Development of New Media Activities, 'ExpoWeb.net'

ITE Group PLC 14 February 2000 ITE Group PLC Development of new media activities, 'ExpoWeb.net' ITE Group Plc ('ITE'), the international exhibition specialist, is pleased to announce that it is currently working with advisers on significant developments for its wholly owned subsidiary, ExpoWeb, a business to business internet venture built on the back of its exhibition business. ITE has been a pioneer of online exhibition content and supplier guides over the last four years. During this period, the functionality and usage of the internet and other new media have increased dramatically. In parallel with this, ITE has continued to develop its online capabilities through ExpoWeb whilst evaluating potential new business opportunities in this area. As part of this process the Board has begun to review ways in which shareholder value might be enhanced through accelerated investment in ExpoWeb, funded either from within the existing group or from external sources. ITE is working with its advisers, Investec Henderson Crosthwaite, in reviewing a number of alternative strategies for maximising the value of ExpoWeb. One of the alternatives being reviewed is the demerger of ExpoWeb.net as a separately listed company. ExpoWeb is ideally placed to develop into a leading global industry information source with a myriad of company, product and marketing information. Since its launch in 1996, it has provided unique industry specific, targeted online trade information. Traffic through the site continues to increase as more and more businesses recognise the benefits of the integrated physical and virtual exhibiting environments. ExpoWeb aims to provide portals for each of the industries in which ITE operates, namely oil & gas, heavy industry, security & fire safety, transport & logistics, building & construction, interiors, communications & electronics, food & hospitality, food & drink technology & packaging, travel & tourism, sport & leisure, healthcare, beauty and automotive. Content is constantly updated. Today, ExpoWeb holds contact details of over 10,000 companies, providing businesses around the globe with an invaluable virtual database of suppliers and key players in their respective industries. Because of ITEs critical mass in its markets, the number of represented companies is set to increase to over 500,000 as the Companys prospective exhibitors and trade fair visitors are also added to the existing databases. The sites are interactive with direct e-mail and web site links, allowing instant communication between suppliers and potential buyers. Company data is updated daily, ensuring that the most current information is delivered. ITEs in-depth knowledge of industries in emerging markets also enables it to produce market reports. ExpoWeb provides lists of trade associations, media and other useful contacts, as well as daily news feeds from independent, international news organisations. ExpoWeb also manages the ITE web site (www.ite- exhibitions.com) which offers detailed information about ITE and its international exhibitions. It currently produces and maintains in excess of 90 exhibition web sites per year across 15 industry sectors. The in-house production team of development managers, designers, programmers and administrators handles all aspects of web design, from corporate identity management, branding, corporate marketing, service and production through to graphic design and marketing. The sites are an integral part of ITEs global marketing strategy and generate daily increasing numbers of online inquiries. Furthermore, ExpoWeb was commissioned by the Association of Exhibition Organisers, ('AEO'), in 1999, to design and build its web site. ExpoWeb has trained AEO staff on the maintenance of the site (www.aeo.org) and remains on hand for on-going graphic or database revisions. Company summary: ITE Group plc is a leading international exhibition and conference organiser in the CIS, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Turkey. Through its world wide network of offices and partners, it will organise over 250 trade events in 25 countries this year. For further information, please contact: ITE Group Plc Lawrie Lewis - Chairman 0171 596 5000 Steve Monnington - Group Chief Executive 0171 596 5000 Odette Jonkers - Group PR Manager 0171 596 5253 Investec Henderson Crosthwaite Jagjit Mundi 0171 597 5970 Buchanan Communications Richard Oldworth/Isabel Petre 0171 466 5000

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