Small business CEOs expressed a remarkable resurgence of optimism both in the overall economy and for their own companies. The Vistage Confidence Index jumped to 106.3 in the 4th Quarter of 2010, after reporting 95.1 in the 3rd quarter, 94.4 in the 2nd quarter and 93.7 in the 1st quarter of this year. Of the 1,729 respondents in the Q4 Vistage CEO Confidence Index, 77% expect increased revenues and 63% foresee higher profits in their own companies.
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Two-thirds of all CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved during the past year and half expect further gains during the year ahead. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago. However, the small decline reflects a renewed uncertainty about the impact of events in Japan and the Middle East on energy costs, consumer spending and inflation. Overall, the majority of CEOs still expect the recovery to continue and their own businesses to continue to grow.
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The pace of economic growth has slowed significantly since the start of 2011 and the slowdown is expected to continue into the start of 2012, according to a survey of CEOs of small-to-medium-sized businesses. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 92.9 in the Q2 2011 survey, substantially below the 105.2 posted in Q1, and erasing all the gains recorded since 93.7 was registered in Q1 2010. Though declines were present in every major survey component, the largest losses were in evaluations of the overall economy. Rather than expecting a renewed economic downturn, the majority of CEOs anticipated a stagnating economy: growth too slow to support robust gains in employment or investment, and resulting in lower revenue and profit levels than previously forecast. Half of all firms put planned investments on hold due to the slowdown in economic growth.
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The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, today unveiled a new public service campaign reminding all Americans of the heroes of United Flight 93, and encouraging their support in building a national memorial in their honor. On September 11, 2001, the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93 heroically fought back against terrorists, and in doing so, saved countless lives and our nation’s capital. In their struggle, they lost their own lives as the plane plummeted into a field outside of Shanksville, PA.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/nationalparks/43909/
Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) today announced that the Light Study, a long-term research study of Contrave® (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), a new, investigational drug being evaluated for weight loss, has begun enrolling patients at clinical sites throughout the United States. The Light Study is designed to assess the cardiovascular health outcomes of Contrave.
Nearly 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, and that number is predicted to increase to 120 million Americans within the next five years. More than one-third of adults in the United States are affected by obesity. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, and a variety of other conditions. Medical research suggests that losing just five percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health and reduce the risk of complications from type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56480-lightstudy
Thirty-six injured veterans with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) made it to the Flight 93 National Memorial on day six of their cross-country journey to raise awareness for veteran issues. Soldier Ride Across America commemorates the 15-year anniversary of Long Island native and veteran supporter Chris Carney’s historic coast-to-coast cycling venture in support of wounded warriors, which spurred the creation of WWP’s Soldier Ride® program.
“I’m honored to be able to represent my veteran brothers and sisters on this historic ride,” said Shonda Gloude-Jones, U.S. Army veteran and Soldier Ride Across America cyclist. “Being able to visit the 9/11 memorials in New York City; the Pentagon; and Somerset County, Pennsylvania, has taken a larger emotional toll on me and the other warriors than any of the physical aspects of this journey.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8350131-soldier-ride-across-america-wounded-warrior-project/
Americans want more joy in their busy, over-scheduled lives – in fact, a recent survey from Reddi-wipi shows that 93 percent want to find more ways to experience joy every day and 94 percent agree joy is more intense when shared with others. Despite that yearning, however, people don’t always stop and savor the moment, missing out on feeling – and sharing – the moments of joy they crave.
So, starting now, Reddi-wip is on a mission to #ShareTheJoy and help others #ShareTheJoy every day, too. Reddi-wip will encourage people to connect with others, give joy and watch it grow exponentially; to truly live in the moment and experience joy by being present and to awaken and indulge the senses. Reddi-wip will provide inspiration through a new advertising campaign and social content and tips created in partnership with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, psychology professor at the University of California, and author of The How of Happiness.
“With the delicious taste of real cream, Reddi-wip has always made everyday occasions more joyful,” said Angela Joyner, vice president and general manager of the Refrigerated Foods and Sweet Snacks Portfolio at ConAgra Foods. “Through our #SharetheJoy program, our goal is to spark a joy movement that will have a ripple effect. Our mission is to ultimately make the world a more joyful place.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7636651-reddi-wip-sharethejoy-campaign/
In recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments in furthering NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery, veteran astronauts Brian Duffy and Scott Parazynski have been selected for induction into the elite United States Astronaut Hall of Fame®. The announcement was made today at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex by Dan Brandenstein, Hall of Fame astronaut and board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which oversees the induction selection process.
Duffy and Parazynski will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex beginning with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Gala on the evening of May 13 and culminating with a public ceremony on May 14 at 2 p.m. that will be attended by a roster of astronaut legends.
Both Duffy and Parazynski make up the 15th group of space shuttle astronauts to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and both flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is now located at the visitor complex and will be the site of the induction ceremony in May. Adding the two veteran astronauts to the Hall of Fame will bring the total number of astronauts inducted to 93.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7748851-kennedy-space-center-astronaut-hall-of-fame/
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit leading more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 93 percent of total donations to Operation Homefront go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7316851-operation-homefront-military-families-veterans-september-11-psa/
