Data Interchange Standards Association Joins Forces with Hotel Distribution Industry.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000

The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) teamed with the Data Interchange Standards Association (DISA) as HEDNA continues to influence and accelerate the direction of distribution technology and standards for hotel companies.

HEDNA becomes the latest client in DISA's rapidly growing Collaborative Services division, which supports the exponential growth of the booming e-commerce marketplace, embracing an array of business-to-business technologies. Providing an executive director, management administration and meeting logistics for HEDNA, DISA will also host its web site.

"We here at HEDNA are working diligently to build global systems by sharing information and keeping lines of communication open, and more importantly, contributing to the type of architecture and solution hotel companies will need to provide effective and efficient e-commerce processes," said Caryl Helsel, President of HEDNA.

"We are pleased to participate with such an influential group that is propelling e-commerce expertise within the hotel industry and among the travel community," said Tim Cochran, Vice President of E-Commerce Operations at DISA.

HEDNA, comprised of 215 of the most influential companies operating within the hotel distribution industry, is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1991. Promoting and improving the use of travel agent computer systems, HEDNA seeks to automate and streamline the hotel reservation process through the use of GDS and other electronic means.

HEDNA works diligently with all segments of the hotel industry to effectively evolve their systems and services and ultimately contribute to the success of the entire industry. For additional information, please visit www.hedna.org.

DISA, a Virginia-based not-for-profit association, is the leading provider of educational and networking forums on e-business.

Promoting e-commerce in a global marketplace, DISA provides technical and management services to standards and XML specification development organizations, including the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12, OTA, the Interactive Financial Exchange Forum, the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization, and the XML/EDI Group.

DISA's affiliation with HEDNA, EC User Groups and emerging initiatives around the world facilitates an interchange of e-commerce topics hitting the marketplace.

In other international arenas, DISA and ASC X12 serve as the entry point for the United States into the United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT), an international standard relating to the exchange of trade goods and services.