In light of the terrible devastation that occurred September 11, the Arthur Page Society's Board of Trustees earlier today discussed whether it served the interests of the Society and its members to hold our annual conference next week.

The members of the Board were acutely aware of our members' concerns, including company restrictions on non-essential travel, general concerns about current air travel security, how a conference in San Diego might be perceived as sending the wrong message and the appropriateness of the conference topics in light of current events.

Board members also noted that the policy-making role of the Chief Public Relations Officer requires us to be on hand to provide the counsel our CEOs and their management team need to guide our companies through these rough seas. The board's vote was unanimous: clearly, now is not the time to hold this meeting.

The board also recognized there would be tremendous value for Arthur Page members to share and exchange information and expertise that focuses on recent events specifically, and on corporate terrorism generally. Accordingly, I have asked the annual conference chairman, Matt Gonring, and his committee to explore the possibility of a substitute event, perhaps in New York in November, that would deal directly with the crisis and its aftermath.

Thank you for your continued support and good wishes, particularly in this very difficult period.

With warm regards,