ADVISORY/Today, Mayor O'Malley and Maryland Homeland Security Director Will Address Discussion Group.

Business Editors/Political Writers

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (Feb. 11)

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004

Baltimore to Host the First in a Series of National Discussions

Between Government Officials and the Homeland Security Industry

In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Leadership Alliance will host an open discussion involving key players in homeland security.

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley -- Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Homeland Security Task Force -- will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural discussion, which will focus on how businesses can become more involved in our nation's homeland security efforts.

Panelists for this discussion will include representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Maryland's Homeland Security Director and the homeland security industry.

Homeland security experts will be available for interviews.

DATE:               Wednesday, February 11, 2004

TIME:               12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

LOCATION:           Holiday Inn, Inner Harbor
                    301 W. Lombard Street
                    Baltimore, MD

Media interested in attending should RSVP to Jessica Brandel at 208-377-1238. Media check-in/set-up time: 11:00 a.m.

The Homeland Security Leadership Alliance (HSLA) is the global non-profit organization for the homeland security industry. It is a network of public and private individuals and entities committed to preventing terrorism and managing and repairing the damage it causes. Our goal is to provide the connections and resources necessary for the effort, and those within it, to succeed.