CNN, the world's leading global 24-hour television news network, broadcasting daily to one billion viewers in six different languages, has signed as the World Travel Market (WTM)'s first ever official Broadcast Partner. The three-year agreement harnesses web, pre-event marketing and onsite exposure for the CNN brand at the travel industry's premiere event, which takes place 8-11 November at London's ExCeL. WTM has been and continues to be a regular source of business travel stories for CNN, but this deal represents the first time for CNN's commercial division to sponsor the event. As part of the cooperation, WTM will run an advertising campaign on CNN International's EMEA, Latin American and Asian feeds, reaching a potential 141 million households, and also on CNN.com. Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director said she is delighted at the partnership, a first for World Travel Market. "CNN is the most respected and trusted source for news and information in the world", she said. "Its reach and audience make it an ideal vehicle for promoting the WTM's credentials as the travel industry's premier event to a highly-relevant worldwide audience in more than 200 countries." "This cooperation is a perfect strategic fit," commented Kevin Razvi, executive vice president, CNN International ad sales. "CNN reaches more leading travel professionals than any other pan-regional channel, and has established itself in particular as the channel of choice for the business traveller while WTM shares the same target audience and is universally recognised as the leading event in the travel industry. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship." CNN, along with ExCeL, will also sponsor the World Travel Market's prestigious 25th Anniversary Dinner for 350 invited guests, taking place at the East Wintergardens, Canary Wharf, East London on the opening evening. Jim Walton, President of CNN News Group, and Mr. Jamie Buchan, Chief Executive of ExCeL will be joining Fiona Jeffery and Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman Tom Nutley in paying tribute to the past 25 years and the role played by WTM within the global industry. "Both WTM and CNN prepare to celebrate 25 years at the top of their industries, at a time when news events can have a greater direct impact on the travel industry than ever before. As first time sponsor of this event, we are delighted to signal our support for the travel sector in general and our appreciation in particular of the importance of WTM as a global business forum that helps to shape developments and trends," added Razvi. CNN's sponsorship of WTM is its fourth recent initiative to support the travel and tourism industry, following on from its sponsorship of international tourism trade fair FITUR; an ad campaign spearheaded with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and its Travel and Tourism Forum held last year in London that brought together senior industry executives for debate and discussion of the sector's challenges and opportunities. -ends- For further media information telephone Jane Larcombe on +44(0)1892 785071 or email jane@janelarcombecommunications.com The Greek National Tourism Organisation is World Travel Market's major brand partner for 2004. WORLD TRAVEL MARKET PICTURE LIBRARY High resolution World Travel Market pictures can be accessed speedily and efficiently via the online World Travel Market Picture Library. � Log on to www.wtmlondon.com � Click on Press & PR on left hand side of screen and then click to enter library. When prompted, please key in your name and company for our records. � You will find a wide selection of logos, general views and specific pictures with captions, depicting aspects of the event. These will be regularly updated. � Click on the thumbnail of your choice to see a larger version of the picture � Click on the download button in the left margin � Save as a jpg. file � Open the file after saving to your system. NOTES TO EDITORS 1. Reed Travel Exhibitions is part of Reed Exhibitions Ltd. who organise over 430 events in 32 countries, serving 49 different industries in 13 key sectors, attracting over 90,000 exhibiting companies and more than 4 million visitors every year. 2. As a member of the Reed Elsevier plc group, the world-leading business and information provider, Reed Exhibitions is unique in offering integrated market access programmes covering exhibitions, trade publications, direct marketing and the Internet. Reed Elsevier's business titles are closely linked with Reed's exhibition activities across both geographic and industrial markets. It also has a growing portfolio of electronic publishing and information services, including LEXIS-NEXIS, the world's leading provider of on-line information services and management tools. 3. Reed Travel Exhibitions organise 13 events worldwide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, C.I.S. Travel Market, EIBTM, British Travel Trade Fair, Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), International Golf Travel Market, Top Resa, Mediterranean Travel Fair, ICCA Exhibition, in association with the ICCA Congress, International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), La Cumbre and Latin American & Caribbean Incentive & Meetings Exhibition (LACIME). 4. For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions' website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com