Media OutReach
Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach and WildAid Join Forces to Advance Thailand’s Marine Protected Areas and Strengthen Reef Restoration
The coastline of Phuket Island is home to remarkable nearshore coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and other nature-based tourism. Many of its beaches also serve as important nesting grounds for sea turtles. However, Phuket’s marine biodiversity is under significant pressure from human activities, including coastal development, wastewater discharge, anchoring, plastic pollution, discarded fishing gear, concentrated tourism, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change.
Despite these pressures, a 2024 survey conducted by local NGO Love Wildlife Foundation revealed that Merlin House Reef remains a healthy coral ecosystem, housing 24 different coral groups along with 14 groups of reef fish.
This initiative with WildAid will leverage the ongoing conservation efforts by the hotel by committing to support the expansion of Thailand’s marine protected areas and contribute to the global ’30×30′ initiative, which aims to safeguard at least 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. As part of the effort, the project will strengthen area-based management of the Merlin House Reef, including long-term ecological monitoring, foster stakeholder engagement in sustainable reef management, and conduct feasibility for a reef rewilding initiative. These actions will essentially lay the groundwork for nominating Merlin Beach as a potential Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA), an increasingly important tool to expand marine protected areas and help advance the 30×30 goal.
LMMAs enable participation from local communities and stakeholders, drawing on their practical experience and deep knowledge. This inclusive approach fosters collaborative management, ensuring that everyone who relies on marine resources plays a vital role in the long-term success of LMMAs.
The initiative also emphasizes the critical role of the private sector, particularly the hospitality industry, in driving marine conservation. Around the world, there have been increasingly successful cases showing how protected areas actively managed and led by the private sector can complement existing government-led MPAs by enhancing connectivity of coastal, near-shore and off-shore habitats between other MPAs, underscoring the importance of empowering businesses to take an active part in safeguarding the oceans.
“By empowering hotels to take an active role in co-managing the resources that underpin nature-based tourism, we can help restore ecosystems, rewild degraded reefs, and sustain the services they provide. Rewilding efforts, such as bringing back keystone reef species and restoring ecological functions, make tourism more regenerative and ensure benefits flow back to both people and nature. Collaboration among stakeholders, local communities, and science-based monitoring is essential to achieving long-term conservation and truly sustainable use,” said Petch Manopawitr, Conservation Scientist and Advisor to WildAid.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts led by Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, along with government and conservation partners in recent years, the reef remains vulnerable to rising sea water temperature, damage from boat anchors for fishing and snorkeling activities, and physical contact such as stepping on corals during low tide. To address these challenges, the hotel has been working closely with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in recent years to protect the corals. These efforts include installing undersea temperature and light monitors at a distance of 3, 6, and 10 meters from the surface of the water to study the impact of climate change on marine life. In collaboration with Love Wildlife Foundation, the hotel also engages guests through awareness and education activities at the Reef Education Center, developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“Here at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, this is huge. We are a premier family resort in Phuket, and we recognize that our stunning natural environment is our biggest asset. So, partnering with an organization like WildAid is absolutely crucial—this is about moving beyond simple measures and making a real impact on a global scale. This is how we walk the talk when it comes to Marriott International’s Serve360 commitment. We are applying long-term scientific monitoring to our beautiful Merlin House Reef, and actively working to turn this area into a LMMA. Ultimately, we are aiming to raise global tourism awareness about sustainability and social impact. We want our guests, especially families, to feel connected to this effort. When you stay with us, you are directly supporting the protection and rewilding of the ocean. It ensures that the magic of Phuket’s reefs will be here for generations to come.” said Mr. Trevor May, Multi-Property General Manager, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort and Le Méridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa.
WildAid and Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach will also drive awareness activities under the theme “Our House Reef: Home to Life, Home to Us” to inspire a sense of shared responsibility for ocean conservation. Visitors, guests, local community and youth, and other stakeholders will be encouraged to take part in this collective effort, supporting the roadmap toward establishing an LMMA.
In the coming months, Love Wildlife Foundation and WildAid will conduct a comprehensive biodiversity survey to build an updated coral reef database, which will assess reef condition, coral diversity and recruitment, fish and invertebrate communities, and the resilience of the coral reef. The findings will serve as a critical baseline for long-term monitoring and support the nomination of the area as an LMMA.
This collaboration aligns with WildAid’s Marine Program’s goal that aims to strengthen protection and management in critical marine areas worldwide. WildAid’s marine work is operating across 95 priority sites in 17 countries, pioneering an approach that designs and applies effective enforcement and compliance systems for priority marine areas. As the number of protected areas around the world expands to achieve the 30×30 global target, WildAid’s efforts continue to grow with this network of protected areas.
Learn more about our family-friendly resort in Phuket and plan your perfect family getaway
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktmb-phuket-marriott-resort-and-spa-merlin-beach/overview/
Call +66 (076) 335 300 or email: [email protected]
Hashtag: #PhuketMarriottMerlinBeach #WildAid #30×30 #LMMA
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktmb-phuket-marriott-resort-and-spa-merlin-beach/overview/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/phuket-marriott-resort-&-spa-merlin-beach/
https://www.facebook.com/phuketmarriottmerlinbeach
https://www.instagram.com/marriottphuketmerlinbeach/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is a family-friendly resort set on the stunning, secluded stretch of Tri-Trang Beach. Surrounded by forested mountains and lush tropical gardens, this Phuket spa resort features its vibrant reef and offers stylish accommodations. With 414 guest rooms, the resort caters to every need-from family adventure to MICE events and weddings. Guests can indulge in a refreshing oasis with three stunning swimming pools, each designed to create a unique atmosphere-whether it’s sipping cocktails at the lively pool with a swim-up bar or basking in serenity at the tranquil oasis with private whirlpools, modern fitness facilities, a dedicated Kids’ Club, and The Spa. A diverse array of dining options ensures that all tastes are catered to, while outstanding activity programs provide engaging experiences for guests of all ages, making it an ideal choice for all travelers.
Media OutReach
Spring Fair at VEC Marks Vietnam’s Most Ambitious Showcase Yet
For 12 days, the Spring Fair transformed VEC into a walkable map of 34 provinces, blending cuisine, culture and commerce inside Southeast Asia’s largest exhibition complex.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2026 – For nearly two weeks, the Spring Fair 2026 turned the Vietnam Exhibition Center into something few destinations manage to become: a condensed, high-definition portrait of an entire country.
As the fair drew to a close, what remains is not simply a tally of booths or sales figures, but the impression of a place that allowed visitors to move ‘through Vietnam’ at remarkable speed. Within a single afternoon, one could travel from the northern mountains to the Mekong Delta without leaving a 90-hectare venue on the outskirts of Hanoi.
Framed as “A Marketplace of 34 Provinces,” the event gathered regional economies, culinary traditions and cultural performances under one monumental roof. For many international visitors in Hanoi this spring, it became a defining stop on the city’s New Year cultural calendar.
A Country in One Afternoon
The scale was unapologetically large. More than 3,000 standard booths. Around 2,500 enterprises. Participation from 34 provinces and cities across Vietnam. Over 12 continuous days, the fair aimed for direct revenue of 1,000 billion VND and operated at a pace that rarely slowed.
Inside, the exhibition floor was organized into thematic zones such as “Vietnamese Cultural Essence” and “Vietnamese Agricultural Products – Connecting Spring”. The layout encouraged visitors to drift geographically. One moment, they stood in the northern region. Minutes later, they were tasting specialties from the south.
In the section representing Bắc Ninh, trays of bánh phu thê (sticky rice cake filled with mung bean paste, traditionally served at weddings) glowed under warm light. Nearby, vendors rolled out bánh cuốn Mao Điền (thin rice sheets wrapped around seasoned minced pork and wood ear mushrooms), the steam rising gently into the air. Nem chua (fermented pork sausage) was sliced into neat portions, while bundles of mì gạo chũ (sun-dried rice noodles from Bắc Giang) were arranged in pale, orderly stacks.
Further along, the scent shifted. At a booth from Sơn La, strips of thịt trâu gác bếp (smoked buffalo meat) were cut from darkened slabs and dipped into a dense sauce flecked with mắc khén (wild mountain pepper with a citrusy heat). The taste was smoky, slightly sweet and sharply spiced. At another stand, mắm tôm chua (fermented shrimp paste with chili and garlic) from Huế was wrapped with boiled pork belly and green banana slices, layered with fresh herbs to soften its tang.
In the southern cluster, bánh pía (flaky pastry filled with mung bean, salted egg yolk and durian) from Sóc Trăng were sliced while still warm, their layered crust collapsing delicately to reveal a rich interior. The aroma of durian lingered in the air, unmistakable and confident.
“I really liked how the space was designed according to each province’s characteristic… not only products, but also culture – music, people, traditional dress. It clearly shows very thoughtful experiential design,” said an American visitor during the event.
For business delegations, the appeal went beyond atmosphere.
“We came here to find Vietnamese partners for cashew nuts, cacao and coffee,” said Mandel V. Panizares, representative of Green Agricultural Products Trading in the Philippines. “Seeing the products directly and discussing at the booth; this ‘see and touch’ approach helps us evaluate quality and production capacity more clearly than just looking at profiles or images.”
Cultural performance threaded through the marketplace. Visitors found themselves mesmerized watching more than 50 performers in restored Nguyễn-era garments entered the main corridor for the “Hundred Flower Parade”. Gold embroidered nhật bình (formal imperial robes) shimmered beneath the hall’s lights. Ceremonial horses stepped carefully across polished floors as shoppers paused mid-conversation to watch.
“The parade is not just a performance, but a living cultural experience, where traditional Vietnamese attire, rituals, aesthetics and people exist together within the flow of daily life and commerce,” said Nguyen Thanh Nam, a member of the project team.
Across the 12 days, more than 40 cultural programs and hundreds of performances unfolded, including shows by the Vietnam Circus Federation and the Vietnam Puppet Theatre. Music, acrobatics and folk art existed in easy proximity to contract discussions and product demonstrations.
By the final weekend, it was clear that the Spring Fair had evolved into something more than an exhibition. It functioned as a temporary indoor festival city, layered with sound, flavor and movement.
The Platform Powering the Experience
The intensity of the experience was made possible by the Vietnam Exhibition Center itself.
Spanning 90 hectares, VEC is the largest exhibition complex in Southeast Asia and ranks among the top ten globally. At its core stands the Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, a 130,000 square meter column-free structure that provides uninterrupted interior space on a scale rarely seen in the region.
Built in just 10 months by Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, and officially opened on August 19, 2025, the center welcomed 1.2 million visitors within its first three days of operation. Managing that volume required advanced crowd coordination, robust security systems and integrated logistics capable of operating at metropolitan scale.
The infrastructure extends well beyond the main hall. An 18-hectare parking area accommodates more than 10,000 vehicles. Nearly 1,200 electric vehicle charging ports form the largest EV charging station in Vietnam. Integrated storage zones, transport logistics and modern electronic payment systems allowed thousands of booths to operate simultaneously without visible strain.
VEC is also a member of the Bureau International des Expositions and serves as Vietnam’s official representative at global exhibition events, positioning it within the international exhibition circuit.
“We believe that, building upon this foundation, VEC will continue to thrive and evolve into a premier hub for major regional and international events. When operated at its full potential, VEC will emerge as a new symbol of a connected, prosperous, integrated, innovative, and sustainable Vietnam, thereby elevating our national standing in the country’s new era of ascent.”, said Mr. Tran Le Phuong, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vietnam Exhibition Fair Center Joint Stock Company (VEFAC JSC).
During the Spring Fair, that capacity was visible in every operational detail. Corridors remained fluid at peak hours. Multiple stages operated without acoustic conflict. International delegations moved seamlessly between provincial booths.
“I highly appreciate the handicraft products of Hue and high-tech agricultural products of Thanh Hoa and Dong Thap,” said Ozasa Haruhiko, Chief Representative of JETRO Hanoi. “The diversity and quality here strengthen my confidence in Japan-Vietnam trade potential.”
As the 2026 edition concludes, the Spring Fair leaves behind more than transactions and photographs. It has demonstrated that Vietnam can stage large-scale exhibitions with cultural depth and operational precision inside world-class infrastructure.
Hashtag: #VEC #Vingroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
CrazyLive to Host Free Investment Seminar in Hong Kong This March
Helping Retail Investors Build Decision-Making Discipline in Volatile Markets
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2026 – CrazyLive, a platform dedicated to investor education and behavioral finance research, today announced that it will host a free public investment seminar on March 8, 2026 (Sunday) at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong.
Titled “Investor Behavior and Decision-Making Frameworks in High-Volatility Environments,” the seminar is designed for retail investors seeking to improve decision-making discipline amid rising market volatility. The event will explore common cognitive biases and behavioral traps that often lead to emotional investing, and introduce a systematic and repeatable decision-making framework to help participants strengthen consistency, structure, and execution in real-world market conditions.
Warren Wang, Founder of CrazyLive, stated:
“Over the years, I have observed that many retail investors do not underperform because they lack intelligence or information, but because they lack discipline and structure. Volatility is not an exception—it is the market’s normal state. The key is whether investors have a clear and executable framework to reduce emotional interference. This seminar is designed to share practical tools and structured thinking approaches grounded in behavioral finance.”
The seminar will feature three seasoned financial market professionals as keynote speakers:
• Cecilia Kwok — Market Sentiment Specialist at CrazyLive and senior financial news anchor, with over 10 years of hands-on investment and trading experience.
• Angel Xu — Wharton School graduate (University of Pennsylvania); former Morgan Stanley (New York) analyst; currently a fund manager; CFA and FRM charterholder.
• Jolin Zhu — With over 17 years of experience in financial market research and trading, she has participated in large-scale asset management projects and institutional investment operations. She is a specially appointed lecturer for the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (NAFMII) and an editorial board member of the China Asset Management Industry Development Report. She is also a CFA and FRM charterholder.
Key seminar topics will include behavioral bias analysis, case studies of common decision-making errors, and practical decision-support tools such as a streamlined decision checklist and a cash flow stress-testing framework. The discussion will also incorporate insights from recent market developments and volatility cycles.
CrazyLive emphasized that the seminar will focus strictly on academic framework sharing, market phenomenon analysis, and practical experience exchange. The event will not involve the promotion of any financial products, nor will it provide any return guarantees or investment advice.
Event Details
Date: March 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Function Room 1–3, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Admission: Free of charge
Registration Link: https://crazylivehk.netlify.app/
Hashtag: #CrazyLive
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CrazyLive
CrazyLive is a platform dedicated to investor education and behavioral finance research. Founded by Warren Wang, CrazyLive provides global Chinese retail and institutional investors with structured knowledge frameworks and decision-support tools.
Guided by its core philosophy, “Clarity in a Complex World,” CrazyLive aims to help investors build systematic decision-making frameworks that are understandable, executable, and sustainable, enabling them to navigate complex and rapidly evolving financial markets.
Media OutReach
Media Architects Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation in Live Production Streaming and Video Learning Technologies
From DVD Authoring to Systems Integration
Founded on 20 January 2001 as DVD Power (Asia) Pte Ltd, the company was launched to address a gap in the local video production landscape. Its founder, a key member of Singapore’s first film school at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, had recently produced an award-winning interactive DVD and identified a gap in the market for professional DVD authoring services in Singapore.
Early milestones included authoring projects for New Line Cinema, Miramax Films, Columbia TriStar and Sony Pictures, as well as locally commissioned educational and heritage content for the Ministry of Education and the National Heritage Board. As DVD technology matured, the company shifted into systems integration, rebranding as Media Architects and expanding its offerings to support professional video workflows and technical training.
Following its 25th anniversary, Media Architects continues to evolve with the industry, building on its original vision while adapting to new technologies and client needs.
Continuous Evolution with Industry Trends
Over the past two decades, Media Architects has kept pace with the evolution of media technologies. These include collaborative editing systems (2006), computer-based live production systems (2008), file-based post-production workflows (2010), and bonded cellular streaming systems for remote broadcasting (2012). More recently, the company has focused on video learning platforms, auto-tracking camera solutions, and hybrid classroom systems.
Today, Media Architects supports more than 10 higher education institutions in Singapore with integrated systems that enable lecture recording, hybrid learning, and streamlined content delivery.
Pandemic-Era Pivot to Live Streaming Services
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live events, Media Architects adapted quickly. Drawing on its early experience in bonded cellular systems, the company developed compact live production setups with robotic cameras and a minimal crew, allowing clients to conduct virtual AGMs and live broadcasts under social distancing restrictions.
These efforts led to the establishment of a new business vertical focused on live event video streaming services and virtual event service platforms, which continued to support clients throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Future Growth: AI Tools, Partnerships, and Regional Reach
A Milestone Tender Reflecting the Next Phase of Growth
Upon celebrating its 25th anniversary, the company has secured a significant milestone tender to design and implement a clinical observation and recording system with AI-powered video analysis and reporting for a major medical institution in Singapore. This project represents a clear step forward in the company’s transition from traditional AV integration to intelligent, data-driven ecosystems that support high-stakes education and training.
The deployment spans more than 20 specialised clinical training rooms and shared spaces, with provisions for future expansion. At the system’s core is a fully redundant Q-SYS architecture powered by dual Core X10 DSP engines. This setup ensures operational continuity during critical simulations and medical examinations. Audio is captured through high-fidelity, beamforming ceiling microphones, and all network traffic is handled by NETGEAR AVLine switches configured for high-throughput, low-latency AVoIP environments.
Centralised control is achieved through the Q-SYS platform, which unifies audio, video, and automation under a modern IT framework.
What distinguishes this project is the integration of AI-powered video analytics. The system leverages a SaaS platform to enable real-time transcription, video tagging, and structured AI-powered analysis based on clinical rubrics such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation). This allows users to reference specific tagged moments during debriefs, providing objective, measurable feedback aligned with learning outcomes.
Students benefit directly from recorded sessions, instructor notes, transcripts, AI analysis, and reports saved to their accounts. This supports reflective practice, skill tracking, and individual learning progress. The implementation reflects Media Architects’ ongoing focus on scalable, systems-based innovation that transforms live video into actionable educational intelligence.
As the company embarks upon its next chapter, this project illustrates how its technical capabilities are now being applied to future-focused environments where reliability, adaptability, and data integration are essential.
Preparing the Team for the Next Chapter
In anticipation of future growth, Media Architects is focusing on organisational development and leadership transition. Current team leads are being supported through new hires and strategic mentorship, with plans for the founder to move into an advisory role. The company is also evaluating the addition of industry practitioners to strengthen its system solutioning capacity and broaden its technical depth.
“Our mission at Media Architects has always been to harness the transformative power of video technology. With the latest system, we aren’t just installing cameras; we are architecting an intelligent feedback loop for self-reflection and self-improvement. By integrating AI-powered transcription and analysis, we are turning clinical simulations into objective, measurable data that empowers the next generation of medical professionals.”
— Nick Tay, Founder and Managing Director, Media Architects Pte Ltd
Looking Ahead
Following its 25th anniversary, Media Architects remains committed to helping clients deliver high-impact content through integrated, future-ready technologies. Visit their website to learn more about their products and services.
Hashtag: #MediaArchitects #ProductionStreamingSolutions #25thAnniversary #TechInnovation
https://media-architects.asia/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Media Architects
Media Architects Pte Ltd marked its 25th anniversary by redefining the boundaries of systems integration. Beyond our heritage in live production and video solutions, we are now pioneering the shift toward AI-driven, scalable AV ecosystems. From Singapore to the region’s leading broadcast and corporate hubs, Media Architects continues to engineer the intelligent platforms that transform how the world learns, communicates, and engages.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn










