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Carlson Wagonlit Travel finalizes acquisition of Maritz Corporate Travel

CWT Receives Regulatory Approval and Finalizes Purchase

MINNEAPOLIS – May 3, 2004 – Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a global leader in corporate travel management, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Maritz Corporate Travel (MCT), the U.S. corporate travel subsidiary of Maritz Travel Company. The agreement to purchase MCT was previously announced on March 18, 2003, and received regulatory approval at the end of April.

Since the original announcement, integration teams have met regularly to lay the framework for a seamless merger of the two companies’ leadership, employees, operations and technology. Now, with the acquisition complete, the teams are free to step up their integration efforts, unrestricted by any legal or regulatory limitations regarding the exchange of proprietary information.

CWT clients that were formerly with MCT will slowly begin to see their day-to-day interactions take on the face of CWT through both one-on-one attention and corporatelevel communication. At the same time, Robin Schleien, president, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, North America, advised: “This process will not be unnecessarily rushed, but rather it will be a strategic transition for clients, employees and suppliers.” He continued, “Our ultimate goal is to leverage our collective talent and resources to the benefit of our clients; we will get this right.”

The acquisition further solidifies CWT’s position as the second largest travel management company in the world and the largest wholly-owned global corporate travel network.

About Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Carlson Wagonlit Travel is a world leader in business travel management. Today, the Carlson Wagonlit Travel group, resulting from the merger of the Carlson and Wagonlit business travel activities, has locations in more than 140 countries and generates over $11.5 billion USD in annual sales. Carlson Wagonlit Travel is co-owned by Paris-based Accor group and Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies. For more information, visit www.carlsonwagonlit.com.

Media Contact

Laurie Alexander
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
B: 763-212-2079
llalexander@carlson.com

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