World Shoe Association Extends Contract with GES; GES Will Service Wor

    Business Editors

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2005--GES Exposition Services, Inc. announced that the World Shoe Association has extended its contract through 2009. The previous contract was scheduled to expire in 2005. World Shoe Association holds two premier marketplace shows per year and GES will be the Official Services Contractor for all eight shows held from 2006 through 2009.
    "World Shoe Association is pleased to extend our contract with GES Exposition Services through 2009," said Diane Stone, chief operating officer of the World Shoe Association. "Our more than 15-year relationship with GES' experienced account team provides continuity in producing biannual shows of this magnitude. GES has continued to enhance the exhibiting experience, and this contract extension will ensure that our shows provide exceptional value to the footwear industry."
    The World Shoe Association is the largest association serving the footwear trade and each of the biannual shows rank in the top 20 of Tradeshow Week 200 largest tradeshows in the United States and Canada.
    "GES looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with the World Shoe Association," said Paul Dykstra, president and chief executive officer of GES. "In addition to GES' talented account team, the World Shoe Association and its exhibitors will continue to benefit from the GES National Servicenter(sm), which provides exhibitors with a single point of contact to arrange for door-to-door transportation services, custom fabrication and rental exhibit systems during all North American business hours."
    The WSA Shows will be held in Las Vegas through 2009. They bring more than 33,000 participants and 6,000+ key brands from all over the world covering 1.8 million square feet of space.

    ABOUT GES

    Las Vegas-based GES Exposition Services, a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) services every major convention market across North America. GES provides a wide range of services including exhibition planning and design, exhibit rental and fabrication, material handling, staging and rigging, temporary electrical equipment, signs and graphics manufacturing, installation and dismantling, carpet and furnishings, and transportation services. GES produces many well-known shows including the World Shoe Association Shows, International Consumer Electronics Show, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, International Council of Shopping Centers, and MAGIC. For more information, visit www.ges.com.

    ABOUT WORLD SHOE ASSOCIATION

    The WSA is the largest association serving the footwear trade and hosts the WSA Shows, the largest marketplaces for the footwear industry in the world, twice a year. The WSA shows provide the forum for the entire footwear industry to connect manufacturers and buyers, showcase designer brand fashions, evaluate trends, and discover what is new in footwear styles, accessories, handbags, and foot care products. With more than 33,000 participants and 6,000+ key brands from all over the world covering 1.8 million square feet of space, the WSA Show is the must-attend for footwear and accessory professionals. For more information about the World Shoe Association or the WSA Show, visit www.wsashow.com.

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CONTACT: GES Exposition Services, Las Vegas Detra Page, 702-263-2755 dpage@ges.com

KEYWORD: NEVADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPAREL/TEXTILES RETAIL TRADESHOW SOURCE: GES Exposition Services

Copyright Business Wire 2005