Viad Corp Announces Third Quarter Results

Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI) today announced third quarter 2011 net income of $1.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Viad’s income before other items of $1.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, excludes the favorable resolution of tax matters of $103,000 and restructuring charges of $47,000 after tax. This is in line with the company’s prior guidance of income per share of $0.03 to $0.13 and compares to 2010 third quarter income before other items of $0.23 per share.

• Revenues of $216.2 million were up $1.0 million (0.5%) from 2010.
• Segment operating income was $5.4 million as compared to $9.9 million in 2010.
• Free cash flow was $23.8 million compared to $23.0 million in 2010.
• Cash and cash equivalents were $104.6 million at September 30, 2011.
• Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins were purchased on September 16 for $15.3 million in cash.
• 250,760 shares of common stock were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $4.6 million.
• Debt was $3.6 million, with a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.9% at September 30, 2011.

Paul B. Dykstra, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Viad’s third quarter 2011 earnings reflect strong performance from our Travel & Recreation Group, which realized significant growth during its busiest quarter. This growth was driven by the addition of two properties to our Glacier Park portfolio and organic revenue growth at Brewster. Our Marketing & Events Group realized base same-show revenue growth of nearly 11 percent. As a result of this increase and growth in other lines of business, the Marketing & Events Group substantially offset the impact of expected declines from negative show rotation as a number of major trade shows that took place in the 2010 third quarter are every-other-year shows that will occur again in 2012.”

Third Quarter 2011 Business Group Highlights

Viad’s Marketing & Events Group

For the third quarter of 2011, the Marketing & Events Group posted revenues in line with prior guidance and operating income slightly below guidance. Revenues were $151.7 million with an operating loss of $20.2 million. The expected declines from the 2010 quarter were driven primarily by negative show rotation revenue of $29 million as compared to the 2010 quarter.

U.S. segment revenues and operating income decreased $8.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively, from the 2010 quarter. The expected declines were driven primarily by negative show rotation of $23 million in revenue, which was substantially offset by base same-show revenue growth of 10.9 percent, higher retail merchandising unit sales and increased revenues from branded entertainment projects. Third quarter operating results include higher accruals for performance-based incentives as compared to the 2010 quarter, reflecting management’s outlook for higher full year profits and the timing of accruals.

Third quarter International segment revenues increased $383,000 and operating income decreased $1.1 million compared to the 2010 quarter. Foreign exchange rate variances had a favorable impact on revenues of $1.7 million and an unfavorable impact on operating income of $373,000 compared to the 2010 quarter. Excluding exchange rate variances, revenues decreased $1.3 million and operating income decreased $700,000 driven primarily by negative show rotation of approximately $6 million in revenue as well as increased employee expenses due to merit increases and wage reinstatements from 2010 wage reductions at Melville.

Dykstra said, "Our Marketing & Events Group continues to benefit from improved industry conditions as compared to 2010, as well as initiatives to capture incremental revenues. This quarter marked the fifth consecutive quarter of U.S. base same-show revenue growth. As a result of this growth and successful efforts to win other projects, the Marketing & Events Group was able to offset a significant portion of the $29 million in negative show rotation revenue. In addition to lower revenues, our U.S. operating results also reflect margin pressures on three events we produced in higher-cost cities in the East as well as a shift in revenue mix to some lower margin business during the quarter.”

Viad’s Travel & Recreation Group

For the third quarter of 2011, the Travel & Recreation Group’s revenue increased $12.5 million to $64.5 million, and operating income increased $4.1 million to $25.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2010. Foreign exchange rate variances had a favorable impact on revenue and operating income of approximately $2.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, compared to the 2010 third quarter. The improved results also reflect the acquisitions of St. Mary Lodge & Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge, as well as growth at Brewster. These increases were partially offset by expected lost room nights at Many Glacier Hotel, which has high flow through to operating income, as well as lower visitation to Glacier National Park.

Dykstra said, "Our Travel & Recreation Group had a solid third quarter, driven by our two Glacier Park acquisitions and higher revenues across all of Brewster’s lines of business. Brewster posted its strongest quarterly revenues and operating profits in the past ten years. Glacier Park drove strong occupancy during the September shoulder season as park attendance improved after lower park visitation in July and August. Group operating margins for the quarter were very strong at nearly 40 percent.

"In addition, we completed the acquisition of Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins, which leverages our full-service hospitality operational expertise and expands our national park footprint beyond our existing geographies. The acquired assets, combined with our existing offerings, form an integrated hospitality growth platform for us in the Alaska market. We remain committed to expanding our hospitality and recreational attractions portfolio in and around national parks in North America, and this transaction represents the third successful execution against those plans this year.”

2011 Outlook

Guidance provided by Viad is subject to change as a variety of factors can affect actual results. Those factors are identified in the safe harbor language at the end of this press release.

Dykstra said, "We expect full year base same-show revenue growth to approximate 10 percent. Our full year outlook is for the Marketing & Events Group to return to profitability in 2011 as a result of industry growth, positive show rotation, capturing greater exhibitor discretionary services revenue and the cost structure and efficiency gains we made during the past two years.

"The Travel & Recreation Group is expected to have another strong year in 2011, with full year revenues of approximately $100 million. The additions of St. Mary Lodge & Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge earlier this year have more than offset the impact of temporary room closures at our Many Glacier Hotel, part of which was under renovation during the 2011 season and will reopen for the 2012 season. The Travel & Recreation team remains focused on its initiatives to enhance the guest experience and capture additional revenue per guest in addition to pursuing acquisitions that will expand our hospitality and recreational attractions portfolio in and around national parks in North America.”

2011 Full Year Guidance

Marketing & Events Group

• Total revenues are expected to increase by approximately 10 percent compared to 2010.
  • Base same-show revenues are expected to increase by approximately 10 percent in the U.S.
  • Annual show rotation, which refers to shows that occur less frequently than annually, is expected to positively impact full year revenues by approximately $15 million. Quarterly show rotation also includes annual shows that shift quarters from one year to the next.

First quarter show rotation positively impacted revenues by $42 million.

Second quarter show rotation positively impacted revenues by $6 million.

Third quarter show rotation negatively impacted revenues by $29 million.

Fourth quarter show rotation is expected to have a slightly negative impact on revenues.

• Segment operating results are expected to improve by $8.5 million to $11.5 million from 2010, driven by increased revenue, partially offset by higher performance-based incentives, as well as merit increases that did not occur in 2010 or 2009.

Travel & Recreation Group

• Revenues are expected to approximate $100 million, reflecting continued improvement in tourism demand as well as the acquisitions of St. Mary Lodge & Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge, which have more than offset the lost room nights at Many Glacier Hotel due to construction.
• Operating margins are expected to approximate 20 percent. This is a decrease from 2010 as a result of high flow through on lost room nights at Many Glacier Hotel. Additionally, the acquisition of Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins is expected to be slightly dilutive in 2011 due to its seasonal fourth quarter operating loss.

Corporate & Other

• Corporate activities expense is expected to approximate $7 million.
• Exchange rates for the remainder of the year are assumed to approximate $0.98 U.S. Dollars per Canadian Dollar and $1.56 U.S. Dollars per British Pound. Currency translation is expected to favorably impact income per share by approximately $0.06.
• The effective tax rate is assumed to be 35 to 37 percent, as compared to the 2010 effective tax rate on income before other items of 37 percent.

2011 Fourth Quarter Guidance

For the fourth quarter, Viad’s loss per share is expected to be in the range of $0.35 to $0.25. This compares to a fourth quarter 2010 loss before other items of $0.20 per share. Revenues are expected to be in the range of $180 million to $190 million compared to $187.0 million in the 2010 fourth quarter. Segment operating losses are expected to be in the range of $9.5 million to $5.5 million compared to a loss of $3.1 million in 2010. The expected decrease in operating results reflects seasonal operating losses from newly acquired Travel & Recreation properties as well as costs related to facility consolidations in the Marketing & Events Group and a less profitable mix of business compared to the 2010 quarter. Show rotation and foreign exchange rate variances are not expected to have a material impact on fourth quarter revenues or operating results.

Implicit within this guidance are the following group revenues and operating loss expectations:

Conference Call and Web Cast

Viad Corp will hold a conference call with investors and analysts for a review of third quarter 2011 results on Friday, October 21 at 9 a.m. (ET). To join the live conference, call (800) 779-3189, passcode "Viad,” or access the webcast through Viad’s Web site at www.viad.com. A replay will be available for a limited time at (866) 469-7798 (no passcode required) or visit the Viad Web site and link to a replay of the webcast.

About Viad

Viad is an S&P SmallCap 600 company. Viad operates through its Marketing & Events Group, comprised of Global Experience Specialists and affiliates, and its Travel & Recreation Group, comprised of Brewster, Glacier Park, Inc. and Alaskan Park Properties, Inc. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.viad.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

As provided by the safe harbor provision under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Viad cautions readers that, in addition to historical information contained herein, this press release includes certain information, assumptions and discussions that may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect current estimates, projections, expectations, or trends concerning future growth, operating cash flows, availability of short-term borrowings, consumer demand, new business, investment policies, productivity improvements, ongoing cost reduction efforts, efficiency, competitiveness, legal expenses, tax rates and other tax matters, foreign exchange rates, and the realization of restructuring cost savings. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Viad’s businesses can be affected by a host of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, natural disasters, gains and losses of customers, consumer demand patterns, labor relations, purchasing decisions related to customer demand for exhibition and event services, existing and new competition, industry alliances, consolidation and growth patterns within the industries in which Viad competes, acquisitions, adverse developments in liabilities associated with discontinued operations and any deterioration in the economy, may individually or in combination impact future results. In addition to factors mentioned elsewhere, economic, competitive, governmental, technological, capital marketplace and other factors, including terrorist activities or war, a pandemic health crisis and international conditions, could affect the forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional information concerning business and other risk factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements can be found in Viad’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Information about Viad Corp obtained from sources other than the company may be out-of-date or incorrect. Please rely only on company press releases, SEC filings and other information provided by the company, keeping in mind that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Viad undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, including prior forward-looking statements, to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made.