InstantService and REI Co-Host Summit on Chat and Email Best Practices

Exchange among Northwest firms focuses on optimizing InstantService online customer communications tools

SEATTLE, September 6, 2007 – InstantService, Inc., a provider of chat and email management solutions, is teaming with Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), the national outdoor retail co-op that features the Internet's largest outdoor store (www.rei.com), to host a summit of companies currently using InstantService’s communication tools to enhance their customers’ online experience.

The summit is being held from 8:30am to 3:00pm today at REI’s distribution and contact center in Sumner, Wash. Leading apparel retailers, financial services firms, software providers, and travel companies from the northwest region are attending.

“With hundreds of companies using our chat and email solutions, it is imperative that we support and facilitate a forum in which our customers can come together to share tips and insights that will optimize the online experience for their customers, as well as streamline internal operations,” said Mike Lande, CEO of InstantService. “It is extremely gratifying to join REI and other customers for an open exchange of ideas, and we are very fortunate to have such committed and engaged companies involved.”

Building on its successful deployment of the InstantService chat solution in 2001, REI is using the web-based communication tool to answer questions about products and the ordering process, help close sales, and reduce shopping cart abandonment during checkout.

“Leveraging chat and email to provide our customers with a responsive, high-touch online shopping experience is a critical component of our communication and sales strategy,” said Noel Nelson, director of direct sales at REI. “The volume of inquiries coming from customers via these tools continues to grow and we’re dedicated to continually learn and evaluate new and better ways to interact with customers. We’re pleased to help bring together other industry-leading companies to share their best practices with these innovative online technologies.”

The summit is by invitation only. InstantService has plans to hold future events with customers across the country.

About InstantService
InstantService, Inc. is a leading provider of customer communication technologies for online businesses and contact centers. InstantService offers an integrated suite of live chat, email management, knowledge base, Web site analytics and lead capture solutions to increase sales and enhance customer service. InstantService is a hosted application that easily integrates with existing ecommerce and CRM systems, facilitating valuable relationships between companies and their customers - the first step of customer relationship management.

Over 350 companies trust InstantService's scalability, security and performance including VeriSign, H&R Block, Spiegel, Intuit, McAfee, US Airways and DISH Network. To learn more about InstantService, visit http://instantservice.com to chat with a representative.