From France 98 To Sydney 2000, Accor Is Partner To The Olympic Event.

This agreement is in keeping with CNOSF's policy of working with leading French companies to promote the values of sports competition and the Olympics.

Accor and its brands will be using all their know-how to support the Olympic event and especially the 350 to 400 athletes who will represent France in Sydney. Accor will provide French officials with hotel accommodations and subsidiary Lenôtre will provide catering services.

CNOSF and Accor will be providing areas dedicated to the games both in Paris and Sydney throughout the event. Accor hotels will also be covering olympic highlights and organizing specific events. Accor will be entitled to use the CNOSF emblem, which features the Olympic rings, in its hotel guides, advertising campaigns, Web sites, etc., within France.

This agreement is a good example of Accor's communications policy, which seeks to promote Accor's brand visibility and awareness by uniting its businesses under the banner of major global events and campaigns, such as the 1998 World Soccer Cup, its 1998 and 1999 international ad campaigns, and now the Sydney Olympics.

There were several reasons why Accor decided to sponsor the Olympic Games

• The Olympics are the very essence of sports competition, offering almost 30 different sports events. But they are much more than this, since they also reflect the values shared by 130,000 Accor employees in 140 countries. These values are enthusiasm, the desire to do one's best, team spirit, pride, fair play and respect for others, other cultures and the environment.
• The Olympics are a global event that symbolizes friendship and joy. They are in perfect harmony with Accor international "We build smiles" advertising campaign.
• These 2000 Olympics will be held in Australia, where Accor is the leading hotel operator with 62 hotels. Accor is currently building a hotel complex including a Novotel and an Ibis hotel at the Homebush Bay Olympic site in Sydney. Australian authorities selected Accor for its respect for the local environment. Accor is thus present at the very heart of the Olympics, just a few meters from the Olympic stadium.

Accor, the European leader and worldwide group in the universe of travel, tourism and business services, is active in 140 countries with 130,000 associates, through its four major complementary activities: hotels, travel agencies, car rental and corporate services.