Business

Aurora Payments Launches ARISE, a One-Stop Payment Platform for Small and Medium Businesses

Published

3 years ago

April 21, 2024

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aurora Payments, a full-service payment solutions provider, today introduced the ARISE Payment Platform, a cloud-based, payment-agnostic modern payment system designed specifically for SMBs (Small and Medium-sized Businesses). The ARISE Payment Platform works in tandem with the ARISE Payment Terminal in a card-present environment or standalone mode in a card-not-present environment. Designed as a one-stop payment hub, ARISE is an easy-to-use, powerful payment solution for SMBs — a category long underserved by the payments industry. Watch a short video about ARISE here.

“ARISE is more than a payment service — it’s an all-encompassing financial ecosystem for SMBs that manages all aspects of the payment lifecycle, ensures secure transactions and offers real-time reporting”

Small and midsize businesses account for 44% of the United States GDP, close to half of all employment, and half of the roughly $370Bn in overall tech spending. Most customers now prefer credit cards and digital payments to cash. Managing multiple payment systems and streams of revenue remains a challenge for many SMBs, however. Owners of nail shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors, service shops and funeral homes have sought a way to make it easy for clients to pay and track transactions in one location. The ARISE Payment Platform is customer-friendly and reliable and offers real-time transaction data and high-security standards.

The ARISE Payment Platform comes with seamless APIs that enable Integrated Software Vendor (ISV) application developers to integrate their vertical software directly into the ARISE platform. All ARISE features and capabilities are available via these APIs and come ‘integration ready’, including onboarding, processing and support, allowing ISVs to create a seamless payment ecosystem and offer access to the ARISE Payment Platform as a value-added service to their customers.

“ARISE is more than a payment service — it’s an all-encompassing financial ecosystem for SMBs that manages all aspects of the payment lifecycle, ensures secure transactions and offers real-time reporting,” said Aurora Payments CEO and founder Brian Goudie. “Our portfolio of over 27,000 merchants has taught us that small businesses need a solution that makes it easy to accept payment from virtually any source. ARISE achieves this while giving merchants unparalleled oversight of their finances; merchants can receive their ARISE Smart Terminal, be up and running, and accept payments in minutes.”

The ARISE Payment Platform features and benefits include:

Same-day Onboarding: Merchants and agents benefit from the ARISE platform’s auto-underwriting and auto-onboarding; significantly reducing go-live delays after they submit Aurora’s Merchant Processing Application
Fast and Easy Set-up: Easily configure the ARISE Payment Terminal to start accepting credit cards and payments in less than 60 seconds, with no complicated configuration files or manuals to read. Additionally, SMBs always have access to ARISE’s cloud-based virtual terminal for processing, even if their POS system is down.
Zero-Cost Processing: Merchants have the option to eliminate fees associated with accepting cards by implementing fully compliant dual pricing, cash discounting, or customer surcharging.
Payment-Agnostic: The ARISE Payment Terminal accepts contactless payments via Apple and Android devices, EMV (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Europay), contactless cards, magnetic stripe cards, chip cards, NFC, and even processes Level II and III transactions. Merchants can also process ACH transactions and payments by check via the ARISE Payment Platform.
Real-Time Data: Advanced error reporting enables merchants to understand why a transaction has failed. Merchants can view batch submissions and individual transactions in real-time on the ARISE Smart Terminal or via a web browser in the ARISE portal. Merchants can quickly research a single transaction or the entire day and easily void or refund any transaction.
Convenience and Reliability: The ARISE Smart Terminal is lightweight and has a sleek body. The 5.5” HD display ensures receipts look great and are printed fast. The terminal also features two SIM card slots and operates on 2G, 3G, or 4G networks and 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, ensuring fast transactions with a long battery life.
Secure and Certified: The ARISE Payment Terminal meets PCI PTS5.0 Security Standards and EMV Certification and is fully certified by MasterCard PayPass, Visa PayWave, American Express and UnionPay Networks. Setup is fast and easy, with remote management that allows tech support to assist users in real-time.

Business

GOAA Highlights Airport Improvements, Approves New Small Business Policies

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2026

FNN NEWS

Gate Link train on an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with palm trees, airport buildings and a control tower behind it.

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal upgrades, parking projects and international connections mark the authority’s fiscal year review.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority highlighted terminal improvements, expanded international connections and parking projects during its fiscal 2026 review, while its board adopted changes to a local business program and announced a new statewide small business initiative.

The updates affect Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, which GOAA operates.

“We are undertaking an ambitious effort to redefine what it means to deliver a world-class airport experience,” GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said in the authority’s announcement.
“As we welcome more visitors, more airlines, more routes, and new programs, our responsibility is to elevate every part of the journey — making it more welcoming, intuitive, and connected.”

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal Improvements Focus on Connections and Families

Among the completed projects was an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving walkways connecting Orlando International Airport’s train station and Terminal C.

Terminal C also opened a new wing serving gates 250–254, providing additional capacity and becoming the new home for Virgin Atlantic’s airport operations.

Three new Family Zones — one in each terminal — offer spaces for children and families to play, read and recharge. GOAA also highlighted improvements to directional signs along airport roads, in parking areas and throughout the terminals.

Parking Expansion and $40 Million Improvement Program

GOAA reported progress on a parking guidance system at Terminal C, with phased activation across all garages planned through mid-2027.

Dedicated employee parking areas are intended to free additional spaces for travelers. Planning is also underway for two new garages expected to add 8,000 public parking spaces over the next few years.

Separately, the authority’s $40 million Beautiful Airports Program targets safety, functionality and appearance across garages, terminals and other airport areas.

Aviation Investments and International Service

The fiscal year review highlighted a $50 million investment by dnata, a $26 million redevelopment by Signature Aviation at Orlando International Airport and groundbreaking for Sky Harbour’s $40 million campus at Orlando Executive Airport.

International service developments included ZIPAIR’s nonstop passenger charter flights between Orlando and Tokyo and Iberia’s launch of nonstop service to Madrid.

GOAA described ZIPAIR’s service as the first passenger charter connection between Florida and the Asia-Pacific region.

Business Policy Changes Broaden Eligibility

The board adopted revisions to GOAA’s Local Developing Business program following research, town halls and discussions with internal experts.

The changes increase the allowable personal net worth threshold and clarify how assets are excluded from that calculation, including primary residence equity, business equity, retirement assets and certain nonliquid holdings.

Business size standards were also revised to account for inflation and increased operating costs. The announcement did not specify the updated financial thresholds.

A new Small Business program will complement the local program and extend eligibility to qualifying businesses throughout Florida. Under the announced framework, participating businesses must fall within 50% of the applicable U.S. Small Business Administration size standard.

GOAA said detailed guidelines for both programs would be posted on its website. Those guidelines will provide businesses with the information needed to assess eligibility.

Business

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Listed as Speaker for Global AI, Supply Chain Summit

Published

2 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

FNN NEWS

Organizers say the Oct. 26–27 conference will bring together business leaders, policymakers and technology professionals for discussions on global commerce, digital transformation and industry innovation.

DALLAS, TX (FNN) — Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson is listed as an invited speaker for the Global Procurement, Supply Chain, AI & Logistics Summit and Global Recognition Awards 2026, scheduled for Oct. 26–27 in Dallas, according to an announcement from the event’s organizer.

The American Association of Procurement, Supply Chain and Tourism Management, known as AAPSCM, said the two-day summit will take place at the AC Hotel & Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria, 5460 James Temple Drive.

The conference will focus on artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, innovation and the future of global commerce.

Mayor listed among international speakers

Organizers identified Johnson among the invited speakers joining executives, policymakers, academics, consultants and professionals in procurement, supply chain management, technology and logistics.

The announcement describes participants as coming “from the United States and around the world.”

According to the release, Johnson is listed among speakers participating in the Oct. 27 program. The announcement does not specify the subject or time of his remarks.

AI, forecasting and digital transformation

The second day’s agenda includes a session on artificial intelligence and machine learning in inventory management, forecasting, and sales and operations planning.

An executive leadership session titled “Driving Innovation & Digital Transformation” is scheduled to follow.

The program will examine technology’s role in procurement, logistics and supply chain operations, with an emphasis on how leaders respond to changing business conditions.

Awards to recognize industry achievement

The summit will also include procurement and supply chain awards, followed by Global Excellence Awards recognizing individuals, organizations and industry leaders.

Organizers said the awards program includes more than 35 categories spanning procurement, supply chain management, artificial intelligence and logistics.

The announcement describes the awards as recognizing “achievement, innovation and leadership.”

Executives and decision-makers expected

AAPSCM said it expects attendees to include chief executives, chief procurement officers, chief supply chain officers, chief operating officers and technology leaders.

The anticipated audience also includes procurement directors, logistics professionals, government representatives and specialists in AI and digital transformation.

About the organizer

AAPSCM describes itself as a U.S.-based nonprofit professional organization that supports professional development through certification, education, training, membership, conferences and international collaboration.

Event and registration information

Event: 2nd Global Procurement, Supply Chain, AI & Logistics Summit & Global Recognition Awards 2026
Dates: Oct. 26–27, 2026
Venue: AC Hotel & Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria
Address: 5460 James Temple Drive, Dallas, Texas 75240
Organizer: American Association of Procurement, Supply Chain and Tourism Management
Registration: aapscm-conferences.org
Organization: aapscm.org

Business

Hola at the Park Set for Oct. 3 in Altamonte Springs; Admission Free

Published

3 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

FNN NEWS

Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.

According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.

FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices

Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.

The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.

Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.

Photo: Florida National News

Food, Entertainment and Family Activities

The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.

Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.

Photo: Florida National News

A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte

Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.

The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.