Press Release

Go Chicago Card Coming to Windy City This Spring: Smart Card Pass offering UNLIMITED Admission To Top Attractions Extends Boston, San Francisco Success
Top Chicago Attractions Queued Up to Participate in Go Chicago Card Program

February 14, 2005 (Chicago, IL) – Smart Destinations, the premier provider of all-inclusive attraction passes in top U.S. travel destinations, has announced its newest offering: the Go Chicago Card, soon to be available for the Chicagoland market. Smart Destinations plans to release the card in May, with over 20 top attractions participating. The company will operate a local office to support partners in this market and will actively market Chicago as a top destination to travelers across the globe through its extensive relationships with domestic and international tour operators and participation in global travel marketing activities.

“The Go Chicago Card is an exciting new way for the city to present itself to travelers, and an opportunity for us to expand the channels through which we draw visitors each year. We are pleased to welcome Smart Destinations as they expand into Chicago and become a part of our world-class city,” said Brad Lewis, Vice President, Tourism, of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Go Chicago Card will feature unlimited admission to Chicago’s finest attractions including: Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, The New Hancock Observatory, Gray Line of Chicago’s famous two-day hop-on/hop-off trolley tour and guided day trips including North Side Tour, South Shore Tour and Inside Chicago: The Grand Tour. The card will also include a Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Boat Tour and Architectural River Cruise, Chicago Historical Society Museum admission and guided walking tours, admission to the Frederick C. Robie House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a series of walking tours led by the Chicago Architecture Foundation and MORE. Visitors also receive a FREE full color pocket guidebook and savings of up to 20% on shopping and dining throughout the city.

The Go Chicago Card will be available for an introductory price starting at $39.00 for a one-day pass. Visitors will be able to purchase the Go Chicago Card online at www.GoChicagoCard.com or through any of Smart Destinations global distribution partners. The card will also be an included component in a number of hotel packages and weekend getaways and will be marketed as a valuable ad-on for meeting and convention delegates.

“Go Cards simplify the destination experience for customers, and significantly streamline the process for attractions,” said Cecilia Dahl, president of Smart Destinations. “Our easy-to-carry card and companion guidebook highlighting local sites let travelers better tailor a visit based on schedules and interests, at a fraction of the price they would normally pay. Attractions benefit from our marketing, global distribution and ability to facilitate the customer experience, track usage and deliver payment promptly.”

“Major tour operators, meeting planners and travel consultants embrace the Go Card, allowing them to showcase the entire destination experience in a flexible, ‘one-size-fits-all’ product. Visitors enjoy the Go Card because it provides them with an easy way to explore the city and to move freely from attraction to attraction without worrying about the cost of admission fees. People actually do and see more because it’s easy,” added Dahl.

The rapid growth and success of Smart Destinations products in Boston and San Francisco impressed Go Chicago Card partners. Additionally, attraction partners appreciate Smart Destinations’ advanced paperless technology, and ongoing, detailed reports about usage and automatic, on-time payment. The success of the Go Cards also attracted the attention of Zon Capital Partners and North Hill Ventures, the venture arm of Capital One, both recent investors supporting the expansion into Chicago.

“The Go Boston Card became an important component of our strategic marketing plan to bring more value to Boston visitors and provide ways for them to see the city at an affordable price,“ remarked Mimi LaCamera, Director of Visitor Marketing for the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The card is very popular among our visitors, particularly with families who appreciate the opportunity to affordably take advantage of a broad array of the best of what Boston offers.”



Smart Destinations at a glance:

• Launched Go Boston Card in 2003, Go San Francisco in 2004, six new cities to be rolled out in 2005.

• More than 1000 distribution partners and affiliates in over 25 countries, including Virgin Holidays, American Airlines Vacations, Southwest Vacations, The Mark Travel Corporation, National Leisure group, and major online tour operators such as Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and more.

• Recent recipient of more than $4 M investment of from North Hill Ventures, the venture investment arm of Capital One and Zon Capital Partners, a private venture capital firm.

• Cecilia Dahl, President and founder, is an industry veteran of the wholesale travel business, formerly with Collette Vacations. Kevin McLaughlin, CEO and founder, is a veteran entrepreneur with experience in marketing and product management for high tech products.

Go Cards at a glance:

• The Go Card is a single, easy-to-carry smart card used as a ticket for unlimited attraction admissions that eliminates paperwork and coupons.

• Accompanying guidebook lists the included FREE attractions, shops and restaurants that offer exclusive value savings, as well as fun tips and detailed maps.

• Unlimited free admission to 20-60 attractions in destination city from as little as $23.00 per day.

• Exclusive discounts at restaurants and shopping destinations offered.

• 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day passes available.

• Central voucher redemption locations for those traveling on packages, and key tourist destination points of sale.

About Smart Destinations
Smart Destinations is the premier provider of unlimited admission attraction passes in major U.S. travel destinations. Smart Destinations’ Go Card offers simplified access to dozens of attractions to individuals, couples and families, for one fixed “per day” price. The Go Guidebook is ready-to-travel and includes fun facts about a city, access details, and important local numbers. Distributed through major travel services in 25 countries as well as on the Web, Smart Destinations’ Go Card is the industry’s “trusted companion” for the best a city has to offer at an unbeatable price point. For more information on program participation, the company and its Go Cards, visit www.GoCardUSA.com or call 617-742-5950.

What Smart Destination’s Partners and Customers Are Saying:
“The Go Boston Card has been a great marketing tool for us, attracting both national and international visitors. We are happy to be associated with a high-value smart card like Go Boston and look forward to their continued success.” Bob Schwartz, Marketing and Sales Manager, Boston Duck Tours

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Go Boston Card community. We have seen a great increase in awareness for the Museum of Science and have attracted a steady stream of visitors since becoming a Go Boston Card member. The marketing visibility that the card has provided us has been terrific in helping to boost our identity. We look forward to a continued, long-standing successful partnership.” Sheryl White, manager of group and functions sales, Museum of Science, Boston

“Smart Destinations and the Go Boston Card have been extremely easy to work with. The simple, smart card technology enables us to get accurate monthly reports and, most importantly, on-time payments. We look forward to their continued success in expanding the Go Card across the country.” Sarah Pike, Manager of Tourism and Group Sales, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

“Our guests at the Boston Omni Parker House Hotel have been very pleased with the value added benefits combined with the Deluxe guest room package. Guests enjoy having the variety and number of options to choose from. The pocket-size guide book is much easier than maps or holding numerous brochures that are impossible to fold & handle.” David Ritchie, Director of sales and marketing, Boston Omni Parker House Hotel

“Go Boston is a great introduction to Boston and its rich resources – it’s easy on the consumer, easy on the pocketbook, and easy on the participating institutions. We’re pleased and proud to be on Go Boston’s ‘must-see’ list of cultural opportunities…and we’re already seeing the results! Go Boston!” The Mary Baker Eddy Library

“Just wanted you to know that we did purchase Go Boston cards on our recent visit to your city and had fun using them. We bought the tickets at the visitor’s booth in Prudential Center, just like you said we could, and it could not have been any easier! We thoroughly enjoyed the trolley tour and the ‘duck’ tour together and then I had some adventures by myself using the card that I would not have done otherwise. Saved a bit of money, too.” Sincerely, J Parker (Go Boston Card customer)

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800-887-9103, email Smart Destinations
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