Latest news with #JasonCarter
Techday NZ
10-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
SonicWall unveils Elevate 2025 roadshow for global partners
SonicWall has announced the launch of Elevate 2025, a global roadshow intended to foster closer relationships with its partner network while showcasing new cybersecurity developments and partnership opportunities. Elevate 2025 will bring SonicWall's leadership team, solutions, and technical roadmap to 25 cities across North America, Latin America, EMEA and APJ, providing direct engagement with local partners. In the United Kingdom, the London event is scheduled to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late September. Meeting partners directly The roadshow model is intended to meet partners in their local regions, facilitating access to SonicWall leaders, solutions and growth strategies. Jason Carter, Chief Revenue Officer at SonicWall, commented: "Elevate 2025 is where vision meets action. And this year, we're meeting our partners where they are bringing insights, innovation, and collaboration directly to their doorstep. Our partners are essential to everything we do and Elevate is a celebration of their role in shaping the future of cybersecurity." Executives and product experts will engage with managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), and channel partners through interactive sessions, technical workshops, and business discussions. Technology showcase At each event, partners will receive firsthand information regarding new SonicWall technologies, including next-generation firewalls, the updated SonicWall Platform, and the Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) solution. The events will spotlight the Managed Protection Service Suite (MPSS), which SonicWall identifies as a way to simplify security operations for partners while creating recurring revenue opportunities. The CSE solution, designed to enable secure cloud migrations, will be highlighted along with SonicWall's recently introduced cyber warranty for partners. The cyber warranty is marketed as an industry-first offering meant to help partners differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive environment. Growth and collaboration SonicWall views Elevate 2025 as more than a conventional partner conference, describing it as a forum intended to empower MSPs and MSSPs with actionable information, practical strategies, and the ability to exchange real-world experiences. "Elevate is more than a conference for our partners, it's a dynamic forum designed to empower partners and MSPs/MSSPs with practical strategies, and they will get a firsthand look at SonicWall's latest innovations, including the newest generation of next-gen firewalls and the fully integrated SonicWall Platform," the company stated in its announcement. Discussions at Elevate 2025 will address broad themes of recurring revenue from managed services, the simplification of security architectures for partners, and emerging trends in the global cybersecurity landscape. Offers for new partners To encourage new participation, SonicWall is offering an exclusive package for new partners who join its SecureFirst Partner Program at an Elevate 2025 event, schedule an onboarding meeting, and complete the onboarding process. These new partnerships will receive a free TZ80 firewall and three months of Managed Protection Service Suite, including a Cloud Secure Edge licence. The offer is designed to demonstrate the potential benefits of SonicWall's security solutions and accelerate the value that new partners can access. "This exclusive package is designed to accelerate value for new partners and showcase the benefits of SonicWall's flexible, service-oriented security solutions," the announcement said. Aims and outlook Amid a rapidly evolving threat landscape, SonicWall states that it is intensifying its channel-focused strategy, seeking to bring innovations closer to partners and support them with business-building resources. The global roadshow seeks to foster direct connections, strategic alignment, and knowledge-sharing within the broader partner ecosystem. The events are positioned to equip channel partners, MSPs, and MSSPs with the tools, expertise, and engagement needed to support their clients and address cybersecurity growth opportunities.
Travel Weekly
09-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
An advisor, influencer and cruise CEO walk onto a ship...
Arnie Weissmann The contest was straightforward: For every three bookings made on Virgin Voyages, an advisor would get an entry into a raffle for a free cruise. But more than that, during the cruise itself, the line's CEO, Nirmal Saverimuttu, would be the advisor's "Mega Rockstar agent," the line's appellation for the butler/concierge/factotum assigned to guests who book their top suites. When the contest ended, one advisor, Jason Carter, had brought his odds of winning to 1 in 2: He had booked about as many cabins as all the other entrants combined. He had started his agency, Sea-Sun Vacations, after retiring as an IT executive. It was going to be a side gig; he was well-traveled and had a wide circle of contacts in the Atlanta area. He affiliated with Travel Planners International. Carter liked cruising, and Virgin Voyages in particular. His first year in business, he put 95 guests on the line. After four years in business, that number had risen to 1,500. This year, he's on track for three times that many. Things had accelerated significantly after he met his business partner, a social media content creator named Christine Lozada. She, too, was a Virgin Voyages fan, and her videos across 13 social media platforms featuring the line have gotten millions of views. Partnering with her, Carter said, "blew up the business." Although a former Virgin executive was skeptical of the potential model, the current executive team has embraced and supports the pair. The raffle he won was for a three-night advisor appreciation cruise aboard the Valiant Lady. After Saverimuttu brought Carter's luggage to his suite and offered to unpack, Carter thought Champagne would be in order and asked the CEO to open a bottle. Saverimuttu complied. He may not want to give up his day job, however: the cork hit Carter and Champagne overflowed onto the floor. (When a second bottle was opened, Carter stood behind the executive ... and still managed to get hit by the cork.) Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu technique for opening a bottle of Champagne may need some work… Carter decided to "ask for something that I thought was going to be out of his reach" and requested that he be brought a tuna bomb. It was a dish the advisor had had on the Resilient Lady during a dinner show, and he had loved it. It was a particularly challenging request because that show wasn't offered on the Valiant Lady, and the dish wasn't on the menu of any of the ship's restaurants. "Give me 30 minutes," Saverimuttu replied. Somehow -- Carter's still not sure how -- it was delivered to his cabin, exactly as he remembered it. It is Virgin Voyages' food, in fact, that Carter feels is one of the cruise line's top selling points. The ship's Italian restaurant, Extra Virgin, had recently revised its menu. After specifying exactly which table he wanted reserved at the restaurant on the first night of the sailing, Carter also requested that Saverimuttu join him and that they sample each new item. Unlike cruise lines that have specialty restaurants, Virgin Voyages offers a few specialty items, at extra cost, on each menu. Carter asked for a Florentine steak, listed at an up-charge of $125. It's so large that it's recommended to be shared. He did so with Saverimuttu, and afterward Carter declared it to be the best steak he'd ever had on a ship -- including ones that have specialty steakhouse restaurants. I asked Carter what he says to close a sale for clients who come to him after watching one of Lozada's videos. "The big thing is going to be 'no kids,'" he said. "The second thing is the food." Virgin Voyages has worked hard to change the perception -- fueled, initially, by its own marketing campaign -- that its cruises are an edgy experience for younger people. "I've had clients say, 'Listen, I can't be in a position where I'll be eating breakfast and the person next to me is dancing on the table and then that's posted on social media.'" Carter said that the impact of the initial focus on youth "is slowly going away" and that he's seen the age of guests he's booking rise. Initially, it was "probably 10% people over 50. Now, I'm probably 50% over 50." To explain why, he pointed to a wide range of adult alternatives available. "I was checking on a group I had booked, and some ladies were having a good time at the pool wearing only pasties on top. But my wife and I are pretty tame. We left them to have high tea at the Sip Lounge. Completely different vibe. "There are so many options," he continued. "You can party at Scarlet Night or go down 10 decks to On the Rocks and listen to an a cappella group." Or, for that particular guest on that particular cruise, request that the line's CEO give an a cappella performance in his suite (though the guest might take it upon himself to open the Champagne).
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Rep. Derrick Jackson to join governor's race this week
Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson is set to join the governor's race this week. He said he will officially launch his 2026 campaign on Friday at Liberty Plaza at the Georgia State Capitol. Jackson has served in the Georgia General Assembly representing District 68 since 2017. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He cites as his qualifications '22 years of selfless service in the military, 10 years of strategic leadership in corporate America, and his current impactful fifth term as State Representative. His 42 years of proven leadership are a testament to his extraordinary capabilities.' Jackson's Democratic primary bid follows his unsuccessful candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2022. He came in sixth in the Democratic primary, the Associated Press reports. RELATED STORIES: We now have 4 candidates running to be Georgia's next governor Jason Carter rules out running for GA governor as wife Kate battles brain cancer Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr plans to run for governor Jackson joins three other Democratic primary candidates: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown. Prominent Democrat Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's grandson, has chosen not to run for governor because his wife is being treated for brain cancer. A second prominent Democrat, Stacey Abrams, hasn't made her plans known yet, the Associated Press said. Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp cannot run for governor again because of term limits. On the Republican side, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Baaaaad goat on the run in Gwinnett County
Duluth police are searching for a fugitive who's on the run yet again, and he's goat to be caught. They say they received several calls about a goat trotting down Peachtree Industrial Blvd. earlier on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers tried to corral the hoofed escapee along Albion Farm Road, but it hopped a few fences and darted off into some backyards. Police say it's the same goat that was spotted in Suwanee recently. Animal Control and police are hoping to shout, 'Goatcha!' soon, so give them a call if you see the goat. TRENDING STORIES: Convicted killer mistakenly released in Clayton County coming back to GA after his recapture GA couple sentenced for padlocking fridge, allowing son to molest half-sister in exchange for food Jason Carter rules out running for GA governor as wife Kate battles brain cancer [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jason Carter rules out 2026 bid for governor as wife battles brain cancer
The Brief Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, says he will not seek office in 2026 due to his wife Kate's diagnosis of glioblastoma. Kate Carter, a teacher and entrepreneur, is undergoing treatment for the aggressive brain cancer; the couple has two teenage sons. Jason Carter, a former state senator and 2014 gubernatorial candidate, now leads The Carter Center and practices law in Atlanta. ATLANTA - Former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter said he has no plans to seek the 2026 nomination because of his wife's cancer diagnosis. "For all intents and purposes, I can't imagine making a decision to run because it's the wrong time for my family," Carter, 49, told The Associated Press on Monday. What we know Carter also told The Associated Press that he is "not going to endorse anybody," but that he was "very excited" that Sen. Jason Esteves has announced that he is in the running for governor in 2026. RELATED: Sen. Jason Esteves announces campaign for governor of Georgia Katharine "Kate" Lewis Carter has glioblastoma, a highly malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Jason Carter did not reveal any additional details about his wife's condition. Jason Carter is the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, 2024, and first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Carter, who served in the Georgia State Senate from 2010 to 2015, was the Democratic Party nominee for governor in Georgia in 2014. He lost to incumbent Nathan Deal by 7.9%, receiving 44% of the vote. In November 2015, Jason became Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, the nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by his grandparents to fight for human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, prevent and resolve conflicts, improve health care, and enhance freedom and democracy. He had previously served on the board since 2009. Jason is also a lawyer and has represented clients in high-stakes trial and appellate business litigation, including breach of contract, class actions, business torts, and other complex commercial cases, according to Bondurant Mixson & Elmore. He has received numerous awards for his legal work and community service. He also wrote a book published by National Geographic titled Power Lines, which detailed the racial divides he experienced in South Africa while serving in the Peace Corps. Kate Carter is a high school teacher and former journalist with the Athens Banner-Herald. She also launched a nutmilk brand, Treehouse Naturals, with a friend in 2016. The couple has two teenage sons. What they're saying Before his announcement about his decision not to run, Jason Carter had been mentioned as a centrist candidate with high name identification who could run as a bridge between the Democrats' base and voters who might be up for grabs if President Donald Trump's popularity and the Republican brand take a dip heading into 2026, according to The Associated Press.
