The Industry Standard Sets Stage for `Net Returns 2000-TM'; Advisory Board Formed, Major Companies Represented

Business Wire, August 12, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1999--

Senior Executives Will Converge in Aspen for New Conference on

Internet Business Strategies

The Industry Standard and TheStandard.com (http://www.thestandard.com)--the essential source of news, information and services for the Internet Economy--have announced Net Returns 2000(TM) and the formation of an advisory board of business leaders to lead the event. Following the success of the Internet Summit held this summer, senior executives will gather in Aspen, Colorado, from September 29 through October 2, for the second in a series of thought-leading conferences planned by the influential company.

Providing an atmosphere that encourages critical thinking, sharing of best practices, and developing new business relationships, NR2K will differ from other conferences in its unique "matrix approach." This approach will explore the synergies that exist between major economic sectors--including financial services, information technology, telecommunications, healthcare, retail, entertainment and media, and "dot.com" companies--and major corporate functions, such as human resources, marketing, sales, and information services.

Another distinct feature of NR2K will be the strength and depth of its Advisory Board. Consisting of some of the brightest minds in corporate America today, and headed by John Battelle, CEO and president of The Industry Standard, the NR2K Advisory Board will create a series of presentations and panel discussions that help the Internet business leaders present at the conference translate their vision for business into an action plan for the Internet era.

"It takes more than vision to turn the Internet into a competitive business advantage; it takes action merged with intelligence," said John Battelle. "The NR2K Advisory Board and I will satisfy the audience's need for actionable information with the kind of applied Internet intelligence The Standard is known for."

Companies represented on the Advisory Board include America Online, Citigroup, Estee Lauder, Ford Motor Co., McKinsey & Co., Priceline.com, USWeb/CKS and Visa, among others. The Industry Standard has already received more than 500 invitation requests for NR2K.

Net Returns 2000(TM) Advisory Board Members include:

MARC ANDREESSEN SVP and Chief Technology Officer, America Online; Co-Founder, Netscape Communications

TODD CHAFFEE EVP, Corporate Development and Alliances VISA International

JAY CHIAT CEO, Screaming Media; Former Chairman, TBWA Chiat/Day Worldwide

JIM CLARK Founder, Chairman & CEO, MyCFO.com; Founder, Silicon Graphics, Netscape & Healtheon

LARRY DOWNES Co-Author, Unleashing the Killer App; Fellow, Diamond Technology Partners

JOHN HAGEL Author, Net Gain Principal, McKinsey & Co.

ED HOROWITZ EVP, Advanced Development Citigroup, Inc.

ANGELA KAPP VP and General Manager, Online Division The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.

GUY KAWASAKI CEO, Garage.com; Author, Selling the Dream, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy

MARK LORIMER President and CEO Autobytel.com

JOE NACCHIO President and CEO Qwest Communications

KIM POLESE CEO Marimba, Inc.

DAVE ROPES Director, Corporate Advertising & Integrated Marketing Ford Motor Company

GIDEON SASSON Enterprise President, Electronic Brokerage Charles Schwab

EVAN SCHWARTZ Author, Digital Darwinism, Webonomics

ROBERT SHAW CEO USWeb/CKS

MARTIN SORRELL Group Chief Executive WPP Group, plc

JAY WALKER Founder Priceline.com

JAKE WINEBAUM Former President, Disney Online; Co-Founder, eCompanies

To request an invitation to attend Net Returns 2000(TM):

PLEASE CONTACT: Larissa Giargiari at larissag@thestandard.com or

415-733-5400, Or visit the NR2K Web site at

http://www.thestandard.com/netreturns.> About The Industry Standard

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Washington DC, and London, The Industry Standard and TheStandard.com (http://www.thestandard.com) are the essential sources of information and services for the Internet Economy, providing authoritative coverage of the people, companies and business models driving this new economy. Through its print magazine, online publication, industry newsletters and conference programs, The Industry Standard serves a dynamic audience of Internet business strategists with news, analysis, commentary, industry metrics and special coverage of areas such as executive recruiting. The Industry Standard and The Standard.com have been honored with and nominated for several prestigious awards in their inaugural year, including a National Business Press Award and National Magazine Award. The Industry Standard is owned by IDG's Internet Industry Publishing.

About International Data Group (IDG)

The Industry Standard is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. IDG publishes more than 290 computer magazines and newspapers and 700 book titles and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (http://www.idg.net), which comprises more than 240 targeted Web sites in 55 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related expositions worldwide, and provides IT market analysis through 49 offices in 42 countries worldwide. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.