William Blair & Company Hosts 28th Annual Growth Stock Conference

Business Wire, June 17, 2008

CHICAGO -- William Blair & Company, L.L.C. today kicked off its 28th Annual Growth Stock Conference, a three-day event featuring nearly 200 companies and attracting investors from around the world.

The conference, hosted by the firm's Research and Institutional Sales departments and held at the Four Seasons Hotel, is expected to draw more than 1,000 clients to hear presentations from nearly 200 companies spanning the market-cap spectrum in 5 sectors--business services, consumer, financial, health care, and technology.

Among the prominent industry leaders scheduled to present today are Craig S. Donohue, chief executive officer of CME Group Inc.; John Riccitiello, chief executive officer of Electronic Arts Inc.; Willard D. Oberton, president and chief executive officer of Fastenal Company; Jeffrey C. Sprecher, chairman and chief executive officer of IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.; David B. Snow, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Medco Health Solutions, Inc.; Frederick H. Waddell, president and chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation; and Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer of Zebra Technologies Corporation.

"The roller-coaster markets and continuing credit crisis of 2007 created an environment that is best summed up in two words: volatility and uncertainty," said John R. Ettelson, the firm's president and CEO. "These conditions continue into 2008, with questions about recession and when the bottom of the housing market will be reached. Whenever investors are in volatile or uncertain markets, they seek stability and the reassurance of a trusted advisor with long-term experience in all market conditions. William Blair & Company has been that stable resource and steady hand for thousands of investors and issuers for the past 73 years. Our research focus on quality franchises with sustainable business models underpins our global expertise and investment philosophy."

Bob Newman, manager and director of Equity Research, noted that the division's 22 analysts cover 379 companies, up more than 10% from one year ago. Since the 27th Annual Growth Stock Conference last June, the analysts initiated coverage of 81 companies, he added.

"In an uncertain climate, our focus on quality franchises that can stand the test of time seems to resonate even more with our clients," Newman said. "It is our commitment to in-depth, insightful research--through all economic conditions and fleeting trends--that differentiates us in a crowded field."

In addition to the companies mentioned above, the following are scheduled to present Tuesday:

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.; American Public Education Inc.; Anixter International Inc.; Apollo Group, Inc.; CRA International, Inc.; Dolby Laboratories, Inc.; Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.; Fiserv, Inc.; Garmin Ltd.; IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.; IMS Health Incorporated; International Game Technology; Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Jabil Circuit, Inc.; Kohl's Corporation; Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings; LKQ Corporation; Luxottica Group S.p.A.; Medtronic, Inc.; Moody's Corporation; Paychex, Inc.; PPD, Inc.; Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.; ResMed Inc.; Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc.; salesforce.com, inc.; Stericycle, Inc.; Target Corporation; VCA Antech, Inc.; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; and Yahoo! Inc.

William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is a Chicago-based investment firm offering investment banking, asset management, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, and private capital to individual, institutional, and issuing clients. Since 1935, we have been committed to helping clients achieve their financial objectives. As an independent, employee-owned firm, our philosophy is to serve our clients' interests first and foremost. We place a high value on the enduring nature of our client relationships, the quality of our products and services, and the continuity and integrity of our people. William Blair & Company's offices include Chicago, Boston, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com.

Please contact us at (800) 621-0687 or consult http://www.williamblair.com/pages/eqresearch_coverage.asp for all disclosures.

Additional information is available upon request.