70 leading consumer sector companies to share views on where the market is headed NEW YORK, July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIBC World Markets hosts its 6th Annual Consumer Growth Conference July 11 - 12, 2006 in Boston. Consumer spending has driven the U.S. economy over the past year. Now, with real estate values plateauing, investors are becoming increasingly selective in choosing consumer stocks. The conference will look at the state of the consumer in this new environment and what these changing economic dynamics will mean for consumer stocks in the second half of 2006 and beyond. CIBC World Markets is bringing together executives from approximately 70 leading public companies from a variety of consumer sectors including specialty hardlines and softlines retail, restaurants, and consumer products and services to share their take on where consumer demand and behavior is headed. Highlights include: - Keynote presentation from Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst, NPD Group - one of the foremost authorities on consumer behavior, and author of Why Customers Do What They Do. - Opportunity to speak with leading industry analysts on trends and opportunities in the marketplace: - John Glass, CIBC World Markets - Restaurants - Dorothy Lakner, CIBC World Markets - Specialty Retailing - Joe Altobello, CIBC World Markets - Consumer & Household Products More information on the conference including an agenda and a full list of speakers is available at http://conferences.cibcwm.com/Consumer06/. Important Note about Media Attendance: This event is by invitation only. Media wishing to attend are required to register in advance by calling (416) 980-4047. Media interested in interviewing John Glass, Dorothy Lakner or Joe Altobello before, during or after the conference should also call (416) 980-4047. This event will be available via webcast (presentation decks and audio) at the above link on the day of the conference. The source code to access the webcast is: july06. CIBC World Markets is the wholesale banking arm of CIBC, providing a range of integrated credit and capital markets products, investment banking, and merchant banking to clients in key financial markets in North America and around the world. We deliver innovative full capital solutions to growth-oriented companies and are active in all capital markets. We offer advisory expertise across a wide range of industries and provide top-ranked research for our corporate, government and institutional investor clients. DATASOURCE: CIBC World Markets CONTACT: Media contact: Susan McDougall, Communications and Public Affairs, CIBC at (416) 980-4047 or

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