Aviation Publishing Corporation Revs Its Jets for Upcoming Venture Forum.

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1999--

Pasadena-based Aviation Publishing Corporation, publisher of Michael's Flying Adventures, a travel magazine for private aircraft owners, has been selected by the California Venture Forum (CVF) to participate in its Investment Conference, to be held Nov. 10 in Claremont, Calif.

The conference, a showcase for entrepreneurs and early- and middle-stage companies to present their business plans before an audience of investors, bankers, angels, venture capitalists and other financiers representing over $320 million in investment funds, is a semi-annual event that since 1994 has been instrumental in acquiring for participating companies more than $20 million in funding.

The Pasadena publisher, an emerging growth company whose travel/adventure/lifestyle magazine and website, Michael's Flying Adventures, is first in a planned series of specialty adventure and lifestyle publications that cater to sophisticated travelers and offer an Internet supersite for aviation-related and other e-commerce, since 1994 has been a premier source of travel destination information and entertainment to owners of privately owned individual and corporate aircraft in the United States.

Aviation Publishing is one of only 13 companies chosen by the CVF to participate in its upcoming investment event.

In making its selection of the innovative company, the CVF considered Aviation Publishing's proven position in a strong, growing market, its strong market strategy and solid management team, according to Jay Winokur, CVF event coordinator.

In addition, he added of the selection criteria, Aviation Publishing Corporation has a good grasp of strategic advantages over the competition, and is a good business model able to deliver appropriate returns to its investors.

"This company is a winner!" said one CVF examiner of Michael's Flying Adventures' parent publisher, noting the company's firm footing in a "great niche market." A definite "IPO candidate."

Aviation Publishing CEO and president, Michael Higgins, Ph.D., 40, of Pasadena, says his company's selection by CVF represents a positive step in bringing to a broader, nationwide audience Michael's Flying Adventures, its Internet supersite, and, eventually, such diversified travel/adventure/lifestyle magazines and websites as Michael's Boating Adventures, Michael's Motorcoach Adventures, and a host of specialty publications covering Golf Destinations, Fishing Destinations, Skiing Destinations, Scuba Diving Destinations, Spa Destinations, and Winery Destinations, among other sources for discriminating, high-end travel information and entertainment.

"Not only do we get top-notch professionals to give us great feedback on our business plan, to help us fine-tune and polish it so the business community becomes as excited as we are about what we're doing," he said, "but also we are honored to present the company to investors eager to become involved in an emerging growth opportunity."

"This CEO/president has the experience and background to make this product a success," said one CVF examiner of Higgins and his Pasadena company, equally enthused with Aviation Publishing's management team of "185 years of knowledge." They have a "well-done plan."

Higgins, therefore, is gearing up for an inspired, successful presentation of his company at the November investment event -- an established and proven forum that raises capital for at least 50 percent of its participants, according to Winokur, and provides a means for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors and patrons of economic growth to meet and discuss business.