NEW YORK, November 16, 2004 � When CARINO Collection members meet to review the company�s results at its annual meeting in early 2005, they will learn that they are part of the travel industry�s leading representation company, which boasts the fastest growth and the most comprehensive suite of business-building tools available in the corporate and leisure markets. CARINO�s annual meeting will take place at The Yale Club in Manhattan on January 18, 2005.

In 2004, the company grew its portfolio to more than 60 hotels, expanded membership to 48 cities and eleven countries, and gained rapid market acceptance for its acclaimed SalesConnect? software. Currently in use by dozens of luxury hotels and a growing number of hotel brands around the world, SalesConnect? is the most comprehensive, sophisticated and flexible solution for building business in the corporate, group and leisure travel markets. 

According to Carino, 2004 was a �break-out year for the company, in which our investments in cutting-edge sales technologies, tools and member support personnel began to pay off.� He concluded, �Our domestic and international growth speaks for itself, as does the rapid acceptance of SalesConnect? in the travel marketplace. We expect 2005 to be a year in which the CARINO Collection further distances itself from the competition as the leading representation company worldwide.� 

In addition to its success with SalesConnect, in 2004 CARINO added distinguished new members including the Rockresorts portfolio in the United States, and Boscolo Hotels in Europe. 

In addition to sales visits and an analysis of the competitive landscape nationally and internationally, CARINO�s upcoming two-day annual meeting will feature a host of panel discussions, interactive seminars and networking opportunities. More than 100 hoteliers and invited guests are expected to attend.

Jeff Jobe, General Manager of The Heathman Hotel, Portland, called the anticipated gathering �the most informative, important meeting of the year.� He added, �CARINO deserves special congratulations not only for its impressive growth � but for establishing itself as the premier representation company serving independent hotels in the industry.� 

Personalized member services provided by the CARINO Collection include:

• Real-time, web-based sales database management
• Global and regional sales office support
• Customized sales support 
• Marketing support via cooperative marketing opportunities and negotiated packages to support key distribution partners
• Special CARINO Collection Rates at all member hotels
• Clearing, holding and reserving space for special accommodations
• Special CARINO Concierge Desk to assist with special needs
• Ability to �private-label� SalesConnect 2.0� for hotel groups

SalesConnect2.0TM is CARINO�s proprietary, real-time web-accessible database of corporate, leisure and group account information.  It enables hotel sales departments to maximize sales potential by accessing real-time, up-to-date contact and business profile information and historical travel statistics, on existing and potential clients. SalesConnect2.0TM is the only truly end-to-end  sales system, in which call reports and traces are integrated in real time, creating the hotel industry's first interactive, online data mining strategy tool.