American Express Meetings and Events Unveil New Service for Small Meetings and Events Management in Europe

Meetings “eCatalog” Simplifies Research and Planning with Access to Bundled Packages, A La Cart Services and Negotiated Rates

NEW YORK, NY & FRANKFURT, GERMANY – May 25, 2011 – American Express Meetings and Events announced today the release of its eCatalog service for small meetings and events management in Europe. Companies can deploy this web based, easy to access online catalog enterprise wide, offering a self-serve solution for any department with meeting planning needs. The new service provides meeting venue search capability as well as access to bundled packages, a la carte offerings and negotiated rates. The eCatalog will be available for demonstration at the 2011 IMEX convention in Frankfurt, Germany, May 24^th – 26^th, Hall 8, Stand E-230 Masse Frankfurt.

The American Express Global Business Travel eCatalog service centralizes meetings inventory allowing anyone in a company tasked with coordinating meetings and events 24 – 7 access to inventory from hotel and other meeting venues, complete with pricing details associated with negotiated rates, bundled packages with hotel accommodations, restaurant options, activities and more. Meeting arrangers can then request the property, meeting amenities, restaurants, activities, accommodations and then have an experienced meetings and events planner from American Express Global Business Travel carry out the final booking for the meeting.  The eCatalog is currently being used by a large global client, aggregating inventory and rates across multiple countries in Europe.

“Meetings and events is a largely fragmented area within most businesses, particularly when it comes to planning smaller events. Typically departments handle their own client or supplier meetings and it is usually planned without the assistance of an experienced meeting planner. This can waste valuable employee time and corporate budget,” said Issa Jouaneh, Vice President, American Express Global Business Travel Meetings and Events. “We created eCatalog for one of our clients in need of a solution like this to gain control over multiple markets and departments planning independent meetings. We are pleased to be able to announce today its broad availability for clients across Europe.”

Meetings and events, including small to medium sized meetings, are becoming more prevalent as the economy improves and as part of the business travel rebound. Executives recognize the importance of meetings for driving company growth. Recent research commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and with contribution from American Express Global Business Travel revealed that four out of five global executives “agree” or “strongly agree” that face-to-face business meetings are essential to their organisation’s success and that business travel improves a firm’s chance of increasing sales. With more meetings expected, the eCatalog is a new and important tool to assist companies with their meeting planning needs.

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.