OfficeMax.com and Biztravel.com Partner to Offer Travel Services to Small Business Customers; Co-Branded Web Site Empowers Small Businesses to Take Control of Their Business Travel

Business Wire, Nov 14, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2000

Biztravel.com, a Rosenbluth Interactive company, today announced an exclusive partnership with OfficeMax.com, the e-Commerce business unit of OfficeMax, Inc. (NYSE: OMX), to be the site's exclusive provider of personalized business travel. The partnership provides OfficeMax.com's small business customers access to biztravel.com and its customized, 24/7 online and offline and travel services.

The partnership also gives OfficeMax.com small business customers the benefit of choosing from more than 6,000 major airlines, hotel chains and car rental companies to provide customers with preferential treatment when booking business travel.

A recent study showed that smaller companies expect to see a significant increase in the amount of travel they do as they continue to pursue business opportunities away from home. In fact, companies that spend less than $1 million on travel currently account for roughly 35 percent of the business travel market - a number that could grow to 50 percent by 2002.

"There are currently more than 23-million small business owners in this country," said Justin Shaw, vice president and general manager, biztravel.com. "We are committed to helping these small businesses meet their travel needs while offering the same high level of customer service all of our clients have come to know."

The announcement is representative of a continued concerted effort by biztravel.com to better serve the small business community. Biztravel also provides biztravel@myCompany, the premier online travel solution for companies and frequent business travelers. Through a unique URL, biztravel@myCompany offers small businesses the full service travel options typically enjoyed by larger companies, while saving time and money.

"Our research on the small business customers has identified an opportunity for us to provide our customers with a much needed solution in the business travel space," said Ryan Vero, president, OfficeMax.com. "In partnering with biztravel.com and bringing in their unique blend of offerings, we can now offer our small business clients the ultimate in travel service and supports."

About OfficeMax.com/Direct

Through its OfficeMax.com/Direct business unit, OfficeMax markets products and services directly to small- and medium-sized businesses. OfficeMax.com is one of the Internet's top e-tailers, offering visitors over 30,000 items, free next business day delivery on orders over $50, and a credit card security guarantee. Additionally, OfficeMax.com customers can take advantage of @MaxSolutions, a small business resource center offering an array of marketing, finance communications and eBusiness utilities. OfficeMax Direct is the company's catalog and direct sales operation that typically serves medium-sized businesses with over 100 employees. Customer service is provided to OfficeMax.com/Direct customers through 19 delivery centers, two national call centers and an outside sales force.

About OfficeMax

OfficeMax operates almost 1,000 full-size superstores in 49 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to offering office products, business machines, computers and related items, the company also features CopyMax and FurnitureMax, in-store modules devoted exclusively to print-for-pay services and office furniture. Through joint venture partnerships, OfficeMax currently operates 29 international locations. Additionally, OfficeMax.com/Direct, the company's e-Commerce, catalog and direct marketing business unit, services customers through 19 delivery centers, two national call centers and an outside sales force.

About Biztravel.com

Biztravel.com is the foremost full service travel Web site for business travelers, recognized for its world-class customer service and cutting-edge technology applications. These include Fare Guard(SM) a patented technology that searches the airlines' systems for lower fares up until the date of departure -- allowing biztravel.com customers to benefit from a price reduction announced by the airlines after they have planned or purchased a trip. Other innovative features on the site include calendar synchronization, automatic upgrading, personalized frequent traveler point tracking, and real time wireless messaging alerts -- informing the traveler of timely flight information one hour prior to take-off. Biztravel.com and its user interface design has been lauded by such prestigious organizations as PC Computing, PC Magazine, and The Peppers & Rogers Group, and also received the Webby Award for the Best Travel Site of the Year. Most recently, biztravel.com was named one of the top 100 best sites for 2000 by Yahoo Internet Life. Biztravel.com is on the Web at http://www.biztravel.com