CRG Events Wins Global Paragon Award from Meeting Professionals International; Meeting Industry's Highest Honor Recognizes CRG's Excellence in Event Management for Washington Mutual's State of the Group Meeting

Business Wire, July 11, 2005

SEATTLE -- CRG Events was presented with the Global Paragon Award last night at the annual meeting of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). CRG was honored for its work with Washington Mutual's annual State of the Group meeting, which in 2005 convened more than 3,000 attendees.

MPI is the largest association for the meetings profession and the award is the industry's highest honor for meeting and event excellence. Global Paragon Awards recognize exceptional meetings and events that deliver measurable success to an organization's bottom line. These meetings/events serve as powerful educational tools and examples of best practices for the entire industry.

CRG was responsible for the logistics and overall meeting management, including securing and managing all event vendors, implementing the requirements for general session and breakout sessions, developing menus for all meals and breaks throughout the conference, executing a seated lunch for 3,000 attendees, coordinating an on-site security plan and managing shipping.

"We are so pleased to have won this award," said CRG President, Leasa Mayer. "It is an endorsement of the emphasis we place on exceeding our client's expectations and of the strength of our partnership with Washington Mutual."

About CRG Events

CRG Events (www.crgevents.com) is a full-service event management company, offering strategic consulting on event design, execution and attendee registration. CRG Events specializes in corporate meetings, conferences, and product launches. The company has managed thousands of conferences and events throughout the US and in many foreign countries. CRG's client list includes Microsoft Corporation, Washington Mutual, F5 Networks, Safeco, and many others.

About MPI

Established in 1972, Meeting Professionals International (MPI; www.mpiweb.org) is the largest association for the meetings profession with more than 20,000 members in 66 chapters and clubs. As the global authority and resource for the $102.3 billion meetings and events industry, MPI empowers meeting professionals to increase their strategic organizational value through education and networking opportunities. Its strategic plan, Pathways to Excellence, is designed to elevate the role of meetings in business via: creating professional development levels to evolve member careers to positions of strategic understanding and influence; influencing executives about the value of meetings; and ensuring MPI is the premier marketplace for planners and suppliers.