Author: Mark Willaman

CannabisRadio.com has enlisted two seasoned industry professionals as roving reporters for the event to ensure comprehensive coverage. Their insightful and dynamic reporting will keep listeners informed on all the essential topics covered throughout the expo.

Morgan Coffey, Chief Science Officer at Star Manufacturing Extraction brings over two decades of experience in the cannabis, CBD/Hemp, and psychedelic industries. A well-respected industry veteran, Coffey is eager to share his knowledge with listeners. “I am excited to distill down the information learned at this important expo to offer the listening audience actionable information in this ever-changing landscape,” he said.

Joining Coffey is Jonathan Bishoff, Founder of Vrio.com. Bishoff’s expertise in the field is showcased through Vrio.com, a connected commerce platform providing technology, tools, and integration services for online retailers. “We are thrilled to learn from this industry and to share our extensive knowledge of what it takes to succeed in online commerce,” said Bishoff.

This partnership between CannabisRadio.com and the NoCo Hemp Expo highlights the importance of the hemp industry and solidifies CannabisRadio.com’s dedication to providing relevant and timely information to its listeners. The collaboration aims to connect, inform, and inspire a growing community interested, in CBD/Hemp industries.

For more information about CannabisRadio.com and its coverage of the NoCo Hemp Expo, please visit www.cannabisradio.com. Stay tuned for interviews and exclusive insights from industry leaders throughout the event.

About CannabisRadio.com CannabisRadio.com is the premier online podcast network for all things cannabis, hemp/CBD, and psychedelics. We provide news, education, entertainment, and insight into the world of plant medicine and beyond. With an extensive library of podcasts, videos, and articles from experts in the industry, CannabisRadio.com is the go-to destination for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just curious about the benefits of these emerging industries, CannabisRadio.com has everything you need to stay informed and inspired. All CannabisRadio.com shows are available on-demand from Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible, and the Cannabis Radio Network App for Apple iTunes or Google Play, and finally from the CannabisRadio.com website.

About Star Manufacturing Extraction
Star Manufacturing Extraction is an FDA/cGMP registered facility that grows, extracts, cultivates, and produces high-quality hemp and flavonoid products for humans and animals. Our mission is to provide our high-quality products at an affordable cost for all with maximum bioavailability. We offer services such as wholesale, private/white labeling, fulfillment, formulation consulting, and more.

Media Contact:

Brandy Shapiro
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 954-309-5578
Website: www.cannabisradio.com

The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, will kick off with the Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, a 10-hole golf tournament, from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Players will follow a special format as they enjoy the outing at the newly renovated Broadmoor Resort.

The golf courses are just one part of the historic Broadmoor that has been completely overhauled with green initiatives in mind. The courses have been redesigned to be certified Audubon Sanctuaries, a stringent process that requires the restoration of native bird and wildlife habitats. Over 50 acres of highly maintained turf grass have been replaced with native varieties of grasses and wildflowers. Irrigation and water reduction measures have been updated.

“NoCo is excited to partner with the Broadmoor to produce this year’s event. The environmental measures they have taken mirror the commitment of many in the hemp community to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, who noted that the 2024 and 2025 NoCo Expos will also be held at the Broadmoor.

The resort has also been improved with a state-of-the-art energy management system, updated insulation and thermal windows, water conservation systems, venue-wide recycling of all possible materials, and an electricity reduction program, among other environmental measures in the resort’s Green Initiatives program.

NoCo9 Schedule at a Glance

Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28

Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29

Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29

Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30

2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30

Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31

Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31

“Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31

Social and Networking Events at NoCo9

Attendees can also expect a robust set of business networking and social opportunities, beginning with the WAFBA Awards of Excellence Celebration and Welcome Party on the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-9 p.m., the first day of NoCo Hemp Expo. Outstanding individuals and/or groups in the hemp industry will be recognized at the ceremony to be held during the event and will feature the music of Dave Beegle and Justin Boot and the G**Damn Ranchhand Band.

Closing the conference will be The Garden of the Hemp Gods Celebration — The Official 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo After Party — on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., where attendees can wind down, let loose and finish their visit with the high-energy Rhythm and Blues of Erica Brown and The Lionel Young Band. Festivities will continue until midnight in the beautiful Broadmoor Ballroom.

Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof

In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops, and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings, and visit exhibitors. Hundreds of various hemp products and services will be available, including apparel, food, beverages, CBD supplements, body care, equipment, seeds and genetics, processing, manufacturing and white label services, raw materials, and more. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:

Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle

Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos, and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.

The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates

NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.

First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors

NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”

Exhibit and Sponsor

For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/

Register Here for NoCo9

Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/

Event Details

What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo

When: March 29-31, 2023

Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO

Agenda: https://letstalkhemp.swoogo.com/nocohempexpo/agenda

Info: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/

Register for NoCo9 tickets: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sal

Event Contacts

Morris Beegle, WAFBA, [email protected]

Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, [email protected], tel 303.807.1042

About NoCo Hemp Expo

For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media, and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities, and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have a significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.

The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education, and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.

HR.com, the largest community of over 2 million human resources (HR) professionals, has announced a new startup pitch contest, Recruitment Startup Of the Year, for talent acquisition innovators and entrepreneurs to take place during the EmpowerHR Talent Acquisition and EmpowerHR DEIB event in Phoenix May 16-17, 2023.

Startup owners can enter their product submission (for free) by April 14, 2023, for the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their innovation in recruitment and hiring to an engaged audience of HR leaders and decision-makers. This competition is open to all companies that have not yet initiated a Series B round of funding.

All participating startups will be judged on the following criteria:

• How well the technology addresses real recruiting needs and existing market challenges

• How competitive the product is within the current market, and whether the company is worth investing in when considering long-term viability and profitability

• How innovative or disruptive the technology and how clearly it differentiates from existing products already on the market

• How clearly the company is able to communicate its value proposition, and how easy it is to measure the direct impact of that value. Is it worth buying?

• How the technology integrates with existing stacks, and how it will augment and extend current recruitment tech capabilities

All presentations will receive transparent scoring and feedback from the judging panel and have the chance to win valuable prizes to help support their growing business including:

1. Grand Prize: Recognition as the HR.com Recruitment Startup of the Year, personal meetings with investors, analysts, and media, main stage participation in the pitch contest, and a marketing services and media package valued at $30,000, including free exhibitor participation at future HR.com events.

2. Runner-Up Prize: A custom HR.com marketing services and media package valued at $15,000

3. Second Runner-Up Prize: A turnkey HR.com webcast sponsorship package valued at approximately $8,500

“The best time to disrupt a market is when the market is turbulent. This time is now,” stated Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com. “With new technology and access to super smart resources, the stars align for innovation, and we’re excited to support these entrepreneurs to help this market overcome today’s challenges.”

The contest is open for submissions until April 14th here: https://web.hr.com/50ys

About HR.com

At HR.com, we are committed to educating and inspiring HR professionals and helping them build meaningful and impactful careers. With products and resources rooted in education, research, and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we help at every career stage – and over 2 million HR pros agree. By delivering best-in-class learning products, 250+ annual webcasts, 30+ world-class events, and over 180 insightful research studies through the HR Research Institute, HR.com strives to inspire and strengthen workforces to change the world. HR.com also offers the most comprehensive HR certification exam preparation and guarantees a passing score on all SHRM and HRCI certification exams. Technology and experience drive our customized solutions that will help you become the best and most successful version of yourself. Learn more at www.HR.com and maximize your potential. HR.com Newsroom

About EmpowerHR Talent Acquisition and EmpowerHR DEIB

May 16-17, 2023 – Phoenix Convention Centre. These co-located conferences bring two functions together that must collaborate and learn from each other, but too often have not. In today’s world, recruiting and DEIB must stand alone, yet they also must work together. This event will offer bold new talent acquisition ideas and strategies to integrate DEIB into the culture and all processes. Participants from both conferences can hold critical yet overdue conversations, make new connections, find solutions, and identify ways to progress as partners. www.hr.com/empowerhrtadeib2023

In a first-of-its-kind approach to professional psychedelic support services, Psychedelic Passage reaches record-breaking heights as demand for psychedelic guidance soars to an all-time high in the U.S.

First founded in 2019 by Nicholas Levich and Jimmy Nguyen, Psychedelic Passage reports a towering 156% upsurge in consultation bookings in the last 30 days. This exponential rise in public interest coincides with over 1 million site visits in just the last 180 days. Psychedelic Passage planned for this growth by expanding its pre-vetted network of referral facilitators over 5x in 2022 — a tactical choice ensuring its network quality remains high and consistent from coast to coast.

Nicholas Levich says, “These new milestones reflect greater paradigm shifts that are occurring both at the societal level and individual level. It indicates a very real, national, and personal investment in the development and integration of novel mental health treatments.”

Jimmy Nguyen adds, “Our service bridges the gap between journeyer and facilitator by ensuring that clients have a convenient point of access to pre-qualified facilitators near them. You’re being matched not only by your current mental health needs but also based on your personal intentions for healing.”

Psychedelic Passage is taking the guesswork out of psychedelic journeying– both by establishing minimum service standards for a comprehensive in-person ceremonial support program and by publishing leading-edge education on everything related to psychedelic therapy.

In April 2023, the Psychedelic Passage Blog will introduce core series that is focused on informing readers about therapeutic psychedelic use, with article segments like The Psychedelic Safety Passage, Psychedelic Guides Answer FAQs, and The Psychedelic Connect.

They believe that open and honest conversations about psychedelic use are integral as the human collective continues nurturing an educated psychedelic-positive culture. That’s why The Psychedelic Passage Podcast aims to draw awareness to nuanced topics in the psychedelic space that aren’t being addressed in the mainstream narrative.

Erika Perez, Head of Content at Psychedelic Passage adds, “The public has questions that industry leaders and psychedelic facilitators can answer. This is us, doing what we can to ensure that all voices can actively participate in the narrative that surrounds psychedelic healing in the U.S.”

If you or someone you know is interested in seeking a therapeutic psychedelic experience, Psychedelic Passage invites you to connect with their network of pre-vetted facilitators by booking a consultation with their psychedelic concierges.

Labid Aziz’ People of Culture Studios (PoC Studios) is excited to announce the release of a new feature film, A Snowy Day in Oakland. The comedy, written and directed by Kim Bass, follows the story of an upscale psychologist from San Francisco who decides to end a stalled romance with her psychiatrist boyfriend/business partner. She takes a leap of faith and opens her own private practice in a predominantly African-American, psychologically ignored neighborhood of Oakland.

The film tackles a number of difficult issues that many neighborhoods face, such as gentrification and the lack of mental health resources. However, the story is ultimately about an individual’s journey toward self-discovery and finding love in unexpected places. As Bass explains, “We wanted to highlight both the beauty and struggles of Oakland, while also telling an engaging love story that audiences can relate to.”

The movie stars Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights), Loretta Devine (Crash), Kimberly Elise (The Manchurian Candidate), Deon Cole (Black-ish), Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite), Evan Ross (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 2), Reno Wilson (Transformers; Dark Side of the Moon), Arden Myrin (Insatiable), Tony Plana (Bombshell), Jakée Harry (Sister, Sister), Claudia Zevallos (Day of Days), Sean Maguire (Once Upon A Time), Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons, Madea’s Witness Protection), Donis Leonard Jr. (House of Lies) and Keith David (The Princess and the Frog). Bass believes that the diverse cast brings an extra layer of authenticity to the story, stating, “We wanted to make a film that represents the true heart of Oakland, which is a melting pot of cultures, races, and experiences.”

The picture also features music by The Staples Singers, The Isley Brothers, Buena Vista Social Club, Dinah Washington, Stephanie Mills, and Gil Scott-Heron.

John Cappetta (Marshall, Tyson’s Run) and his shingle Planet 9 Productions produced the film alongside Bass and Deanna Shapiro (Beautiful Lie Pictures).

Said Cappetta, “Getting to today with this project has been a true labor of love and purpose for me and for everyone involved in this very special, fun, and meaningful film; especially our stellar cast all of whom delivered incredible performances. On behalf of Planet 9, Kim Bass, and all of the producers on this film, I would like to thank Labid and Andy, and the whole team at POC Studios, for bringing this film out to the world as it is meant to be experienced.”

The film has been eagerly anticipated by audiences across the country and is set to have its theatrical premiere, today, on March 17th, 2023. PoC Studios is committed to supporting filmmakers and bringing diverse stories to audiences, and they believe that A Snowy Day in Oakland is an important addition to their catalog. Aziz said, “We are thrilled to be working with Kim Bass and to be part of bringing this important story to the world. We hope that audiences will be moved by the film’s message of hope and perseverance and laugh heartily along the way.”

Said Bass, “A Snowy Day in Oakland is a story about love—love of self—love of others—love of community—love of life. For me making A Snowy Day in Oakland was necessary. Partnering with Planet 9 Productions and PoC Studios for its production and release, is literally a dream come true.”

PoC Studios orchestrates theatrical release campaigns tailored and scoped individually for each film, ranging from limited releases in target markets and platformed rollouts to wide openings nationwide, depending on the film, and fully supported with marketing, advertising, and publicity.

For more information on A Snowy Day In Oakland, including trailers and screening information, visit the A Snowy Day In Oakland website.

Houston, TX – SalesNexus, a leading CRM and Marketing Automation platform, has partnered with RampedUp.ai, a provider of B2B lead data, to provide customers with the most up-to-date and reliable customer information instantly. With the integration of RampedUp’s powerful API, SalesNexus users can enrich their customer contact information with just one click, saving time and eliminating the need for time-consuming research and manual data entry.

“Making it easier for our customers to access high-quality customer data is an essential need of any B2B business,” said Craig Klein, CEO of SalesNexus. “Partnering with RampedUp.ai was a natural fit for us as they are known for providing the most accurate B2B lead data. With this integration, we are able to enhance the value our customers get from our platform.” SalesNexus created a short video of how the integration works here.

RampedUp.ai’s data integration allows SalesNexus users to quickly and easily reach out to more customers by ensuring their contact information is up to date and accurate. The SalesNexus-RampedUp integration has already received acclaim, with customers seeing positive improvements in engagement time and lead quality.

“SalesNexus customers can now enjoy access to the same high-quality lead data used by some of the world’s largest organizations,” said Klein. “RampedUp has built their business on ensuring contact information is always accurate, using social media accounts to detect status changes and update the contact info.”

The SalesNexus-RampedUp partnership is an important step towards providing customers with a more streamlined and efficient experience. With the new integration, SalesNexus users can focus on their core business functions without searching for contact info or worrying about the accuracy and reliability of their contact data.

SalesNexus has also taken a step further to demonstrate the value of the partnership by showcasing to its customers how B2B lead lists from RampedUp can be automatically engaged using the SalesNexus CRM and Marketing Automation platform. A video demonstration is available here.

“The video demonstration goes a long way into showing how SalesNexus empowers customers to reach out to vastly more potential customers, automatically,” said Craig Klein. “We want our customers to know that we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that will give them a competitive edge.”

SalesNexus is confident that the integration with RampedUp is just the beginning, as it looks forward to a long and successful partnership that will benefit its loyal customers.

The WBE Star Award is the nation’s premier award for women’s excellence in business leadership.

March 16, 2023 – Tammy Cohen, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of InfoMart, a top background screening company, has been recognized as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest certifier of women-owned businesses and leader in women’s business development. The WBE Star Award is the nation’s top recognition for excellence among women-owned businesses, honoring 14 women from across the country within each of the 14 Regional Partner Organizations, representing over 18,000 certified women nationwide.

The 2023 WBE Stars will be honored during the 2023 WBENC National Conference, a gathering of more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders taking place March 20-23, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.

A leader in pre-employment screening and employee monitoring services, InfoMart brings innovative background screening solutions like continuous criminal monitoring to the conference to help companies of all sizes protect their employees while expanding their fair-chance hiring programs. This year, they will sponsor the conference’s welcome reception, where they are partnering with fellow WBENC-certified companies – Improve Growth, Innolect, Prelude Solutions, and Spirit Sox USA – to build donation kits for Nashville’s Sexual Assault Center.

“We could not be prouder of the 2023 WBE Stars,” says Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC. “This year WBENC sought to recognize and celebrate WBEs who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and capacity to reinvent themselves. These WBE Stars are being honored for perseverance and excellence through reinvention and innovation, despite the unprecedented challenges of recent years.”

“WBENC has been pivotal to InfoMart’s success, and I’m so grateful to be part of GWBC. It’s one of the great honors of my career to be recognized by fellow business owners who I respect so much,” said Cohen. “I cannot recommend WBENC enough to other women entrepreneurs. It opens doors.”

Cohen will be recognized for her resilience, business acumen, dedication to inspiring and mentoring other women, and her active leadership role at the helm of InfoMart. She was selected for this national honor by the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC), one of 14 RPOs that lead the world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skills-building educational programs and business development opportunities within their respective regions.

Learn more about the WBE Star award and the WBENC National Conference. For additional information about InfoMart’s services, contact [email protected]. To arrange an interview, please reach out to [email protected].

About InfoMart

InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses with the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.

BESTECH, a division of BESTECH Canada Limited, alongside FROSKR, is excited to announce the acquisition of W.G. Spencer Engineering Inc. Joining BESTECH’s existing Mining, Power, Electrical, Instrumentation & Automation, Mechanical, and Structural divisions, Spencer Engineering – Hoist division – will bring additional expertise in hoists, hoist control systems, brake systems, service and production hoist plants, electrical and mechanical systems, and all auxiliary systems used in support of hoisting plant operations. The synergies between BESTECH and W.G. Spencer Engineering are numerous and will allow all divisions to take on a more diverse portfolio of clients, projects, and geographies.

The main objective for the Spencer family in pursuing this sale was to provide their employees with a platform for future growth and security. BESTECH’s overall profile will provide opportunities to facilitate the continued growth of Spencer Engineering as the specialized hoist plant division. All the while allowing for more opportunities to support larger projects and hardware considerations. It was essential for Willis and Diane Spencer that any company worth considering be aligned with their corporate values and vision while respecting their focus to keep their team together and be located at the existing office near Owen Sound, Ontario (Tara, ON). BESTECH is positioned to do just that for the long term. Like Spencer Engineering, BESTECH prioritizes its corporate culture, seeing employees as family.

Diane and Willis explain, “This acquisition offers both of us the flexibility and freedom to focus less on the day-to-day running of a business and focus more on the training and guiding of the team and next generation of hoist specialists. Our hope has always been to leave a lasting impression on the industry, and this new structure will allow us the freedom to do just that.”

BESTECH President Patrick Fantin is excited to begin working with the new team and for all the possibilities that lie ahead for clients across Ontario and beyond. “The acquisition of W.G. Spencer Engineering Inc. by BESTECH is a win-win for both companies – maintaining both companies’ smaller family-owned culture, allowing for the ability to take on a more diverse portfolio of clients while providing more in-house complete design solutions for our clients. This is an exciting new chapter for both BESTECH and W.G. Spencer Engineering, offering the chance to build upon the two companies’ respective successes and provide our valued clients with an even higher level of service and value for their projects.”

Who is BESTECH?

BESTECH is an innovative multi-disciplinary engineering services firm that partners with clients to deliver results that exceed expectations. Founded in 1995, BESTECH works with many of the largest mining clients in the world, achieving success across many engineering disciplines. In 2019, their team expanded to offer clients mining engineering services, from mine design and planning to mine closure. As of January 2023, BESTECH comprises five divisions, Mining; Power; Electrical, Automation and Instrumentation; Mechanical; and Structural, as well as our Project Management Office and Technical Expertise Centre. As part of the larger BESTECH Canada Limited organization, BESTECH is joined by environmental monitoring firm FROSKR.

Who is W.G. Spencer Engineering Inc.?

W.G. Spencer Engineering Inc. is an engineering firm specializing in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering for the mining industry. Their specialties center on the mine hoist plant, which includes the hoist, hoist control systems, braking systems, service and production hoists, electrical and mechanical systems, and all auxiliary systems used in support of the hoist plant operation. W.G. Spencer Engineering was established in 1996. Since then, their hoist systems have evolved and led the industry in many areas. Their company has an extensive customer base of major mining companies and other industrial customers throughout North America, Central and South America, South Africa and Asia.

Should you have any outstanding questions, we encourage you to reach out to our Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, Alyssa Sabourin, at [email protected].

The gaming industry is set to experience a major shift with the launch of 0xBattleGround, a new battle royale-style, blockchain-based game that aims to revolutionize Web3 gaming. With its unique approach to player autonomy, 0xBattleGround offers a new era of play-to-earn economics, providing an immersive and user-friendly gaming experience.

According to recent statistics, the gaming industry is larger than both movies and music combined, with three billion gamers worldwide expected to contribute to an astounding US$200bn in annual spending on consoles and in-app purchases in 2023. The emergence of Web3 gaming, which allows players to take full control of their gaming experience, is set to disrupt the industry even further.

Unlike other Web3 games, 0xBattleGround is designed to be simple and straightforward for players to understand and enjoy. With step-by-step tutorials available to assist new players, the game offers an in-game economy that enables players to buy, sell, and trade items. Players can upgrade their characters, acquire weapons and armor, and join guilds, making the game both rewarding and engaging.

One of the main criticisms of many blockchain games is the high technical barrier to entry for new consumers. However, 0xBattleGround is seeking to change this by offering a game that is easy and accessible for all players, regardless of their level of technical expertise. The wallet is automatically created on the player’s machine, without the need for any additional setup or technical know-how, making it easy for players to start playing right away.

As the world of Web3 gaming continues to evolve, the rise of play-to-earn economics has brought with it a new era of sustainable gaming. Unlike traditional play-to-earn models that rely solely on in-game activities to generate revenue, 0xBattleGround has developed a multi-faceted ecosystem that aims to create long-term sustainability and leverages its in-game economy. This unique approach provides a more sustainable economic model and fosters a more engaged player community.

With high-end graphics and an addictive game loop, 0xBattleGround is designed to compete with some of the top Web2 games on the market. The game’s various modes and challenges are both challenging and rewarding, ensuring that players will keep coming back for more.

As the world of blockchain gaming continues to grow and evolve, user experience and accessibility will be key factors in determining which games succeed and which fall by the wayside. By offering a game that is easy to play, rewarding, and engaging, 0xBattleGround is setting itself apart from the competition and could position itself as a leader in the world of Web3 gaming.

About iBLOXX Studios DMCC

iBLOXX Studios is the game development division of iBLOXX Group and is based in Dubai. It specializes in creating games built on the blockchain using Unreal Engine and Unity, developing sustainable token economies, monitoring solutions, and blockchain applications.

Barley, a compensation management platform that makes it easy for companies to structure, analyze and manage pay, launches today with $4 million in seed funding led by Golden Ventures with participation from Union Capital, an investor collective that includes prominent technology leaders at Facebook, Google, Shopify, and Uber.

Barley is tackling one of the biggest issues facing businesses today: how to make better compensation decisions, which employers feel confident about and employees can understand. A recent Gartner survey found that only 38% of employees understand how their pay is determined. Barley improves the clarity and transparency of the compensation process, helping HR teams and managers make data-driven decisions that result in more equitable pay for all employees.

“Compensation is a company’s biggest expense, but comp management is often treated as a mere admin task. In 2023, companies have software tools for every important part of their business, but pay decisions are still made in scattered spreadsheets and email threads. That leaves leaders wondering if they are missing the big picture and employees questioning if they’re being paid fairly,” said Barley CEO Jafar Owainati. “Barley was built to help companies create and execute equitable pay strategies, giving people teams and managers the insights and guardrails for what they pay.”

Barley was co-founded by Owainati and CPO William Mainguy – both serial entrepreneurs who launched and grew successful technology startups Loopio and Reelhouse. Barley will use its funding for product development and to expand its go-to-market teams. Barley established a strong market foothold while in private beta, bringing on early customers such as Affinity, Flinks, and Properly, and launching integrations with popular HR and ATS platforms such as ADP, BambooHR, Greenhouse, and Lever.

“Successful companies need to balance rewarding employees, incentivizing great performance, and making sustainable long-term budget decisions. We see a white-hot market opportunity for Barley to help businesses get compensation right at a time when it is more important than ever,” said Matt Golden, managing partner at Golden Ventures. “I was compelled to invest in Barley by the founding team’s clear vision for a compensation platform that builds trust between employers and employees.”

Barley streamlines the entire compensation process, enabling companies to create consistent salary ranges, conduct pay equity analyses, and manage salary reviews. With robust integrations and access controls, Barley improves communication around compensation, while helping businesses save time, avoid mistakes and optimize their budget.

“We’ve created a solution that helps every single person at a company better understand compensation, from executive leadership to the individual employee,” said Mainguy. “Comp is complex and sensitive, so we place a lot of emphasis on the user experience. We thoughtfully distill what’s often intimidating information into powerful yet simple steps so companies can feel proactive, fair, and confident in their practices.”

“Barley makes compensation clear. Other solutions that I’ve used have felt clunky for admins and managers,” said Flinks Vice President of People Operations Brendan Yorke. “I’m regularly delighted by new features that Barley launches to better structure employee compensation, visualize our data or make our experience even smoother. And, with partners as driven and customer-focused as Barley, the best is yet to come.”

Barley is now available to the public. Companies can explore and learn more about Barley at barley.io/demo.

About Barley

Barley is compensation management software that makes it easy to structure, analyze and manage compensation – and keep a pulse on changing pay trends in the market. Forward-thinking businesses use Barley to simplify and optimize their approach to compensation, enabling them to attract more top candidates, reduce turnover, and improve pay transparency and pay equity. Barley has been named a Top HR Tech Company to Watch for This Year. Visit us at https://www.barley.io.