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Joe Shields Brings Software Design Thinking to Hospitality Through States of Leisure’s Experience-First Approach

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4 weeks ago

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San Francisco, California, Jul 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Hospitality is becoming as much about thoughtful systems as beautiful spaces. That shift is shaping how brands design every stage of the guest experience, from booking to checkout. For Joe Shields IV, founder of States of Leisure, the answer lies in an unlikely place, and that’s software design. Rather than approaching hospitality as a collection of attractive properties, Shields has built States of Leisure around the same principles that guide modern product development. Every guest interaction, from discovering a property online to checking out, is treated as part of one connected system designed to reduce friction and create clarity.

The philosophy reflects Shields’ professional background as a software designer and developer, where rapid prototyping, user feedback, and iterative improvement shape successful digital products. Those same methods now influence how States of Leisure develops its hospitality experiences. “People often think software and hospitality have very little in common,” said Shields. “In reality, both are about creating experiences that feel intuitive. Whether someone is navigating an app or arriving at a vacation home, they should never have to wonder what comes next. Good design removes uncertainty.”

Founded on the belief that hospitality extends far beyond interior design, States of Leisure integrates operational systems, communication, branding, and physical environments into a unified guest journey. Every detail is considered part of a larger experience architecture rather than an isolated feature. This systems-driven approach reflects a broader recognition that guest satisfaction depends as much on clear communication and well-designed operations as it does on attractive interiors.

Unlike traditional hospitality models that often separate marketing, operations, and guest services into independent functions, States of Leisure treats them as interconnected components. The company designs booking flows, messaging, and in-stay experiences to complement the physical environment, ensuring guests encounter consistency throughout every stage of their visit.

For Shields, this philosophy stems from years spent designing software products where usability determines success. His development process typically begins with simple prototypes that are tested early, allowing ideas to evolve through practical feedback instead of lengthy theoretical planning. The same mindset guides States of Leisure as it refines everything from guest communication to operational workflows.

The foundation for this perspective dates back to Shields’ art school education, where design was taught not as decoration but as structured problem-solving. That training continues to influence both his software career and his work in hospitality. Instead of asking how a space should look, Shields begins by asking how people will move through it, interact with it, and remember it.

That emphasis on intentional design has become a defining characteristic of States of Leisure. Each property is developed as part of a larger operating system, allowing the brand to maintain consistency while giving individual locations their own identity. The result is an approach that values precision over excess. Rather than overwhelming guests with unnecessary features, the company focuses on removing friction and creating environments that feel calm, organized, and easy to navigate.

Shields believes this type of structured thinking will continue to influence the future of hospitality as guest expectations evolve. “As technology becomes a bigger part of everyday life, people expect experiences to work effortlessly,” Shields said. “Hospitality shouldn’t be different. Behind every relaxing stay should be thoughtful systems that guests never have to think about.”

While Shields continues his full-time work in software design and development, States of Leisure serves as an extension of the same principles he applies to digital products: clarity, consistency, and continuous refinement. For the company, the goal is not simply to offer places to stay. It demonstrates how thoughtful systems and intentional design can transform hospitality into an experience that feels cohesive from beginning to end.

About Joe Shields IV

Joe Shields IV is a software designer and developer whose work spans product design, prototyping, and full-cycle software development. He is the founder of States of Leisure, where he applies software design principles to hospitality, creating guest experiences that combine intentional design with operational precision.

About States of Leisure

States of Leisure is a hospitality and real estate brand that designs short- and mid-term stays by integrating design, operations, and systems thinking. By treating every guest interaction as part of a connected experience, the company creates hospitality environments that prioritize clarity, consistency, and ease. To learn more, visit: https://statesofleisure.com/ 

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Press Release

Malaysia’s AI Future Takes Centre Stage as World AI Show Returns for Its 48th Global Edition

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9 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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Kuala Lumpur, 13 August 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being an emerging technology to become a defining pillar of Malaysia’s economic and digital ambitions. As the country accelerates investments in AI infrastructure, sovereign cloud capabilities, and enterprise-wide transformation, the focus has shifted from experimentation to execution. Against this backdrop, World AI Show Malaysia returns for its 48th Global Edition on 9–10 September 2026 at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, convening the policymakers, enterprise leaders, technology pioneers, investors, and innovators who are shaping the country’s next chapter of AI-led growth. 

Presented by Trescon, World AI Show Malaysia carries this year’s tagline, “Where Malaysia’s AI Decisions Get Made.” As the country transitions into a strategic AI hub for Southeast Asia and organisations across both the public and private sectors define their AI roadmaps, modernise digital infrastructure, and establish governance frameworks for responsible innovation, the event will provide an executive platform dedicated to meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and commercially relevant outcomes. 

The programme has been curated to address the opportunities and complexities surrounding enterprise AI adoption, sovereign cloud, intelligent infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI implementation. Over two days, attendees will engage through keynote addresses, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, invitation-only boardroom sessions, technology showcases, curated networking engagements, and business meetings designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration. 

The conference will feature an impressive line-up of distinguished government and industry leaders, including: 

  • Budiman Bujang, Deputy Chief Digital Officer, Johor Corporation 

  • Ts. D. Jackson Raao, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) 

  • Jamie Tan, Managing Director, JLL Malaysia 

  • Ganeshbabu Nagarajan, Executive Director – Transformation Programmes, Standard Chartered Bank 

  • Chua Yong Howe, Chief Digital Officer, UEM Edgenta Berhad 

  • Shahrin Oli Mohamed, Group Chief Technology Officer, Pos Malaysia Berhad 

  • Keeratpal Singh, Chief AI and Data Officer (APAC Financial Services), Worldline 

  • Dr. Sadesh Manikam, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Data Office & Data Protection Officer, Bursa Malaysia 

  • Ts. Zairil Anuar Ahmad, Chief Technology Officer, Co-opbank Pertama 

  • Ahmad Faiz, Head – Data & AI, Global Technology Unit, BASF 

  • Raunak Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, Igloo 

  • Muhammad Najib Masdan, Senior Vice President, Khazanah Nasional Berhad 

  • Ts. Narayanan Chidambaram, Head Project Engineering Pod (Technology & Digital PE&T – Digital Project Management) PETRONAS 

  • Mohamed Aafrin, Director of Engineering, DKSH 

  • Sudeep Srivastava, Head – KL IT Center SLB (Schlumberger)  

  • Hong H. Ong, Director of Digital Technology, Labuan Financial Services Authority 

  • Mohd Hanapi Bisri, Senior Digital Industry Leader- Oil & Gas 

  • Dario Bianchi, Chief Product Officer, Mindvalley 

  • G Saravanan, Chief Information Officer, National Cancer Society Malaysia 

 

Reflecting on Malaysia’s AI trajectory, Ts. D. Jackson Raao, Principal Assistant Secretary, MOSTI, said: 

“Malaysia is at a pivotal stage where artificial intelligence is becoming a key driver of national transformation. As we accelerate AI adoption across industries, our focus must remain on responsible innovation, robust governance, strong cybersecurity, and developing a future-ready talent ecosystem. By doing so, Malaysia is well-positioned to emerge as a trusted regional leader in safe and sustainable AI innovation.”

An ecosystem of public sector and technology organisations is supporting this year’s edition. CyberSecurity Malaysia joins as the Supporting Partner, reinforcing the importance of building a secure and trusted digital ecosystem. 

Datadog joins as the Lead Sponsor, Magure as the Platinum Sponsor, Bitdeer AI as the Gold Sponsor, and Alibaba Cloud and Unison Consulting Sdn Bhd as Bronze Sponsors. The exclusive CXO Boardroom sessions will be powered by Zoom and Datadog, while CloudSpace will participate as an exhibitor, showcasing cloud and AI capabilities to enterprise decision-makers. 

Designed exclusively for senior executives, government representatives, and technology leaders, World AI Show Malaysia 2026 will provide a platform where strategic priorities are translated into actionable partnerships, investment opportunities, and real-world AI deployments. As Malaysia continues to strengthen its position within the regional AI landscape, the summit is set to become a key meeting point for organisations shaping the future of intelligent enterprise across Southeast Asia. 

CLAIM YOUR DELEGATE PASS:  Click here

For sponsorship opportunities, speaking engagements, or attendance information, please contact: 

Shrikanth Prabhu
Commercial Director 
Email: prabhu@tresconglobal.com 
Mobile: +91 8660115892

Media Contact: 
Reeha Haris 
Media & PR Executive
Email: reeha@tresconglobal.com 
Mobile: +91 8848655312 

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Press Release

Phomemo Expands Tattoo Stencil Printer Solutions to Support Professional Artists Evolving Workflows

Published

10 hours ago

on

August 13, 2026

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New York, New York, United States, 13th Aug 2026 – Phomemo, a global creative printing brand specializing in thermal printing solutions, has expanded its tattoo stencil printer lineup with two new solutions — the Phomemo TA81 Large-Format Tattoo Stencil Printer and Phomemo L85 Smart Touchscreen Tattoo Stencil Printer — designed to support the evolving needs of professional tattoo artists.

From large-scale body art preparation to everyday studio workflows, different tattoo projects require different printing solutions. While some artists prioritize portability and flexibility, others need tools that can handle full-length designs, customized layouts, and more efficient preparation processes.

Alongside established models including the M08F-WS and M08F Plus, Phomemo’s expanded tattoo printer lineup provides artists with multiple options based on their creative style, workflow, and studio needs.

Choosing the Right Tattoo Stencil Printer Matters

For tattoo artists, stencil preparation is an important step between digital design and the final artwork on skin. A reliable tattoo stencil printer can help artists maintain design accuracy, reduce preparation time, and create a smoother workflow before each session.

However, different tattoo styles create different challenges.

Artists specializing in fine details may prioritize clear and portable printing solutions, while those creating sleeves, back pieces, or large-scale compositions often face a different challenge: preparing oversized stencils without manually assembling multiple sections.

Phomemo’s tattoo stencil printer solutions are designed around these different creative scenarios.

Phomemo TA81: A Large-Format Tattoo Stencil Printer Built for Complex Designs

For artists who regularly create full sleeves, back pieces, legs, or other large-scale tattoo projects, stencil preparation can become one of the most time-consuming parts of the workflow.

Traditionally, oversized tattoo designs often require artists to print multiple stencil sheets, trim edges, align different sections, and carefully transfer the assembled design onto the skin. While this approach can work, maintaining accuracy across a large composition can add extra preparation steps and increase the risk of misalignment.

The Phomemo TA81 was designed to address this challenge with continuous, variable-length stencil printing.

Unlike standard sheet-based printing methods, the TA81 uses a roll-fed system that allows artists to print large tattoo designs in one continuous piece. For full sleeves, back pieces, spine designs, or other extended compositions, artists can create a complete stencil without manually cutting and joining multiple sections.

This one-piece printing workflow helps maintain design continuity and makes stencil preparation more efficient for complex tattoo projects.

Beyond size capability, the TA81 focuses on reducing waste during professional workflows. Its variable-length printing system allows artists to print only the required length for each design rather than relying on fixed-size sheets. For busy studios handling multiple projects, this can help optimize transfer paper usage during daily operations.

The TA81 also features Phomemo’s wrinkle-resistant printing technology, designed to help keep transfer paper flat during longer printing processes. Combined with an upgraded print head and edge-stabilizing design, the printer helps deliver consistent and clear stencil lines throughout the entire design.

With Bluetooth and USB connectivity support, the TA81 can connect with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops across Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS systems, giving artists flexibility when preparing designs.

Through the Phomemo App, artists can adjust designs, preview tattoo layouts, split large images, manage transfer settings, and prepare files before printing.

Phomemo L85: Smart Touchscreen Control for a More Customized Workflow

While large-scale artists may prioritize printing size and efficiency, other tattoo professionals look for a more interactive and customizable stencil preparation experience.

The Phomemo L85 is designed for artists who prefer a smarter workflow with direct control through an integrated touchscreen.

Featuring a 5-inch touchscreen with six language options, the L85 allows artists to manage printing tasks directly from the device. Functions such as template selection, brightness adjustment, print mileage tracking, battery information display, timer settings, sensor calibration, and self-testing can be accessed without relying entirely on another device.

For artists working with different tattoo styles and design formats, flexibility is also important. The L85 supports multiple print sizes, including Letter, A4, B5, A5, and additional width options, allowing artists to prepare different stencil layouts based on their projects.

The L85 also works with the Phomemo App ecosystem, providing creative and editing tools such as image transformation, tattoo extraction, line-art conversion, tattoo preview, and large-image splitting.

Optional AI-assisted features, including AI image generation and tattoo extraction, are designed to support artists during the preparation stage by helping explore ideas, refine concepts, and improve workflow efficiency — while keeping the artist’s own creativity and craftsmanship at the center of the design process.

Portable Tattoo Stencil Solutions: M08F-WS and M08F Plus

For artists who prioritize mobility, Phomemo also offers portable tattoo stencil printer solutions designed for flexible everyday workflows.

The Phomemo M08F-WS provides a lightweight wireless printing solution for artists who need a compact setup. Supporting Bluetooth connectivity and multiple operating systems, it allows artists to prepare tattoo stencils from smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.

The Phomemo M08F Plus builds on this portable concept with a smarter touchscreen experience. Its built-in touchscreen supports functions including brightness adjustment, auto shutdown, calibration, and self-test printing, helping artists complete basic operations directly from the printer.

With thermal printing technology, both models eliminate the need for ink cartridges while providing a convenient solution for tattoo stencil preparation. Through the Phomemo App, artists can access editing tools, stencil generation, previews, and other workflow features designed to simplify the transition from digital artwork to physical stencil.

Choosing the Right Phomemo Tattoo Stencil Printer

Every tattoo artist has a different creative workflow, and the ideal tattoo stencil printer depends on the type of work being created. All can be found on Phomemo’s official site.

Artists working on large-scale compositions such as sleeves and back pieces may benefit from the Phomemo TA81’s continuous full-length printing capability.

Artists looking for a smart, customizable printing experience can explore the Phomemo L85 with touchscreen control and flexible print options.

Artists who need a portable solution for everyday stencil preparation can choose between the lightweight M08F-WS and the upgraded M08F Plus.

By developing tattoo stencil printers for different artistic scenarios, Phomemo continues to help tattoo professionals simplify preparation, improve efficiency, and focus more on the creative process.

About Phomemo

Phomemo is a global creative printing brand dedicated to making everyday printing simple, enjoyable, and accessible. Backed by over 12 years of expertise in thermal printing technology and trusted by over 40 million users worldwide, Phomemo continues to develop the evolution of smart printing. From home organization to global e-commerce, Phomemo lowers the barrier to professional results, enabling ideas and commerce to flow freely.

Media Contact

Organization: Phomemo

Contact Person: Alicia Chen

Website: https://phomemo.com

Email:
influencerscenter@phomemo.com

City: New York

State: New York

Country:United States

Release id:48084

The post Phomemo Expands Tattoo Stencil Printer Solutions to Support Professional Artists Evolving Workflows appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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Press Release

SBCFX to Showcase Trading Innovation, Regional Growth Strategy, and Future Vision at iFX EXPO Asia 2026

Published

10 hours ago

on

August 13, 2026

By

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 13th, 2026, FinanceWire

SBCFX has announced its participation in iFX EXPO Asia 2026, one of the leading B2B exhibitions for the online trading, fintech, and financial services sectors. 

Scheduled to take place on 8–9 October 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the event is expected to attract a diverse range of industry stakeholders, including brokers, traders, investors, Introducing Brokers (IBs), affiliates, fintech companies, liquidity providers, and financial services professionals from across Asia and beyond. 

As part of its ongoing international expansion strategy, SBCFX will showcase its integrated trading ecosystem, including the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, multi-asset CFD trading capabilities, institutional-grade liquidity services, and its latest digital trading solutions. The company will also use the exhibition as a platform to share its growth strategy, technology roadmap, and long-term vision for the evolving global trading landscape. 

“iFX EXPO Asia represents an important opportunity for SBCFX to strengthen its engagement with the Asian trading community and further expand its regional network,” said David, CEO of SBCFX. 

“Our ambition is to become one of the most trusted global trading brands by bridging technology, education, and market access. We believe the future of online trading is not only about faster execution and better tools, but also about creating an ecosystem where traders, partners, and institutions can grow together. iFX EXPO Asia provides the perfect platform for us to share this vision and connect with the industry.” 

Driving Innovation While Building a Sustainable Trading Ecosystem 

Technology and innovation remain central to SBCFX’s long-term development strategy. The company continues to invest in digital infrastructure, trading technology, and client-focused solutions designed to enhance trading efficiency and improve user experience across global markets. 

Alongside its trading services, SBCFX will soon introduce a new mobile trading application that will provide clients with convenient access to account management, market information, trading tools, and platform services through a unified interface. The upcoming launch reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and streamline the trading experience for users worldwide.   

Looking ahead, SBCFX remains focused on developing innovative solutions that support traders at every stage of their journey while strengthening connections between retail investors, institutional partners, and the broader financial ecosystem. By combining advanced technology with a client-centric approach, the company aims to create a smarter, more connected trading environment that adapts to the evolving needs of modern market participants. 

During the two-day event, SBCFX representatives will engage with prospective clients, Introducing Brokers, institutional partners, and technology providers to explore strategic collaborations and support the company’s continued growth across Asia. 

Meet SBCFX at Booth 37 

SBCFX welcomes individual traders, Introducing Brokers, affiliates, fintech firms, liquidity providers, institutional investors, and technology partners to visit Booth 37 and learn more about the company’s products, services, and strategic development plans. 

Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to meet members of the SBCFX team, explore the company’s latest initiatives, and receive a selection of exclusive SBCFX promotional gifts and event merchandise available throughout the exhibition while supplies last. 

To facilitate more in-depth discussions and personalised consultations, attendees are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the SBCFX team in advance via the following booking link: 

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QwRd66ZmQa 

Event Details 

Event: iFX EXPO Asia 2026 

Date: 8–9 October 2026 

Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Hong Kong 

Booth: 37 

For media enquiries or further information, please contact SBCFX at cs@sbcfx.com. 

About SBCFX 

SBCFX is a global financial services provider committed to delivering innovative online trading solutions supported by advanced technology, institutional-grade liquidity, and exceptional client service. Through continuous investment in technology, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships, SBCFX provides access to a wide range of global financial markets while empowering traders, Introducing Brokers, affiliates, and institutional partners to achieve long-term success. 

With a vision to become a trusted global brokerage, SBCFX remains dedicated to transparency, innovation, and sustainable growth, delivering world-class trading solutions to clients around the world. 

Contact

Marketing Executive
Kit Cheung
SBCFX
marketing@sbcfx.com

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