American Express Partners with the California Restaurant Association for One-of-a-Kind Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2007

Los Angeles – The California Restaurant Association today announced it is hosting a new, exciting event in Los Angeles later this month—CRAVE the Experience, with American Express. This must-attend affair will bring industry leaders together against a backdrop of fine décor, savory food, quality spirits and unique entertainment.

"The CRA is pleased to present our marquee event CRAVE the Experience. This new event, brought to you by our partners at American Express, represents all that the hospitality and restaurant industry has to offer,” said Jot Condie, President and CEO of the CRA. “CRAVE the Experience will bring together the best and brightest for an evening of culinary excellence, networking and entertainment.”

“We are proud to partner with the CRA to present this exciting event,” said Colin Temple, Vice President and General Manager, Western Region, American Express Merchant Services. “American Express has a long history of supporting the restaurant and hospitality industries, and CRAVE the Experience offers a great opportunity for industry leaders to showcase their talents.”

This event will be held at the Union Bank Coral Tree Plaza in Los Angeles on August 19 from 8:00-11:30 p.m. and will feature a menu designed by the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales. This enticing, interactive, networking event happens only once a year—you won’t want to miss it. Tickets are $175 per person, while supplies last.

To purchase tickets, please visit www.cravetheexperience.com.

Other event sponsors include Anheuser Busch Companies, Border Grill/Ciudad Catering, the California Wine Institute, Chesapeake Fish Company, Coca-Cola North America, Couture Chocolates by Ginger Elizabeth, Diageo, Fishbowl Marketing, FreshPoint, Heartland Payment Systems, Inc., Miller Brewing Company, Nation's Restaurant News, Networld Alliance, Rescue Rooter, Santa Monica Seafood Company, Stirrings, SYSCO Foodservices of Los Angeles and Taro's by Mikuni.

About American Express: Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.