National Geographic Names Tracie A. Winbigler Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

WASHINGTON (Aug. 2, 2012)—Tracie A. Winbigler joined the National Geographic Society as executive vice president and chief financial officer on Aug. 1, 2012. She will oversee the Society’s financial operations as well as its information and technology groups.

Winbigler worked previously at GE, where she spent 25 years in a wide range of financial roles. She was most recently executive vice president and chief financial officer of GE Asset Management, responsible for the financial operations of an investment management company with $120 billion of assets under management. Other positions she held at GE were HealthAhead finance leader, responsible for the analysis of $3 billion of U.S. employee health care costs across all GE divisions; chief financial officer of GE Transportation; chief financial officer of GE Nuclear Energy; chief financial officer of GE Plastics Japan JV; and quality finance leader and global controller of GE Plastics.

Winbigler also spent more than five years with NBC Universal, including a stint as executive vice president, finance, and chief financial officer for NBC Universal Television Group and Digital Media.

“Tracie has vast and diverse financial expertise, and we are very fortunate to have recruited an executive of her stature and experience into this critical leadership role,” said National Geographic Society Chairman and CEO John Fahey.

Winbigler has a B.A. in economics and management concentration from Ohio Wesleyan University. She lives in Silver Spring, Md.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 33 local-language editions, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 435 million households in 37 languages in 173 countries. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 20 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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Travelpro Introduces National Geographic Kontiki™ Luggage Collection

Boca Raton, Fla. – (August 1, 2012) – Travelpro International, the leading manufacturer of lightweight durable luggage, is proud to partner with National Geographic, one of the world’s largest scientific and educational nonprofit organizations, to introduce the National Geographic Kontiki? Collection of luggage. Montreal-based Holiday Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Travelpro International Inc. in the United States were selected as luggage and travel accessories licensee for the National Geographic and National Geographic Explorer brands in North America.

Inspired by the rich heritage and real-world experiences of the Society’s explorers and photographers, the National Geographic Kontiki Collection combines the ruggedly stylish retro look of yesteryear with today’s modern travel features. All Kontiki luggage is crafted from recycled khaki-color fabric that looks exactly like canvas, yet is much lighter and more durable. Rich faux-leather accents and antique brass hardware finish emphasize the historic look. This versatile 8-piece luggage collection combines lightweight, long-lasting upright luggage; soft and rolling duffels; a messenger bag; and a daypack; all in one matching collection.

“Ideal for camping, skiing and off-road trips, the National Geographic Kontiki duffels are a must-have for adventurous travelers. Packed with features and built to take on any journey, this collection is explorer-ready and eco-friendly,” said Scott Applebee Vice President of Marketing for Travelpro. “We are proud to partner with National Geographic and to support their important mission and projects.”

The Kontiki luggage collection has unique features for every adventure traveler’s needs. The ball-bearing in-line skate wheels on the upright and rolling duffel models are tested for over 25 miles, and the handle system is tested over 12,500 cycles for optimal performance. The collection comes standard with a unique interior lining featuring a map of the world, reflecting National Geographic’s tradition of exploration.

Multiple exterior pockets allow easy access to a laptop or tablet, boarding pass, cell phone, electronics and more. Other features include 2 ?” expansion capability for additional packing room, a removable drawstring laundry bag to keep dirty and clean clothes separate and a built-in interior wet pocket to store toiletries or wet items. The duffels have a convenient drop bottom compartment that is ideal for storing shoes and bulky gear.

The National Geographic Kontiki Collection includes the following models:  22” Soft Duffel, Daypack, Messenger Bag, 22” Expandable Rollaboard Luggage, 26” Expandable Rollaboard Luggage, 26” Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel, 32” Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel and 30” Cargo Duffel.

National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of these products will support vital exploration, conservation, research and education programs.

About National Geographic

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; trips; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Travelpro?

For 25 years, Travelpro International has prided itself on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest-quality luggage for travellers worldwide. Since transforming the ease of modern-day travel with The Original Rollaboard? wheeled luggage, Travelpro? has been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide. Travelpro is dedicated to building a lifelong relationship with its customers by consistently understanding and exceeding their needs. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs; each aimed at a specific user lifestyle and rigorously tested. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.” Travelpro is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard? throughout 2012.

Please visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Technical Fact Sheet

National Geographic Kontiki Collection Dimensions

22” Expandable Rollaboard? Luggage

26” Expandable Rollaboard? Luggage

26? Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel

32? Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel

All National Geographic Kontiki? Collection visuals are available upon request. Please contact Yaneisy Blanco at: yaneisy@gohrmc.com or call 305-573-0882.

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Cincinnati Zoo Cheetah Sets New World Speed Record

CINCINNATI, OH (August 2, 2012) - “Sarah,” the Cincinnati Zoo’s 11-year-old cheetah, sets new world speed record!  She first earned the title of world’s fastest of all land mammals in 2009 when she covered 100 meters in 6.13 seconds, breaking the previous mark of 6.19 seconds set by a male South African cheetah named Nyana in 2001.  This year, Sarah shattered all 100-meter times when she posted 5.95 seconds.  By comparison, Sarah’s 100-meter run was nearly four seconds faster than the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, whose fastest time for the same distance is 9.58 seconds.  Sarah’s top speed was clocked at 61 mph.

“At the Cincinnati Zoo it is our goal to inspire every visitor with wildlife every day, and nothing inspires awe like seeing a cheetah running full blast in our Cheetah Encounter.  We are very proud of Sarah, our World Record Holder, since she is a terrific ambassador for her cheetah cousins in the wild,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “The Cincinnati Zoo has supported cheetah conservation in Africa for more than 20 years, and thankfully, cheetahs are the one species that has a chance to out run extinction.”

Sarah and the Cincinnati Zoo’s other four cheetahs in the Cat Ambassador Program were at the Zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Facility as part of a project that will be featured in the November issue of National Geographic Magazine, which will include never-before-seen high speed photographs of cheetah movement.  The documentation of the run was also supported by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, a long-term effort to halt the decline of big cats in the wild through assessment efforts, on-the-ground conservation projects, education, economic incentive programs and a global public-awareness campaign. Information is available at CauseAnUproar.org.

Cameras captured the record-breaking run on Sarah’s first attempt as she chased a fluffy dog toy lure on a specially designed course certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field.

Cheetahs are built for speed.  Their flexible spine allows their front legs to stretch far forward on each stride, covering 20 to 22 feet in one stride, about the same distance as a racehorse. Cheetahs are off the ground more than half of their running time. Their claws are hard and sharp like cleats, giving them great traction when they run.

Cheetahs are endangered, and their population worldwide has shrunk from about 100,000 in 1900 to an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 cheetahs today. The Cincinnati Zoo has been dubbed “The Cheetah Capital of the World” because of its conservation efforts through education, public interpretation, and the captive cheetah breeding program. The Zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Center is one of only four similar facilities in the United States managed by the Species Survival Plan. In total, there have been 64 cheetah cubs born in Cincinnati.

Since 1980 the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Cat Ambassador Program” has taken African cheetahs to schools and programs around the U.S, Canada, and Central America to spread the word that cheetahs are running for their lives.  In addition, each summer the Zoo takes 22 school teachers to the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s headquarters in Namibia for a two-week conservation field study. Since 1990 the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Angel Fund,” named after our first cheetah ambassador, “Angel,” has directly supported cheetah conservation in Africa.  From South African and Namibia in the south, up through Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, The Angel Fund has contributed more than $1 million in support for cheetahs in the wild.

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The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey.  It was recognized by Parents Magazine as #7 on the “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Zoos for Kids.”  Over one million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. For more information, visit www.cincinnatizoo.org

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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