SideStep Named 2005 Codie Awards Finalist

SideStep Named 2005 Codie Awards Finalist SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- SideStep, Inc. (www.sidestep.com), the traveler's search engine, today announced that the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has selected SideStep.com as a finalist for the 20th Annual Codie Awards. SideStep.com is the only travel search engine to have been named as a finalist for the awards' "Best Consumer Productivity Product or Service" category. Other consumer technology leaders honored by the SIIA include Microsoft, Macromedia, Apple and Intuit. The Codie Awards showcase the software and information industry's finest products and services. During the nomination period, which closed in October, nearly 1,000 nominations from more than 800 companies were submitted. The number of nominees represents a record high for the program. A full list of the finalists can be found at http://www.siia.net/codies/2005/finalists.asp . SideStep.com searches online agencies, consolidators and the sites of the airlines, hotels and rental car agencies themselves to find the Web's best travel bargains. The site's clear, clean design, along with powerful filtering and comparison features such as SideStep SmartSort, make it easy for travelers to find precisely what they're looking for from among a wide range of compelling options. "The 20th annual Codie Awards continue the tradition of honoring the best of the software, content and education technology industries," said Ken Wasch, SIIA President. "When one considers the number of outstanding companies that competed this year, being named a Codie Awards finalist is a significant achievement." "We're proud to have been selected as a finalist for this important industry award," said Brian Barth, SideStep's CEO. "As the creator and leader of the travel search category, we are committed to making it easier for consumers to find notable travel values. The competition for these awards is stiffer than ever this year, and it is gratifying to be recognized by SIIA for our continual innovation on behalf of travelers." Winner of the Forbes "Best of the Web" Award, SideStep helps consumers to find outstanding travel values through SideStep.com and the SideStep toolbar, as well as through TravelFinds Specials and TravelFinds Spotlight, the company's popular email newsletters. SideStep is actively hiring to support its growth. For job listings, see www.sidestep.com/jobs. About SideStep SideStep -- the traveler's search engine -- brings compelling offers from numerous travel providers to more than three million consumers each month. The company has forged alliances with leading travel marketers such as JetBlue Airways, Continental Airlines, Hyatt Corporation, Orbitz, Best Western and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. SideStep is privately held and has raised more than $17M in funding from Trident Capital and individual investors. For more information, visit www.sidestep.com. About SIIA The Software & Information Industry Association is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education, and intellectual property protection to more than 700 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit http://www.sia.net/ . Source: SideStep, Inc. CONTACT: Kristen Evans of Senior Public Relations Manager of SideStep, Inc., +1-408-235-1700, ext. 126, or kristen.evans@sidestep.com; or David Cumpston, Senior Account Executive of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-415-364-3846, or david.cumpston@mslpr.com, for SideStep, Inc. Web site: http://www.sia.net/ Web site: http://www.sidestep.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment