global trade DHL
DHL celebrates 21 years of bringing holiday cheer to troops

For more than two decades, DHL Express has been carrying on a heartfelt tradition of bringing holiday cheer to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. Through its annual program Operation Holiday Joy, the global shipping leader is sending hundreds of freshly cut Christmas trees, holiday decorations, menorahs, holiday lights and heartfelt messages from schoolchildren to troops deployed in Djibouti, Kuwait and Bahrain letter. Also read: DHL Tracker shows globalization resilient under geopolitical pressure This is the 21st year of Operation Holiday Joy, a partnership between DHL, Dees' Nursery and several New York charities. "The holidays are especially difficult for those who are away from loved ones," said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express US. "This program allows us to express our gratitude and honor these brave men and women. Bringing some feeling of home. Our DHL family is honored to be able to spread holiday warmth to our troops.” The celebration kicked off on Monday, December 9, at Dees' Nursery in…

global trade tiktok
U.S. spending on TikTok store surges during holidays

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. TikTok users are turning to TikTok Shop during the holidays this year, significantly increasing spending on the platform. According to Reuters analysis, TikTok Shop has successfully captured a larger share of the e-commerce market since its launch in the United States in September 2023. Also Read: Artificial Intelligence: The driving force behind logistics for the 2024 holiday season TikTok Shop's meteoric success was reflected in sales reaching $100 million on Black Friday, a major shopping day when U.S. consumers eagerly seek online deals. Despite looming regulatory challenges, such as a potential U.S. ban on its parent company ByteDance, TikTok Shop remains a strong sales channel for brands like Elf Cosmetics and Ninja Kitchen. U.S. merchants and influencers take advantage of the “LIVE” feature, which allows customers to purchase items directly during live video conferences. The number of such live sessions has reportedly tripled over the past year, capitalizing on TikTok's 170 million U.S. users and…

Festive Meetings for the Holidays Across the U.S.
Festive Meetings for the Holidays Across the U.S.

These hotels across the United States offer unique venues and carefully curated experiences for holiday gatherings large and small. Whether you're planning a grand New Year's Eve party, an intimate holiday dinner or a festive corporate retreat, here are some hotels that provide the perfect setting to enhance the holiday spirit. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach If you’re planning an event in the Sunshine State, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is offering a new and enhanced collection of group experiences designed to energize, engage and impress attendees this holiday season. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (Photo: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach). Team Wellness Activities: Bring energy to corporate gatherings with fitness classes led by certified trainers 1Team Fitness. Suitable for all fitness levels while focusing on strength, flexibility and camaraderie, these team building classes are perfect for relieving stress and boosting morale during or after a busy meeting. Relax and unwind at Pallavi Spa: on site Pallavi Hot Springs Offering tailored treatments for groups…

Side view of young African American woman writing in notebook at home
Event leaders share their gratitude practices

Listen to audio I'm grateful every day that busy hospitality leaders take the time to share their secrets to success with the Smart Meetings community on the What's the One Thing? podcast. I've learned so much this year, from relationships to the power of persistence and what the next generation of event professors need to stay engaged. I asked these event thought leaders about their ways to be grateful during the holidays and throughout the year. Sure enough, they taught me new ways to appreciate the finer things and deliver the gravy of joy. Kate Patay, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Terramar and Chairman of the SEARCH Foundation I am so grateful to have a wonderful husband who supports me in all my endeavors, whether it be work or home remodeling. His love and support means the world to me. I'm grateful to work with such strong, creative people at a company that cares so much about us -…

global trade AI logistics
Artificial Intelligence: The driving force behind holiday season logistics

As the holiday rush approaches, a survey commissioned by Merchants Fleet highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important tool in meeting delivery challenges. More than half of fleet decision-makers cite supply chain disruption as a top concern, but 88% believe artificial intelligence can alleviate operational stress, becoming an important ally for logistics teams this quarter. Also read: Artificial Intelligence – How it is shaping and redefining logistics The survey, conducted by Atomik Research, included more than 250 decision-makers from transportation, trucking and logistics organizations across the United States that manage consumer products. “This year’s holiday season presents unprecedented logistics challenges, and AI will play an integral role in reducing operational friction and improving fleet performance,” said Dr. Suzannah Hicks, Artificial Intelligence Strategist at Merchants Fleet. “Our findings show that , fleet leaders are increasingly confident in AI’s ability to alleviate resource constraints and labor pressures, making it a potential game-changer for holiday logistics.” Survey results reveal AI’s ability…

Tata Curvv Crash Safety Rating By BNCAP
The safest cars to buy during the holidays

BNCAP’s Tata Curvv crash safety rating Today, it has become more important than ever in India to buy a car with good crash safety ratings to determine its crashworthiness Buying new cars around festivals is a common phenomenon in India. The desire to own a new car is high during this time and car manufacturers launch attractive offers and discounts to drive sales and increase footfall in showrooms. At the same time, purchasing a safe vehicle has become crucial. As time goes by, Indian car buyers are becoming more aware of vehicle safety. NCAP agencies such as Global NCAP and the newly formed Bharat NCAP are working in this regard. To further raise awareness, here's a list of the most crash-safe cars you can buy during the holiday season. The safest car to buy – GNCAP (New Code) In this list, we have compiled 10 highly rated vehicles based on Global NCAP's latest crash safety norms, along with all the…

Pleasant Holidays offers bonuses for group bookings:
Pleasant Holidays offers bonuses for group bookings:

happy holiday and its luxury brands, Geneseoffering huge group booking bonuses for nearly 100 people Marriott Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Meeting planners can receive up to $3,000 in incentives when booking group accommodations at participating hotels, a valuable opportunity for corporate events, conferences and boutique meetings. This award is available for standard groups (10 or more) and premium groups (5 or more) for 2026 travel booked before December 20, 2024. Bonuses vary by hotel, with many hotels offering double standard group bonuses. Some hotels and resorts even offer triple bonuses. Covering locations in Asia, Central America, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Middle East and the United States, the program offers a wide range of options for international and domestic events. "Pleasant Holidays and Journey provides award-winning service and support for multi-generational families, business incentive trips, gatherings of friends, weddings, honeymoons and any travel party requiring five or more rooms," said Jack E. Richards said. in a press statement. “Marriott Hotels &…