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Chartwell postpones EMACS due to uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Wilma

Chartwell postpones EMACS due to uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Wilma

Oct. 21, 2005 - For Immediate Release

ATLANTA - Chartwell Inc., organizer of the annual Energy Marketing and Customer Service (EMACS) Conference, has announced that EMACS 2005, originally scheduled for Oct. 25-28 at the Doral Hotel and Resort in Miami, will be postponed to the tentative dates of Dec. 13-16, 2005, because of the potential disruption in travel and accommodations associated with Hurricane Wilma, which as of Friday afternoon was expected to make landfall in South Florida late Monday or early Tuesday morning. Chartwell is working with the Doral to firm the new conference dates, and will confirm the new times as soon as possible.

Though Hurricane Wilma's path was still unknown, this decision was made after careful deliberations and in the best interest of our conference attendees, their safety and to alleviate any further uncertainty associated with this unpredictable storm.

Chartwell will begin working with speakers and other parties immediately to reschedule and make necessary accommodations.

"While we initially believed we would have better information concerning hurricane warnings and airport closures on Sunday afternoon, it became apparent as the storm stalled late Thursday and expert predictions pushed its expected Florida landfall until Tuesday that the most prudent decision was to reschedule," said Philip I. Dunklin, president, Chartwell. "We understand that most of our attendees are traveling on Monday, and we believe this is in their best interest and the interest of all utility delegates and exhibitors, given what we know today."

"Chartwell thanks all of the attendees for their patience as we worked to gather all the information necessary to make this difficult decision," Dunklin said.

A Chartwell representative spoke with representatives of most major airlines concerning changes in flight schedules, and a change fee will occur with most airlines unless flights are ultimately cancelled. Please contact your airline for details.

Chartwell anticipates a new conference date will be announced by the end of the month.

The hotel s reservation policy is as follows: Once the new dates are finalized, the hotel will move attendees' reservations to the new dates. You must contact the hotel directly if there is any expected change in your arrival and departure patterns.

Chartwell will be releasing further information as it becomes available.