FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2001

LAUREN WOOD
OF SOFTQUAD SOFTWARE TO CHAIR XML 2001 CONFERENCE

Alexandria, VA—The Graphic Communications Association (GCA), worldwide sponsor of the original and definitive XML conferences, announced today that Lauren Wood of SoftQuad Software will chair the XML 2001 Conference, December 9-14 in Orlando, Florida.

Ms. Wood is director of product technology at SoftQuad Software (OTC:BB SXML). SoftQuad is the co-inventor of the XML specification and co-founder of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and OASIS. Lauren’s involvement with XML has included work with these leading advisory bodies since 1995. She was part of the W3C HTML Working Group and the XML Working Group, and recently chaired the W3C Document Object Model Working Group. She holds a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

"Given the rapid rise of XML as a universal business content enabler, it is a privilege for me to chair GCA’s XML 2001 Conference, the venue where XML was first introduced to the world five years ago," said Ms. Wood. "A lot has changed since then, but this conference remains the central forum for the exchange of XML ideas, strategies, uses and innovations. I’m looking forward to continuing this tradition."

"GCA is excited to have Lauren as chair of what we anticipate will be the world’s largest XML event ever held. Lauren brings a vast knowledge of XML and related standards and their application, and a vision of the future. We look forward to working with her to bring this foremost XML event to a new dimension," states Marion Elledge, Senior Vice President/IT for GCA.

XML 2001 will feature a comprehensive lineup of up-to-the-minute tutorials and special interest day programs preceding the conference, intensive, multi-level conference tracks, plenary sessions, important keynotes and an exhibition area featuring the leading vendors of XML products and services. Developed and managed by the Graphic Communications Association (GCA), this year’s XML event will focus on the theme of "XML Everywhere."

XML 2001 will once again serve as the host event for the ISO, W3C and other standards development and applications groups that are behind the strength and growth of XML. Complete conference information will be available online starting in April at www.xmlconference.org or by calling 703.837.1070.

About GCA

GCA (Graphic Communications Association) is the leading global membership organization for advancing the processes of information interoperability and dissemination of knowledge in both print and electronic communications. GCA accomplished this by engaging in and supporting the creation and adoption of globally recognized standards for information definition and exchange. www.gca.org

About SoftQuad Software, Ltd.

SoftQuad Software, Ltd. is an internationally recognized developer of XML-enabling technologies and commerce solutions for e-business. A founding member of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) and XML.org, SoftQuad has been instrumental in shaping and developing both the standards and technologies that are changing the way companies exchange information and do business over the Web. SoftQuad has received numerous awards for its XML content creation platform, XMetaL, including two Readers’ Choice Awards from XML-Journal in February 2001.

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