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Executive Beechcraft Celebrates 70 Years in General Aviation and the Community
KANSAS CITY, (PRNewswire), December 9, 2008 - Since 1938, Executive Beechcraft, Inc. has been an integral part of the Kansas City and St. Louis communities. In fact, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt noted the company's business leadership and longevity in both states with official proclamations declaring November 15, 2008 as Executive Beechcraft Day.

Today, the company is considered one of the most well recognized general aviation fixed-base operators in the country, specializing in aircraft sales and support, maintenance, avionics and aircraft management. Outside the aviation industry specifically, Executive Beechcraft likely touched the lives of many Kansas and Missouri individuals in those same 70 years - whether it was a neighbor learning to fly, a child watching his or her first air show or a dad leaving for a business trip.

"We've been here through it all," says Ed Chevrestt, Vice President and General Manager of Executive Beechcraft. "In fact, EB's downtown Kansas City facility even dates back to the founding days of Trans World Airlines (TWA), where Howard Hughes himself had an office!"

For corporate America, Executive Beechcraft has long helped business and industry climb to success with an unmatched business tool - the airplane. Even before corporate aviation earned widespread attention, Executive Beechcraft had a hand in early business air travel - especially with the entrepreneurial community for which Kansas City is known.

Additionally, Executive Beechcraft's heartland location has served it well - particularly its downtown Kansas City facility at the Charles B. Wheeler Airport. As general aviation, corporate and cargo/freight aircraft navigate cross country, Executive Beechcraft is geographically centered as an ideal midway point for refueling and crew rest, as well as providing aircraft maintenance when needed. In fact, in the shadows of Kansas City's bustling downtown skyline, as many as 700 aircraft per day take off or land at this airport, originally dedicated by Charles Lindbergh back in 1927.

But it's not all business at Executive Beechcraft. The company is vitally involved in civic, charitable and community efforts such Challenge Air which introduces physically handicapped children to aviation; Angel Flight Central which arranges free non-emergency flights for patients and their families to specialized medical treatment across the country as well as disaster response and compassion flights, and Midwest Transplant Network which provides air transport of life saving organs to patients in need of a new heart, kidney or liver.

Of course, Executive Beechcraft has experienced its own change over the years. The company that began as a family business was sold in 2007, and is now a part of BBA Aviation, a global provider of aviation services and flight support based in London.

More change is on the way for EB, with a renovation now in progress at its downtown flagship facility. The project is expected to be complete in early 2009.

"The EB family is a great team with a proud 70 year tradition," Chevrestt said. "Seventy years in this competitive business is a testament to company founder Dan Meisinger, Sr. and the people who have made EB a success." In addition to celebrating its 70th anniversary at the downtown Kansas City facility, Executive Beechcraft will be celebrating at each of its three other locations: Kansas City's International Airport (MCI), Johnson County's New Century Airport (IXD) and Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS).

Kansas Entertainment, LLC Withdraws Application for Lottery Gaming Facility Manager
KANSAS CITY, (PRNewswire), December 9, 2008 - International Speedway Corporation and The Cordish Company have announced that Kansas Entertainment, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned ISC subsidiary, and partners of Cordish, has withdrawn its application for Lottery Gaming Facility Manager for the Northeast Kansas gaming zone, with the intent to re-apply upon the re-opening of bidding for the zone.

"In the three months since the decision of the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board to award our Hard Rock Hotel & Casino the management contract for Wyandotte County, Kansas, there has been an unprecedented crisis and disruption in the global financial and economic markets," stated ISC President, Lesa France Kennedy.

"We are prepared to immediately move forward with the development of a $400 million, Hard Rock- branded casino as presented to the Review Board, which will include a state- of-the-art casino and multiple dining and entertainment venues. However, in the current financing environment we require the flexibility, if needed, to phase in the hotel, convention facilities, and additional entertainment components.

As this was technically not permitted within our existing agreement, and this agreement could not be modified, we were forced reluctantly to withdraw our application. Upon the State re-opening bidding, we absolutely plan to re-apply with our phased development plan, as well as seek the realignment of a second NASCAR Sprint Cup date and building a road course at Kansas Speedway as part of the re-submitted application."

Mr. Joseph Weinberg, a Managing Partner at Cordish, added: "We remain fully committed to bringing a first-class casino and entertainment destination to Kansas Speedway which will benefit Wyandotte County and the entire State of Kansas. We greatly appreciate the professionalism of all the State and Unified Government employees and representatives throughout the review process. Their conduct has been exemplary. We are eager to re-apply."

$Advantage Rent A Car Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization
KANSAS CITY, MO, (BUSINESS WIRE), December 9, 2008 - Advantage Rent A Car has announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Minnesota.

During this reorganization, the company is exploring strategic alternatives including reorganization of the businesses, a sale or merger. While pursuing strategic alternatives, the company plans to continue to operate its business.

"The current economic environment has dramatically affected the travel industry," said Jon Austin, spokesman for Advantage. "We have been hit with a simultaneous drop in leisure travel, with greatly increased costs and frozen credit markets. These factors are affecting many industries and companies and we are not immune from these forces. These painful steps are a recognition of that reality."

In addition to its primary bankruptcy petition, Advantage also filed with the Court today a number of motions to assure the continuity and stability of its business, including the payment of wages and benefits without interruption to current employees.

In addition to its Chapter 11 petition, Advantage also announced today that it is consolidating its network of rental locations effective immediately. The move allows the company to focus its marketing and operational efforts on its most profitable, highest volume locations.

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