Latest news with #BethHenderson
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hendersons keep moving Honey Creek forward
MORAVIA — When Terry and Beth Henderson, as part of Achieva Inc., took over as concessionaires of the state-owned Honey Creek Resort two years ago, they knew the task at hand. Reflecting on the time since, Beth Henderson didn't mince words. "When we got it, it was the Titanic," she said in her office just off the lobby of the resort, which has seen vast improvements since the couple took over. "It was a sinking ship, and we were expected to keep sailing this ship with all the holes in it. "So we've been plugging the holes while we've been building the business." Honey Creek Resort, a few miles west of Moravia, has seen ebbs and flows much like the waters of Rathbun Lake, which is just outside the windows of the resort. The resort is owned by the State of Iowa, but federal land surrounds it. That balancing act has been delicate, but the Hendersons are still pushing to own the property outright. "So the resort sits on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property, and the lake is a Corps lake. The land around the lake is federally owned," Beth Henderson said. "So, in order for it to be privatized, the lease has to be changed from a public lease to a private lease. That's in process, from what we understand. "It will be a complicated process, but it's not impossible." The improvements to the resort seemed almost impossible as well, but through a combination of $6.8 million in deferred maintenance funding from the state, as well as some out-of-pocket costs from the Hendersons, Honey Creek is taking the shape they envisioned. "It takes time to get the visibility out there and the awareness of where we are today compared to two years ago, five years ago," she said. "But we're making strides in the right direction. "Terry and I have been very hands-on as far as working with local vendors and making sure we price things out and getting the most bang for our buck," she said. "We're managing every dollar so we can make it stretch and then we'll have some funds left over to do the things we need to do, not only to fix things, but improve some areas of the resort." Indeed, the resort has come a long way in two years. All 28 cabins outside the main premises of the resort have been redone, a project that took about a year, Terry Henderson said. The cabins are various sizes, but have new flooring, furniture, countertop spaces and other amenities. Outside the resort, one of the Hendersons' first priority areas is complete. A new general store and bourbon bar will be opening for the season soon, and this fall, the resort will be undergoing a roofing project and the dock on the lake will get some needed repairs. The 106 guest rooms — 99 of which are named after Iowa's counties — have been renovated after water pipes burst just before the Hendersons took over. In the waterpark area, a soda fountain that's a throwback to the 1950s and has a Betty Boop mannequin has been a big hit. In short, the resort has a fresher look, as all of the dated elements have been removed from when the building was originally constructed. "We're a destination, and we've really had to embrace that," Terry Henderson said. "When Beth kind of set the vision three or four years ago, we knew we were going to need to also get businesses to come use this as a conference center and not only a place to bring their employees, but also their customers. And we're seeing a really nice uptick. "We hear it all the time that people weren't going to come down any longer after what they saw and experienced three or four years ago, but they were glad they did," Terry Henderson said. "Everything shows that we're going in the right direction." Beth Henderson mentioned the word "challenges" several times, and two of the examples are the Prairie Rose restaurant, as well as the waterpark. However, Terry Henderson said they are "between 80 and 90 percent" finished with the major improvements that were needed. "The Prairie Rose has been an interesting journey, and interesting beast for sure. But I think we're finally figuring that out," she said. "We've pared down the menu and we've introduced fried chicken, which has been something on my list that I've wanted to do from the beginning. "We've added a salad bar, which kind of became obsolete during covid," she said. "Our food quality is so much better than it was when we first started. We've had quite a bit of turnover in the restaurant, but I think that's pretty typical in the restaurant business." The waterpark is also a challenge the Hendersons will soon be tackling, though they declined to get into specifics. Both lamented that it targets a demographic from about 2 to 13 years old, and the key is to attract a more adult demographic, as well. Also, two years ago, Beth Henderson hoped to install an indoor miniature golf course, but that is still on the to-do list. However, she also has other ideas on what could draw more adults to the resort. "We're still working on the best way to accomplish that (the miniature golf course), but it's still in the plan," she said. "You know, new ideas come every single day. Pickleball is a huge draw, so we're talking about maybe having an indoor pickleball court. We're trying to be creative, and we have to continue to be." With the nearness of summer, rising attendance figures at the resort appear to be close at hand as well. Still, two main goals remain: finding a way to be profitable in the winter months from November to February, and taking control of the resort themselves as the state tries to divest itself from those kinds of properties. For now, the Hendersons will be concessionaires until their contract runs out in 2029. "The winter time is an obstacle. Is there enough to do in the wintertime to draw conferences, conventions and groups like that. We're trying to work that out," Beth Henderson said. "We've learned a lot in the last two years." Still, the Hendersons have strong relationships with Appanoose County as well as the governor's office. The state wanted to gift the resort with the county as a pass-through, but Henderson said that "is not going to come to fruition." "They worked really hard to make that happen, but there were a lot of obstacles bertween the state and county, and the county just didn't want to take on that risk without any guarantees," she said. "And that's fine. It'll work out the way it's supposed to work out, and we'll let the state and federal government work out all the details. "Regardless, we'll be running this resort for the next four years, and we're just continuing to try to make improvements and add amenities. We're going to make this place what it could be, and we're not slowing down with what our vision is."
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HKSTP Tech Companies Shine at GITEX Asia 2025 in Singapore
i2Cool won First Place at the Supernova Pitch Challenge HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 April 2025 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has triumphantly wrapped up its high-impact delegation to GITEX Asia 2025 (GITEX Asia) in Singapore, highlighted by park company i2Cool Limited (i2Cool) won first place at the prestigious Supernova Pitch Competition in AI Everything Abu Dhabi Award. HKSTP led a delegation of 15 innovative tech companies to exhibit at the HKSTP Pavilion, showcasing I&T achievements across three major innovation categories: AI, Telecommunications, and Green and Construction. The exhilarating three-day GITEX Asia served as an international platform on which HKSTP tech companies could shine. At the HKSTP Pavilion, 15 of HKSTP's tech companies showcased market-ready breakthroughs spanning AI, telecommunications, green technologies, and construction tech to a global audience representing more than 60 countries and regions. During the Supernova competition and Expand North Star Dubai Pitch Competition, tech companies impressed judges and audiences with their groundbreaking technologies, as they competed against many global innovators for recognition and investment opportunities and gained the experience and exposure that will help them accelerate their growth. i2Cool won first place in the Supernova Pitching Competition at Abu Dhabi Award. The company received US$5,000 as well as opportunities for international exposure, networking, and meetings with top-tier investors and partners. Representative from i2Cool mentioned, 'We are deeply honored to receive the AI Everything Global Award at GITEX Asia. This recognition highlights the innovation behind our electricity-free cooling technology. At i2Cool, we not only deliver superior cooling materials but also integrate AI-driven optical theory predictions and using AI to provide comprehensive pre-assessment and post-verification energy-saving reports. This prestigious award empowers us to further enhance our AI calculation system, particularly in the accuracy of complex climate factor analysis across different regions. We remain committed to delivering the highest level of service to our existing clients and look forward to expanding our presence in the Middle East and ASEAN markets.' Leaders from the built environment and innovation ecosystem gathered to announce the partnership for The GEAR by Kajima Startup CoLab Programme (From left): Beth Henderson, Lead, Startup Programmes of The GEAR by Kajima; Prof Winston Chow, Professor of Urban Climate at Singapore Management University and Co-Chair of Working Group II, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP; Luke Wu, Managing Director of The GEAR by Kajima; Heng Teck Thai, Deputy CEO of Building and Construction Authority; Christine Wong, Assistant CEO of Cluster Group, JTC Corporation; Magdalene Loh, Deputy Executive Director of Manufacturing, Enterprise Singapore; and Patrick Lim, CEO of Action Community for Entrepreneurship. GITEX Asia also saw the official debut of The GEAR by Kajima's Startup CoLab Programme 2025. As the programme's sole overseas technology ecosystem partner, HKSTP is spearheading an international platform that connects cutting-edge tech companies with industry leaders to accelerate innovation in construction sustainability and smart building solutions. This vibrant platform enables HKSTP to spotlight Hong Kong's technological prowess, turbocharging I&T enterprises' market expansion across Southeast Asia and energising Hong Kong's thriving innovation ecosystem. As part of its strategic partnership with The GEAR by Kajima, HKSTP will nominate promising tech innovators to the Startup CoLab Programme 2025. Eight companies will be selected from global applicants to receive expert mentorship, business advisory support, networking opportunities, and access to key Southeast Asian markets. This initiative aims to fast-track their growth, enable effective scaling, and create a lasting impact on the region's smart city landscape, exemplifying HKSTP's commitment to fostering innovation and expanding tech companies' market reach in the built environment ecosystem. Panel session 'From Local to Global: How HKSTP Facilitates Market Expansion for Hong Kong Startups' moderated by Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (1st from Right), featured insights from panellists Vriko Yu, CEO of Archireef Limited (2nd from Right); Kiki Zhang, CFO of FJDynamics International Limited (1st from Left); and Prof. Samuel Au, Founder & CEO of Cornerstone Robotics Limited (2nd from Left). Archireef announced a new nature-based coral restoration research project in Singapore, partnering with Swire Bulk Pte Ltd, Singapore's National Parks Board, and the Reef Ecology Lab at the National University of Singapore. Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, remarked, 'HKSTP is dedicated to driving innovation in the built environment and shaping sustainable, resilient smart cities. Our partnership with The GEAR by Kajima creates vital pathways for Hong Kong tech companies to expand across the region and develop impactful solutions that address real-world challenges. This collaboration also attracts tech innovators from neighbouring nations to join HKSTP's comprehensive and diverse innovation and technology ecosystem – offering access to R&D expertise, talent development programmes, and market expansion support. Looking ahead, we're empowering tech companies to accelerate innovation and grow from Hong Kong's international I&T hub into Mainland China and global markets.' At GITEX Asia, HKSTP showcased its commitment to fostering innovative tech companies, spotlighting Archireef, one of the exhibiting park companies specialising in marine ecosystem restoration. Archireef announced a new nature-based coral restoration research project in Singapore, partnering with Swire Bulk Pte Ltd, Singapore's National Parks Board (NParks), and the Reef Ecology Lab at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The project utilises Archireef's 3D-printed terracotta Reef Tiles™ to restore coral reefs, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience through nature-based solutions. This initiative underscores HKSTP's dedication to supporting deep tech ventures that drives sustainable environmental impact and global expansion. HKSTP's successful participation at GITEX Asia has not only showcased Hong Kong's leading-edge innovations in AI, telecommunications, green tech, and construction technologies but also strengthened its role as a gateway for tech companies to access Southeast Asian and global markets. Appendix: List of 15 exhibiting park companies at GITEX Asia 2025 Hashtag: #HKSTP The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 14 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,200 technology companies from 25 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc. Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined. Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more. Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong. More information about HKSTP is available at
