News Release

Technology to Take Center Stage at GIANTS 2003 National Conference

NEW YORK, NY- (Sept. 10, 2003) — From online marketing programs to state-of-the-art managed Web site demos to new preferred partners, technology will take center stage at the GIANTS 2003 National Conference, set for Nov. 13-16 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in Phoenix.

"This year's conference is the most important convention for GIANTS members in the last five years, especially from a technology perspective," said Jack E. Mannix, CTC, president and CEO. "The breadth and depth of the conference's line-up of technology initiatives is unmatched in recent times. Here, members and preferred suppliers will get a first-hand look at an array of new platforms and tools ­ some of which are exclusive to GIANTS ­ that will help them outpace the competition."

GIANTS' technology pavilion will premier immediately following the morning general session on Nov. 14. Kicking off the pavilion activities will be demonstrations of some of the most critical components of GIANTS' new extranet and the much-anticipated consumer Web site that will be available to GIANTS members at no additional cost. WorldTravel Interactive and the GIANTS sales team will be conducting the demos. By attending the conference members will not only see first-hand the Web site in action, but it's also their first opportunity to sign up for the customized site. Rollout of the individual member Web sites will be conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis for members and will begin immediately following the conference, according to Mannix.

In addition to customized, GIANTS-specific content, Passport Online, one of GIANTS' newest technology partners, is providing VacationPort, content, and electronic marketing tools for both the consumer Web site and the member extranet site. Passport Online will also be at the pavilion demonstrating how members can effectively use the system to significantly boost their travel sales.

Participating GIANTS agencies can choose from several VacationPort templates to customize their Web sites. The sites and e-marketing tools will focus only on preferred-supplier promotion of cruises, tours, and vacation packages, but members can enhance their sites with content of their choice. GIANTS has also licensed Passport's Consortia e-Marketing System, which allows GIANTS headquarters to create HTML e-mails with preferred supplier promotions and then send to members for use with their clients.

Greg Kott, president and CEO of Passport Online, said, "We are thrilled that GIANTS is utilizing our promotional technology into their exciting new initiative. We are working closely with GIANTS on incorporating new marketing enhancements to the system, including online booking integration and other industry critical initiatives."

In addition to the hands-on demonstrations, the technology pavilion will feature a number of related exhibitors, including ClientBase by TRAMS, Sabre, ARC, and IATAN. Both the demonstrations and exhibits will run on an ongoing basis throughout the day on Friday, Nov. 14.

The conference registration rate for members is $129 through Sept. 30 and $199 thereafter. The registration fee for new members ­ those joining GIANTS since its 2002 national conference ­ is free for the first agent, with additional attendees paying a special rate of $49. To register online and for more details about the conference, GIANTS members can visit www.giantstravel.com. For more information, contact Arleen Rios at 800-442-6871 ext. 224.

About GIANTS
Founded in 1968 as the industry's first travel cooperative, GIANTS (Greater Independent Association of National Travel Services) is an organization of 1,600 highly qualified travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada. GIANTS' not-for-profit, member-owned status and its one-of-a-kind profitable year-end distributions make it one of the travel industry's most unique and progressive international organizations. Other member-focused services include cost-effective, results-driven marketing programs, advanced technology platforms, interactive training opportunities, and a powerful preferred supplier program that rewards members with highly competitive commission levels and other special member and customer benefits. GIANTS' goals are to boost members' profits and deliver high-volume sales to its preferred suppliers. To learn more about GIANTS, visit www.giantstravel.com, www.selecttraveler.com, or call (800) 442-6871.

About Passport Online
Passport Online connects travel industry suppliers and retailers to a broad range of travel buyers. VacationPORT is a sophisticated marketing system to actively promote and influence the flow of travel offers throughout the sales cycle in a highly customizable manner. VacationPORT has been selected by top U.S. travel companies as a comprehensive web marketing program to build leisure travel sales, as well as many of the top cruise, tour, and hotel companies in the world to distribute and market their latest product and pricing information. For more information about Passport Online, see the web site at www.passportonlineinc.com.