ADVISORY/New REI CEO to Climb ``Pinnacle`` at Seattle Flagship Store.

     News/Assignment Editors, Business Editors
     ADVISORY...for Thursday (March 2)

     --(BUSINESS WIRE)--

     Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) will formally introduce its
new CEO to employees and media on Thursday, March 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
     The person assuming the top spot at REI replaces former CEO,
Wally Smith, who announced early retirement in February.
     To commemorate the event, the CEO will scale "the Pinnacle" a
65-foot-high climbing rock in the flagship store's main entrance.
     Seattle-based REI is the nation's largest consumer cooperative
with more than 1.7 million active members, 6,000+ employees and 1999
sales exceeding $600 million.

     WHO/WHAT:         Formal Announcement of REI's New CEO

     WHEN:             Thursday, March 2, 2000
                       1:00 p.m.

     WHERE:            REI's Seattle Flagship Store
                       222 Yale Avenue N.

     --30--AMP/se*

     CONTACT:  REI Public Affairs
               Michael Collins, 206/979-3982 or 253/395-5956
               or
               DDB/Seattle
               Tom Phillips, 206/619-4013

     KEYWORD: WASHINGTON
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVISORY RETAIL SPORTS APPAREL/TEXTILES