Las Vegas NV Blog

SINGAPORE, Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TravelThru, a rapidly expanding global passenger transportation company, has introduced its new “Alba Loyalty” program, aiming to reward frequent customers and cement its position in the competitive travel market. The launch comes as TravelThru celebrates two years of impressive growth since its founding.

The Alba Loyalty program offers members the opportunity to earn points on transactions, which can be exchanged for a variety of perks including discounts, service upgrades, and complimentary add-ons. In a novel approach, TravelThru is also offering new customers the option to purchase membership cards, granting immediate access to these benefits.

TravelThru CEO Tan Mai highlighted the company’s customer-centric philosophy: “Our success is intrinsically linked to customer satisfaction. The Alba Loyalty program is our way of expressing gratitude to our loyal clientele.”

Industry experts view this move as a strategic expansion beyond TravelThru’s core transportation services. By incorporating benefits such as eSIM services, travel insurance, and fast-track airport access, the company is positioning itself as a comprehensive travel solutions provider.

Since its inception, TravelThru has experienced remarkable expansion, now serving millions of customers annually across hundreds of global destinations. The company credits this rapid growth to its commitment to innovation and service excellence.

Looking ahead, TravelThru plans to enhance the Alba Loyalty program further, with new benefits and expanded membership tiers on the horizon. This initiative is seen as a key component of the company’s strategy to maintain its market leadership in an evolving travel landscape.

As the industry continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences, TravelThru’s latest offering demonstrates its agility and commitment to meeting customer needs. With its holistic approach to travel services, the company appears well-positioned for continued growth in the global transportation sector.

For more details on the Alba Loyalty program, interested customers can visit https://travelthru.com/alba-loyalty.

TRAVELTHRU
Address: 8 Boon Lay Way, #11-08, 8@Tradehub 21, Singapore
Hotline: +1 (415) 855-3868
Website:https://travelthru.com

Media Contact:
TravelThru Media
+1(415)8553868
[email protected]

SOURCE TravelThru

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Renowned travel journalist and luxury blogger Christopher Parr, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Pursuitist, has been honored as the “Best Luxury Travel Influencer and Blogger” in the world.

The Luxury Lifestyle Awards—a global organization dedicated to identifying, recognizing, and celebrating excellence in luxury—has named Parr, an award-winning travel journalist (contributor to CBS, Conde Nast Traveler, Business Insider, Wall Street Journal, and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist) as the “Best Luxury Travel Influencer and Blogger” worldwide.

This recognition coincides with the 15th anniversary of Pursuitist, the acclaimed luxury travel and lifestyle guide. For fifteen years, discerning readers have turned to Pursuitist for expertly curated insights into the world of 5-star luxury, crafted by respected experts, insiders, and journalists. The publication offers comprehensive reviews and evaluations, highlighting the finest high-end experiences, products, and destinations.

“We are delighted to celebrate 15 years of Pursuitist and are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Luxury Lifestyle Awards,” said Christopher Parr, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. “As a trusted resource for our readers, we remain committed to showcasing, reviewing, and ranking the best in luxury travel, dining, fashion, automobiles, cutting-edge technology, and gadgets.”

Internationally acknowledged as one of the most influential publications in the luxury lifestyle and travel sector, Pursuitist stands out as the only ad-free and independent authority in the space, attracting over 30 million unique monthly web visitors and amassing a social media following of over 700,000.

USA Today has named Parr a “Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger,” while Forbes has called Pursuitist “The Best Luxury Blog,” and John Legend has even labeled the guide as “The Louis Vuitton of luxury blogs.”

“Pursuitist.com shines with its unique 5-Star Gold Award section, showcasing personal experiences and recommendations that resonate deeply with luxury consumers. They not only inspire readers to experience these products or services but also foster trust and awareness, making Pursuitist an invaluable player in the media industry,” said Alexander Chetchikov, CEO and Founder of Luxury Lifestyle Awards.

Pursuitist has proudly collaborated with top-tier brands, including Chanel, Hermès, Lexus, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, LVMH, BMW, and Walt Disney World. The publication has also featured interviews with esteemed personalities such as Chef Nobu, John Legend, A-Rod, Chris Pratt, Isadore Sharp, and Margot Robbie.

“As we mark our 15th anniversary, we are thrilled to be recognized as the Best Luxury Influencer and Blogger in the World by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards. Our mission is to curate the best for our discerning readers, empowering them to make informed choices in their pursuit of happiness,” added Parr.

Online at https://pursuitist.com/.

Contact:

Laura Stevens
(212) 286-2860
[email protected] 

SOURCE Pursuitist

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — “I wanted to create an improved scent dispensing product for hunters to help attract animals to a hunting spot and hide their scent in changing wind patterns,” said an inventor, from Chesapeake, Va., “so I invented the SCENT GRENADE. My design would serve as a more convenient and effective alternative to using drag systems and other scent products.”

The invention provides an effective way to dispense game attractant scent into the air. In doing so, it offers a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional game scent products. As a result, it would help lure animals to a hunting area. It also reduces the risk of animals detecting the hunter’s scent during location and/or wind pattern changes. The invention features a biodegradable design that is easy to use so it is ideal for hunters. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.

The original design was submitted to the Richmond sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 23-RKH-640, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp’s Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com

SOURCE InventHelp

WADDINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On a day dimmed by clouds and rain, lightning struck a second time for Canadian superstar Cory Johnston.

After claiming his first blue trophy at the season’s fourth event at the St. Johns River, the pro from Otonabee, Canada, tallied 102 pounds and claimed the $100,000 top prize at the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

“It was a lot of hard work; I put a lot of time into this,” Johnston said. “I’ve said it 100 times, this is my favorite place to come, this is my favorite crowd with all my family and friends, all the Canadian support — and it’s a short drive home.”

After placing fourth on Day 1 with 25 pounds, Day 2 saw Johnston add 27-7 and tie rookie Robert Gee for second. On Semifinal Saturday, Johnston weighed 24-14 and slipped back to second, 13 ounces behind Gee.

With Championship Sunday delivering 24-11, Johnston surged to the top and edged Gee by 1-9. Enhancing his victory, Johnston earned his second entry into the Bassmaster Century Club, which recognizes an angler for catching 100 pounds or more with four days of five-bass limits.

Notably, Johnston was the first angler to earn a Bassmaster Century Club Belt with all smallmouth by weighing a tournament total of 100-5 during the 2022 Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. He finished second to Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat, but Johnston weighed in before Przekurat and wrote his name in the record book.

All week, Johnston made a big run into Lake Ontario and did most of his work on an 80-yard stretch of bottom in 33 feet that was loaded with big smallmouth. The first two days brought calm conditions and fairly easy fishing, but Days 3 and 4 saw big winds roil the lake and severely challenge boat control and presentations.

Confident with what lives on that spot, Johnston said he was committed to his game plan.

“I screwed up here last year and spent too much time in the river the first day and blew my chances at winning,” said Johnston, who placed sixth in the 2023 Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. “I said, ‘I’ll never make a cast in this river again. I don’t care if there are 12-footers in the lake.’

“There weren’t 12s, but there were 8s and 10s. I didn’t have a lot of fishing time — about three hours a day — but I made it worth it.”

Catching his fish on a drop shot, Johnston used a 6th Sense Party Minnow and a prototype 6th Sense minnow. He rigged his drop shot with a 3/8-ounce weight in all conditions but adjusted his presentations accordingly.

“The first two days, I couldn’t move the drop shot; I’d have to cast it out and let it sit there and that was it,” Johnston said. “The last two days, I’d cast it past them and drag it through them.”

Coming into the season with a trio of second-place finishes, Johnston was yearning for an Elite win.

“It’s been five years, and I hadn’t won (an Elite event) until this year,” Johnston said. “I’ve been close a few times and I just had a feeling. I told (Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer), ‘Florida’s not going to be the only one.'”

Sweetening the experience, Johnston’s younger brother Chris (who finished fourth) won the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with 758 points. The first Canadian to win a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament — the 2020 event at the St. Lawrence River — Johnston also owns the distinction of being the first Canadian to win the Bassmaster AOY title.

“It’s unbelievable,” Johnston said. “What more can you ask for? It’s been an incredible week, for sure.”

Gee, who makes his home in Knoxville, Tenn., spent most of Day 1 in Lake Ontario and caught a limit of 25-12. The next three days saw him lock onto what’s largely a St. Lawrence River community hole between Carleton Island and the main channel.

Focusing on a point with scattered boulders and breaks, Gee fished a jighead minnow rig with a 1/4-ounce head and a 5-inch bait. He turned in weights of 26-11, 25-11 and a final-round limit of 22-5. Gee’s 100-7 total earned the event’s other Century Club entry.

“I gave it all I had out there up against the two greatest smallmouth fishermen in the world (the Johnstons),” Gee said. “The fish just didn’t bite that well for me. The wind changed direction, so I didn’t get to present my bait directly with the current.

“It was kind of at an angle and I think that kind of threw them off because it wasn’t swimming true with the current.”

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., finished third with 98-9. His daily weights were 23-10, 25-10, 24-2 and 25-3.

McKinney, who won the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title, spent most of his time in the river and caught his fish on a jighead minnow rig with a Strike King Z-Too.

“Today I was out there working as hard as I could to try and catch ’em,” McKinney said. “I feel absolutely blessed. I never thought I’d stand up here and catch another 25-pound bag.

“It’s an unbelievable fishery. I’d love to live closer.”

McKinney earned the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for Day 4 with his 5-9.

Joey Cifuentes III won the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament honors with his 6-15. He also won the $1,000 daily award on Day 1.

Reigning Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors champion Justin Hamner, who finished 61st, won the $10,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Year award for the 11-pound, 7-ounce giant he caught at the 2024 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.

Chris Johnston won the $2,000 CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament award with his 29-5 Day 3 limit.

McKinney also took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, while Drew Benton earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Gee earned an additional $4,000 while McKinney claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosted the tournament.

Contact:
Chad Gay
[email protected] 

SOURCE B.A.S.S.

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a revolutionary leap for aviation, Istari Digital has announced that a modification of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® X-56A is on track to become the world’s first digitally-certified aircraft. Last year, the United States Air Force awarded Istari Digital a $19 million contract to pioneer this ambitious program, aptly named Flyer Øne in homage to the Wright Brothers. The goal? To create and flight certify a digital twin before it’s physically built, paving the way for future aircraft development to mirror the rapid pace of software engineering.

While digital certification is routine in industries like Formula 1 racing, it’s unprecedented in aviation. “It’s not as futuristic as it sounds,” said Will Roper, Istari Digital founder and CEO. “For a new aircraft variant, if the structure and flight dynamics can be simulated accurately, physical prototypes become the slow lane. Hardware as software is the fast lane.”

Istari Digital has previously been tight-lipped about the specifics of their aircraft and industry partners. In an exclusive reveal, they shared the exciting news. “Having just passed a major Design Review, we’re thrilled to announce the modification of the Skunk Works X-56A is on track to achieve the first digital flight release,” Roper said. “The United States Air Force X-Plane program has a storied history of breaking physical boundaries—from the sound barrier to sub-orbital flight. Now, they’re breaking digital barriers too.”

The X-56A, developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, is an advanced modular uncrewed aerial vehicle designed to push the boundaries of High-Altitude Long Endurance flight. With a 7.5-foot fuselage and a 27.5-foot wingspan, the X-56A first took flight in the summer of 2013 from Edwards Air Force Base. With a unique mission to demonstrate flutter prediction capability and flutter suppression, the program achieved significant progress in flight control, demonstrating the ability to suppress body freedom flutter through the development of slender, flexible wings.

The Flyer Øne design features significant modifications to landing gear systems, cameras, as well as addressing obsolescence issues. “In many respects, this is a simpler variant of the aircraft,” said a member of the Skunk Works team. “We collected significant data during the original program, so the simulation of updated flight performance has a solid foundation.”

Roper initiated the defense trend of adopting digital engineering practices during his tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, penning the Matrix-inspired “There is No Spoon” in late 2020. The Pentagon has since directed digital engineering for all future programs. However, unlike Formula 1, aerospace and defense face challenges in integrating numerous intellectual property and classified data sources, making adoption more difficult.

Istari Digital’s solution is a new decentralized data meshing technology that expands on the concept of a “digital thread.” Earlier this month, they launched Model Øne, a program to build an “internet of models” for the Pentagon. In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Roper and former Google CEO and Istari Digital investor Eric Schmidt highlighted how such infrastructure could simplify and accelerate virtual technology across industries. “Applying software practices to hardware will lead to revolutionary speed and agility,” Schmidt said. “Istari Digital is providing the missing infrastructure to connect coding environments with existing engineering tools, making software speeds possible for hardware at scale.”

For the digital X-56A, this new digital infrastructure will act as a plug-and-play interface between Lockheed Martin’s simulations and the Air Force’s stringent airworthiness process. The aim is to meet the burden of proof normally required physically for a Military Flight Release.

Once approved, the aircraft-on-a-chip will be built to specification and flown at Edwards Air Force Base. If the physical twin matches the digital model, the aircraft-on-a-chip is a real airplane, at least from a research and development perspective. It can be updated and evolved using software processes without the time, cost, and environmental impact of physical world innovation.

However, Roper cautions, “It isn’t surprising this subsonic drone can be modeled in near virtual reality because it is anchored by significant physical world data. The original X-56A was built to collect flexible wing data because it could not be modeled from extrapolated rigid-wing designs. Model pedigree determines what can be a digital twin.”

The risk of over-extrapolation was evident in the 2022 Formula 1 season when new ground-effect regulations led to unexpected “porpoising” effects for many teams, including Mercedes. Taking over half the season to model, understand, and then correct them, Mercedes Tech Director, Mike Elliott, blamed a single simulation error: “If we hadn’t made that one mistake, we’d have a car that was winning the world championship,” Elliott said.

As Flyer Øne, and with it, aviation, now take to the digital skies, both new design speeds and technical risks will follow in its wake. But like Formula 1, clinging to legacy processes is a losing strategy. Even with new risks, design speed and cycle time win.

Istari Digital Press Contact: [email protected] 

SOURCE Istari Digital, Inc.

This highly anticipated milestone opening underscores the company’s industry-leading luxury portfolio and continued strong global growth

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced its 9,000^th property with the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. Situated on an expansive 18 acres in Longboat Key, Florida, this luxury beachfront property features 168 exquisite guestrooms, including 26 suites, and offers breathtaking ocean views, outstanding culinary experiences, and world-class amenities, all reflective of the St. Regis brand’s signature distinctive design and exceptional service. The resort will also feature 69 private branded residences that will provide an extraordinary luxury living experience on Florida’s Suncoast.

Developed by Unicorp National Developments and designed by SB Architects, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA Miami) and Dutch East Design, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is setting the tone for the brand’s expanding resort portfolio, marking the largest development on the island in over 50 years.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key, a true testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury and personalized service,” said Anthony Capuano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “It is particularly fitting that this magnificent hotel marks the 9,000^th property in our portfolio. This exquisitely designed new build resort embodies the elegance and sophistication synonymous with the St. Regis brand. We are excited to invite guests and Residence Owners to experience this unique blend of modern amenities and timeless charm, and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories for them in this stunning location.”

The company commemorated the opening with a celebration complete with the signature St. Regis champagne sabrage in the resort’s Great Hall overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort further solidifies Marriott International’s global leadership in luxury, with an unmatched portfolio of seven brands, across 522 luxury hotels and resorts in 72 countries and territories, with a strong pipeline of 233 signed projects in 57 countries and territories. 

The opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort also marks the latest milestone in the company’s continued global leadership in branded residences. The 69 private residences, all of which sold out in less than a year, will be complete with spacious outdoor terraces, private elevator access and more. Today, Marriott International has a portfolio of 139 open branded residential properties in 32 countries and territories, with a strong pipeline of 122 projects across 38 countries and territories.

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is available for booking on marriott.com and will participate in Marriott Bonvoy® – the company’s award-winning travel program – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stays at this hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of more than 30 brands.

The company is also offering 9,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for guests who are enrolled in the program and have booked at the St. Regis Longboat Key today through Sunday, August 18. 

Note of Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected hotel additions; our development pipeline; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of approximately 9,000 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy^®, its highly awarded travel program.  For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays and Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, through partners or for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining timeless glamour with a vanguard spirit, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is committed to delivering exquisite experiences at more than 55 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Beginning with the debut of The St. Regis Hotel in New York by John Jacob Astor IV at the dawn of the twentieth century, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by the signature St. Regis Butler Service. For more information and new openings, visit stregis.com or follow Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments , and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

WADDINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 17, 2024  /PRNewswire/ — After finishing in 31^st place Friday, his second-straight frustrating day on the St. Lawrence River, Chris Johnston still managed a smile.

“I might have one trick up my sleeve still,” Johnston said. “I haven’t practiced it. I’m just going to wing it. I have nothing to lose now. I can fish with no pressure. I know there’s big ones that live there. I hope the wind makes them bite a little better.”

Man, did he ever wing it, rallying with 29 pounds, 5 ounces – the biggest five-bass limit of the tournament so far – and clinched the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in the process.

“You have no idea how much stress I was under the last couple of days,” said the 35-year-old Johnston, who is from Otonabee, Ontario. “Everything that could have gone wrong did. A couple of nights I didn’t get to sleep until like one in the morning.

“I got a lot of gray hairs these last three days. I think when I started this year, I didn’t have one. But they’re coming in thick now.”

Johnston was in unfamiliar territory after the first two days of this tournament. In five previous Elite Series events here – 20 competition days – he’d finished in the Top 10 every day and was in the Top 3 on 15 of those 20 days. He became the first Canadian to win an Elite Series tournament in 2020 when he won on the St. Lawrence.

So, when he fell from 16^th place on Day 1 to 31^st place on Day 2, Thursday and Friday, Johnston was in unfamiliar territory. The trick he had up his sleeve was going to a couple of places near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, where he’d had much success in the past.

“I got spun out the last couple of days,” Johnston said. “I had too much going through my mind, thinking about where I needed to go to catch the 27 or 28 pounds that live out here. Today, I just said, ‘You know what? It’s too rough on the lake, and I know two spots in the river that have the potential to get the 25 or 30 pounds that I need.'”

Coming into this tournament Justin Hamner, the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors champion, was leading the AOY standings by 13 points over Johnston and 19 points over Jacob Foutz, the third-year pro from Charleston, Tenn. Hamner, who is from Northport, Ala., fell out of the running when he finished 61^st on Friday and missed the Day 2/Top 50 cut.

Foutz finished Friday in ninth place but was only 3½ pounds ahead of Johnston in the tightly packed standings. Saturday’s rough water on Lake Ontario kept Foutz from repeating his success of the previous two days. One year ago, he was on the edge of failing to requalify for the Elite Series.

“It’s been an incredible year just have a chance at AOY the last few days of the year,” said Foutz, who weighed only 14-9 Saturday and fell to 35^th place. “This time last year I didn’t know if I was going to be back on this stage. Just to turn it around is awesome.

“I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of this whole deal. It’s been a heck of a year. I have no complaints.”

Contact:
Chad Gay
[email protected]

SOURCE B.A.S.S.

By David A. Brown

WADDINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Rookie standout Robert Gee distanced himself from seasoned veteran Cory Johnston geographically and, more importantly, statistically to tally a 3-day total of 78 pounds, 2 ounces and take over the Day 3 lead at the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

Day 2 found Gee and Johnston tied for the top spot with 52-7 each. Now, the young angler from Knoxville, Tenn., heads into Championship Sunday with a 13-ounce lead over Johnston.

“It’s been a blessing; everything’s just going right, and I can’t do anything wrong,” Gee said. “I’m going to keep riding this train as far as it will take me and just give God the glory.”

Chris Johnston, Cory’s younger brother, won the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with 758 points. The first Canadian to win a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament — the 2020 event at the St. Lawrence River — Johnston also owns the distinction of being the first Canadian to win the Bassmaster AOY title. For this honor, he claimed a top prize of $100,000.

“I couldn’t have done it in a better place,” Johnston said. “Waddington has been great to me.”

Making his home in Otonabee, Ontario, Johnston posted a Day 1 weight of 23-2 and landed in a three-way tie for 15th place with Keith Combs and Jake Whitaker. Johnston added 20-11 on Day 2 and slipped to 31st.

Righting the ship, Johnston caught a Semi-Final Saturday limit of 29-5 and tied California pro Bryant Smith for the largest limit of smallmouth caught in a B.A.S.S. event. Smith set his mark at last year’s St. Lawrence event.

“I remembered how to catch bass today and man, did it ever feel good,” said Johnston, who sits in fourth place with 73-02. “I got spun out the past two days with just too much going through my mind. I was thinking about where I need to run to catch 27 to 28 pounds.

“Today I said, ‘It’s too rough on the lake and I know two spots in the river that have the potential to get the 25 to 30 pounds I need.’ I put my head down and just went fishing. It’s amazing what happens when you just go grinding.”

Gee, who has notched three Top 10s in his first Elite season (second at Smith Lake, third last week at Champlain and fourth at the season-opener at Toledo Bend), spent most of his first day in Lake Ontario and caught a second-place limit of 25-12.

Shifting gears, he did all of his second-round work just inside the river, where he targeted isolated boulders and shelves along a point running out from Carleton Island. This spot yielded 26-11 — Gee’s personal best smallmouth limit.

Returning to his river deal, Gee added a third-round limit of 25-11.

“I’m on probably the best spot in the river,” Gee said. “I’m going to sit there all day and hopefully I can catch five, because they’re all big.”

Noting that his spot has been loaded with hefty fish, Gee attributes the mix of quality and quantity to a vibrant habitat.

“There’s a lot of life on that spot; there’s a lot of drum, there’s a lot of carp and there’s a lot of bait,” Gee said. “There’s a lot of gobies, too, because I’ve seen them rise up off the bottom and come check out my bait.

“It’s the first main big point facing into the current at the mouth of the lake. It’s just a money hole.”

Gee said he has been rotating through about seven waypoints in the general area. He’s catching his fish on a jighead minnow rig with a 5-inch bait that mimics the gobies.

“They sit on those rocks and shelves, and I just go down and go back, go down and go back,” Gee said. “I have to keep the bait above the fish for them to bite it.”

Also hailing from Otonabee, Ontario, Cory Johnston braved the huge waves of a wind-whipped Lake Ontario to sack up a third-round limit of 24-14. Along with his first two days’ limits of 25-0 and 27-7, Johnston sits in second with 77-5.

“It was as big as I’ve ever seen it out there,” Johnston said of the lake’s turbulence. “There were definitely some 10-foot (waves); lots of 8s and lots of 6s. It made things really difficult, but we managed to catch five of the right ones.

“I’m going to go out there tomorrow and do it again. I came back probably 40 minutes early, so I’m going to have an extra 40 minutes tomorrow. We’ll see if we can go catch five great big ones.”

Johnston, who won the year’s fourth Elite at the St. Johns River, has been targeting an 80-yard stretch of bottom in about 40 feet. He’s rotating through four different baits and has caught fish on each.

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., is in third with 73-6. Turning in daily weights of 23-10, 25-10 and 24-2, McKinney stayed in the St. Lawrence and caught his fish on drop shots and a jighead minnow rig with a Strike King Baby Z Too in Tennessee Shad.

With this performance, McKinney secured the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title with 734 points and collected the $10,000 award.

After becoming the youngest angler to win an Elite title in the season’s second event at Lake Fork, the 19-year-old McKinney was disqualified from the Smith Lake Elite tournament for a rules violation. Taking his year’s totality into consideration, McKinney said he considers it all a learning experience.

“To see the highs and lows this year, this (award) means so much,” McKinney said. “This rookie class is so good, it’s an absolute honor.”

Chris Johnston earned the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for Day 3 with his 6-7.

Joey Cifuentes III is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament honors with his 6-15.

Chris Johnston leads the CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament standings with his 29-5.

The Top 10 anglers advance to Championship Sunday. In addition to the $100,000 top prize, the winner earns an invitation to fish the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors March 21-23 on Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Whitaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.

Coverage of the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will air on FS1 on Sunday on FS2 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com.

The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the tournament.

Contact:
Chad Gay
[email protected]

SOURCE B.A.S.S.

Company adds to its growing travel insurance portfolio with two leading U.K. brands

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NSM Insurance Group, a global specialty insurance provider with more than $1.8B in premium across 25+ niche insurance programs, today announced it has completed the acquisition of InsurEVO, which includes AllClear Travel insurance and InsureandGo — two of the most trusted and dominant travel insurance brands in the U.K.

NSM will bring the full power of its capacity, resources and technology to further grow these brands and position them as the world’s most in-demand travel insurance platforms.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome AllClear and InsureandGo to the NSM family,” said Geof McKernan, CEO & Founder of NSM Insurance Group. “NSM is committed to the travel and student health insurance space and building out a robust portfolio of leading travel brands around the world. We are excited to partner with Chris Rolland to drive exceptional innovation and growth for AllClear and InsureandGo. We have tremendous confidence in his ability to lead these businesses and capitalize on competitive advantages.”

Since 2000, millions of customers have relied on AllClear and InsureandGo for their travel insurance needs. These leading travel brands are committed to providing a seamless and effortless insurance journey for customers while maintaining award-winning customer service.

“Joining forces with NSM will bring significant value to our business and our customers,” said Chris Rolland, Group CEO of AllClear and InsureandGo. “NSM will enable us to expand our offerings and leading-edge technology platforms to achieve our number one priority — delivering the best possible experience for our customers to meet their unique needs and to provide peace of mind.”

For more information about NSM or for investment opportunities, please visit nsminc.com.

About NSM Insurance Group
NSM Insurance Group is a global specialty insurance provider, exclusively focused on building successful insurance programs. For more than 30 years, NSM has been committed to delivering industry-specific insurance programs that help agents meet the unique needs of their customers and fuel market growth through innovative development, underwriting, distribution and claims expertise. The company has built more than $1.8 billion in premium across 25+ specialty insurance programs and brands around the world focused on collector cars; student health and travel; social services and behavioral health; addiction treatment; coastal condominiums; community associations; towing and garage; trucking; sports and fitness; professional liability for architects, engineers and lawyers; habitational; commercial and residential contractors; medical stop loss and managed care; staffing; and workers’ compensation. For more information on NSM, visit nsminc.com.

About The InsurEvo Group
InsurEvo comprises three key consumer brands, InsureandGo, AllClear and JustCover trading across U.K., Australia and Ireland. For more than 20 years, award-winning travel insurance specialist AllClear has helped cover more than three million policyholders — with customers across the U.K., Ireland and Australia. AllClear is passionate about enabling people to obtain specialist travel insurance whatever their medical condition or age. AllClear offers quality insurance with 5 Star Defaqto rated products and best-in-class service evidenced by 97% of 150,000+ Trustpilot reviews rating the team ‘Great’ or ‘Excellent.’ AllClear provides products, technology platforms and services for many national charities and household brands including Aviva, Direct Line, Diabetes U.K. and Motability. AllClear is the selected Travel Insurance Specialist scheme provider for the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) since 2011.

Media Contacts:
Leanne Scott Brown
NSM Insurance Group
[email protected]

Letitia Smith
AllClear Travel Insurance
[email protected]

SOURCE NSM Insurance Group