Fairfield, CT � February 2003 � The Travel Commerce Conference & Expo (TravelCom Expo), the travel industry�s defining event for marketing and distribution strategies, announced that Robert L. Crandall, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, will be the keynote speaker at the 2003 event, being held in New York City at the Hilton NY on April 1-2.

Crandall has been described by The Wall Street Journal as �the man who changed the way the world flies.� During his 25-year tenure at American Airlines, Crandall was instrumental in introducing several changes which revolutionized the travel industry. He will discuss the current state of the airline industry in his keynote address.

�Robert Crandall will offer important information and valuable insight for those attending the 2003 TravelCom Expo,� said Joel Davis, President and CEO of JD Events. �We are thrilled to have him as the keynote of this event.�

The conference has also formed alliances with both The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) and The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA). ATME is a gold level sponsor of the event and will host the �marketing� track of the conference. HEDNA is also a sponsor of the event and will host the �distribution� track of the conference.

Joel Davis adds: �The strategic alliances with ATME and HEDNA dramatically improve both the quality of content and the audience at the Travel Commerce Expo. With the help of both organizations, we can continue to build this event into the travel industry�s most important meeting place.�

The Travel Commerce Conference & Expo is sponsored by Forrester Research and Forbes Magazine and is produced by JD Events. The annual event builds upon TravelCom�s highly successful 2002 show. The tradeshow is designed to serve as the travel industry event of the year, addressing all segments within the industry. Influential executives and representatives from leading travel companies across the industry will engage in lively discussions on timely topics, primarily focused on marketing and distribution.

ATME also will now hold its annual Atlas Awards during the TravelCom conference. The Atlas Awards were created to honor and promote leaders and innovators within the travel marketing industry who have displayed breakthrough thinking and leadership in marketing. The Atlas Awards will be held on the evening of April 1, 2003 at the Hilton NY.

About ATME
The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) is a professional association of executives with vital responsibilities in the marketing of travel and tourism worldwide. ATME�s nearly 750 members represent airlines, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, car rental companies, advertising and public relations firms, travel marketing professionals, research groups and tourist offices of domestic and foreign destinations. ATME is a global network of industry marketing professionals committed to enhancing skills, recognizing excellence, and providing innovative, effective and provocative marketing ideas and solutions while enhancing the highest standards of travel leadership. For additional information about ATME, please visit www.atme.org.

About HEDNA
The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) is a not-for-profit trade association whose worldwide membership includes executives and managers from over 200 of the most influential companies in the hotel distribution industry. Founded in 1991, all of HEDNA�s activities are intended to stimulate the booking of hotel rooms through the use of GDS, the Internet and other electronic means. HEDNA brings all segments of the hotel industry together to evolve systems and services into electronic distribution that is easy and efficient. For additional information, please visit www.HEDNA.org.

About JD Events
JD Events is dedicated to the creation of targeted and innovative industry-leading events that deliver results. The company brings together highly qualified buying audiences, education rich content and high-level networking opportunities, all geared toward increasing business transactions in the markets it serves. JD Events produces the Travel Commerce Conference & Expo (TravelCom Expo), the Satellite Application Technology Conference & Expo (SATCON) and ad:tech, the premier event for interactive advertising and marketing. For more information please visit www.travelcomexpo.com or www.jdevents.com.
 

Media Contact:
Christy Liles
christy@vollmerpr.com
Vollmer PR
972/488-4790
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Produced By: JD Events
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