COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ, FEDERAL COORDINATOR POWELL TO LEAD GULF COAST BUSINESS INVESTMENT MISSION

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell will visit Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana and Gulfport, Mississippi May 4-5, 2006 to lead a business investment mission. The mission is part of the Bush Administration's efforts to rebuild the region by attracting business investment and urging companies to consider commercial opportunities in the region. The delegation will meet with local, state and federal officials to discuss investment opportunities in the region and see first hand the important role the private sector will play in rebuilding the region.

The companies selected for the mission represent a diverse mix of industry sectors and sizes ranging from major Fortune 500 companies to small and medium-sized enterprises (http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006
Releases/April/19_GulfCoast_Mission_Participants.htm).

A calendar of events and opportunities for media coverage follows.

Thursday, May 4, 2006

Baton Rouge, LA
9:45 a.m. CST
Media Availability with Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Federal Coordinator Donald Powell

Location: Governor's Mansion Front Porch
1001 Capitol Access Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

New Orleans, LA
12:45 p.m. CST
Remarks, Q&A with Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, Federal Coordinator Donald Powell, Business Investment Mission Delegation and local business leaders, followed by media availability

Location: World Trade Center, Versailles Room, 30th Floor
2 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Friday, May 5, 2006

 Biloxi, MS
12:00 p.m. CST
Luncheon speech and discussion with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Federal Coordinator Donald Powell, Business Investment Mission delegation and local officials and business leaders, followed by media availability.

Location: Mary Mahoney's restaurant
110 Rue Magnolia
Gulfport, MS