 million hours of training. Around 8 million volunteer hours across the summer of 2012 will be used.

Games Makers will also receive role-specific training from February onwards where they will learn all they need to know to carry out their role successfully and also have the opportunity to try out the duties they’ll be doing at Games time. They will then receive venue-specific training in June which will familiarise volunteers with their venue. Team leaders will also receive event leadership training.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our preparation for the Games. These orientation events are the start of our extensive training programme which will deliver over 1 million training hours for up to 70,000 people from around the country. Our Games Makers will contribute a total of around 8 million volunteer hours during the Games and simply wouldn’t happen without them. I hope that the orientation training they receive has made them even more excited about being part of the London 2012 team this summer.”

The orientation events are the first time Games Makers will be together following the selection events and the first time they will have the opportunity to meet the wider work force. The sessions will be attended by London 2012 volunteers, paid LOCOG staff and contractors.

2,000 young people will be taking up volunteer roles during the London 2012 Games, as part of the Young Games Maker programme. Approximately 250 teams of young people will join the adult Games Makers this summer to help stage the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their training will take a similar format over the coming months.

Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the Games Maker volunteer programme. McDonald’s has used its nationwide presence to help attract candidates for the diverse team that will be needed to make the London 2012 Games a success. The LOCOG Volunteer team held training sessions for many of the volunteers conducting interviews at the world-class training facilities at McDonald’s head office in East Finchley, London and the restaurant chain will also be helping to facilitate the training of the volunteers in the run up to Games time.

Jez Langhorn, Vice President, People, McDonald’s UK, said: “With the first orientation event getting underway it feels like the Games are nearly here. We’ve been hard at work to help plan and design the training materials that will prepare the volunteers for the challenge ahead, drawing on our experience in delivering great customer service and award-winning training programmes on a large scale.

“As the Games Makers prepare for their role this summer, McDonald’s will to be on hand to support them every step of the way. It’s an exciting time to be part of the hospitality sector as we prepare to put the country on show to millions of visitors this summer and I’m proud of the role we will have played in making sure our volunteers are ready.”

Almost a quarter of a million people applied to the Games Maker programme in 2010 and a team of specially trained volunteer interviewers has been carrying out selection interviews since February 2011. Up to 100,000 interviews will have been conducted over the course of the programme and of these; 76,000 interviews have taken place to date in nine selection centres around the UK. Interviews will continue in London’s selection centre at ExCeL through to the end of March 2012.

So far 55,000 offers have been made for roles at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Offers are continuing to be made, with the final role expected to be filled at the end of April.

Cadbury is an Official Supporter of the London 2012 Games Maker programme and will help LOCOG build great Games Maker teams through fun and friendly game play delivered by programmes such as the Spots v Stripes campaign.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office

Amongst the people attending the orientation training are:

Elizabeth (Betty) Ragget, 74, Hove, Brighton, Retired

Elizabeth is a retired news-agent and now works part-time stewarding in a theatre. During Games Time she has been assigned a role based at the International Federation Office at the Excel Centre, where she will be involved in Boccia. Elizabeth belongs to a service club and does a lot of fundraising. She has two daughters, one of which is the Boccia competition manager at the Paralympic games. Her daughter formally taught sport to disabled children which is one of the reasons Elizabeth decided to apply to be a volunteer. Elizabeth says: ‘I can’t wait for games-time; it’s a fantastic opportunity to show the rest of the world what Britain can do. I’ve applied so I can do something worthwhile and be part of it all’. Elizabeth’s granddaughter has also applied to be a volunteer which means three generations within her family will be working and volunteering at London 2012.

Beryl Stratton, 73, Chingford, retired

Beryl is a mother of three and a grandmother of four and has dedicated 50 years of her life to volunteering. During Games Time, she will be volunteering as an athletics services team member in the Olympic Stadium. Her husband, 75, and son will also be volunteering, as a Games Maker and London Ambassador respectively. The Strattons, married for 48 years, have been volunteering together at athletics meets and have also been to the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics together. Beryl’s husband is the reason she first became interested in athletics 40 years ago and she was inspired to become a Games Maker when she saw an 80 year old female volunteer at the Sydney Games. Beryl is honoured to be involved in the volunteering and delighted to be able to share this opportunity with her husband.

Joe Mason, 18, Sawtry, Cambrideshire , Student

Joe is currently in his first year at Leeds University studying broadcast journalism. During Games Time he has been assigned a role for badminton within the sports equipment team at Wembley arena and Redbridge badminton training centre. He is a keen player and first volunteered at his local badminton club for his Duke of Edinburgh bronze award when he was 14. He has since found a taste for volunteering and for the last two years has been a volunteer at national badminton indoor events and undertaken his badminton umpiring course. Joe is overwhelmed that he has the chance to be part of the Olympic Games and is enthusiastic to see his badminton volunteering progress.

Sarah Gifford, 26, East Dulwich, London, Volunteer Manager at Queen Mary University

Sarah is a volunteer’s manager at Queen Mary University in London and a few people in her team have also applied to be volunteers at London 2012. During Games Time Sarah will be volunteering at the cycling and athletics events along with a few of her colleagues who have also been selected. Sarah is really happy with her role as she has volunteered previously at a few of the London Marathons. As soon as Sarah heard volunteers were being recruited for the games she knew straight away she wanted to be a part of it with her background in the volunteering sector as well as being part of such a spectacular event.

Phil Cobb, 59, Loughborough, Contracts Manager for Charnwood Council

Phil has been assigned a role for the volleyball events. He’s ecstatic at being offered a role related to his favourite sport. Phil has been playing volleyball since his student days at Loughborough university and continued to play in the lower national leagues. Phil now coaches and referees volleyball games around the country and plays when he can. He has two children. His daughter’s boyfriend has also applied to be a volunteer.

Cassim Patel, 30, Preston, Portfolio Manager

Cassim works in banking as a portfolio manager. He grew up in Preston and ever since Great Britain won the bid for the Games in 2005 he has wanted to be involved. He has volunteer experience with local charities, supporting disabled people and Macmillan cancer patients. Helping comes naturally to Cassim as he cared for his disabled father from the age of 14. Cassim has been allocated a role as a EVS Mobility Team Member, OPK Common Domain.

Kevin O’Malley, 50, Halifax, West Yorks, Resource Manager

Kevin, a father of two, will be volunteering at Earl’s Court for Volleyball, in the sports equipment team during the Games. Volleyball has been a passion for Kevin since he first played at school aged 14 and he set up his own first league team soon after leaving school at 16. Kevin has played in local and all four divisions of the volleyball National League, during which time he was also qualified as a coach and referee. He now concentrates on coaching the Yorkshire U15 boys and the North England U18 boys and is one of the founding members and chair of a National League club in Division 1. Kevin’s enthusiasm for the sport has rubbed off on his son Kieran O’Malley (23) who is pro volleyball player in Holland and a GB Volleyball squad member with 73 caps for England. Kevin never thought he would have the opportunity to experience an Olympics and can’t wait to actually be a part of the Games.

Sarah Pocklington, 44, nr Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, British Red Cross

Sarah will be a team leader working at London Heathrow meeting and greeting dignitaries, athletes and VIPs during the Games. Sarah’s passion for sport originally spurred from playing Ultimate Frisbee but she found a love of volunteering in the sport rather than playing, finding that she enjoyed helping and supporting the team. Sarah has been involved in the Olympics volunteering process right from the beginning as she trained Selection Event Volunteers at Weymouth and Coventry centres and was a Selection Event Volunteer at London Excel. Sarah’s brother-in-law, who inspired her to sign up, is also volunteering at the Games.

Ellie (Eleanor) Cox, 25, Wimbledon, London, works in the Finance sector in London                                

Ellie is very excited about games. She was an athlete at European level playing Badminton between the ages of 11-20. She knows many of the Badminton players after playing for England and regularly visits the national badminton centre. She’s a big fan of London and loves the huge energetic feel to large scale community events. She believes the games will re-generate and improve the local areas. She thinks an emotional uplift is what the city needs and believes the games will be a much needed boost for 2012. Ellie is a big fan of sport, she cycles to work, runs a lot and plays squash. She lives alone and is a true Londoner, born and bred in Wimbledon. Ellie would rather not talk about her work although she does work in finance in the City of London and enjoys a lovely social life.

Cathal Cunning, 47, Portstewart, Northern Ireland, Chef

Cathal, born and bred in Portstewart, will be volunteering as a member of the transport team in the Olympics Village during the Games. He first got involved in volunteering at 19 when he started marshalling at the Coleraine District Motor Club and has been Chief Marshal there for the last seven years. The North West 200, Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, runs through Cathal’s hometown and it is for this reason his whole family have been involved in motorsports volunteering. Cathal has found that volunteering brings family and friends together and he is eager to get involved with the once in a lifetime opportunity of volunteering at the Games.

Gordon Neale OBE, 67, Newcastle (Whitley Bay), retired

Gordon has worked in Disability sport his whole life. He coached Great Britain’s first ever Sitting Volleyball team in the 1980s and 1990s and currently holds a number of voluntary positions within Disability Volleyball including, GB Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Manager and Director for sitting volleyball for Volleyball England. Gordon received his OBE in 2002 for contribution to disability sport and it is due to Gordon’s extensive background that he will be Sitting Volleyball liaison with the international Volleyball federation at the Excel centre during the Games. Gordon is honoured to be part of the team of staff preparing and supporting Great Britain’s first ever Sitting Women’s team for London 2012.

He was working at Eastway leisure centre, now on the site of Olympics, after being in the army for 26 years and started coaching volleyball. It was when he liaised with disability organisation Les Autres that he started to build up sitting volleyball as a sport.

Carol Gordon, 50, Lecturer, Whitton, South West London

Carol is a Sports Lecturer at Richmond Upon Thames College and has will take up the role of Athlete Services Team Leader during Games Time, where she will liaise with the athletes as they arrive at the arena and ensure team liaisons are in touch with their teams. Carol has been teaching her students about the Olympics for over 25 years, she believes sport connects people from all around the world and that it overrides all the discriminations including race, age and gender. She has been the international head coach of the England cadet boys volleyball team since 1996. She believes that England was the founder of competitive sports in the 1880s and having the Games in London in 2012 will mean we all have to put our best foot forward and make England proud. Her colleagues at the national league club have volunteered too and many have been appointed official jobs relating to volleyball. Carol is a very passionate advocate of sport and is thrilled to be part of the games.

(Please note that these people are not available for interviews over the weekend).

Games Maker timeline

February 2012: orientation training begins

February 2012: role-specific training begins

March 2012: event leadership training begins

April 2012: distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes begin

April 2012: venue training begins.

McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the volunteering programme, providing its expertise and experience to help attract, select and train the London 2012 volunteers. The organisation currently employees 87,500 people across the UK and each year invests over £36million in training this workforce. McDonald’s has awarded almost 35,000 nationally-recognised qualifications to employees and is one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers. In 2005 McDonald’s became the first large employer to achieve the Investor in People Profile status and in 2009 achieved GOLD status.

Cadbury’s association with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as Official Treat Provider to the 2012 Games will be the biggest programme ever undertaken in Cadbury’s history – underpinning commercial, marketing, merchandising and employee engagement up to London 2012 and beyond.

To celebrate its support of London 2012, Cadbury has launched Spots v Stripes, an ambitious and exciting campaign that aims to get people of all ages and walks of life to play games again.

Atos Origin – The Games Maker volunteer portal has been designed and built by Atos Origin – Worldwide IT Partner for the Olympic Games through to 2016. In the run up to the London 2012 Games, the portal developed by Atos Origin will enable London 2012 to recruit up to 70,000 volunteers. The portal will be the main channel of communication between the Games Maker volunteers and the London 2012 Organising Committee.

McCann – The Games Maker idea was created by McCann Worldgroup, the official Marketing Services Provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are also responsible for developing and executing the fully integrated advertising campaign to attract applicants in 2010.

London 2012 Games partners:

The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners – adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and two domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Suppliers, Otto Bock and Panasonic. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Alameda, CA (PRWEB) February 02, 2012

Recent past offerings have seen phenomenal success with virtual sellouts every time Ippolita has been offered at Michaan’s. The modern, streamlined, fashion forward jewelry has also found great commercial and celebrity success, wooing young Hollywood, A-list starlets and major retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Amanda Seyfried and Leighton Meester are just a few of the fashionistas who have been seen wearing Ippolita jewelry, solidifying the brand’s high end appeal and stature.

What sets Ippolita apart from other jewelry brands is its designer and creator, Ippolita Rostagno. Armed with an art background and unwavering insistence that every piece be created by hand, Rostagno hand casts bangles from original wax sculptures. Open-link chains used in earrings and necklaces are soldered by hand as well. The result is an organic, artistic look that can be stylishly asymmetric, conveying a natural beauty unique to the Ippolita line.

Rostagno also spent months developing her own signature gold color with the intention of perfecting a glowing shade that flatters every skin tone. Her goal was to imitate the hue seen in gold during the ancient Roman period, adding a classic, understated and natural feel to Ippolita pieces. Rostagno reflects, “The very color of my gold jewelry attracts you to it…my goal is to create jewelry that you really want to wear all the time, that is easy and makes you feel good…jewelry that is unitimidating and yet cool.”

Ippolita jewelry pieces will be auctioned on February 5, 2012 with bidding to commence at 10 a.m. A variety of gemstone colors and styles are available.

About Michaan’s Auctions

Michaan’s Auctions is one of the leading full service auction houses on the West Coast. Specializing in the appraisals and sale of antiques and fine art, Michaans has specialists in the fields of Furniture and Decorative Arts, Modern, Contemporary Art, European and American Paintings and Prints, Jewelry, Asian Works of Art and Ethnographic Art. Offering free art appraisal, antique appraisal, estate auctions and specializing in the sale of art and antiques and other fine collectibles.

Established in 2002, Michaan’s Auctions holds up to thirty sales each year attracting a broad base of buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest facilities in Northern California and the Bay Area’s lowest buyers premium Michaan’s offers buyers and sellers the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable property. Some of these pieces realized world record prices. In 2005 A.D.M. Cooper’s oil painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $ 21,060 and an Eduard Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831,sold for $ 266,000.

Michaan’s has built its reputation on its ability to accept single items, groups or entire estates with its “no risk consignment policy” free of hidden fees and charges. Michaan’s specialists are dedicated to staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and are committed to providing personalized and professional attention throughout the entire auction process.

For a full listing of upcoming auctions or to view a complete catalog, please visit http://www.michaans.com.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) January 05, 2012

Colligo Networks, the leader in email and document management solutions for Microsoft SharePoint, today announced the availability of Colligo Briefcase Enterprise, the first application to provide enterprise-class security features while browsing, viewing, and storing SharePoint content on iPads. With Colligo Briefcase Enterprise, organizations can confidently support the rapidly-growing number of users accessing corporate data from personal devices.

According to a recent study by Citrix on consumer-oriented device use in the workplace, 57% of organizations cited the security implications of allowing remote access as their top concern. 62% of participants lack processes or tools to manage the use of personal devices. Organizations that allow both personal and business device use reported productivity gains of up to 36%.

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise is the first iPad app that meets the needs of both end-users and IT professionals in an enterprise SharePoint environment. Users can easily access SharePoint content through the intuitive iPad interface, while IT departments retain control of vital corporate IP through industry-leading security features, centralized configuration and management, and turnkey deployment services.

“Whether it’s users bringing iPads to the workplace, or organizations deploying them company-wide, personal devices are a reality in today’s enterprise,” says Barry Jinks, Founder and CEO of Colligo Networks. “However, without a secure, corporate-sanctioned document management solution, vital corporate data can be easily exposed to the security risks inherent in consumer-grade file-sharing services. Colligo Briefcase Enterprise solves this problem by providing organizations with an extremely secure way to access and store SharePoint-based content on the iPad, while still managing this sensitive information in SharePoint.”

Anthem Properties is a real estate investment, development, and management company that uses SharePoint extensively to manage their property portfolio, and provides iPads for its busy staff. “With personal device use skyrocketing, we needed a way to support our iPad users on SharePoint, without sacrificing security and control of corporate data,” says Bob Clark, Vice President of IT at Anthem Properties. “Colligo Briefcase is the ideal solution for keeping our iPad users productive, while ensuring critical content is still managed within SharePoint.”

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise – Overview and Key Features

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise makes it simple to store, sync, find, view, and share files, lists, documents and emails, including Outlook .msg files, in SharePoint. SharePoint content is automatically synchronized to the iPad, providing instant access to up-to-date content, even when offline. Key features include:

    View SharePoint files directly on the iPad, including Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) documents, PDFs, images, emails and more
    Store SharePoint content offline for fast remote access
    Granular control to specify which lists and libraries to synch, including by View
    Easily share files using links to SharePoint documents
    Find content fast with powerful search capabilities
    Open and edit files in applications such as Documents to Go or GoodReader
    View document and file properties, including metadata

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise – Security Features

Colligo Briefcase provides extensive security features to ensure the safety of corporate information on iPads:

    Separate passcode to access the Colligo Briefcase application
    Hardware-based encryption (AES-256 bit) for all stored data
    Remote data wipe capabilities (via MDM systems)
    SharePoint credentials stored in Keychain, providing the highest form of trust-chain security
    Stored data can be wiped automatically on 10 failed login attempts
    Ability to restrict the SharePoint sites accessed and content cached (via Colligo Administrator)
    Supports all SharePoint authentication methods

“Security on this new wave of personal devices is the next 800-pound gorilla in the room for IT departments,” says Guy Spencer, the Legal, ECM, and Compliance Business Systems Analyst at Altera Corporation. “With Colligo Briefcase, Colligo has introduced an enterprise-class tool for providing secure, native access to corporate SharePoint information on iPads, the uncontested leader in tablets.”

“As part of our evaluation process, we tested several iPad apps for SharePoint on their security features, and Colligo Briefcase was the hands-down winner,” says Markus Bosch, Solution Architect, Novartis International. “Colligo Briefcase gives us confidence that company information stored on the iPad is safe and secure.”

Integration with Colligo Administrator for Streamlined Configuration and Management

Colligo Briefcase works seamlessly with Colligo Administrator, a server-based console tool for the configuration and management of Colligo’s desktop and mobile applications. Colligo Administrator enables organizations to:

    Centrally configure all Colligo Briefcase user settings on the iPad
    Push out SharePoint sites and document libraries with zero user interaction
    Monitor SharePoint and Colligo Briefcase usage via reports and metrics
    Reduce deployment time and streamline the provisioning of iPads in the enterprise

“The provisioning, configuration, and deployment of iPads and their apps can be challenging for an organization,” says Trevor Dyck, Director of Product Management at Colligo. “Colligo Administrator helps to streamline and automate the process, ensuring that users are up and running fast. Imagine a user turning on their iPad and finding all the SharePoint-based content they need at their fingertips –without lifting a finger. That’s the kind of power that Colligo Administrator gives an organization.”

Colligo Briefcase Lite Available for Free Download

In addition to Colligo Briefcase Enterprise, a free version, Colligo Briefcase Lite, is available for download from the Apple App Store. The Lite version has all the features of the enterprise version with the following exceptions:

    Ability to add only one SharePoint site
    Limited synch options and 50 megabyte cache size
    Enterprise security options disabled

Availability

Colligo Briefcase Enterprise and Colligo Briefcase Lite are available now. Visit the Colligo site at http://www.colligo.com/briefcase to request an evaluation copy of Colligo Briefcase Enterprise. Colligo Briefcase Lite can be downloaded via the Apple App Store.

Press contacts interested in additional information about Colligo Briefcase, including securing interviews or review copies, should contact: azanatta(at)colligo(dot)com.

About Colligo Networks

Colligo Networks is the leader in email and document management solutions for Microsoft SharePoint. Enterprises that use SharePoint rely on Colligo’s award-winning solution suite to improve collaboration, increase productivity, and mitigate corporate risk. Featuring seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook and Windows Explorer, Colligo drives SharePoint adoption by making it easy to tag, find, store, and share SharePoint content in familiar ways, regardless of device, connectivity, or SharePoint location. Colligo solutions are used by over 4000 organizations in 55 countries, with Global 500 customers including Microsoft, Kraft Foods, General Motors, and Siemens. Colligo Networks is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. For more information, please visit http://www.colligo.com

Colligo, Colligo Briefcase, Colligo Email Manager, and Colligo Administrator are trademarks of Colligo Networks, Inc. All other corporate names and / or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 23, 2012

For travelers dreaming of checking “safari” off their bucket lists this year, there has never been a better time to choose Micato Safaris, the premier provider of luxury African safaris. For 2012, Micato has not only added enhanced off-the-beaten path active adventures and enriching, authentic experiences, but is has introduced a new policy: No Tipping. Ever.

Micato trips are already unmatched in their degree of included extras, from exceptional special events to educational enhancements, plus myriad little luxuries lavished upon guests throughout. Now, for the first time, all gratuities are included, even for the Micato staff: Safari Directors, Drivers and Concierges. It’s a revolutionary decision, perhaps even unprecedented in the realm of luxury tour operators. But Micato travelers told us that the practice of tipping was inconvenient. And we listened. With Micato, all-inclusive truly means everything is included.

Micato Safaris’ Newly-Enhanced Bespoke Collection: Exquisite bush homes, stunning eco-lodges, and exclusive ranches coupled with top-flight transportation already provide an unparalleled experience for those travelers who prefer to custom-design their adventure. But in 2012, we’re raising the bar even further:

New this year to Micato’s East Africa Bespoke Collection of prestigious properties is the Tawi Lodge. At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Tawi effortlessly blends modern comforts with traditional African design. Each private thatched cottage is equipped with a fireplace and manned by a personal butler, and the wildlife viewing is spectacular. Nestled in an oasis of virgin wilderness beneath a grove of palms and figs, LeMarti’s Camp in the Laikipia region of Kenya is owned by a local Samburu guide and his renowned fashion-designer wife. The combination is electric, as his connection to the land and its peoples mingles with her elegant style and artistic skill to redefine luxury. Also new to the Collection this year is Ngerende Island in the Maasai Mara, where seven luxurious canvas and mahogany suites rest on raised platforms, providing perfect views of the Mara River and its sonorous hippos. Here as well a private butler stands ready, ensuring a hot bubble bath and roaring fire are awaiting after a wondrous day of viewing game in the Mara. On the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, Micato’s guests at The Residence will enjoy dreamy views of the ocean or frangipani garden, private pools, and service fit for a sultan.

La Residence in Franschhoek, and Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal join Micato’s elite Southern Africa Bespoke Collection. Situated at the heart of a private working farm, La Residence is intimate and lush. The soothing ambience of each room feeds into the next, from the mellow glow of gold bathroom fixtures to the thick Persian carpets lining the rooms. The countryside is at the doorstep, where guests can indulge in a horse-drawn wine and cheese tour, or try paragliding or quad-biking, returning in the evenings to the last rays of the warming sun and farm-to-table haute cuisine. Dubbed the “Seven Worlds of Wonder,” Phinda’s wilderness is a dazzling amalgam of woodland, grassland, wetland, forest, mountain ranges, river courses and rare dry sand forest.

A Cape Town Sojourn: A beautiful mix of natural and man-made pleasures, Cape Town is Africa’s treasure for good reason. Now, Micato travelers can begin or end their safari with a few days in this magical city, with the 5-day Cape Town Sojourn extension. The Cape Grace is home here; ranked the No. 2 City Hotel in Africa and the Middle East by Travel + Leisure, its location on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is in the center of everything. During their stay, guests will enjoy a full-day tour of the stunning Cape Peninsula, including visits to the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach for penguin viewing, and the historic streets of Simon’s Town. Also included is a tour of the Cape Winelands, with prime vintages and exquisite cuisine at the magnificent Delaire Estate and shopping in the quaint village of Franschhoek. Another day brings guests deep into the culture of Cape Town, with a tour of Robben Island, where political prisoners including Nelson Mandela and current South African president Jacob Zuma were once held. Guests will also visit the inspiring Rosie’s Kitchen, where destitute children and elderly residents of the diverse Khayelitsha Township receive their meals. Helping out with this life-changing initiative will be a crescendo to your safari.

And, Speaking of Life-Changing… Micato-AmericaShare Turns 25 in 2012.

Seldom do travelers have an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of the people whose lands they visit. Yet in Africa, every day for 25 years this miracle has taken place for travelers who join in the good works of Micato’s nonprofit foundation, AmericaShare (http://www.americashare.org). AmericaShare was founded by Micato Safaris with the education of orphaned and vulnerable children as its highest priority. One hundred percent of every donation reaches the children, since all administrative costs are paid by Micato. What began as an idea and a dream has grown into a vital foundation that has been changing lives for a quarter century!

Last But Definitely Not Least: Micato Renews Its One For One Commitment: Every guest’s safari enables Micato to do something wonderful: for every safari sold, Micato sends a child to school—a child who would otherwise stay home due to extreme poverty. An unimaginable number of African children do not attend school because their families are too poor to pay even the most nominal fees related to school attendance. Micato’s way of helping? A “One for One” commitment: For every safari sold, Micato sends one African child to school.

The #1 tour operator in the world, passionately dedicated to giving back… what better reason could one have for going on safari in 2012? To book a safari or for more information call 1-800-MICATO-1 or visit http://www.micato.com.

About Micato Safaris

Micato Safaris is a luxury tour operator offering safaris to East Africa and Southern Africa. Founded by native Kenyans Felix and Jane Pinto in 1966, the family company has garnered praise for both the high standards of its luxury safaris and the good works of its Nairobi-based non-profit arm, Micato-AmericaShare. Micato won a “World Savers” award from Conde Nast Traveler following the advent of its One For One Initiative, wherein for every safari sold Micato sends an African child to school. Micato has received the Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Tour Operator & Safari Outfitter” award an unprecedented eight times.

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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Swinton Car Insurance

(PRWEB) August 14, 2008

As heavy rain pours downs on Britain and The Met Office issues severe weather warnings across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales, Swinton’s warning drivers about the dangers of monsoon motoring and the rising levels of Car Insurance claims as drivers get caught short in torrential downpours.

Last month leading high street insurance retailer Swinton saw a 18% rise in car insurance claims compared to July 2007 – a figure mainly attributed to the bad weather and the impact monsoon motoring is having on British roads.

A raft of claims have been reported, spanning a wide range of customers in varying circumstances, proving that the bad weather is totally indiscriminate, upsetting anyone in its wake. Wet, slippery road surfaces and longer breaking distances contribute to the flood of claims, suggesting that weather related accidents don’t just affect drivers travelling at high speed.

Insurer development manager Steve Chelton warns: “A driver’s level of risk is dramatically increased when roads are wet and it is raining heavily. It is important that drivers remain alert and take extra precautions in order to make their journey as safe as possible. It is very easy to misjudge stopping distances in wet weather, and this factor is responsible for low speed shunts in traffic jams and on slower speed limit roads.”

Reduced visibility and aquaplaning are two further causes of accidents in wet weather. Steve Chelton explains, “Aquaplaning is particularly dangerous because the driver losses total control of their vehicle, putting themselves and other road users at risk. It only takes a thin film of water to cause a car to aquaplane, and could potentially lead to a serious accident.”

Swinton is urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the advice they have issued on how to driving safely in monsoon-like conditions.

    Switch on headlights
    Check wipers are effective front and back
    Avoid overtaking
    Slow down, using a lower gear if appropriate
    Keep wing mirrors clean so that rain water drips clear
    Keep your mobile phone in the glove box or in your handbag in case of emergences and always use a hands-free kit
    Listen to weather updates
    Pack water-proof clothes in case of breakdown
    Ensure inside windscreens are grease-free and so they don’t steam up
    Plan unfamiliar routes and identify places to pull over such as service stations
    Make sure tyres are regularly checked for tread and pressure
    Remember to allow at least double the normal stopping distance when braking, and keep well back from the car in front of you.

For further information please contact Adele Mandy, Pete Wrathmell or Lucy Sinclair at SKV PR on Tel: 0161 838 7770 or email: adele.mandy @ skvpr.co.uk

About Swinton

    With 470 branches nationwide Swinton is the largest high street insurance retailer
    Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community
    Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance
    With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates
    Swinton offers a ‘clicks and bricks’ approach to insurance – online prices with a high street presence.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

(PRWEB) January 23, 2012

Bridology.com is considered a one-stop shop when it comes to anything and everything about weddings. May it be the latest wedding trends, the best wedding theme songs, which colors make a great wedding theme, and even which foods to serve at the wedding reception. Visiting the website is like buying a whole library of wedding books. And now more than ever, Bridology has created its wedding vendor listing of over 500 wedding websites that everything from wedding dresses, catering services, jewelry, and interior designs.

To give a brief idea of what to expect; all 500 wedding vendors are divided into 10 main categories which each have at least 7 to 10 sub topics to make navigating around and looking for a wedding vendor easy:

    Wedding Guide. This is where readers will find the vendors who have all the essentials when it comes to planning a wedding. Vendors here range from music stores who sell wedding song CDs, stores where one can find the best wedding decor, places wherein couples can get the best food for their wedding reception, and even places to get books with the best wedding vows.
    Honeymoon Gear. The honeymoon is merely an extension of the wedding, by Bridology has all the links where newlywed couples can get the gear that they’ll need on their out of town honeymoon vacation. One can find vendors who sell beach and scuba gear, travelling luggage, and even shoes and other accessories that one might need on that much awaited honeymoon getaway.
    Wedding Invitations. Only the best wedding invitation makers are found here.
    Wedding Jewelry. As the name suggests, brides and even grooms to be can find all the jewelry to be worn on the happiest day of their lives here.
    Wedding Apparel. Who said that picking the clothes to wear in a wedding was that easy? We all know that the bride and all the other females in a wedding have to wear a dress while the men wear tuxedos or anything formal for that matter. But on this special day, who wouldn’t want the best clothes to be seen on the aisle?
    Wedding favors. What’s a party without favors? A wedding has its romantic and solemn moments, but at the end of it all, it is still a celebration of the union of two people. It’s always best to give all the guests something to remember them about and Bridology make your life easier by providing all these links.
    Wedding gifts. Bridology isn’t just about the bride, the groom, and the people organizing the wedding. Bridology also provides links for guests who want to find out which gift would be the best to give the newlyweds.
    Wedding Fashion. Click here for the latest trends in wedding fashion. Want to know what the newest hairdo for brides is in this season? Or which make up will look best?
    Wedding reception. Learn which vendors can offer you the best catering services and even entertainment during the party.
    Wedding travel. Planning to get married on a remote island? Bridology readers might find the perfect wedding venue on this site.

About Bridology

Bridology is one of the country’s leading wedding blog and jewelry guides, featuring weekly blog posts, a wedding vendors directory, and jewelry guide to the latest engagement rings and wedding bands, and tips for new brides!

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.