PARIS, October 3, 2011 – American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events and Le Public Système today announced an exclusive agreement that creates a new strategic meetings management offering for France. The offering brings together the best in creative communication strategy, consulting on brand image and event execution with the best in meetings sourcing; expense management and visibility into meetings spend and activity.

In an economic environment that continues to apply pressure to corporate budgets, and in an industry that has an increase in external regulation to comply with, the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events sector remains on a growth trajectory. Companies recognize the value of producing meetings and events as a way to create, strengthen and grow business relationships, but they also need to be transparent and cost conscious with budgets while creating memorable experiences for clients.

To provide a solution to this challenge, American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events and Le Public Système are combining their respective strengths to create an exclusive collaboration and unique service approach to clients.

A New in Strategic Meetings Management and Event Production:

American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events and Le Public Système’s collaborative offer rests in complementary expertise: American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events is a leader in global strategic meetings management while Le Public Système is a public relations, event and digital communications leader in France with a specialized focus in consulting and brand image.

Through this collaboration, businesses will, for the first time, have access to a comprehensive range of meetings and events services that address both communications strategy and brand enhancement as part of the strategic management of their events. All delivered with a clear objective of transparency into spend and return on investment and experience.

Commenting on this exclusive agreement are Frédéric Bedin, CEO, Le Public Système and Issa Jouaneh, Vice President and General Manager, American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events:

“The meetings and events industry is at an inflection point,” said Jouaneh. “External regulations, compliance, and budget considerations are intersecting with the recognized value of producing creatively appealing and effective meetings. Our exclusive agreement with Le Public Système allows us to expand our creative and production capabilities available to corporations through an integrated approach with planning and sourcing optimization, expense management and industry compliance knowledge and expertise.”

“This collaboration is an opportunity for Le Public Système to benefit from the global network of American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events and thereby enhance its skills in other markets than France,” said Bedin. ”This new offer still has the innovation spirit in communications that the agency has sought since its foundation.”

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS Global Business Travel MEETINGS & EVENTS

American Express Meetings & Events, a division of American Express Global Business Travel, offers long- standing experience, expertise and leading capabilities spanning from program implementation to budget optimization in delivering powerful meeting and event experiences for clients. The team is comprised of more than 1000 employees world-wide focused on meeting and event sourcing, planning, contract negotiations, budgeting, expense management, reporting and benchmarking, combined with strategic counsel and integration of leading technology. This end-to-end approach focuses on creating visibility, driving savings and enabling effective meeting experiences.

With more than 40 years in the industry and an in-market presence in over 50 countries, American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events is uniquely positioned to manage meetings and events locally, regionally, internationally and across the globe. American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events works with market leaders to enhance its offering to clients.

ABOUT LE PUBLIC SYSTÈME

Created in 1993, Le Public Système is a global communication agency built on strong fields of expertise: public relations, press relations, event & travel, marketing & digital communication, and multimedia content production.

Le Public Système is part of PUBLIC SYSTEME HOPSCOTCH, elected “Independent Communication Consultancy Group” in 2010.

www.lepublicsysteme.com

Le Public Système
Géraldine Sivel
Tél : 01 41 34 23 77
[email protected]
www.lepublicsysteme.com

American Express
Béatrice Hervieu / Chrystelle Castellani
Tél : 01 47 77 35 45 / 30 31
[email protected]

American Express Meetings & Events” is a service provided by American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”). GBT is a joint venture that is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (“American Express”). “American Express Global Business Travel”, “American Express” and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license