Latest news with #REMI
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big E, big business, big opportunity: Expo's CEO highlights $1.17B in economic ripples to region
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E and its sister events held at the Eastern States Exposition grounds generated $1.167 billion in economic activity last year. That translates into more than 8,000 jobs — 5,140 in Hampden County alone — and more than $439 million in personal income. The Eastern States Exposition generates more than $6.2 million in income taxes, too. 'We stand here in this historic space to draw attention to an historic and important cultural and economic asset in our region,' Eugene J. Cassidy, The Big E president and CEO, said. 'We are the fourth-largest public event that takes place in North America. And I think that's something that all who are members of the community should take pride in and celebrate. And I think it's something that oftentimes gets overlooked.' The $1.167 billion measures total sales attributed to The Big E, spread out over participating companies across New England and New York. About a third of the earnings, $485 million, is generated just in Hampden County, according a new report. Both numbers are likely an undercount, said Billy Leung, an economist and senior vice president for REMI, Regional Economic Models Inc. of Amherst, authors of the report. 'What we didn't model in this particular scenario is the businesses that come here and market themselves, so they continue to grow, when they're back in Pennsylvania, when they're back in Maine,' he said. The Big E, along with REMI, and state and local leaders, released Tuesday the results of the new economic impact study. The fair reported a $750-million-a-year annual impact prior to the COVID shutdowns in 2020. Leung, who grew up in Agawam and often visited the fair, said he and his team arrived at the $1.167 billion number by calculating not only visitor spending at The Big E, but also Storrowton Village, an RV show, home show, the Poultry Congress and myriad other events. REMI also took into account the effect those dollars have as they move through the local economy. It's not just the carpenter who sets up the trade show booth, but the hardware store, the coffee shop and everyone else that the carpenter does business with, officials noted. John Robison, vice chairman of The Big E's board of trustees, said the $1.167 billion also represents the effects on people's lives. 'That number is too big a thing, really, for any of us to grasp. But I would wager that every single one of you knows somebody who has become wealthy by taking part in this fair,' he said. 'Look at the people who are out there selling swimming pools, who are in our local communities selling snowmobiles, selling cars, selling sweaters, selling hats.' Read more: Big E leader: Weekend crowds will be managed with fixes to fair chokepoints, new weekday ticket deal Food vendors at the fair are all small businesses, he said. Many are owned locally. 'You think, 'How well can you do as a food vendor?' Well, out there we have people who have delivered millions of hot dogs and hamburgers and funnel cakes over the years,' Robison said. 'They have more economic power by operating at our fair than any stand-alone restaurant in this area.' The Big E itself takes in about $30 million a year, Robison said. Of that, it keeps about 20% or 30% each year to maintain and improve its grounds. The Big E — a nonprofit institution — pays West Springfield 1% of its gross revenue each year, funding a community grant program. Last year, the total was $249,013. West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt said that fund, along with other miscellaneous taxes generated on the grounds, makes the Expo the fifth largest taxpayer in West Springfield. West Side benefits in other ways, too, the mayor noted. 'The businesses and the hotels, the extra Dunkin' Donuts and gas stations, those things wouldn't exist on (Memorial) Avenue without the fair driving people down here ... to spend their money in these areas,' Reichelt said. 'And it's also important, because it brings people from outside the region into the region to spend their money, whether it be here in West Springfield, in Springfield, in the neighboring communities.' Cassidy said The Big E has five full-time employees, but during fair season, it has about 1,000 employees on its payroll and about another 3,500 on the grounds. Big E leader: Weekend crowds will be managed with fixes to fair chokepoints, new weekday ticket deals Iconic, giant 'Uncle Sam' moving to plaza that's home to Nathan Bill's pub 58,000 personal care attendants in Massachusetts get raises Read the original article on MassLive. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's New in Scottsdale, Ariz. - Summer '25
Dive into summer savings, relaxation and stay-cool attractions SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether making a splash in the pool at one of Scottsdale's new and refreshed resorts, savoring a bucket list culinary experience, enjoying "noctourism" activities, or immersing oneself in art and culture, Scottsdale is swimming with endless opportunities for visitors to take the plunge into fun, adventure and relaxation. RESORT ROUNDUPFinding personal zen is easier than ever this summer. Starting rates have dropped as low as $79 per night, which leaves even more room to treat the mind, body and soul with special resort packages. Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale's "Desert Dreams Package" includes everything needed for tranquility and unwinding in the room, while Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia's "No Posting, No Liking, Just Living Package" will show visitors how to take a true digital detox. Travelers can dive into more summer savings and trip planning tools at The REMI, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, is slated to open in June, bringing a bold, boutique energy and sensory-rich hotel stay. It features 161 guest rooms including 22 suites, a rooftop pool on the 12th floor, VIP access to Maya Day + Nightclub next door, and a partnership with AWAY Spa at W Scottsdale. The REMI will also offer five culinary venues, including Kauboi (pronounced "cowboy") with a Robatayaki grill and hidden whiskey bar, F/Sixteen serving comfort food and boozy shakes, and Allegra Rooftop Lounge, a Moroccan-inspired bar. The historic, midcentury modern Hotel Valley Ho has announced an $18-million room renovation, the largest since its opening in 1956. Later this year, the hotel plans to unveil additional redesigned rooms and new Executive Suites. Designed by Scottsdale's Mendil + Meyer Design Studio, the reimagined rooms create a blend of vintage charm and modern design. Hidden desert oasis, Castle Hot Springs, introduces its new Top of the Lodge, a three-bedroom, four-bathroom suite designed for group getaways with a wraparound deck, just steps from the resort's dining and social scene. The Sonoran Epicurean Escape, a four-night culinary retreat launching in June and returning in December, will take guests on an immersive, gastronomic journey into the artistry of fine dining, led by the resort's celebrated culinary team. Half of all proceeds in June will directly benefit local nonprofit, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, which provides women with holistic services and support needed to build personalized pathways out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency. Tucked away in the lush expanse of McCormick Ranch, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, a Curio Collection Resort by Hilton, unveils its most luxurious addition yet: The Stillman Villas, a secluded enclave of 12 two-story villas with a private entrance and private pool as the centerpiece, creating an intimate resort-within-a-resort. The villas mark the final chapter in the resort's $40-million transformation that began in 2023. Each villa is a serene retreat of its own – boasting ample living areas and kitchens, along with sunlit, spa-like bathrooms – that caters to group getaways of varying sizes. Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas has completed the first phase of its ongoing $24-million renovation with the redesign of 25 two-bedroom premium villas, the rest of which will be completed in the fall, for a total of 45. The Villas at Hilton Scottsdale Resort are arranged in clusters of five for group convenience. Its private access to the pool area is complete with a fire pit, grab-and-go market, and bar. Other exclusive amenities include refrigerator stocking, private chef dinners, s'mores gatherings, wine and whiskey tastings, and more. From daily brunch and happy hour to a cool reprieve in an underground wine cellar, visitors can dine the summer away at LON's at The Hermosa Inn, a AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel hideaway and Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America by OpenTable. Running May 15-Aug. 31, Thursday through Sunday nights, Executive Chef Brian Peterson and his culinary team will create an unforgettable "Cool Dining" evening in the wine cellar featuring a weekly rotating five-course menu, plus amuse and intermezzo. Brunch will also be offered seven days a week May 12-Aug. 31, along with happy hour 3-6 p.m. every day at LON's Last Drop, a must-visit watering hole in the Town of Paradise Valley. Great Wolf Lodge Arizona invites guests to summer camp May 23-Aug. 24, for themed programming that complements the resort's signature family-friendly attractions and expansive indoor waterpark. Campers of all ages will stay engaged in amusement all day with games, Splash & Dance Pool Parties, a Summer Camp-In Jamboree, Trailblazer Challenges, arts and crafts, bedtime stories, and even summer cocktails for the adults. SIP + SAVOR The abundantly lavish Sexy Roman debuts inside W Scottsdale, a lively hotel in Old Town's Entertainment District. Led by James Beard-nominated chef, Jason Franey, and the LA-based restaurant team behind Baltaire Steakhouse and Flint by Baltaire in Phoenix, Sexy Roman will serve upscale twists on authentic recipes of Italy and the Mediterranean, alongside a signature, custom-made martini cart. The martini cart is summoned by pressing a hidden button that bathes the table in a red glow, bringing a martini made-to-order with a nitro-chilled glass. New restaurant Glenrosa opened April 5 at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, Arizona's only lighted golf course. Dubbed a "Sonoran live fire" concept, Glenrosa's centerpiece is a custom-made live fire grill, contributing to the restaurant's Sonoran hacienda ambiance. James Beard-nominated chef, Samantha Sanz, played a key role in shaping the opening menu. Now led by Chef Victor Davila, previously executive chef at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, Glenrosa's menu uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients for family-style platters. The remodeled building was originally constructed in the 1980s as a modern interpretation of a traditional Hohokam village structure. Shiv Supper Club, a bold and boundary-pushing dining experience, is set to open this month as Arizona's first upscale supper club, with a coveted, after-hours indulgence, The Dessert Room. Every Friday and Saturday beginning at 9:30 p.m., Shiv Supper Club will evolve into its seductive, late-night alter ego. Acclaimed Pastry Chef Nundi Harris' exclusive collection of 12 desserts will be ever-changing, with bespoke creations like the Dessert "Caviar" Service. Craft 64, a Scottsdale staple known for its woodfired pizza with house-made mozzarella, and its extensive 100% local beer list, has introduced a new menu, expanding into the world of handcrafted pasta. The new "Pasta 64" menu offers a choice of fresh sauces, a variety of cheese and the option to add meatballs or smoked sausage. This refreshed menu also includes new pies like the Carne Asada Pizza and The Tipsy Pig, made with house vodka sauce. The Americano, an Italian-inspired steakhouse helmed by celebrated chefs Beau MacMillan and Peter McQuaid, is giving Sundays a glow-up with the launch of a decadent, themed brunch program exclusively available for holidays like Mother's Day, which will be paired with a bellini and mimosa cart. Beneath The Americano, the libations continue at Tell Your Friends. Recently named 2025 Bar of the Year by the prestigious Bar & Restaurant Expo Industry Excellence Awards, Tell Your Friends is unveiling its first new cocktail menu since opening in May 2024. Founded by Jamie Hormel, owner of the iconic Wrigley Mansion – a Phoenix landmark built in 1931 by Chicago Cubs' owner, William Wrigley Jr. – Jamie's Bottle Shop opened in Old Town Scottsdale March 28. Designed to inspire and educate wine lovers, the store stocks a curated selection of both accessible and aspirational bottles, from sustainable options to hidden gems and cult favorites. The Champagne Room will host weekly tastings and classes, as well. SUMMER FUN UNDER (+ AFTER) THE SUN After dark, visitors can delight in cooler temperatures and the night sky with "noctourism" activities such as stargazing at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North at the base of Pinnacle Peak or at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, located in a Dark Sky Zone. Guests can also join lunar-inspired sound baths and full moon yoga sessions at CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa or take a moonlight bike ride at Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale. Away from the resort, more fun can be found under the stars with a "Full Moon Glow Paddle" at Canyon Lake through Yak N Sup, a Night Vision Tour with Stellar Adventures, and on a guided trek through McDowell Mountain Regional Park. At the Desert Botanical Garden's Flashlight Nights, meander the trails beneath starry skies to see desert plants and creatures in a new light, select dates June 7-Sept. 13. W Scottsdale's iconic WET Deck pool parties are back this season with the debut of "Sun Chasers," a W Hotels global campaign celebrating the euphoric spirit of summer. All weekend, the WET Deck will be abuzz, serving up chilled cocktails and electrifying DJ beats. The hotel will also host a series of events for Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July — showing the only fireworks display in Old Town Scottsdale. Surrounded by Andalusia, Spain-inspired charm, guests of Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia can marvel at live flamenco performances and interactive multi-course dinners at Prado's tapas bar, and cool off with the "Rock the Kasbah" Pool Series every weekend afternoon through Aug. 31. The vibrant poolside series spices up the summer with a DJ, food and beverages, games, signature sunset rituals and newly refreshed cabanas with special amenities. Arizona Party Bike is teaming up with The Monarch Hotel to beat the heat and take its pub crawl to the next level. Hop on the bike – pedaling optional – to visit two of downtown's most popular pubs and enjoy ice cold beverages. For the grand finale, riders are dropped off as VIPs at the hotel's pool party where they can skip the lines and indulge in a complimentary cocktail pitcher and reserved VIP seating. Rides are available Fridays and Saturdays, May-October. ART + ATTRACTIONSWith three area museums and myriad world-class shopping centers, Scottsdale provides plenty of ways to keep cool and entertained indoors this season. Visitors can feel the rhythm of faraway places at the Musical Instrument Museum through immersive galleries and signature cultural events, which will showcase Cuba May 17-18 and France July 12-13. A seasonal concert series also brings a new lineup of exceptional performers such as Macy Gray, Kirk Whalum, Patti Austin and Pure Prairie League. The recently debuted special exhibition, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, also continues with curator-led tours once a month through August. Explore a rich display of Scottsdale Public Art exhibitions, including one that opened this month and another opening June 28. The first, "Superdelic Psychonatural," features reverence and joy for nature through paintings, sculptures, four augmented reality pieces, and a 10-foot-by-4-foot silk painting titled "End of Summer (Flower Curtain)," which are on display through July 15 at Scottsdale Civic Center Library. Second, Squidsoup, the British artist collaborative behind the popular 2017 installation "Ocean of Light: Submergence," will return to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art with the new installation, "Infinite," surrounding viewers with hundreds of illuminated spheres and rich sound. Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall continues to expand its selection of leading retailers and brands, including the recently added Creed Boutique, Gap, James Perse, PXG Apparel and Zadig & Voltaire, as well as gorjana, all newly opened as of April. Make a day of it at the indoor mall with a visit to Wonderspaces, an interactive and revolving art show, or a top-notch lunch or dinner at the brand-new Élephante. Shopping, dining and entertainment center, Scottsdale Quarter, welcomes new openings such as Sweet Paris Crêperie and Swarovski, and soon to come, Abercrombie & Fitch, bluSONIL — a first-of-its-kind, locally owned wellness destination — and more. Find summertime fun for little ones after a day of shopping at the Quarter's splash pad fountain, open daily and often hosting free summer events for the whole family. For more Scottsdale travel news and story ideas, visit MEDIA CONTACTS:Laura McMurchie, Vice President of Communications480-429-2253, lmcmurchie@ Christina Dicksen, Director of Communications480-889-2709, cdicksen@ Kendal O'Connor, Communications Manager480-424-1958, koconnor@ MacKenzie Brower, Communications Coordinator480-424-1980, mbrower@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Experience Scottsdale Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya - Achieving global reach for refugee entrepreneurs: A Dadaab story
In Kenya's Garissa County, the Dadaab refugee complex has long hosted refugees from other countries in the region, particularly from Somalia but also from Ethiopia, South Sudan, and several others. In place for over three decades, the complex now has three main camps in operation. Some people have spent their entire lives in the Dadaab complex. For the people living in Dadaab, finding sources of income can be particularly challenging. Refugees, for instance, may run into difficulties accessing consistent electricity or internet sources in their camps, or may lack identification cards that employers, including freelancer websites, may require. That is why the International Trade Centre (ITC) has had an active presence in the area for several years, including under its Refugees Empowerment Through Markets Initiative (REMI). This project involves refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returning migrants, local communities, and their businesses. It is also informed by ITC's extensive research on what it means to support small businesses in fragile and conflict-affected settings. One of the organizations that ITC works with in Dadaab is Nyota Farsamo Artisanal Collective, a Somali-Kenyan artisan collective which helps women refugees to start and build their businesses. They focus on handicrafts and provide women with support to strengthen their entrepreneurship skills. They are also responsible for creating a network among these women-led businesses. ITC has worked with Nyota Farsamo over several years, even before the launch of REMI, thanks to the support of the European Union under projects such as the Area Based Livelihoods Initiative–Garissa (ABLI-G), and also via other multi-funder projects such as the Refugee Employment and Skills Initiative (RESI), supported by Japan, the EU, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Danish Refugee Council. One of the recent milestones for Nyota Farsamo came in 2023, when they began a collaboration that will allow them to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) MADE51 initiative in 2024. That initiative now spans 23 countries and counting. 'By now Dadaab has second, even third generations of displaced persons, and it is not clear for them if there is a chance to go back,' Athir Hajir Adbi, Nyota Farsamo's chair, told ITC's Trade Forum magazine. 'Our collective also stands for support and belonging in a home away from home. With a little money in their pockets, women are empowered to leave abusive relationships, or buy basic needs such as water, food, and clothes—so the economic effect trickles down to leading a dignified life as a human being.' Being part of MADE51 means accessing social enterprise partners from across world regions, along with opportunities for seed funding and other resources. It also means that artisans can access new buyers for their products, drawing on the strong reputation that the initiative has built since its inception. The Nyota Farsamo collective is now looking to build on this success to set up market outlets in Dadaab, Garissa, and Nairobi. Nyota Farsamo is one of many such stories of collectives that ITC and its partners are working with, and as ITC works in more fragile and conflict-affected settings, it is engaging closely with partners in the humanitarian and development space to ensure that every intervention is tailored to a given situation's nuances. That includes, as the situation requires, undertaking conflict-sensitivity assessments and other analyses. ITC is currently developing guidelines for these assessments. ITC has also made pledges under the Global Refugee Compact in both 2019 and 2023, outlining its plans for scaling up its work, and co-hosted a Global Refugee Forum-linked event in December 2023. The most recent pledges feature a commitment to continue taking a partnership-driven approach, connecting the private sector and humanitarian initiatives, to tackle challenges refugees face when participating in the local and global economy. Over time, these efforts will not just change the economic possibilities for refugees themselves, but also change the wider business and policy ecosystem accordingly. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
