The Financial Times Group, one of the worldâs leading business information companies, aims to provide a broad range of business information and services to the growing audience of internationally minded business people. The FT Group includes:

The Financial Times, one of the worldâs leading business newspapers, which is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing extensive news, comment and analysis, the newspaper is printed in 19 cities across the globe, has a daily circulation of over 480,000 and a readership of more than 1.8million people worldwide; FT.com, the newspaperâs internet partner, which combines agenda-setting editorial with relevant financial data and discussion groups, as well as a broad range of business tools including the largest search function on the internet. FT.com has more than 48 million monthly page views and over 2.4 million unique monthly visitors; The FT Groupâs pan-European network of national business newspapers and online services including Franceâs leading business newspaper and website, Les Echos and lesechos.fr, and Spainâs leading business newspaper and website, Expansion and expansiondirecto.es. In February 2000, the FT launched a new German language newspaper, FT Deutschland, with a fully integrated online business news and data service; Through FT Interactive Data, the FT Group is one of the worldâs leading sources of securities pricing and specialist financial information to global institutional, professional and individual investors. Its products include eSignal, an online realtime streaming quotation service for brokers and active traders; and, FT Business, which produces specialist information on the retail, personal and institutional finance industries. It publishes the UKâs premier personal finance magazine, Investors Chronicle, and The Banker, Money Management and Financial Adviser for professional advisers.

The Financial Times Group also has a stake in a number of joint ventures, including;

• FTSE International, a joint venture with the London Stock Exchange.

• Vedomosti, Russiaâs leading business newspaper and a partnership venture with Dow Jones and Independent Media

• A 50% stake in BDFM, publishers of South Africaâs leading financial newspapers and websites.

• A 50% stake in The Economist Group, which publishes the worldâs leading weekly business and current affairs journal.

The FT Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media group.

When Susan Bird, President of Wf360, approached PBS about the possibility of offering MainEvent 2001 to colleges and PBS stations, PBS immediately agreed. Pat Mitchell, President of PBS, was a moderator at last year's MainEvent, and was extremely impressed with Wf360, their commitment to women and leadership, and the MainEvent program itself. It's the kind of programming PBS Adult Learning Service (ALS) embraces.

The PBS Adult Learning Service, created in cooperation with local public television stations, is dedicated to helping colleges and other education providers meet the needs of adult learners. ALS distance learning opportunities are an easy and effective way for colleges to expand course offerings, build enrollment and meet the demand for undergraduate level courses. Working together, colleges, ALS, public television stations, and top producers help make a quality education available to everyone.

ALS has been a leader in distance learning for two decades, and now offers more than 100 college-credit courses for distance learning. ALS also provides educational resources and services for professional development, curriculum enrichment and continuing education. This is how MainEvent 2001 fits into the ALS mission.

ALS believes MainEvent 2001 is a unique professional development opportunity for staff, faculty and students. It is also a chance for colleges and stations to signal their commitment to the development of women in their organizations and if they choose, in their communities. Participants will interact with and learn from women business professionals and thought leaders of extraordinary achievement. They'll also have an opportunity to meet and network with local business leaders as panelists and/or participants.

PBS is dedicated to lifelong learning. To make these learning opportunities widely available, ALS uses the latest communication technologies and the near-universal reach of public television. As a result, in the most recent academic year, more than 220,000 students enrolled at over 800 colleges, earning credit through distance learning courses distributed by ALS.

For over 83 years, Forbes has provided business decision makers with predictive and pre-emptive editorial that has a distinct point of view. Our editorial voice attracts a community of bold individuals bound together by an unshakable belief in the spirit of free enterprise. They are entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders who rely on Forbes to help them achieve business and personal success. Forbes: Capitalist Tool.

Carlson Companies is a global leader in the relationship marketing, business and leisure travel, and hospitality industries - but it is a company you may know better through its various brands, which include Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza and Park Inns, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Cruise Holidays, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix restaurants, and Carlson Marketing Group. Carlson operates in more than 140 countries and its brands employ more than 180,000 people worldwide.

The company has as its goal to be a "Great Place for Great People to do Great Work." Its efforts have landed it on both Working Mother's and Fortune's lists of 100 best places to work in America. Carlson is a WF360 sponsor because it allows company leaders to interact with some of the great societal thought leaders on the scene today.

As one of the world's premier global communications consultancies, it's only fitting that we participate in the global conversation made possible by MainEvent.

"Our 75 years of market leadership have not made us complacent, and innovation is vital to our business," said MaryLee Sachs, president and CEO of Hill & Knowlton USA. "The values espoused by Wf360 and communicated through MainEvent are consistent with H&K's core values - our diversity and creativity balanced by solid, strategic thinking and our commitment to leadership. We believe MainEvent's global conversation is a wonderful catalyst for positive change that reflects our own capabilities, aspirations and values."

"H&K's values - 'diversity of talent, passion, creativity, innovation, commitment, making a difference, integrity, and high standards' - embody our central belief in the power of communications to bring positive change that motivates all we do for our clients and our people."

The New York Stock Exchange is the world’s leading equities market, where more capital is raised than in any other equities market. A broad spectrum of market participants meet directly in a fair, open and orderly market to realize the best possible price through fast, efficient, reliable and cost-effective trade executions. On an average day, more than 1.44 billion shares, valued at $41 billion, trade on the NYSE.

The NYSE has about 2,800 listed companies with a combined $13.3 trillion total global market capitalization, including 473 non-U.S. companies from 51 countries representing a total global market capitalization of $4.3 trillion.

Companies listed on the NYSE meet the most stringent listing requirements, and range from the largest, well-known "blue-chips" and industry leaders, to young, high-growth enterprises, as well as privatized non-U.S. firms. The advantages the NYSE offers these companies include access to the world’s largest pool of capital, outstanding liquidity and transparency, global visibility, and the opportunity to expand and diversify a company’s shareholder base.

For further information on the NYSE, please go to www.nyse.com.