Skip to main content

Theme news

Explore fairsonline.org coverage by editorial theme. Select a theme to see focused stories on innovation, strategy and market change.

Avignonesi Named Sole Italian Nominee for Wine Enthusiast Winery Award

Image
Avignonesi Named Sole Italian Nominee for Wine Enthusiast Winery Award

Montepulciano, Italy – September 16, 2026 -- Avignonesi, Italy's largest fully biodynamically certified wine estate, has been nominated for European Winery of the Year in Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Star Awards, marking the estate as the sole Italian producer selected in the category.

Avignonesi stands as the only Italian nominee among European contenders

The nomination recognizes the historic Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. producer for its scale of responsible viticulture and long-term land stewardship. Winners for the 27th annual Wine Star Awards will be announced at a black-tie gala in January 2027.

SIQA Launches AI Music Verification Registry, Sets LA Awards Show

Image
SIQA Launches AI Music Verification Registry, Sets LA Awards Show

Los Angeles – September 16, 2026 -- The Sonic Intelligence Academy Inc. (SIQA) has launched the SIQA Verified Registry, a system that lets artists verify the provenance of AI-generated tracks before release rather than face flagging after distribution.

Registry classifies tracks under three categories to fight platform confusion

The SIQA Verified Registry sorts music under the SIQA Classification Framework into three tiers: Fully AI-Generated, AI-Assisted, or Human + AI Hybrid, the latter covering techniques such as vocal cloning. The system moves beyond the generic 'AI-Generated' label now used across streaming platforms including Spotify and Deezer, where AI-made tracks have proliferated faster than the industry can track, according to reporting from Billboard and Music Business Worldwide. SIQA's stated approach is 'Verified, Not Flagged,' positioning verification as a credential artists can carry rather than a dispute they must fight.

Chicago Faucets Joins BACnet International, Launches CF Connect PLUS

Image
Chicago Faucets Joins BACnet International, Launches CF Connect PLUS

Des Plaines, Ill. – September 16, 2026 -- Chicago Faucets has joined BACnet International and launched CF Connect PLUS, a system that links electronic faucets directly to building automation systems (BAS) via native BACnet/IP integration.

CF Connect PLUS captures water temperature at the point of use, not just at centralized equipment

Unlike traditional BAS inputs that monitor centralized plumbing equipment, CF Connect PLUS uses retrofit temperature sensors installed at faucet angle stops to measure water temperature directly where it reaches occupants. That data is relayed to a CF Connect PLUS Gateway, which communicates with the BAS using the BACnet/IP protocol.

SF International School Completes 177,000 Sq Ft Campus Overhaul

Image
SF International School Completes 177,000 Sq Ft Campus Overhaul

San Francisco – September 16, 2026 -- The International School of San Francisco has completed a full renovation of its 177,000-square-foot Hayes Valley campus, marking the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 9. The 64-year-old institution, the largest secular independent school in the city, converted a former Caltrans structure built in 1948 into a modernized educational facility spanning an entire city block.

Over 300 windows replaced to boost energy efficiency and natural light

The renovation included the replacement of more than 300 windows, installation of a modernized HVAC system, and redesigned lower and middle school classrooms. Faculty and staff workspaces were also reconfigured as part of the overhaul.

First Horizon Bank Names Jennifer Feske Senior Portfolio Manager in New Orleans

Image
First Horizon Bank Names Jennifer Feske Senior Portfolio Manager in New Orleans

New Orleans – – September 16, 2026 -- First Horizon Bank has appointed Jennifer Feske as Senior Commercial Portfolio Manager for its New Orleans market, tasking her with managing the bank's Northshore commercial portfolios.

Feske brings 15 years of banking experience to St. Tammany Parish accounts

Feske's background spans commercial banking and portfolio management, and she will now oversee client relationships across the Northshore region of the New Orleans market.

Jimmy Dunn cites market expertise as key to regional growth

Jimmy Dunn, New Orleans Market President for First Horizon Bank, said Feske's banking experience and market knowledge would benefit clients as the bank expands relationships throughout St. Tammany Parish.

Target Hospitality Closes Upsized $298M Secondary Share Sale

The Woodlands, Texas – September 16, 2026 -- Target Hospitality Corp. (Nasdaq: TH) has closed an upsized secondary offering of 16,100,000 shares of common stock at $18.50 per share, after underwriters fully exercised their option to purchase an additional 2,100,000 shares on top of the original 14,000,000-share deal.

Selling stockholders linked to TDR Capital LLP monetize a 16.1 million-share stake

The shares were sold by Arrow Holdings S.à r.l. and MFA Global S.à r.l., entities controlled by TDR Capital LLP acting as investment fund manager. At $18.50 per share, the total offering, inclusive of the upsized option, was valued at roughly $297.9 million. Target Hospitality did not sell any shares in the transaction and received no proceeds from the offering.

Mews Launches Unified POS System for US, Canada Hotels

Image
Mews Launches Unified POS System for US, Canada Hotels

New York – September 16, 2026 -- Mews has launched Mews POS in the United States and Canada, allowing hotels to run property management, food and beverage operations and payments on a single system. The platform, already live in more than 20 countries across Europe and APAC since its 2024 introduction, connects every order, charge and guest interaction automatically across a property.

Standalone POS systems cost hotels two hours of daily reconciliation work per property

Most point-of-sale systems on the market were built for standalone, full-service restaurants, forcing hotels to pay for complexity they do not need. Staff typically spend two hours a day manually reconciling POS, property management and accounting systems, according to Mews. Revenue losses stem from manual posting errors, missed checkouts and gaps between disconnected software APIs.

Azure DevOps, Jira Named Champions in Info-Tech 2026 ALM Report

Image
Azure DevOps, Jira Named Champions in Info-Tech 2026 ALM Report

Arlington, Va. – September 16, 2026 -- Azure DevOps leads the 2026 Application Lifecycle & Release Management Data Quadrant with a Composite Score of 8.9, based on verified end-user feedback compiled by Info-Tech Research Group through its SoftwareReviews platform.

Four vendors earn Champion status in Info-Tech's 2026 rankings

Info-Tech named Azure DevOps, Jira, Inflectra SpiraTeam, and Rally Software as Champions in the report, which evaluates platforms supporting software planning, development, testing, and release management. Jira scored 8.8 CS and was recognized for bug tracking and issue management. Inflectra SpiraTeam scored 8.7 CS, noted for ease of implementation, while Rally Software posted 8.6 CS on the strength of its managed artifact repository capabilities.

Moab Tourism Office Launches 'Should've Stayed Longer' Rebrand

Image
Moab Tourism Office Launches 'Should've Stayed Longer' Rebrand

Moab, Utah – September 16, 2026 -- Moab Office of Tourism has unveiled a new destination brand and advertising campaign, "Should've Stayed Longer," built on visitor research showing more than 90% of travelers either planned to return or wished they had allotted more time in the area.

Research drives repositioning away from single-stop bucket-list marketing

The campaign, developed with creative studio Camp4 Collective and travel agency TOURIST, reframes Moab as a multi-day destination rather than a quick stop en route to Arches National Park. Michael Soleta, director of the Moab Office of Tourism, said the rebrand followed a year-long collaboration among the tourism office, its board, elected officials and community and agency partners.

Destinations International Launches Second Virtual Advocacy Day Sept. 16

Image
Destinations International Launches Second Virtual Advocacy Day Sept. 16

Potomac Falls, Va. – – September 16, 2026 -- Destinations International (DI) will convene destination leaders, policymakers and industry partners on September 16, 2026, for its second global Virtual Advocacy Day, a one-day program running 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET aimed at helping tourism organizations counter funding cuts and shifting political support.

DI cites growing funding scrutiny as the driver behind a second global advocacy program

Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International, said destination leaders face rapid swings in funding, public perception and political backing, and need relationships, data and messaging in place before a crisis hits rather than after.

We Card Marks 31st Awareness Month as FDA Scrutiny Persists

Image
We Card Marks 31st Awareness Month as FDA Scrutiny Persists

Arlington, Va. – – September 16, 2026 -- The We Card Program is marking its 31st annual Awareness Month this September by pushing retailers nationwide to tighten age-verification training as FDA enforcement of tobacco, vapor and nicotine pouch sales remains a priority.

FDA enforcement pressure drives renewed retailer training push

David Spross, Executive Director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets and a We Card board member, said September is the time to "ramp up and renew retailer compliance efforts" on federal, state and local requirements for selling age-restricted products.

THOR Industries Unifies North American RV Operations Under New Leadership

Image
THOR Industries Unifies North American RV Operations Under New Leadership

Elkhart, Indiana – September 16, 2026 -- THOR Industries (NYSE: THO), the world's largest recreational vehicle manufacturer, has consolidated its North American RV operations under a single leadership structure, effective immediately.

Ken Walters becomes President of all North American RV operations

Walters, previously President of Jayco and leader of the Jayco and Tiffin Motorhomes group, now oversees coordination across all of THOR's North American operating companies. He reports directly to THOR executive management in Elkhart.

THOR restructures into three distinct operating groups

The company will now operate through three units: North American RV, European, and Supply. The move follows a two-quarter evaluation period during which THOR's leadership determined that unified coordination across all North American RV entities would deliver benefits on a faster timeline than the previously announced two-group model.

TransCode Therapeutics CFO Tom Fitzgerald Retires, John Tattory Named Interim CFO

Image
TransCode Therapeutics CFO Tom Fitzgerald Retires, John Tattory Named Interim CFO

Boston – September 16, 2026 -- TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAZ) said Chief Financial Officer Tom Fitzgerald is retiring, effective immediately, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by John Tattory.

Fitzgerald exits after eight years steering TransCode through IPO and acquisitions

Fitzgerald has served as CFO since July 2018, a tenure spanning the company's initial public offering, the launch of clinical development for lead candidate TTX-MC138, the acquisition of Polynoma, and a license agreement with Oncolytics. He resigns as CFO and as a company director effective immediately but will remain to provide transition services.

Chairman and CEO Philippe P. Calais credited Fitzgerald with keeping the company funded from its early discovery-stage days. "Tom has worked tirelessly to keep us funded and on track," Calais said.

Cardiol Therapeutics Files US$150M Shelf Prospectus, Expands OSC Disclosure

Image
Cardiol Therapeutics Files US$150M Shelf Prospectus, Expands OSC Disclosure

Toronto – September 16, 2026 -- Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDL) (TSX: CRDL) has filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus in Canada and a corresponding Form F-10 registration statement with the U.S. SEC, enabling the life sciences company to raise up to US$150 million over a 25-month period.

Shelf filing permits future issuance of shares, debt and warrants

The filings, made under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, would allow Cardiol to offer Class A common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, units, or combinations thereof, once a final receipt is issued and the Registration Statement becomes effective. No securities are being offered under this announcement, and the Company said there is no assurance an offering will occur.

Modine to Rebrand as Modexus Solutions After Gentherm Merger

Image
Modine to Rebrand as Modexus Solutions After Gentherm Merger

Racine – September 16, 2026 -- Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE: MOD) will rename itself Modexus Solutions once it completes the spinoff of its Performance Technologies business and merges the remaining operations with Gentherm, the company confirmed. The rebrand requires shareholder approval and the new entity will keep trading under the existing ticker, MOD.

Gentherm shareholders approve transaction at September 10 meeting

Gentherm shareholders overwhelmingly approved the deal at a special meeting held on September 10, 2026. The transaction is expected to close October 1, 2026, pending customary closing conditions.

Cboe Executives to Present at Barclays Financial Services Conference

Image
Cboe Executives to Present at Barclays Financial Services Conference

Chicago – September 16, 2026 -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE) will send four top executives to present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference in New York City on September 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Cboe's CEO and three senior leaders will address investors at the New York conference

Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue will be joined by Prashant Bhatia, Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise Strategy & Corporate Development; Jill Griebenow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Rob Hocking, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Derivatives.

Cboe will stream the session live and archive it within an hour

The presentation will be webcast live and later archived on ir.cboe.com under the Events and Presentations section, with the recording expected to be available within an hour of the live event.

AAKP Inducts Arkansas Advocate Bob Abbott Into Hall of Fame

Image
AAKP Inducts Arkansas Advocate Bob Abbott Into Hall of Fame

Little Rock, Arkansas – September 16, 2026 -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) inducted Pine Bluff advocate Bob Abbott into its newly created Kidney Advocate Hall of Fame on September 10, opening the organization's 51st annual National Patient Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas.

AAKP launches inaugural Hall of Fame class at Clinton Presidential Center

The induction ceremony took place during AAKP's Policy Forum session at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, recognizing Abbott alongside medical experts, federal officials, and researchers as part of the Hall of Fame's first cohort. AAKP's tribute cited more than five decades of advocacy work by Abbott, owner and manager of Abbott Enterprises Inc. in Pine Bluff.

Nasuni Acquires DryvIQ to Add AI Content Governance to File Platform

Image
Nasuni Acquires DryvIQ to Add AI Content Governance to File Platform

San Francisco – – September 16, 2026 -- Nasuni has acquired DryvIQ, adding AI-powered content classification and governance tools to its unstructured data platform for enterprise and AI workloads. Carlsquare advised DryvIQ on the transaction; financial terms were not disclosed.

Nasuni folds content intelligence into its file data platform to close a governance gap

The deal gives Nasuni's platform content-level discovery, classification, sensitivity detection and automated policy-driven governance, extending visibility beyond Nasuni's own environment into more than 40 cloud and on-premises repositories. Nick Burling, Chief Product Officer at Nasuni, said the company has added edge performance through Resilio, permission-aware AI access through AI Activate, and now governance through DryvIQ within the same year, positioning UniFS as a single foundation to manage, move, classify, govern and activate enterprise file data.

HNTB Names Henrika Buchanan Transit and Rail Sector Leader

Image
HNTB Names Henrika Buchanan Transit and Rail Sector Leader

Arlington, Va. – September 16, 2026 -- HNTB Corporation has appointed Henrika Buchanan as its transit and rail market sector leader, tasking her with steering strategy and client service across the firm's passenger rail, transit and multimodal transportation programs.

Buchanan brings 27 years of transportation leadership to the role

Buchanan joined HNTB in 2021 after holding senior posts at the Federal Transit Administration, including associate administrator for transit safety and oversight and chief safety officer. In those federal roles, she oversaw national transit safety, capital investment and program oversight initiatives, including major federal funding and recovery programs.

CPSC Names Paul Brubaker Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer

Image
CPSC Names Paul Brubaker Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer

Washington, D.C. – September 16, 2026 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has appointed Paul Brubaker as its new Executive Director, installing him as the agency's chief operating officer over programmatic, operational, and administrative functions.

Brubaker takes charge of CPSC's regulatory portfolio and hazard-response operations

Brubaker will manage CPSC's regulatory portfolio and help direct efforts to identify and address consumer product hazards. He brings nearly four decades of public and private sector leadership in technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, organizational strategy, and federal management.