Latest news with #training
Travel Weekly
an hour ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Magical Vacation Planner unveils learning hub
Host agency Magical Vacation Planner (MVP) this month celebrated the grand opening of its new Entrepreneur Learning Center (ELC) in Mitchell, Ind. The 5,500-square-foot facility features office and support space and a lobby to host walk-ins, but the majority of the ELC — 3,000 square feet — is dedicated to training and education. Jamie Ane and JJ Eubanks cut the ribbon outside their Entrepreneur Learning Center in Mitchell, Ind., earlier this month. Photo Credit: Magical Vacation Planner "We know that one of the key components at Magical Vacation Planner has always been education," said co-founder and CEO Jamie Ane Eubanks. "We want to really set ourselves apart." The building is located in her hometown. That was both a strategic and meaningful decision. JJ Eubanks, Jamie's husband and the agency's co-founder and executive vice president, said his wife wanted to bring the company back to its roots, literally with the location and metaphorically by increasing in-person learning opportunities that have been consumed by virtual learnings in recent years. It's also within a 400-mile radius of around 80% of MVP's advisors, Jamie said. While MVP also maintains a smaller office in Orlando, visiting there would mean a very long drive or a flight for most MVP advisors. It also lacks space, something that's not a problem at the ELC. "The basics is really what builds your business in this industry, and there's just so much noise, so much chatter," Jamie said. "This is just a way we can say, hey, let's push the reset button. Get you in here, train in person." Magical Vacation Planner recently opened a new Entrepreneur Learning Center in Mitchell, Ind. Photo Credit: Magical Vacation Planner Jamie estimated that 99% of MVP's advisors had never worked as an agent before affiliating with the host, also making training paramount. "That's important to us because we want to impact the travel industry not by shifting market share, but by bringing new people into the industry," she said. "We just found that this works for us. It may not work for everybody, but it really does work for Magical Vacation Planner and our advisors." Inside the Entrepreneur Learning Center JJ said the new facility in Mitchell can support up to 150 advisors at a time, and was purpose-built with spaces for training sessions, team building, activities and exercises, both inside and outside. "It's pretty neat to have something that was designed specifically for the way that we do business and to help support our advisors," JJ said. The Eubankses held a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 12, featuring the agency's leadership, local officials, travel advisors and key supplier partners from Disney Destinations, Universal Parks & Resorts, Royal Caribbean, ALG Vacations, Celebrity Cruises and Sandals Resorts. Jamie said suppliers were particularly excited to have a physical place where they could gather with MVP advisors for training, as in-person training can be so engaging. It's also more convenient than getting advisors to a location or on a fam for training, she said. MVP's marketing moves A big focus of MVP is bringing new talent into the travel industry, JJ said. One of the ways the agency got its name out there in recent years was partnering with Nascar driver Chase Briscoe. The MVP name was placed prominently on his car. "We want to really set ourselves apart," Jamie said. "Nascar was hands down the biggest national campaign that we've done." MVP has also done television and social media advertising. JJ also teased another "big, national campaign" coming from the agency in the future. While MVP doesn't release the number of independent contractors it has or total sales, Jamie said it would sit comfortably on Travel Weekly's Power List, which features travel agencies with more than $125 million in annual sales. The agency is a Diamond-level producer with Disney and Universal in addition to winning accolades with suppliers like Royal Caribbean and Sandals. "Here at MVP, whether it's staff, whether it's our partners and our advisors, we are committed to growing the travel industry in a positive way," JJ said. "We will continue to do this. We will continue to look for unique ways to bring people into the travel industry. We will look for unique ways to celebrate and support guests with vacations around the world."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Man United are trialing high-tech cooldown jackets used in cycling and F1 on USA pre-season tour - as Ruben Amorim's men battle soaring temperatures
Manchester United 's players were introduced to a high-tech cooldown jacket before their training session in Chicago on Friday. The club's performance department have teamed up with kit sponsors adidas to trial the cooling strategy which is expected to be used widely at the World Cup in the US next summer. Ed Leng, United's head of physical performance, was heard telling the players they will wear the silver jackets after the warm-up and at half-time of their three games on tour as they limbered up at Soldier Field in Chicago on Friday, while first-team lead performance coach Charlie Owen modelled one for the squad. The innovative idea, which is designed to insulate the cold inside, has also been trialled in cycling and Formula One. United could face soaring temperatures in their tour games against West Ham in New Jersey on Saturday and Bournemouth in Chicago next Thursday, although their final game of the Premier League Summer Series against Everton a week on Sunday will be at the indoor air-conditioned Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The squad will leave their Chicago base for New Jersey later on Friday with temperatures at the MetLife Stadium – which will host next year's World Cup final – set to be above 80 degrees at kick-off. In Chicago earlier this week, the heat index – a combination of temperature and humidity – was well over 100 degrees when United trained for the first time on Wednesday, although an early 8am start meant it was a little cooler for Amorim and his players. A huge thunderstorm on Thursday helped to clear the air so conditions were more comfortable for the squad on Friday.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dennis Allen shares plans for T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds
In his effort to get the maximum amount of potential and production out of his players, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is getting creative with his scheme and plans for two of his top players. Veteran linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are two of the most critical players to the defense this season, and Allen recently spoke about his plans for them and why he's going to be versatile with them, and how that can benefit the team's production. Preparing his team and the veterans for any possible scenario, including potential injuries, Allen said it's best to get players to be able to play in multiple positions in case they're needed to step up. "Early on in camp, I think it's important that you cross train guys," Allen said Wednesday. "You only have 53 guys on game day and you're probably going to have about 22 defensive players to carry into a game. Injuries happen; you have to make adjustments within the course of the game. The more guys that we have that can play multiple spots and do multiple things, the better we're going to be. Ultimately what we want to be able to do is we want to be able to put our best 11 on the field. To do that, you have to be able to cross train some guys so you can mix and match and put guys in different positions." Allen, just like head coach Ben Johnson, has made his intentions and plans clear as can be coming into training camp, and they're not holding back. While there will be an open competition for the third linebacker spot (with Noah Sewell and Ruben Hypppolite II) alongside Edwards and Edmunds, it's clear that the new defensive coordinator is going to put his veterans in the best position to succeed. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Dennis Allen shares plans for T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Dickey Foundation Donates $10,000 to Chillicothe Fire Department for Forcible Entry Training Door
Foundation leaders, local Dickey's owner, and community members came together to celebrate first responders on July 22, 2025 The Dickey Foundation Donates $10,000 to Chillicothe Fire Department for Forcible Entry Training Door Chillicothe, OH, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dickey Foundation, the charitable arm of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, visited the Chillicothe Fire Department on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to present a $10,000 grant for a new Forcible Entry Door at the department's training facility. The grant presentation, held at 54 E Water St, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601, was followed by a barbecue lunch provided by local Dickey's Barbecue Pit owner/operator Shawn Bower. 'Supporting first responders is at the heart of our mission,' said Maurine Dickey, Executive Director of The Dickey Foundation. 'The Chillicothe Fire Department's dedication to safety and training truly inspires us, and we were honored to provide the tools they need to better protect their community.' The Forcible Entry Door will give firefighters a safe, controlled way to practice critical emergency response skills. Christine Reddy and Ranee Champion, who represented The Dickey Foundation during the presentation, spoke with department leaders about how this training equipment will improve readiness for real-world scenarios. 'Our first responders work tirelessly to keep our communities safe,' shared Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. 'Through The Dickey Foundation, we are committed to giving back to those who risk their lives every day. This grant is just one way we can help them stay equipped and prepared.' Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, added: 'Training saves lives. By investing in equipment like this forcible entry door, we're not just providing resources—we're ensuring these brave men and women can respond faster and more effectively when every second counts.' About The Dickey FoundationThe Dickey Foundation, formerly known as Barbecue, Boots & Badges, is the charitable arm of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dedicated to supporting first responders across the United States, the Foundation provides essential safety equipment, protective armor, rescue gear, and financial support to enhance the safety and well-being of those who risk their lives to protect their communities. By partnering with local franchisees and communities nationwide, The Dickey Foundation works tirelessly to ensure first responders have the tools and resources they need to keep us all safe. For more information or to get involved, visit About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, in 1941 by The Dickey Family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world's largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For over 80 years, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey's barbecued meats are paired with a variety of southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey's never takes shortcuts—because real barbecue can't be rushed. With over 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey's Barbecue Franchise and Dickey's Restaurant Brands continues to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Inc. Dickey's has been recognized on Newsweek's 2022 "America's Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation's Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual's 'Top 100 Movers and Shakers' for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology's Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. For more information, visit For information about becoming a franchise partner, visit Attachment The Dickey Foundation Donates $10,000 to Chillicothe Fire Department for Forcible Entry Training Door CONTACT: Louisa Garrett Dickey's Barbecue Pit lgarrett@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Early start for Man Utd players
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim had his side training at 8am the day after they arrived in the United States this week to help them with the acclimatisation landed in Chicago late on Tuesday but with a six-hour time difference to the UK, Amorim had his players working early the following was available from 6.30am, although most arrived slightly later before leaving for the training complex at local Major League Soccer outfit Chicago least the players were spared having to load up on pasta at that time in the morning – former United defender Patrice Evra famously said he was sick after his debut against Manchester City, which had a 12.30pm start as he had never eaten so early before a don't need to eat as much before training, so most stuck with omelettes or avocado on timing was put back slightly on Thursday, when the players had to be in the gym at 8.30am and on the pitch at 9am. For the part-open session on Friday, the players are due to start training at was helpful in the sense it kept United's players out of the fierce mid-afternoon temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday, which climbed to over it might come as a shock to the body clock on Saturday when their Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham starts at 7pm local time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, meaning the game won't finish until around 2am UK players who are not involved will have a training session on the pitch after the are flying straight back to their Chicago base after the game.
