Noel Group Named One of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother Magazine

Local Company Joins Industry Giants on 2003 List After Being Named
Working Mother’s “Small Business Champion” in 2002

STEVENS POINT, WI-September 23, 2003-Noel Group, a global provider of travel insurance, assistance and services, has been named one of the "100 Best Companies For Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine.

Featured in 2002 as the magazine's up-and-coming "Small Business Champion," the 820-employee strong Noel Group has proved itself a small company with a big heart. This year, the Wisconsin-based firm officially joins the ranks of the top 100 companies for working mothers, according to one of the leading authorities on the subject.

Noel Group's flagship company is Travel Guard International, the nation's leading travel insurance provider. The company made the list (and was named top performer in the travel category) despite a challenging environment for travelers including a slow economy, SARS and the war in Iraq - none of which have deflected Noel Group's commitment to family-friendly values.

"We recognize that today's working mothers are our everyday heroes," notes John Noel, Chairman and CEO, "and we're always on the lookout for new and meaningful ways to help our working families meet the demands of their busy lives. Progressive workplace programs aren't just the right thing to do, they make good business sense. We're proud to join this esteemed group of companies, and will strive to continue our leadership role in the travel and hospitality sector in the years to come."

Though it is one of the smallest companies recognized on Working Mother's 18th annual "best companies" list, Noel Group was included because its commitment to working mothers and all of its employees goes well beyond the typical employee benefits. Noel Group maintains a state-of-the-art on-site childcare center and allows its working mothers to tailor their workweek to the demands of motherhood. Many employees take advantage of the company's flexible work arrangements, which include job sharing, telecommuting, flextime and compressed workweeks.

The company provides "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" training to all of its employees, and sponsors a continuing education program for employees called Noel University. The company's "Employee of the Future" program rewards high achieving employees, who then act as mentors and role models for others throughout the company. Hundreds of employees children look forward to the company's annual "Kiddie Christmas," when the company's headquarters turns into the North Pole for a day, complete with a visit from Santa Claus who arrives in a horse drawn sleigh.

"Certainly it's an honor to be named as one of the 100 best in the country," said Connie Haack, Noel Group's vice president of human resources. "It validates that our culture emphasizes a work/life balance and that we pay attention to the needs of our employees. We recognize that our employees work extremely hard to make the Noel Group the successful company it is; so we continue to look to offer innovative benefits and employee development programs that give all of our employees what they need to have an effective work/family balance."

Noel Group is headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and employs more than 600 people in Wisconsin, and nearly 800 worldwide. Noel Group was also recently recognized as the Exemplary Employer by the State of Wisconsin in May, 2003 and John Noel was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young in 2001. Noel Group's flagship company is Travel Guard International, America's leading travel insurance provider. Other member companies of Noel Group include Travel Guard Canada, MultiNational Underwriters, Inc., Pan American Assistance, Mercury International, Noel Interactive Services, Marathon Travel and Cruise Shops and Compass Properties.

For a complete list of the Top 100 Companies, click here

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