In a first for the dental sector, Heartland Dental CEO Patrick Bauer and Patient Prism founder Amol Nirgudkar share the cover of the Summer 2026 issue of INFLUENCE Magazine. The feature highlights a seven-year mentorship that bridges the gap between massive dental support operations and emerging artificial intelligence technology.
“Conversation isn't a talent. It's a skill. And most of us were never taught it,” says Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks. As the platform launches her new course, The Conversation Advantage, the behavioral scientist aims to replace social anxiety with a rigorous, evidence-based system for high-stakes human interaction.
Squarespace is rolling out a dedicated suite of commerce tools designed to help entrepreneurs transition from constant, discount-heavy sales toward curated, high-demand releases. By integrating inventory management and urgency-driven checkout features, the platform aims to streamline the technical hurdles previously required to manage limited-batch merchandise and exclusive service bookings.
Nashville-based AMSURG has finalized the acquisition of five ambulatory surgery centers across North Carolina, expanding the company’s footprint in the state’s gastrointestinal care market. The move integrates a network of facilities serving patients in Wake Forest, Cary, Raleigh, Clayton, and Wilson into the national provider’s operational portfolio.
Milo's Tea Company has opened a 150,000-square-foot refrigerated distribution center in Homewood, Alabama, marking the family-owned firm's fourth major facility expansion since 2020. This latest investment strengthens the company's supply chain as it continues to scale its production of refrigerated tea and lemonade for the national market.
Minneapolis-based MHC has solidified its standing in the Leaders quadrant of the 2026 SPARK Matrix for Customer Communications Management, according to QKS Group. The report recognizes the company for evolving CCM from simple document generation into a sophisticated, AI-driven operating layer for high-volume enterprise communications.
Data center provider Flexential has overhauled its private network infrastructure, rolling out a 400 Gbps backbone across 15 facilities in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Portland. The upgrade allows enterprise customers to secure 100 Gbps access ports, addressing the massive bandwidth requirements of modern AI training and high-density cloud architectures.
After mastering the high-stakes environment of Singapore’s public healthcare system, the engagement intelligence firm KeyReply has rebranded as Rezonate and launched its US expansion. The company aims to replace disjointed automated responses with a platform that manages complex workflows across voice, chat, and mobile channels to drive tangible patient outcomes.
With a collective annual revenue exceeding $53 billion, the inaugural Dallas-Fort Worth Titan 100 list honors the region's most influential executives. Among this year’s recipients is Michael Browning, Jr., the founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, recognized for his contributions to the youth enrichment sector and his commitment to regional business growth.
Canaan Inc. produced 64 BTC in June, marking a month of operational recovery as the company’s joint venture in Texas resumed activity following wildfire-related disruptions. Despite grid maintenance challenges, the firm managed to add 49 BTC to its treasury, bringing total holdings to 1,915 BTC and 3,952 ETH.
Riyadh residents can now access professional cognitive health assessments as Brainify.AI partners with The Longevity Suite to debut its neuro-measurement platform in the Saudi capital. The collaboration integrates fast, non-invasive brain wave technology into premium wellness programs, targeting a market increasingly focused on measurable mental vitality.
Actress and advocate Fran Drescher is the face of a new campaign for Laura Geller Beauty, marking the moment the brand’s Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer: Hydrate became the first makeup primer to earn the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Millions of Americans are turning to vacation rentals this summer, trading traditional hotels for private homes and condos. While the majority of these stays proceed without incident, Mercury Insurance warns that a lack of clarity regarding liability and property coverage can turn a relaxing getaway into a costly financial dispute.
By becoming the first consulting firm to join the Data Quality Co-op, HawkPartners aims to overhaul how it verifies respondent integrity. The move integrates a centralized trust-scoring system into the firm’s data supply chain, providing a broader, ecosystem-wide view of quality that transcends individual project-level checks.
With 48 teams competing across North America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is leveraging a massive technological overhaul to redefine the spectator experience. As FIFA’s official technology partner, Lenovo is deploying AI-powered analytics and high-speed 3D scanning to bridge the gap between global viewers and the intensity of the pitch.
The Panamanian Public Forces have integrated the K1000ULE unmanned aircraft system into their fleet, marking a tactical shift in regional counter-narcotics efforts. Delivered via a multi-million-dollar U.S. Foreign Military Sale, the long-endurance drones are intended to disrupt smuggling networks operating across the country’s remote and complex terrain.
Universities are aggressively reclaiming control over their logos, forcing college athletes to rethink how they monetize their fame. As licensing agencies tighten enforcement against unauthorized gear, a new platform called AthleteMerch.com is helping players build independent storefronts that rely entirely on their own names rather than school insignia.
With over 1,500 seats guaranteed, Americas Cardroom kicked off its Venom Fever promotion today, paving the way for the site’s largest tournament series to date. The initiative runs through August 30, offering players diverse paths to secure entry into the upcoming $15 million Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms.
St. Peters-based Veterans Benefits Software Inc. has acquired the industry-standard claims processing platform VisPro, marking the company’s first major move to consolidate technology for VA-accredited professionals. The firm plans to evolve the 19-year-old software into a comprehensive operating system designed to automate case preparation and increase efficiency for legal teams.
Under the backdrop of its 50th annual gathering in Honolulu, the Institute for Professionals in Taxation has appointed a new slate of officers and governors to steer the organization. The transition follows the group's golden anniversary, marking a shift in governance for the 7,000-member nonprofit association.
Sacramento-based Merlot Marketing has been named agency of record for Nānā Kai, a luxury master-planned community on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The agency will spearhead the residential project’s marketing strategy and storytelling as it prepares to bring its $1.5 million to $2.6 million ocean-view homes to market.
First Bancorp is expanding its footprint in South Carolina, announcing a definitive agreement to acquire First Carolina Bancshares Corporation for $166 million. The transaction, involving a mix of cash and stock, aims to consolidate the reach of two community-focused banking institutions across the Carolinas by early 2027.
Eighty-five percent of organizations lack a formal AI strategy or clear ownership, creating a critical disconnect between executive pressure to innovate and the actual infrastructure required to support it. A new report from Supermetrics highlights how this gap forces marketing teams to chase speed while their underlying data systems remain fragmented.
Six consecutive years of Best of Nashville awards have cemented Adorn Bridal’s reputation as the city’s premier destination for couture wedding attire. Founded in 2019 by Mark and Jennie Dickens, the boutique has served nearly 3,000 brides while securing top-tier recognition from industry authorities like Brides Magazine.
Revenue leaders often navigate growth with fragmented data, leaving pipeline health shrouded in uncertainty. To bridge this visibility gap, The Pipeline Group has launched TPG Terminal, a centralized platform designed to convert raw sales activity into a measurable, predictable business asset for enterprise-level organizations.
Precision for Medicine has tapped laboratory industry veteran Chris Clendening to serve as General Manager of Labs Translational Sciences. Tasked with overseeing global operations and scaling AI-driven biomarker research, Clendening joins the Bethesda-based firm to accelerate clinical development cycles for life sciences clients worldwide.
Pastors and community leaders across nine Ohio counties are invited to Malone University on August 11 for a breakfast gathering hosted by Liberty HealthShare. The event aims to strengthen local social service networks while introducing new grant opportunities available through the organization’s charitable Sharing Hearts Fund.
In every one of the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas, a full-time worker earning the local minimum wage cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment. According to data from Best Interest Financial and Clever Real Estate, even in the most affordable markets, rent currently consumes a disproportionate share of monthly income.
As U.S. household debt hits a record $18.8 trillion, Chicago-based Beyond Finance has introduced the Financial Wellness RESET. Developed by Dr. Erika Rasure, the program provides a clinically-informed curriculum designed to help individuals move out of survival mode by addressing the behavioral and emotional roots of financial strain.
A 40-year-old Denver painting firm is shifting the local industry standard by eliminating upfront deposits and backing exterior projects with a 10-year warranty. The move aims to mitigate the financial risks property owners often face when hiring contractors for major maintenance work in the volatile Colorado climate.
