PHILADELPHIA--StarCite, Inc., a provider of innovative Web-based technologies and services for the $300 billion global meetings and events industry, today announced record company, customer and revenue growth for the first quarter of 2003, as it provided hotels with more than $108.2 million in RFP opportunities, 165 percent more than the same period a year earlier.

In the first three months of 2003, StarCite users sent 3,167 unique requests for proposals through the StarCite Online Marketplace, providing nearly 400,000 group room night leads to databased properties, up 166 percent over the same period a year earlier.

With these leads, the StarCite Online Marketplace provided hotels with more than $65 million in room night revenue potential and an estimated $42.6 million in food and beverage and ancillary revenues. At the current pace, which has showed no signs of waning in recent weeks, StarCite projects its growing user base to deliver nearly $500 million in revenue opportunities to hotels in 2003.

Excluding its private-label sites for suppliers, the StarCite Online Marketplace on a monthly basis is delivering in excess of $36 million worth of group and meeting opportunities to suppliers. The number of gross RFPs sent through the StarCite Online Marketplace rose by 300 percent, to 24,356 in 2002.

During the first quarter, StarCite increased its customer base by more than 50 organizations, including several that mandate use of StarCite for their enterprise deployments.

In 2002, the company significantly expanded its buyer customer base to more than 400 enterprise clients, through increased sales of its StarCite Integrated Meetings Platform and the acquisition of both RegWeb, the leading attendee management application from Cardinal Communications, and Networld International, one of the world's largest marketing network of leading international meeting and event travel suppliers.

Among StarCite's key enterprise deployments are Amgen, Campbell's Soup, Cisco Systems, KPMG, Lehman Brothers and Quaker Oats.

"The strength of StarCite's growing buyer base is evident by the increased volume of RFPs that Fairmont is receiving. We're delighted to work with customers who see the benefits of the StarCite channel to help them drive process efficiencies, data and fast responses," said Suanne Zankowski, Director, Sales & Distribution, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, which operates 41 world-class resorts and city center hotels.

Registrations using StarCite's RegWeb online applications continue to grow at more than 42 percent over the same periods last year. In the first three months, more than 121,000 meeting delegates registered for one of more than 3,000 meetings or events in RegWeb.

StarCite also recorded growth in the use of and interest in integrated RegWeb with Group Air Booking capabilities and continues to expand its offerings in that space.

During the quarter, StarCite trained and implemented users at more than a dozen companies, which book a combined total of more than 300,000 room nights annually. StarCite also expanded its relationships with partners HelmsBriscoe, Maritz Travel Company and McGettigan Partners, all of which significantly increased the RFPs sent through the channel.

As an increasing number of corporations mandate that suppliers respond online to all requests for proposals, StarCite also conducted training for several hundred suppliers to use their free custom sites on the StarCite Online Marketplace. As a best practice, companies mandate that all responses be submitted online to streamline workflow, decision-making and data analysis.

Recognizing the value that the StarCite channel provides, several key suppliers strengthened or forged new relationships with StarCite, including Adam's Mark, Club Med, Hyatt, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Fiesta Americana, Gaylord Hotels, KSL Resorts, Pebble Beach Resorts and Noble House Hotels & Resorts.

During the quarter, StarCite and Hyatt successfully launched E-mmediate Response(TM), which delivers rate and availability responses within one minute from domestic Hyatt properties to RFPs sent through the StarCite Online Marketplace.

Significant technology enhancements were also made to the StarCite Online Marketplace and RegWebPro 5.1, as the company continues to invest in technologies that customers need.

On the international front, Networld International strengthened and expanded its consortium of leading suppliers in Thailand and Russia to the meetings and incentive market. Networld also expanded its reach into Peru with the signing of a new member company there.

Due to increased use of its technologies and services in both the Americas and Europe, StarCite expanded its customer service team, hours of operations and server technology.

"StarCite's growth continues to be fueled by the strong support of our Fortune 1000 customers who have chosen our technology and our support to deliver tangible results in a demanding business environment," said John Pino, StarCite's founder and CEO. "StarCite has valuable experience in successfully deploying meeting management solutions throughout entire enterprises. With each new customer adoption, StarCite brings added business intelligence to its processes, which makes us a proven, comprehensive solution for companies intent on bringing discipline and better management to their meeting and event spend."

StarCite, Inc. delivers technology and service solutions that drive best practices, cost savings and more efficient management processes to both buyers and suppliers in the meetings and events industry.

The StarCite Online Marketplace delivers RFP workflow, preferred vendor management, bid analysis and reporting; RegWeb helps corporations efficiently and cost-effectively register meeting and training delegates online; together, as part of the StarCite Integrated Meetings Platform, the company delivers a comprehensive solution to manage meetings, registration and group air.

StarCite also offers suppliers innovative marketing opportunities, the ability to electronically respond to and manage leads, as well as advanced technology solutions to improve their existing business processes.

Its Networld International unit offers innovative marketing and technology solutions to international suppliers and unique services to leading planners of international incentives, meetings and events. StarCite is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Investors in StarCite include American Express; Internet Capital Group; Maritz Travel Company; McGettigan Partners; Mellon Ventures; Networld, Inc.; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; Strattech Partners; and Verticalnet. For more information about StarCite, or its technologies and services, please visit www.StarCite.com.

Mary Ann McNulty
(630) 519-4510
StarCite