Press Release


Carlson Wagonlit Travel Finalizes Acquisition of Navigant International

PARIS - August 8, 2006 - Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the world‘s second-largest corporate travel management company, today announced that the acquisition of Navigant International Inc., formally doing business as TQ3Navigant, is complete. The agreement to purchase Navigant was originally announced on April 27, 2006. Subsequently, the transaction gained necessary regulatory approvals and was approved by Navigant stockholders at a special meeting on July 12, 2006.

Coinciding with the acquisition of Navigant by CWT is the finalization of the acquisition of Accor‘s 50-percent stake in CWT by Carlson Companies and One Equity Partners (OEP). On April 27, 2006, Carlson, a global leader in the travel, hotel, restaurant and marketing industries, and OEP, a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co., announced that, following regulatory approval, Carlson‘s shares in CWT would increase to 55 percent, with OEP holding the remaining 45 percent.

Since the intent to acquire Navigant was first announced by CWT, integration teams composed of subject matter experts from the two companies have met regularly to create a framework for the merger of their leadership, employees, operations, services and technology. Now, with the acquisition complete, the teams will accelerate integration efforts. As a result, employees, suppliers and clients who were formerly associated with Navigant will begin to see their day-to-day activities gradually combined with those of CWT.

“Months of effort have made this transaction a reality. Now, we are eager to work with the clients and employees of what was formerly Navigant and we look forward to realizing the combined potential of these two corporate travel leaders,“ said Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer, Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

The acquisition of Navigant doubles the size of CWT in North America and expands its presence in Asia Pacific through Navigant operations in Australia and New Zealand. Today, CWT is the second-largest travel management company in the world.

“Today marks an exciting step forward for the two companies and the travel industry. Travel and travel management services have been a core business for Carlson since the 1970s and, as the new majority shareholder of CWT, we are delighted to be playing an even more influential role in the business travel management industry,” said Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies. “Clients around the world will benefit from our combined talent and expanded resources as we work together to anticipate and further serve their needs.”


About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel is a world leader in business travel management, partnering with large corporations, small and medium-sized companies, and government institutions in more than 150 countries. CWT designs and implements superior travel management programs for clients based upon its recognized consulting expertise, strong purchasing power, technological strength, and consistent delivery of high-quality service. Annual sales of more than USD 26 billion are generated under the Carlson Wagonlit Travel brand. For more information, please visit www.carlsonwagonlit.com.


About Carlson Companies
Carlson Companies is a global leader in the hotel, restaurant, business and leisure travel, and marketing industries.

Among the names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: Regent Hotels and Resorts , Radisson Hotels & Resorts , Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Park Innhotels, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, T.G.I. Friday‘sand Pick Up Stixrestaurants, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Cruise Holidays, All Aboard Travel, Cruise Specialists, Fly4less.com, Cruise Deals.com, Results Travel, Carlson Destination Marketing Services, Carlson Leisure Travel Services, SeaMaster Cruises , SinglesCruise.com, CW Government Travel, Carlson Marketing, Peppers & Rogers Group , and Gold Points Reward Network.

Based in Minneapolis, Carlson‘s brands and services employ about 190,000 people in more than 150 countries. Carlson‘s 2005 systemwide sales, including franchised operations, totaled USD 34.4 billion. For more information, please visit www.carlson.com


About One Equity Partners:
One Equity Partners (OEP) manages USD 5 billion of investments and commitments for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in direct private equity transactions. Partnering with management, OEP invests in transactions that initiate strategic and operational changes in businesses to create long-term value. OEP's investment professionals are located across North America and Europe, with offices in New York, Chicago and Frankfurt.


Media Contacts:

Global & EMEA
Kim Derderian
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
+33 (0)1 41 33 60 44
kderderian@carlsonwagonlit.com


Latin America
Carole Eisemann
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
+1 561 417 6360
ceisemann@carlsonwagonlit.com


Asia Paciifc
Jacquie Lindsay
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
+65 6511 9216
jlindsay@carlsonwagonlit.com

North America
Laurie Alexander
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
+1 763-212 2079
lalexander@carlsonwagonlit.com



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