PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operations of the ACE Group, today announced that it has expanded its International Advantage product to offer enhanced coverages for the unique risks faced by professional services employees doing business overseas. Three comprehensive foreign package offerings designed for accountants & lawyers, business consultants, and architects & engineers are designed to provide coverage for companies operating globally in the professional services arena.

According to The Business of Architecture Report, a survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), international work -- defined as billings from outside the United States, for either international or U.S. clients, and as inside the United States for international clients -- has almost tripled over the last decade.1 ACE believes that this increase is the result of more contract work performed overseas, which can impact U.S.-based companies. This is because their employees traveling outside of the United States face unique risks not typically covered by their domestic companys insurance program.

Those risks include, but are not limited to:

The ACE USA International Advantage product is an ideal solution for insuring the risks of emerging- to middle-market professional services firms. The Advantage policy package offers a number of coverages needed by firms operating overseas, including general liability, contingent auto, voluntary workers compensation, kidnap & extortion, international AD&D (including medical), and executive assistance services.

ACEs newly-enhanced coverages for professional services firms bring the Advantage policy to another level. The enhancements focus on adding property coverage grants, (including coverage for architectural models and blueprints, law libraries, and other research materials, taken overseas), as well as any other specialized equipment used abroad by professional services firms. The new policy forms also add certain endorsements on a standard basis, and these include blanket additional insured, waiver of subrogation when required by contract, and providing a care, custody, and control extension to general liability.

The globalization of industry and commerce has resulted in more companies planting flags on foreign shores, and the number of professional services employees traveling to these locations on temporary work assignments or for more long-term employment has increased, said Tim Benson, Senior Vice President, ACE Multinational Client Group. In the architectural profession, for example, firms reported seven percent of total billings originating from international work, compared with just 2.8 percent ten years ago, and six percent in 2005. 2

These enhanced coverages, combined with the ability to coordinate the issuance of locally admitted policies across the entire ACE global network, allow ACE USA to offer an ideal insurance product -- for risks ranging from simple trip travel exposures -- to complex, multinational exposures faced by professional services firms.

Weve designed a program that makes coverage for overseas exposures more readily available to customers, while providing our brokers with an attractive, easy-to-use package, said Bryan Tedford, Senior Vice President, ACE USA Foreign Casualty. Our new ACE International Advantage Edge suite of products provides multinational customers with simplified, central control and consistent protection around the world.

ACEs international casualty product suite offers insurance solutions for U.S.-based companies and organizations that have operations or employees who travel outside the U.S. Offerings range from simple package policies to complex multinational programs with sophisticated risk transfer options. For more information about these products, including ACE Accountants & Lawyers International Advantage Edge, The ACE Business Consultants International Advantage Edge, and The ACE Architects & Engineers International Advantage Edge, please visit our website or contact Tim Benson at timothy.benson@acegroup.com or 302-476-6343.

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ACE Expands International Advantage® Coverage

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Service Point USA, a longtime Managed Print Services (MPS) provider, enters its third decade of MPS leadership with an expanded suite of end-to-end business, marketing and graphics advisory services. Service Point is favored by architects, engineers, construction consultants, photographers, graphic designers, self-published authors, and artists -- all professional users of large format and high-quality color-rich printing. Service Points new bundling of MPS with design and specialty reprographics is directly aligned the industry needs of commercial real estate and building design, hospitality, advertising, high tech, pharmaceuticals and biosciences. Along with higher education institutions, museums and galleries, these sectors routinely demand high-quality, specialty printing.

Service Points customer satisfaction is exemplified by the recent renewal of ten-year MPS customer Bruner/Cott Architects and Planners of Cambridge, Mass., a 40-year-old architectural firm for which four-color oversized color renderings, glossy project sales brochures, large project signage and reception collateral are vital to its business. Bruner/Cott is nationally renowned for design of buildings that work, including repurposed Ivy League campus buildings and stately landmarks. The decision to renew their MPS contract exemplifies how Service Point has kept pace with new printing and scanning technologies while generating operational excellence and value for the firm.

According to Bruner/Cott CFO Mark Teden, Our firm places a high value on technological expertise and a team approach, and we expect those same qualities from a valued service provider. For the past ten years, weve trusted the visual representation of our work to Service Point USA, but before we renewed our contract, we conducted comparative research to be sure our managed print service provider was our best choice. Their flexibility, consultative approach, investment in talent, and deep knowledge of our own high-end equipment points to their category leadership. Im pleased to continue to partner with Service Point USA.

New Service Value Package Differentiates Service Points MPS Offering

According to Managing Director and COO Kevin Eyers, Service Points track record for superior printing quality and service has distinguished the company above copy shops and big box retailers who have recently jumped onto the MPS bandwagon.

At the infancy of MPS, Service Point took a solution-driven, service-focused approach to each customers unique situation. By bundling services, we consolidate expert technical and design guidance with productivity gains to maximize efficiency and print quality. Our leadership in MPS, combined with decades of hands-on specialty and large format printing experience, make us ideally suited to create bottom-line impact to regional and global businesses with subsidiaries abroad, as well as for small business and nonprofits, Eyers said.

Analysts Peg MPS As High Growth Service Sector

Growth in Managed Print Services as an outsourcing strategy is the subject of two bullish 2012 industry forecasts by technology analyst firms Forrester and IDC, the latter projecting an annual growth rate of 11.7 percent[1].MPS analyst Photizo Group reported[2] by 2014, some 50 percent of print services would be outsourced to a MPS provider.

The enthusiastic response to Service Points service bundling has invigorated recruitment of new talent from high-touch customer service, commercial printing, and design software backgrounds.

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Managed Print Services Fuels Growth of Service Point USA

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (APOG) today announced fiscal 2013 first-quarter results. Apogee provides distinctive value-added glass solutions for the architectural and picture framing industries.

FY13 FIRST QUARTER VS. PRIOR-YEAR PERIOD

Commentary We started the new year with strong earnings on revenues that grew 1 percent, said Joseph F. Puishys, Apogee chief executive officer. With strong orders and awards leading to an architectural backlog increase of 13 percent, we have confidence in our planned growth for the full year.

Gross and operating margins for both our architectural and large-scale optical segments improved year on year, and we operated well throughout Apogees businesses, he said. Cash and short-term investments ended at $58 million after normal first-quarter seasonal uses and capital investments for growth and productivity enhancements, with ongoing positive working capital performance.

FY13 FIRST-QUARTER SEGMENT AND OPERATING RESULTS VS. PRIOR-YEAR PERIOD

Architectural Products and Services

Large-Scale Optical Technologies

Financial Condition

OUTLOOK With our first-quarter earnings and strong backlog, we are more confident in our revenue forecast and have greater visibility into the mix of projects we will be executing over the remainder of the year, allowing us to increase our earnings outlook for fiscal 2013 to $0.48 to $0.58 per share, from $0.40 to $0.50 per share, on mid single-digit revenue growth, said Puishys. Our anticipated revenue growth for fiscal 2013 will come in part from continued U.S. geographic expansion in our installation and storefront businesses, while earnings for the year are expected to benefit from improved architectural glass pricing, higher project margins in the second half and the ongoing strong performance of our picture framing glass and acrylic business.

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Apogee Reports Improved Fiscal 2013 First-Quarter Earnings

Last Updated: June 19, 2012 02:01pm ET

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Pictured: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort built in 2004.

KIAWAH ISLAND, SC -Kiawah Island Golf Resort confirmed via press release that it is currently in the beginning stages of planning a 150-room hotel property. The new structure would be built on the site of the former Kiawah Island Inn, located on the west side of the island.

At the moment, resort officials are determining the economic viability of such a venture and has enlisted the services of three architectural firms not named in the release which will present conceptual designs of the proposed structure.

In addition to the hotel, Kiawah Island Golf Resorts is also considering several four bedroom golf cottages along the area known as The Ocean Course.

In the same statement, Roger Warren (who could not be reached for direct comment at press time) president of Kiawah Island Golf Resort was quoted: Based on the estimated costs of the project and the projected health of the resort vacation market, they will determine if the economic environment warrants moving forward with the construction.

Categories: Hotels, Development, Southeast

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Kiawah Island Golf Resort Ponders Hotel Property

Thousands Gather for Iconic Architectural Projection Supporting REDD+

Corporate Champions Pledge to Buy Millions of Dollars Worth of REDD+ Emissions Reductions from Innovative Forest Protection Projects around the World.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Thousands of people from around the globe gathered at Arcos da Lapa last night to support the launch of Code REDD, an emergency action campaign to save the threatened forests of the world.

(PHOTO: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/SF27657)

The celebration of the Code REDD Campaign( http://www.coderedd.com ) launch got under way as the historic Arcos da Lapa aqueduct in the heart of Rio was transformed by Obscura Digital with an architectural projection experience of visuals and sound followed by the premier of a Code REDD film that demonstrated Code REDD's solution to stop deforestation now.

The event was designed to enlist widespread grassroots support for the Campaign. The film asked the crowd to demonstrate support by going online to coderedd.com/glow( http://www.coderedd.com/glow ) to make their phones flash red with a digital "emergency code." The experience drew a parallel between the digital transformation of Arcos da Lapa and the way Code REDD aims to transform how corporations, landowners, governments and the general public unite to save the threatened forests of the world.

"Deforestation is an economic problem," stated Karin Burns, Executive Director of the Code REDD Campaign. "REDD+ is a viable economic solution that can scale to meet the massive scope of this challenge."

Earlier that day, on the eve of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, Burns and Mike Korchinsky, Founder of Code REDD, hosted a press conference at the Royal Tulip Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. UNESCO, major multinational corporations, REDD+ project developers, and representatives of indigenous forest communities came together to announce their participation in the global launch of the Code REDD Campaign.

At the press conference, Gretchen Kalonji, UNESCO's Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences stressed the urgency of action against deforestation worldwide and the importance of public-private partnerships, such as the CODE-REDD Campaign. UNESCO's network of Biosphere Reserves provides a platform for collaboration and exchange among local communities on novel models for climate change mitigation, protection of bio-cultural diversity and local economic development.

Other stakeholders from Corporate Champions to community leaders expressed support for the Code REDD Campaign and REDD+ as well:

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Code REDD Campaign to Save World's Threatened Forests Illuminates Rio+20

WABASH, Ind., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Thermafiber has partnered with AEC Daily to offer a second online CEU course. The new course is focused on the benefits of mineral wool as continuous insulation (ci). Unlike foam products, mineral wool is non-combustible, permeable and economical. Mineral wool is commonly used to insulate masonry cavities and open joint facade systems. The use of mineral wool as continuous insulation has been widely accepted in Europe for decades and it continues to gain popularity in North America.

"Continuous insulation has become an important topic for architects and specifiers," says Angie Ogino, Technical Services Manager. "The new ASHRAE 90.1 codes require some level of continuous insulation in most climate zones. We want to provide the tools to educate the building community on the benefits that mineral wool can provide in these applications."

The free online CEU course is approved as a Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) credit. The course is qualified by AIA, USGBC/GBCI, NAHB and 12 other organizations for 1 CE Hour.

About Thermafiber

Thermafiber, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium mineral wool insulation products for commercial, residential, industrial and marine applications. Thermafiber commercial insulation products are specified 4-to-1 over other brands and have been installed in 6 of the 10 tallest buildings in the world. To learn more about Thermafiber, visit http://www.thermafiber.com.

About AEC Daily

AEC Daily is a leader in distance learning and has built an educational resource that provides a great variety of quality education in all areas of the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. Learners from all areas of the AEC industry, including specifiers, interior and building designers, landscape architects, engineers, building managers and constructors have free access to approximately 275 online courses approved by a multitude of associations and regulatory bodies available to them 24/7.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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Thermafiber Adds New Continuing Education Course

MONTREAL , June 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - GENIVAR Inc. (GNV.TO) ("GENIVAR" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that North 46 Architecture Inc. ("North 46 Architecture"), a professional services firm specialized in architecture, has joined the GENIVAR family. Located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island , North 46 Architecture has 8 employees. As part of the transaction, the firm has sold its shares to GENIVAR's current partner in architecture, PBK Architects Inc., and will continue to operate under the name North 46 Architecture.

North 46 Architecture is a full service architecture and interior design firm providing services in the residential, commercial, institutional, and public sectors. North 46 Architecture is recognized for its well designed, cost effective architecture and interior design with timely and efficient project management. The scope of services offered ranges from initial concept architectural sketches to managing final construction administration.

"We are very pleased to welcome North 46 Architecture within GENIVAR as it fits very well in our development strategy and enables us to strengthen our presence in both architecture and engineering in Prince Edward Island ," said Stephen Wallace , Senior Vice-President, Atlantic Canada of GENIVAR. "Through this alliance, we are also adding additional expertise, which will benefit our clients," he added.

"Since inception, we have been committed to providing our clients with quality service and management through all phases of a project. By joining GENIVAR our clients are going to benefit and gain advantage from a broader range of skills and global expertise in architecture, engineering and management," said David R. Lopes, President of North 46 Architecture.

ABOUT NORTH 46 ARCHITECTURE INC. Established in 2004, North 46 Architecture Inc. is a full service Architecture and Interior Design firm providing Architectural services throughout the Maritimes. North 46 Architecture is registered to practice architecture in the provinces of Prince Edward Island , New Brunswick , Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and is recognized for integrating well designed, attractive, and cost effective architecture with timely and efficient project management.

ABOUT GENIVAR INC. GENIVAR is a leading Canadian professional consulting services firm providing private and public-sector clients with a broad diversity of services in planning, engineering, surveying, environmental sciences, and projects and construction management, as well as architecture through strategic alliances. The Corporation is a fee-for-service professional consultants firm and it reports in one reportable segment, which is commonly referred to as consulting services. GENIVAR is one of the largest professional services firms in Canada by number of employees, with more than 5,500 managers, professionals, technicians, technologists, and support staff in over 100 cities in Canada and abroad. http://www.genivar.com

Forward-looking statements

Certain information regarding GENIVAR contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although GENIVAR believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. GENIVAR's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect GENIVAR's actual or projected results are included in the Management Discussion and Analysis for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 , which are available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and GENIVAR does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.

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GENIVAR strengthens its building expertise in Atlantic Canada

COLUMBIA, S.C., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --CMARK International, Inc., (OTC Pink Sheets: CMIT) a global provider of facility and logistic support services for government and commercial institutions has further expanded its brandof food service equipment, "Columbia Food Equipment"to now include a full line of commercial refrigeration equipment.

This line of equipment includes a variety of commercial reach-in solid and glass door refrigerators and freezers, as well as display cases, bar equipment, andmerchandisers. Most items are stocked in the United States.

The Columbia Food Equipment brand has been gradually developed by CMARK International for the last four years and includes refrigeration equipment, a full line of cooking equipment, fabricated stainless steel serving lines and counters, transport and mobile storage equipment, and small wares. The brand includes over 4,000 individual products. In offering this brand, CMARK gives considerable customer service, engineering and design support to its customer base and their specific applications, and job conditions. This level of support is important to the present customer base of institutional facilities that have complex design issues to deal with.

The vast majority of the cooking and refrigeration equipment carries the ENERGY STAR certification for energy conservation features. Since the majority of the applications for this equipment are on U.S. Government projects, the company's effort to continue to develop and offer ENERGY STAR products is an ongoing commitment.

In addition to marketing this brand in the U.S. Government sector, the company will begin to place more emphasis on the larger private sector including institutional applications such as schools, supermarkets, hospitals and hotels and non-institutional applications such as restaurants.

About CMARK International, Inc.: CMARK International is a licensed architectural firm with a history since June of 2000, of providing products and services for construction and design projects for U.S. government and private facilities worldwide.

CMARK International provides a wide array of facility and logistic support services including construction, architectural design, food service, furnishings and maintenance and operation services with a primary focus on U.S. federal facilities. The company operates out of its headquarters in Columbia, SC with other field support locations in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

For more information, visit http://www.cmark.org.

Forward Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are known as forward-looking statements as that item is defined in the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward- looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated results. The forward- looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Melanie Lauramore 803-699-4940

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CMARK expands its Columbia Food Equipment Brand

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cuba Tours and Travel, a fully licensed Cuba Travel agency, announced today that the company will lead a special trip to the 28th edition of the extraordinary Havana International Jazz Festival, to be held December 12-19, 2012.

For nearly three decades, the big names of world Jazz have performed on Havana stages during this grand music celebration. Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Carmen McCrae, Michel Lengrand, Charlie Haden and Chucho Valdes all have wowed adoring crowds under the balmy Havana night sky.

"That's the majesty of the Cuban super-virtuosos: They play with a technical brilliance that has no real equivalent, but they undergird their work with African percussion rituals that stand at the very root of their jazz (and ours)." Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

This year will bring more of the same, as major concerts take place amid the city's wonderful architectural gems and hot Latin Jazz flows from clubs, restaurants, bars, and public spaces while warm Caribbean tradewinds sweep this historic UNESCO site for world Heritage.

This fully legal trip is aimed at making the experience affordable for American musicians, music teachers, musicologists, music producers, music publishers and other music professionals working in non-commercial sectors.

"Your participation with authentic Latin jazz and Cuban music is enhanced by being in one of the world's most vibrant and exciting cities," said Adolfo V. Nodal, a partner at CTT. "Havana is your oyster as you enjoy concerts, master classes, late night music sessions, architectural tours and a trip to the countryside."

Recent changes in the U.S. Treasury law governing travel to Cuba has made it possible for professionals in these fields to travel to Cuba without many of the previous licensing impediments that were faced before.

For more information and to book your reservation today, please visit http://www.cubatoursandtravel.com or contact Adolfo V. Nodal at (888) 225-6439 x802 or adolfo@cubatoursandtravel.com.

Cuba Tours and Travel is a full-service agency licensed by the U.S. Government and the State of California to provide travel services to Cuba nationally. In continuous existence for over a decade, CTT is a pioneer in the field of high level, expert driven cultural travel to the island. US Treasury Department OFAC # CU-077926

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Cuba Tours and Travel To Lead Special December 2012 Trip To Havana International Jazz Festival

NEW YORK, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Stuart Dean, an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, will highlight its full circle of interior and exterior architectural restoration solutions at the upcoming 2012 Every Building Conference and Expo, presented by BOMA International and BUILDINGS. The show, titled "Achieving High Performance Through Innovation," will take place June 24-26 in Seattle, WA (Washington State Convention Center). As the commercial real estate industry's premier event connecting professionals who represent buildings of all kinds, the show will offer a wide array of networking and education opportunities to increase operational performance, reduce costs and enhance net operating income.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120213/NE52388LOGO )

"At Stuart Dean, we know that real estate professionals understand the value of our end-to-end array of services and industry-leading experience, especially when they are seeking cost-effective, innovative solutions to refurbish and maintain the buildings that they own or operate," said Mark Parrish, president and CEO of Stuart Dean. "Stuart Dean has served as an exhibitor at BOMA conferences for more than four decades, and we look forward to connecting with professionals from across the industry at this year's conference to highlight what Stuart Dean has to offer."

Stuart Dean's interior and exterior architectural restoration services help to extend the life, increase the value and enhance the beauty of architectural surfaces. The company specializes in the restoration and protection of metal, stone, wood, glass, and tile grout for buildings, retail stores, institutions, restaurants and homes. Stuart Dean's vast experience gained during 80 years in business enables the company to provide unique solutions to costly maintenance challenges, including cost-effective restoration programs that are custom-designed by the most skilled, knowledgeable and safety-conscious technicians in the industry.

The 2012 Every Building Conference & Expo (formerly the BOMA International Conference and The Every Building Show) is the gathering place for building management professionals from across the country and around the world. Founded in 1907, BOMA's 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties.

Stuart Dean will be located at Booth #423 at the show.

For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

About Stuart Dean Stuart Dean is an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, specializing in metal refinishing; stone polishing, cleaning and sealing; wood refinishing; glass restoration; innovative and sustainable grouts and flooring solutions; and curtain wall and facade restoration. Thousands of clients trust Stuart Dean to restore and preserve their buildings, retail stores, institutions and restaurants every day. Stuart Dean offers a portfolio of services to enhance the beauty and retain the value of a wide array of architectural assets. The company has been in business for over 80 years, with 22 offices in the U.S. and Canada and over 450 employees. Major markets served include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

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Stuart Dean to Highlight Restoration and Maintenance Solutions to Commercial Real Estate Professionals at 2012 Every ...