PRESS RELEASE Of interest to editors and journalists covering: Advertising/Marketing, Travel/Tourism, Sports/Football, D.C. Business News IACVB and The Map Network Celebrate 50 CVBs and the Super Bowl Map Greater Houston CVB's Effort Represents the Future of Mapping WASHINGTON D.C. - January 28, 2004 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- The International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (IACVB) and The Map Network, an IACVB Alliance Partner and the first company to specialize in destination and event map publishing, announce The Map Network's achievement of 50 CVB clients and the launch of the Greater Houston CVB Map just in time for the Super Bowl crowds. Unlike traditional mapping, each CVB designs their own maps into which they integrate their marketing message and member data. TMN maps function across print, online and wireless media and are easily customized. "Just six months ago when I announced our Alliance Partnership, The Map Network had reached 20 CVB clients. TMN's rapid growth demonstrates the positive contribution they are making to our industry," says Michael Gehrisch, President and CEO of IACVB. "I am especially proud to see their work with the Greater Houston CVB to deliver their innovative service to attendees of Super Bowl XXXVIII. This is the largest sporting event in world." The interactive Greater Houston CVB Map features a special layer on Super Bowl XXXVIII information regarding the stadium, parking, player hotels, NFL headquarters and media events, fundraisers, and other Super Bowl-related activities in the city -- all linked directly to relevant data and web sites. Additionally, the map includes content on Greater Houston CVB members and attractions, from hotels to restaurants to museums and shopping, creating a seamless experience for end-users between the event and the destination. The map can be viewed at http://maps.mapnetwork.com/houston or http://www.houston-spacecityusa.com/about_houston.asp?pageid=260. "I believe The Map Network represents the future of mapping for destination marketing organizations such as ours," says Wayne Chappell, VP of Convention Sales and Services at the Greater Houston CVB. "The sheer quantity of events that use their products shows that our most important clients -- events and our members -- will soon settle for nothing less." The Map Network currently serves as the official map and guide of such leading event- industry associations as IAEM and GWSAE as well as over 100 major events such as the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, the PGA Merchandise Show and Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meetings. "I am grateful to IACVB and our CVB partners for supporting our vision for mapping in their industry," says Shane Green, President and CEO of The Map Network. "As many of them have found, creating such specialized maps is an ambitious and time-consuming venture, but the rewards have been significant." About The Map Network Headquartered in Washington, D.C., The Map Network serves as the official mapping solution for 50 Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and has been used by over 100 major tradeshows and special events for its proven cost-saving and revenue-generating benefits. Leading destination marketing and event associations such as IACVB, IAEM, PCMA, ASAE and GWSAE now feature The Map Network's solutions. About The International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (IACVB) Founded in 1914, IACVB is an international trade association representing more than 1,200 professional members from more than 500 convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) in over 20 countries. The association's mission is to enhance the professionalism, effectiveness, and image of destination management organizations worldwide. MEDIA CONTACTS: The Map Network Press Contact: Donita Prakash Marketing +1-202-387-4400 donita@mapnetwork.com IACVB Press Contact: Kristen Clemens IACVB, Manager of Marketing and Communications +1-202-835-4214 kclemens@iacvb.org # # # [ source of news = The Map Network ] ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2004/pr_04_0128-mapnetwork.txt http://www.send2press.com/2archivePDF/pr_04_0128-mapnetwork.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *IMPORTANT NOTE TO MEDIA: to reach the organization releasing this news, please contact: donita@mapnetwork.com If used for publication, please send specimen copy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- S2P-NS/0c/ DC / Washington, DC / Copr. (c) 2004 Send2Press. This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(tm), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com .