Press Releases

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Local well known attorney Jeff Redmon of Redmon Law provides more than legal advice to his clients. He provides expert sources to help his clients grow their business.

In his latest effort, Redmon is hosting John Lankford, Master Business Advisor, who is known for guiding his clients to double and triple digit growth in any economy. In a one day, two part intensive seminar on Feb. 16 open to local business executives, Lankford will teach them the systems and processes they need to use to have consistent sales and growth.

REGIONAL ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP

Lankford and Redmon will offer the regional Marketing and Sales Workshop for Entrepreneurs on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the offices of Olsen Thielen at I-35W and County Road C, 2675 Long Lake Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55113. To receive more information or to sign up, please e-mail Redmon at jredmon@redmonlaw.com or call him at 715-386-4700.

ABOUT JOHN LANKFORD

The New York Times and CBS have used Lankford as an expert business advisor. He is also the author of “Superstar for Life...Career Transitions,” as well as a former columnist for Bay Area Business Magazine.

Lankford uses an engaging and lively business approach to motivate, engage and develop others to embrace new ideas and achieve new goals.

“It’s all about strategic planning and then the execution of the two most critical elements of business. Human capital is the best resource and the most underutilized asset in most businesses. Bottom line driven systems are critical to on-going predictable success. We help our clients optimize and develop their human talent and we provide easy to follow systems. The revenue and profit growth always follows," said Lankford.

ABOUT PREMIER DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

Premier Development Solutions is a leading business development consultancy with clients across the country. The firm's core competency is solving the issues for business owners who are frustrated with the financial performance of their company, as compared to industry leaders. Marketing and sales are often a key part of that solution. PDS helps corporate executives and business owners develop talent and achieve results for their company. To contact Premier Development Solutions, call (734) 454-5667 or visit www.PremierDevelopmentSolutions.com.

Premier Development SolutionsJohn Lankford, 734-454-5667

Source: Premier Development Solutions

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund (the “Fund”) (NYSE: MFD) today declared the Fund’s regularly scheduled quarterly distribution payable on February 29, 2012 to shareholders of record as of February 24, 2012. The ex-dividend date is expected to be February 22, 2012.

A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2012 will be made after the end of 2012.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company, investing predominantly in listed infrastructure and utilities companies in selected developed countries globally. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a high level of current return consisting of dividends, interest and other similar income, while attempting to preserve capital.

First Trust Advisors L.P., the Fund’s investment advisor, along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately-held companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset management, financial advisory services, and competitive municipal underwritings, with collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $51 billion as of January 31, 2012 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts.

Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC ("MCIM") and Four Corners Capital Management, LLC ("Four Corners") are the Fund's investment sub-advisors. Both MCIM and Four Corners operate within Macquarie Funds Group (“MFG”) and are wholly-owned, indirect subsidiaries of Macquarie Group Limited ("Macquarie Group"). Macquarie Group is a global provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services. Macquarie Funds Group is the global investment management business of Macquarie Group. The Fund's Core Component, which consists primarily of equity securities and equity-like securities issued by infrastructure issuers, is managed by MCIM, which started operations in 2004 with the launch of the Fund. MCIM and its Australia-based affiliates managed approximately $2.7 billion of assets as of December 31, 2011, in MFG’s Infrastructure Securities portfolios, which includes the Fund. The Fund's Senior Loan Component is managed by Four Corners. Four Corners was founded in 2001 and became a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Macquarie Group in 2008. Four Corners managed approximately $1.3 billion of assets as of December 31, 2011, with an emphasis on Senior Loans.

Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Principal Risk Factors: The Fund invests principally in equity securities of companies in the infrastructure and utilities industry in various developed markets; accordingly the Fund’s NAV will fluctuate with changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. Investment in infrastructure and utilities issuers is subject to various risks including governmental regulations, high interest costs associated with capital construction programs, costs associated with environmental regulation, the effects of economic slowdown and surplus capacity, competition from other providers of services and other factors. Investment in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk of currency fluctuations and to economic and political risks associated with such foreign countries. The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, shareholder report and other regulatory filings.

The Fund’s daily New York Stock Exchange closing price and net asset value per share as well as other related information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.

Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income FundPress Inquiries: Jane Doyle, 630-765-8775Analyst Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784Broker Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784

Source: Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE: FGB) today declared the Fund’s regularly scheduled quarterly distribution payable on February 29, 2012 to shareholders of record on February 24, 2012. The ex-dividend date is expected to be February 22, 2012.

A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2012 will be made after the end of 2012.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to provide attractive total return. The Fund pursues these investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its managed assets in a portfolio of securities of specialty finance and other financial companies that the Fund’s investment sub-advisor believes offer attractive opportunities for income and capital appreciation.

First Trust Advisors L.P., the Fund’s investment advisor, along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately-held companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset management, financial advisory services, and competitive municipal underwritings, with collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $51 billion as of January 31, 2012 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts.

Confluence Investment Management LLC (“Confluence”), an SEC registered investment advisor, serves as the Fund’s investment sub-advisor. The investment professionals at Confluence have over 80 years of aggregate portfolio management experience. Confluence provides portfolio management and advisory services to both institutional and individual clients. As of January 31, 2012 Confluence managed or supervised over $1.3 billion in assets.

Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Principal Risk Factors: Investment in this Fund involves management risk; sub-advisor risk; value investing risk; income risk; specialty finance and other financial companies risks; common stock risk; preferred stock and trust preferred securities risk; convertible securities risk; fixed-income securities risk; lower grade and distressed securities risk; business development company risk; REIT, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities risks; infrastructure trust risk; income trust and master limited partnership risks; tax risks; non-U.S. securities risk; currency risk; liquidity risk; leverage risk; non-diversification risk; inflation/deflation risk; market discount from net asset value risk; and market disruption risk. The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, shareholder report and other regulatory filings.

The Fund’s daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities FundPress Inquiries: Jane Doyle, 630-765-8775Analyst Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784Broker Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784

Source: First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund

FRANKLIN, TN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/09/12 -- The Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels near Nashville, TN is offering special group discounts to guests who book their next business meeting with the hotel. In the spirit of sharing the love and as a part of the hotel's special Valentine's message to let guests know they are thought of always and wishing they were here, this hotel near Nashville, TN has a plethora of special offers tagged for business travelers.

To share the love, guests who book their next meeting at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel for arrival between January 16, 2012 to March 31, 2012; with a minimum peak of 20 rooms will have the option to pick any 3 from the following considerations:

• 75 percent attrition
• One complimentary staff room (maximum three-night stay during the conference-room and tax only)
• Hotel will provide one upgrade to a concierge room at the standard conference rate for every 20 rooms occupied on a nightly basis
• 20 percent AV discount provided by in-house company based on minimum spending of $1,000 in audio-visual (labor not included)
• Special restaurant pricing for on own meals
• Double Marriott Rewards Points
• Arrival amenity of hotel's choice for two designated individuals

Centrally located and just 20 minutes south of Nashville, the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel offers more to travelers than all the other hotels near Williamson Medical Center Franklin, TN when it comes to business and leisure in the Cool Springs area. Boasting over 29,000 sq ft of flexible event and comfortable guest rooms and suites, Franklin Marriott Cool Springs has the most prestigious address for business and leisure travelers looking for a memorable place to stay.

Guests staying at this Franklin, Nashville hotel will enjoy the hotel's spacious accommodations, plush featherbeds, fluffy down comforters, complimentary parking, a full-service business center and high-speed Internet access. This exquisite hotel also features a saltwater pool, coffee house, fitness center and two onsite restaurants where fine dining in Franklin, TN can be enjoyed in an elegant, yet comfortable setting.

In addition to this, guests of the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel will be situated amidst a multitude of attractions and sites. Franklin TN things to do include upscale shopping, dining, and exploring history in the Historic Downtown Franklin. Since the Marriott Cool Springs Hotel is surrounded by a variety of attractions guests will also be able to explore top area attractions like The Cool Springs Galleria Mall, Carnton Plantation, Downtown Nashville, Wildhorse Saloon and Crescent Centre and Highwoods.

For more information about the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel's group discount or to book your event, please contact the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Sales Office at 615-261-6102 or sales@franklinmarriott.com.

* This offer is based on availability, and a limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. A minimum of 20 peak hotel room nights is required. Considerations are not transferable to another event. Contract must be signed by 2/28/12. Tax is additional, and this offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply and advance booking is required.

About the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel A premier hotel among the hotels near Nashville, TN, the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs offers travelers outstanding meeting facilities and comfortable accommodations. Guests of this hotel are sure to enjoy gracious amenities and an unrivalled experience. The hotel is known for its superior services, and guests are sure to enjoy all the features and amenities offered. To ensure that guests have a truly great stay the hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, internet access and restaurant and lounge that offer a variety of dining and entertainment options.

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CONTACT:
Juanita Neely
Franklin Marriott Cool Springs
1-615-261-6100
Email Contact

Source: Marriott International