NIRI DallasFort Worth Chapter Receives National Recognition; Received ``Best Special Event'' and ``Chairman's'' Awards at 2002 NIRI National Conference

Business Wire, June 19, 2002

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2002

The National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) recently awarded the Dallas*Fort Worth (D*FW) Chapter the "Best Special Event" Award and a "Chairman's" Award for its efforts to better serve its members. The Chapter won "Best Special Event" for the success of its inaugural Annual Report Expo. Award recognition was based on the Chapter's combining a relevant educational topic and a social/networking component to appeal to a broader range of its membership. The "Chairman's" Award resulted from the Chapter's job bank that is maintained for its members. The awards were presented on June 1, 2002, during NIRI's National Conference in Palm Springs, California. Chapters from all over the country presented submissions for award consideration. This marks the third time that the D*FW Chapter has received the National "Best Special Event" award.

The NIRI D*FW Chapter successfully hosted its Annual Report Expo in September 2001. The Expo provided a venue for approximately 100 investor relations practitioners and annual report vendors to come together to kick off the 2001 annual report planning season. The event included approximately 20 vendor sponsors and a national exhibition of annual reports judged "Best in Class" by a distinguished panel of industry experts. The Annual Report Expo provided an excellent networking opportunity through a mix of fun interaction and the chance for vendors to showcase their talents in a unique venue.

"We are very excited about receiving these awards in recognition of our efforts," said Kelly Love, president of the NIRI D*FW Chapter. "I commend our chapter officers and volunteers for their continuous efforts to host events that appeal to our membership. The chapter board of directors is dedicated to providing our members with timely and relevant educational meetings as well as effective networking opportunities to support professional growth."

The Chapter also received a Chairman's Award for its online job bank. This award was based in part on the Chapter's ability to communicate the needs of companies seeking IR and communications professionals to local NIRI members. The Chapter pooled resources and shared job listings with two other top communications organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This resulted in a comprehensive resource for members to find new opportunities in the fields of communications and investor relations.

The Dallas*Fort Worth Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute is one of the oldest and largest chapters in the country. It represents more than 110 public companies and has a membership of over 175 investor relations professionals and service providers. Further information including upcoming events can be found on the chapter's Web site www.niridfw.org. Information on NIRI National can be found at www.niri.org.