Creative Management Services and Lincoln Studios Merge to Form MC2 $100M Exhibit and Event Producer Poised for Growth.

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 1999--

The founders and senior managers of Creative Management Services (CMS) and Lincoln Studios announced today that their companies have merged. The new company, MC2, is a provider of distinctive marketing environments and solutions including exhibits and trade show services, corporate meetings and special events with approximately $100M in annual sales revenue.

By combining the sales, resources and capabilities of its predecessor companies, MC2 is immediately positioned as a one of the largest full-service providers in the fast growing trade show and marketing event industry. The company's aggressive growth plans call for: leveraging its national infrastructure to provide an even wider array of high quality services; expanding current international capabilities through acquisitions and strategic alliances in the U.S., Europe and Asia; and meeting the emerging need for Internet-based promotional services and creative production.

"This merger brings together two solid, successful, entrepreneurial companies with a common vision, strong growth histories and the same commitment to customer service," said Steve Dix, founder and CEO of CMS, who has been named CEO of MC2. "Coming together to leverage our management talent, expertise and enthusiasm raises the standard for creativity and quality in our business and positions MC2 for industry leadership.

Under the terms of the agreement, the merging companies will become operating divisions of MC2, which will be headquartered in St. Louis. To insure a smooth integration and uninterrupted client service, the divisions will continue to be run by their founders.

As CEO of MC2, Steve Dix, founder of CMS in 1980, will lead the new company. During his leadership at CMS, Dix oversaw the successful acquisition and integration of 12 companies, building his company into a diversified designer and producer of exhibits and events with locations in eight cities. Other key principals of MC2 include: Shawn Garrity, Gary Cioffi, Larry Rosenberg and Joe Mondelli of Lincoln Studios; and Dwaine Murphy, Tom Cortese and Martin Burns of CMS.

As part of the merger, SG Capital Partners LLC and EOS Partners are each making significant equity investments in and providing strategic advisory services to MC2. SG Cowen Securities arranged the senior financing which was underwritten by SG, the U.S. banking arm of Societe Generale. Alpine Consolidated, a firm specializing in consolidations is assisting in the transaction.

MC2's capabilities include conceptual development, exhibit and marketing environment design and fabrication, field services, event and meeting management and production, warehousing, shipping and transportation, travel services, Web based services and destination management. It operates facilities in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, and St. Louis. Diverse clients range from small to large Fortune 100 companies. Additional information including formal Q&A, principal bios, additional quotes, list of locations and photos can be accessed at our Web site at www.mc-2online.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The 2 in MC2 is superscript.