[Disclaimer: This announcement is being posted to multiple mailing lists with overlapping membership. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.] PRESS RELEASE #9 "Interaction Selects Accommodation Management Partner" INTERACTION, THE 63rd WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/ For immediate release: Wednesday 9 April 2003 Interaction Selects Accommodation Management Partner Interaction announced today that it had signed a contract appointing Infotel (http://www.infotel.co.uk/) as its accommodation management partner for the 2005 World Science Fiction Convention. Infotel will work with Interaction to secure the best possible rates and terms from the Convention's selected accommodation providers and will then handle all member bookings for the event itself. Interaction selected Infotel as its preferred partner following a competitive tendering process and detailed negotiations. Jonathan Jones, Site Project Leader for Interaction, said "Working with Infotel will enable us to offer our members a quality of service that we cannot achieve on our own, as well as improving our negotiating position with hotels and other accommodation providers." More details of the Infotel service will be announced during 2004, but the service is expected to support bookings on-line and off-line (phone, fax and letter) and to provide a one-stop-shop for all of Interaction's accommodation including low cost university rooms as well as a full range of hotels. A particular feature will be real-time on-line processing, enabling members to browse through hotels, check room availability and obtain real-time confirmation on your selection. Infotel Business Development Director, Jacqui Kavanagh, is delighted with Infotel’s win. “We knew that we were up against stiff competition. But we were able to offer real time bookings to clients who want to reserve their accommodation, and we have a good relationship with Glasgow hotels. That put us in a good position to get the contract.” NOTES Glasgow has changed substantially since 1995 and is now one of the fastest growing and most successful conference destinations in Europe. 12 new hotels have been built since 2000 and Interaction will therefore have a strong negotiating position in securing competitive rates for its members. ENDS ------------------------------------------------------ Contacts General: info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk Press/Media: Paul Treadaway - press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk The 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, known as Interaction, will take place in Glasgow, UK from 4-8 August 2005. More information about Interaction, including current membership rates, is available from its web site (http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/) or by writing to info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk. Specific press contacts, or requests to be removed from the Interaction press release mailing list should be directed to press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk. "WSFS", "Worldcon", "World Science Fiction Convention" and "Hugo Award" are registered service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.