IDG World Expo Selects Nth Degree As Preferred Service Provider

Business Wire, August 22, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

BioITWorld Conference & Expo

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. & FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2002

Long Term Partnership Agreement Protects Exhibitors' Right to Choose Suppliers; Provides Exhibitors With Value Added Services and Additional Means to Control Costs

Nth Degree, one of the largest privately-held face-to-face marketing companies in the world, and IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows, conferences and events for IT markets, today announced that Nth Degree will be the preferred exhibitor appointed contractor (EAC) service provider at all IDG World Expo-produced tradeshows starting with BioITWorld Conference & Expo, to be held November 12-14, 2002 in San Diego. This agreement protects exhibitors' right to select the suppliers of their choice, while designating Nth Degree as the preferred supplier of installation, dismantle, and project management services, as well as value-added services including audience acquisition and pavilion management that complement IDG World Expo's exhibitor marketing programs.

"We are committed to helping exhibitors succeed at our shows by controlling costs and maximizing ROI," says Charlie Greco, president and CEO, IDG World Expo. "Nth Degree is an outstanding company and has the ability, expertise and breadth of services to help accomplish this. At the same time, this agreement respects our exhibitors' right to select their suppliers."

Under the agreement, IDG World Expo will inform exhibitors that Nth Degree is the preferred service supplier for its events. Exhibitors who choose to work with Nth Degree will receive services at market competitive rates.

"We will earn the IDG World Expo exhibitors' business with our track record and performance," explains Kevin Rowe, President, Nth Degree. "Our expertise in labor management allows us to streamline operations to establish efficiencies, control costs, and deliver a more valuable experience to exhibitors. And our breadth of experience in tradeshow marketing will be an asset to IDG World Expo exhibitors, enabling them to drive more visitors to their exhibits and communicate their messages more effectively."

Designed to increase exhibit effectiveness, Nth Degree's marketing and consulting services include audience acquisition programs to increase visitor traffic to exhibits with services like strategic program planning and creative concept development, as well as management of business partner pavilions within exhibits. In addition, Nth Degree will provide exhibit staff training and ROI workshops for exhibitors at no additional charge.

About Nth Degree

Nth Degree, based in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is one of the largest privately-held, face-to-face marketing companies in the world. The company offers labor management, event management, trade show management, and marketing services worldwide to more than 3,000 domestic and multinational clients, and supports more than 12,000 proprietary events, trade shows, and event marketing programs annually. Nth Degree has twenty-three domestic offices, including all major convention cities, one in Germany, and strategic partnerships in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Asia. Additional information is available on Nth Degree (www.ndegree.com).

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces IT-focused tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. As the leading IT event management company, IDG World Expo leverages its experience and knowledge of IT-focused events and conferences, enabling technology companies to capture the attention and loyalty of influential buyers. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld Conference & Expo, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, BioITWorld Conference & Expo, COMNET Conference & Expo and Integrated Security Conference & Expo. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About IDG

IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events worldwide, and IDG's research company, IDC, provides global market intelligence and advice through 51 offices in 43 countries. Company information is available at www.idg.com.