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OMB APPROVAL |
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3235-0059 |
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February 28, 2006 |
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant þ |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Travelzoo Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (02-02) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
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Travelzoo Inc. |
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590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor |
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New York, NY 10022 |
May 2, 2005
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Travelzoo Inc. on June 1, 2005. We will
hold the meeting at The Warwick Hotel, Kent Room, 65 West
54th Street, New York, New York 10019 at 10:00 a.m.
local time.
In connection with the meeting, we enclose a notice of the
meeting, a proxy statement and a proxy card. Detailed
information relating to Travelzoos activities and
operating performance is contained in our 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which is also enclosed.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, please vote your shares via mail with the enclosed
proxy card. Please note that you can attend the meeting and vote
in person, even if you have previously voted by proxy. If you
plan to attend the meeting in person, please provide advance
notice to Travelzoo by checking the box on your proxy card. In
addition, you may provide notice to Travelzoo that you plan to
attend in person by delivering written notice to
Travelzoos Secretary at 590 Madison Avenue,
21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.
If you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker,
or other nominee, please bring identification and proof of
ownership, such as an account statement or letter from your bank
or broker, for admittance to the meeting. An admission list
containing the names of all of those planning to attend will be
placed at the registration desk at the entrance to the meeting.
You must check in to be admitted.
Travelzoo will make available an alphabetical list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting for examination by
any stockholder during ordinary business hours at
Travelzoos principal executive offices, located at 590
Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022, from
May 6, 2005 until the meeting.
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we look forward to
seeing you at the meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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Ralph Bartel
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, |
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Chief Executive Officer, and Secretary |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRAVELZOO INC.
590 Madison Avenue
21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 1, 2005
May 2, 2005
To the Stockholders of Travelzoo Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Travelzoo Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on
Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at
The Warwick Hotel, Kent Room, 65 West 54th Street, New
York, New York 10019, for the following purposes:
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1. To elect five directors for terms expiring in
2006; and |
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2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as principal
independent auditors for the year 2005; and |
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3. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the
Meeting. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 25, 2005 may vote at the Meeting. Your vote is
important. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not,
please cast your vote by completing, dating and signing the
enclosed proxy card and returning it via mail to the address
indicated. If you attend the meeting and prefer to vote in
person, you may do so even if you have previously voted by proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Travelzoo Inc.
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Ralph Bartel
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, |
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Chief Executive Officer, and Secretary |
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE TRAVELZOO INC.
2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Why am I receiving these proxy materials?
Travelzoos Board of Directors is soliciting proxies to be
voted at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy
statement includes information about the issues to be voted upon
at the meeting.
On May 2, 2005, we began mailing these proxy materials to
all stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 25, 2005. On the record date, there were
16,250,479 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Where and when is the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will take place on
June 1, 2005 at The Warwick Hotel, Kent Room, 65 West
54th Street, New York, New York 10019. The meeting will
begin at 10:00 a.m. local time.
What am I voting on?
We are asking our stockholders to elect five directors and to
ratify the appointment of Travelzoos independent auditors.
How many votes do I have?
You have one vote for each share of our common stock that you
owned at the close of business on April 25, 2005, the
record date. These shares include:
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Shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of
record, and |
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Shares held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker,
bank, or other nominee in street name. |
If I am a stockholder of record, how can I vote my shares?
You can vote by proxy or in person.
How do I vote by proxy?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote your proxy by
mail. If you receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, simply
mark the enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in
the postage paid envelope provided. If you receive the Proxy
Statement via e-mail, please print the attached proxy card, date
and sign it, and return it via mail to Travelzoo Inc.,
Attention: Secretary, 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New
York, New York 10022.
If you vote by proxy, the persons named on the card (your
proxies) will vote your shares in the manner you
indicate. You may specify whether your shares should be voted
for all, some or none of the nominees for director or any other
proposals properly brought before the Annual Meeting. If you
sign your proxy card and do not indicate specific choices, your
shares will be voted FOR the election of all
nominees for director. If any other matter is properly brought
before the meeting, your proxies will vote in accordance with
their best judgment. At the time of submitting this Proxy
Statement for printing, we knew of no matter that is required to
be acted on at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in
this Proxy Statement.
If you wish to give a proxy to someone other than the persons
named on the enclosed proxy card, you may strike out the names
appearing on the card and write in the name of any other person,
sign the proxy, and deliver it to the person whose name has been
substituted.
May I revoke my proxy?
If you give a proxy, you may revoke it in any one of three ways:
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Submit a valid, later-dated proxy before the Annual Meeting, |
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Notify our Secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that
you have revoked your proxy, or |
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Vote in person at the Annual Meeting. |
How do I vote in person?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may cast your vote in
person at the Annual Meeting.
If I hold shares in street name, how can I vote my shares?
You can submit voting instructions to your broker or nominee. In
most instances, you will be able to do this over the Internet or
by mail. Please refer to the voting instruction card included in
these materials by your broker or nominee.
What vote is required to approve each proposal?
Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote with
respect to each matter on which it is entitled to vote. Our
directors are elected by a plurality of votes, which means that
the nominees who receive the greatest number of votes will be
elected. Under our bylaws, a majority of the shares present at
the meeting in person or by proxy is required for approval of
all other items.
In order to have a valid stockholder vote, a stockholder quorum
must exist at the Annual Meeting. A quorum will exist when
stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of our
stock are present at the meeting, either in person or by proxy.
If a broker indicates on its proxy that it does not have
authority to vote certain shares held in street name
on particular proposals, the shares not voted (broker
non-votes) will not have any effect with respect to such
proposals. Broker non-votes occur when brokers do not have
discretionary voting authority on certain proposals and the
beneficial owner has not instructed the broker how to vote on
these proposals.
Ralph Bartel holds an aggregate of 12,755,374 shares of our
common stock, representing approximately 78% of the outstanding
shares as of April 25, 2005. He has indicated that he
intends to vote in favor of all of the director nominees and in
favor of the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP.
Who is paying the costs of soliciting these proxies?
We are paying the cost of preparing, printing, mailing and
otherwise distributing these proxy materials. We will reimburse
banks, brokerage firms, and others for their reasonable expenses
in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners and obtaining
their instructions. A few of our officers and employees may also
participate in the solicitation, without additional
compensation, by telephone, e-mail, other electronic means, or
in person.
Where can I find the voting results of the meeting?
We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the meeting.
We will publish the final results in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2005, which we intend
to file on or before July 29, 2005. You can obtain a copy
of the Form 10-Q by logging on to Travelzoos investor
relations Web site at www.travelzoo.com/ir, by calling
the Securities and Exchange Commission at (800) SEC-0330
for the location of the nearest public reference room, or
through the EDGAR system at www.sec.gov. Information on
our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement.
2
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PROXY ITEM NO. 1)
Under Travelzoos certificate of incorporation, the number
of directors of Travelzoo is fixed, and may be increased or
decreased from time to time, by resolution of the Board of
Directors. Each director holds office for a term of one year,
until the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the
directors election and until a successor is elected and
qualified or until the earlier resignation or removal of the
director. Mr. Ralph Bartel, Mr. Ehrlich,
Mr. Neale-May, and Ms. Urso are currently directors of
Travelzoo.
Ms. Mak, a director of the Company, advised the Company
that she does not wish to be nominated to continue as a director
following completion of her current term in June 2005.
Ms. Mak indicated that this decision was based on other
business commitments.
Nominees for a One-Year Term That Will Expire in 2006:
The ages, principal occupations, directorships held and other
information as of April 30, 2005, with respect to our
nominees are shown below.
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Position |
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Ralph Bartel, Ph.D.(2)
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39 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief
Executive Officer |
Holger Bartel, Ph.D.
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38 |
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Executive Vice President |
David J. Ehrlich(1)
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42 |
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Director |
Donovan Neale-May(1)
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53 |
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Director |
Kelly M. Urso(1)(2)(3)
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39 |
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Director |
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(1) |
Member of the Audit Committee |
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Member of the Compensation Committee |
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Member of the Disclosure Committee |
Each of the director nominees listed above was elected to be a
director at the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders
held on June 2, 2004. Our board of directors has determined
that each of Mr. Ehrlich, Mr. Neale-May, and
Ms. Urso meet the independence requirements of the listing
standards of the National Association of Securities Dealers (the
NASD).
Ralph Bartel, Ph.D., founded Travelzoo in May 1998
and has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception. Prior to his
founding of Travelzoo, from 1996 to 1997, Mr. Bartel served
as Managing Assistant at Gruner + Jahr AG, the magazine division
of Bertelsmann AG. Mr. Bartel holds a Ph.D. in
Communications from the University of Mainz, Germany, a Ph.D. in
Economics from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, an MBA
in Finance and Accounting from the University of St. Gallen,
Switzerland, and a Masters degree in Journalism from the
University of Eichstaett, Germany.
Holger Bartel, Ph.D., has served as Executive Vice
President since September 1999. From 1995 to 1998,
Mr. Bartel worked as an Engagement Manager at
McKinsey & Company in Los Angeles. From 1992 to 1994,
Mr. Bartel was a research fellow at Harvard Business
School. Mr. Bartel holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting
and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of St. Gallen,
Switzerland. He is the brother of Ralph Bartel.
David J. Ehrlich has served as a director since February
1999. Since February 2003, Mr. Ehrlich has been Vice
President of Corporate Development for NetIQ Corporation. From
1998 to 2002, Mr. Ehrlich held the position of Vice
President, Product Management and Strategic Partnering for
Visual Networks, Inc. Mr. Ehrlich holds a bachelors
degree in Sociology, a Masters degree in Industrial
Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard
Business School.
3
Donovan Neale-May has served as a director since February
1999. Since 1987, Mr. Neale-May has been President of
Neale-May & Partners, a strategic marketing and public
relations firm with 80 full-time communications
professionals headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Kelly M. Urso has served as a director since
February 1999. Since July 2003, Ms. Urso has been a
principal at K. M. Urso & Company, LLC. From
September 2001 to July 2003, Ms. Urso was employed as a tax
attorney by Reynolds & Rowella LLP. From 1997 to 2001,
Ms. Urso served as the leader of the expatriate tax group
at General Electric International, Inc. Ms. Urso holds a
bachelors degree in business administration from the
University of Cincinnati and a Juris Doctor degree from the
Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.
The Board of Directors is not aware that any nominee named in
this Proxy Statement is unwilling or unable to serve as a
director. If, however, a nominee is unavailable for election,
your proxy authorizes the named designees to vote for a
replacement nominee if the Board of Directors names one.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THESE NOMINEES.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors has appointed an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Disclosure Committee. Below is a
table indicating the membership of each of the Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee, and Disclosure Committee and how many
times the Board of Directors and each such committee met in
fiscal year 2004. Each of Mr. Ralph Bartel,
Mr. Ehrlich, Mr. Neale-May and Ms. Urso attended
at least 75 percent of the total number of meetings of the
Board of Directors and of the committees on which he or she
serves.
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Board | |
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Audit | |
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Disclosure | |
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Mr. Ralph Bartel
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Chair |
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Chair |
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Mr. Ehrlich
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Member |
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Chair |
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Mr. Neale-May
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Member |
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Member |
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Ms. Urso
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Member |
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Member |
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Member |
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Member |
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Number of 2004 Meetings
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4 |
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4 |
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The Company does not require that directors attend the Annual
Meeting. Ralph Bartel, our Chairman of the Board of Directors,
and Ms. Urso were the only directors who attended the 2004
Annual Meeting.
The Audit Committees primary responsibilities are to
oversee and monitor (i) the integrity of Travelzoos
financial statements, (ii) the qualifications and
independence of our independent auditor, (iii) the
performance of our independent auditor and internal audit staff,
and (iv) the compliance by Travelzoo with legal and
regulatory requirements. A complete description of the
committees responsibilities is set forth in its written
charter. The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing the
auditors and is directly responsible for the compensation and
oversight of the work of our independent auditors. The Audit
Committee is composed solely of independent directors as defined
in the listing standards of the National Association of
Securities Dealers and operates under a written charter adopted
by the entire Board of Directors. The Board has determined that
Mr. Neale-May qualifies as an audit committee financial
expert within the definition of SEC regulations.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation
and benefits for the Companys executive officers and
directors, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding such matters. The Report of the Compensation Committee
is included on page 10.
4
The Disclosure Committees primary responsibilities are
(i) to design, establish and evaluate controls and other
procedures that are designed to ensure the accuracy and timely
disclosure of information to the SEC and investment community
and (ii) to review and supervise preparation of all SEC
filings, press releases and other broadly disseminated
correspondence.
Travelzoo does not have a nominating committee of the Board of
Directors. Since it is a Controlled Company under
Rule 4350(c)(5) of the NASD Manual, on account of the stock
ownership by Ralph Bartel, such a committee is not required.
Through his share ownership, Mr. Bartel is in a position to
control Travelzoo and to elect our entire board of directors.
Communications With Directors
The board has established a process to receive communications
from stockholders. Stockholders and other interested parties may
contact any member (or all members) of the board, or the
non-management directors as a group, any board committee or any
chair of any such committee by mail. To communicate with the
board of directors, any individual directors or any group or
committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to
the board of directors or any such individual directors or group
or committee of directors by either name or title. All such
correspondence should be sent c/o Corporate
Secretary at Travelzoo Inc., 590 Madison Avenue,
21st Floor, New York, NY 10022.
All communications received as set forth in the preceding
paragraph will be opened by the Corporate Secretary for the sole
purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message
to our directors. Any contents that are not in the nature of
advertising, promotions of a product or service, patently
offensive material or matters deemed inappropriate for the board
of directors will be forwarded promptly to the addressee. In the
case of communications to the board or any group or committee of
directors, the Corporate Secretary will make the sufficient
copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member
of the group or committee to which the correspondence is
addressed.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee oversees Travelzoos financial
reporting process on behalf of your Board of Directors.
Management is primarily responsible for the financial statements
and reporting processes including the systems of internal
controls, while the independent auditors are responsible for
performing an independent audit of Travelzoos consolidated
financial statements in accordance with auditing standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(PCAOB), and expressing an opinion on the conformity
of those financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.
In this context, the committee has met and held discussions with
management and the independent auditors. The committee discussed
with Travelzoos independent auditors the overall scope and
plan for their audit. The committee met, at least quarterly,
with the independent auditors, with and without management
present, and discussed the results of their examinations, their
evaluations of Travelzoos internal controls, and the
overall quality of Travelzoos financial reporting.
Management represented to the committee that Travelzoos
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. The committee has reviewed and discussed the
consolidated financial statements with management and the
independent auditors, including their judgments as to the
quality, not just the acceptability, of Travelzoos
accounting principles and such other matters as are required to
be discussed with the committee under auditing standards of the
PCAOB.
Travelzoos independent auditors also provided to the
committee the written disclosures required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees), and the committee discussed with the
independent auditors that firms independence, including
those matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61.
5
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the
Board of Directors has approved) that the audited financial
statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 for filing with
the SEC. The committee has retained KPMG LLP as Travelzoos
independent auditors for fiscal year 2005.
While the committee has the responsibilities and powers set
forth in its charter, it is not the duty of the committee to
plan or conduct audits or to determine that Travelzoos
financial statements are complete and accurate and are in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This
is the responsibility of management and the independent auditor.
Nor is it the duty of the committee to conduct investigations or
to assure compliance with laws and regulations and
Travelzoos business conduct policies.
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Audit Committee |
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David J. Ehrlich (Chairman) |
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Donovan Neale-May |
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Kelly M. Urso |
Director Compensation
During 2004, we compensated Mr. Ehrlich,
Mr. Neale-May, and Ms. Urso for their services to us.
Such compensation consisted of cash paid to each director as
shown in the table below.
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2004 | |
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Compensation | |
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Mr. Ralph Bartel
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N/A |
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Mr. Ehrlich
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20,000 |
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Mr. Neale-May
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$ |
20,000 |
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Ms. Urso
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$ |
27,500 |
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Directors are compensated based on an hourly rate based upon
their attendance of meetings.
6
Stock Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers
The following table shows the amount of our common stock
beneficially owned as of May 2, 2005, by each director and
each of the executive officers listed in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 9 of this proxy statement, and
all current directors and executive officers as a group. In
general, shares beneficially owned include those
shares a person has or shares the power to vote, or the power to
dispose of. The table also shows the number of options to
purchase shares of our common stock that are exercisable, either
immediately or by July 1, 2005:
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Amount of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | |
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Exercisable | |
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% of Shares | |
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Options(2) | |
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Outstanding | |
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Holger Bartel
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20 |
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20 |
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* |
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Ralph Bartel
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12,755,374 |
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2,193,349 |
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14,948,723 |
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81 |
% |
David J. Ehrlich
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Kelly N. Ford
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Steven M. Ledwith
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16 |
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16 |
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Donovan Neale-May
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Lisa Su
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6 |
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6 |
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* |
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Shirley Tafoya
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Kelly M. Urso
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17,725 |
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17,725 |
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* |
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Directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)
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12,755,416 |
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2,211,074 |
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14,966,490 |
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81 |
% |
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* |
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common
stock. |
|
|
(1) |
All shares are held directly. |
|
(2) |
Shares that could be acquired by exercising stock options
through July 1, 2005. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table shows all persons or entities that we know
to beneficially own more than 5% of our stock as of May 2,
2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percent of | |
|
|
Shares of | |
|
Outstanding | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Common Stock(1) | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Ralph Bartel
|
|
|
14,948,723 |
|
|
|
81% |
|
590 Madison Avenue
21st Floor
New York, New York 10022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes 2,193,349 shares of common stock that could be
acquired by exercising stock options through July 1, 2005. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Companys directors, executive officers and the
beneficial holders of more than 10% of the Companys common
stock are required to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on
our records and other information, the Company believes that
during 2004 all applicable Section 16(a) filing
requirements were met.
7
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Chief
Executive Officer, who is also our Chief Financial Officer, and
our Controller (Chief Accounting Officer). This code of ethics
is posted on our Web site located at
www.corporate.travelzoo.com/governance. We intend to
satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of
Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a
provision of this code of ethics by posting such information on
our Web site, at the address and location specified above.
Our Executive Officers
Executive officers are appointed annually by the Board and serve
at the discretion of the Board. Set forth below is information
regarding our executive officers as of May 2, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
|
|
| |
|
|
Ralph Bartel, Ph.D.
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Secretary |
Holger Bartel, Ph.D.
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
Kelly N. Ford
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Vice President of Marketing |
Steven M. Ledwith
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Chief Technology Officer |
Lisa Su
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) |
Shirley Tafoya
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Senior Vice President of Sales |
Ralph Bartel, Ph.D., founded Travelzoo in May 1998
and has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception. Prior to his
founding of Travelzoo, from 1996 to 1997, Mr. Bartel served
as Managing Assistant at Gruner + Jahr AG, the magazine
division of Bertelsmann AG. Mr. Bartel holds a Ph.D. in
Communications from the University of Mainz, Germany, an MBA in
Finance and Accounting from the University of St. Gallen,
Switzerland, and a Masters degree in Journalism from
University of Eichstaett, Germany.
Holger Bartel, Ph.D., has served as Executive Vice
President since September 1999. From 1995 to 1998,
Mr. Bartel worked as an Engagement Manager at
McKinsey & Company in Los Angeles. From 1992 to 1994,
Mr. Bartel was a research fellow at Harvard Business
School. Mr. Bartel holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting
and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of St. Gallen,
Switzerland. He is the brother of Ralph Bartel.
Kelly N. Ford has served as Vice President of Marketing
since December 2002. From February 2001 to December 2002,
Mr. Ford worked as Director of Media Strategy and
Development at America Online Inc. From January 2000 to November
2000, Mr. Ford worked as Vice President of Marketing at
ISalvage.com, Inc. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Ford worked at
Campbell Soup Company as Marketing Director. Mr. Ford holds
a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering with Computer
Science Specialty from Stanford University and an MBA from
INSEAD.
Steven M. Ledwith has served as our Chief Technology
Officer since January 2000. From January 1998 to January 2000,
Mr. Ledwith worked as Senior Mechanical Engineer at Radix
Technologies, Inc. Mr. Ledwith holds a bachelors
degree in Thermomechanical Engineering from University of
Illinois at Chicago Circle.
Lisa Su has served as Controller (Chief Accounting
Officer) since October 2000. From April 1999 to September 2000,
Ms. Su was a Treasury Accountant for Webvan Group, Inc.
Ms. Su holds a bachelors degree in Economics/
Accounting from Claremont McKenna College and an MBA in Finance
from California State University, Hayward.
Shirley Tafoya has served as Senior Vice President of
Sales since May 2001. From August 1999 to March 2001,
Ms. Tafoya worked as Director of Western Sales at Walt
Disney Internet Group. From 1998 to 1999, Ms. Tafoya worked
as Sales Manager at IDG/ International Data Group. From 1994 to
1998,
8
Ms. Tafoya worked as Director, Global Accounts, at CMP
Media. Ms. Tafoya holds a bachelors degree in
Business Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth summary information concerning
all compensation we paid our chief executive officer and each of
our executive officers during the years ended December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal | |
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
Options (#)(1) | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ralph Bartel
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
225,001 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman, President, Chief |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
196,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer, and |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
192,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lisa Su
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
133,801 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controller |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
124,339 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
103,337 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Ledwith
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
162,215 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Technology Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
147,126 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holger Bartel
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
273,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
246,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shirley Tafoya
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
386,512 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President of |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
294,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
134,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kelly Ford
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
200,001 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President of Marketing |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
186,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
13,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The options issued to Ralph Bartel during 2002 constitute
compensation for participation on the Board of Directors. |
Employment Agreements
Ralph Bartel has entered into an employment agreement with us.
His current employment agreement became effective on
July 1, 2004, and provides for an annual salary of
$250,000. We may terminate the agreement with or without cause
by delivering two weeks advance written notice to
Mr. Bartel. He may terminate his employment agreement with
or without cause by delivering two weeks advance written
notice to us.
Mr. Bartel has agreed not to compete with us, solicit our
suppliers or employees or reveal our confidential information
during the term of his employment agreement and for one year
thereafter. In addition, Mr. Bartel is bound by a
proprietary inventions agreement which prohibits him from, among
other things, disseminating or using confidential information
about our business or clients in any way that would be adverse
to us.
Certain Transactions
In connection with a registration statement related to the
re-sale of up to 750,000 shares by Ralph Bartel, our
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the Company
paid approximately $50,000 which
9
included accounting fees and expenses, legal fees and expenses,
and the SEC registration fees. The Company did not pay any fees
and expenses of counsel for Mr. Bartel. Any commissions,
discounts or other fees payable to a broker, dealer,
underwriter, agent or market maker in connection with the sale
of any of the shares will be borne by Mr. Bartel.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
No options were granted to our executive officers during fiscal
year 2004.
Option Exercises and Year-End Values
The following table contains information concerning options
exercised by our executive officers during fiscal year 2004 and
unexercised options held on December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-The-Money Options/ | |
|
|
Shares Acquired | |
|
Value | |
|
Options/SARS at FY-End(#) | |
|
SARs at FY-End($)(1) | |
Name |
|
on Exercise | |
|
Realized($) | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ralph Bartel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,193,349/0 |
|
|
$ |
211,354,977/$0 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Calculated by (A) determining the difference between
(1) the average of the high and low trading prices per
share of Travelzoos common stock on December 31, 2004
and (2) the exercise price of the option and (B)
multiplying such difference by the total number of shares under
option, net of the aggregate value of all option exercise
proceeds. |
Stock Option Plan
We do not currently have any stock option plan or other equity
based compensation plans in effect.
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive
Compensation
The Compensation Committee consists of two directors, one of
whom is an independent director. Ralph Bartel does not
participate in the committees decision as to his specific
compensation package. The committee regularly reviews the
companys executive compensation polices and practices and
establishes the compensation of executive officers.
The fundamental objective of Travelzoos executive
compensation program is to attract, retain and motivate key
executives to enhance long-term profitability and shareholder
value. Travelzoos executive compensation program meets
this objective by:
|
|
|
|
|
providing for a level of compensation that is competitive with
other similarly sized publicly traded companies, with particular
emphasis on those in the Internet and media industries, and |
|
|
|
linking the compensation of executives to the operating and
financial performance of the company by reviewing the salary
regularly and making adjustments relative to the companys
overall performance. |
Travelzoo targets executives annual salaries to be
competitive with comparable companies in the Internet and media
industries with whom the company competes for management. It
considers the experience and performance of the individual
executive, the compensation of his or her peers in the industry,
the responsibilities and change in responsibilities during the
past year of the individual executive, the overall performance
of the department under the executives control and the
overall performance of the entire company. The committee does
not have a formula for its determination and the committee
considers all factors in making its decision. Executive salaries
are reviewed annually by the committee.
10
Travelzoo did not compensate executives with stock or stock
options in 2004.
The CEOs compensation is determined in accordance with the
executive compensation principles established by the committee.
The committee considers overall performance, individual
performance, competitive compensation and targeted pay levels
when determining Mr. Bartels compensation.
Performance is measured in terms of financial results and
overall growth of the Company. His current employment agreement
became effective on July 1, 2004, and provides for an
annual salary of $250,000. Mr. Bartels annual salary
was increased to $250,000 from $200,000 as of July 1, 2004.
|
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
|
Ralph Bartel (Chairman) |
|
Suzanna Mak |
|
Kelly M. Urso |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
During 2004, Ralph Bartel, the Chief Executive Officer of
Travelzoo, was a member of the Compensation Committee.
Mr. Bartel did not participate in the determination of his
compensation as an employee during 2004.
11
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares, for the three year period ending
December 31, 2004, the cumulative total stockholder return
for Travelzoo, the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. companies)
Index (the NASDAQ Market Index), and the
Standard & Poors 500 Publishing Index (the
S&P 500 Publishing). Measurement points are the
last trading day of each of the Companys fiscal years
ended December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003, and
December 31, 2004. The graph assumes that $100 was invested
on December 31, 2002 in the Common Stock of the Company,
the NASDAQ Market Index and the S&P 500 Publishing and
assumes reinvestment of any dividends. The stock price
performance on the following graph is not indicative of future
stock price performance. Only three years of cumulative total
stockholder return is provided because Travelzoos stock
wasnt registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act
prior to that date. Price information is not given for periods
prior to 2002 because the shares of the Company were not
publicly traded before 2002.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measurement Point |
|
12/31/2002 | |
|
12/31/2003 | |
|
12/31/2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Travelzoo Inc. |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
217.50 |
|
|
$ |
2,385.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ Market Index |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
149.51 |
|
|
$ |
162.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500 Publishing |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
118.80 |
|
|
$ |
115.28 |
|
|
|
|
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS (PROXY ITEM NO. 2)
Our Audit Committee, pursuant to its charter, has approved the
appointment of KPMG LLP as Travelzoos principal
independent auditors to examine the consolidated financial
statements of Travelzoo and its subsidiaries for our 2005 fiscal
year.
The Audit Committee and our Board of Directors are requesting
that the stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as
Travelzoos principal independent auditors. The Audit
Committee and the Board of Directors are not required to take
any action as a result of the outcome of the vote on this
proposal. However, if the stockholders do not ratify the
appointment, the Audit Committee may investigate the reasons for
stockholder rejection and may consider whether to retain KPMG
LLP or to appoint other independent auditors. Furthermore, even
if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its
discretion may approve the appointment of different independent
auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such
a change would be in the best interests of Travelzoo and its
stockholders.
12
KPMG LLP representatives are not expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting or to make a formal statement. Consequently,
representatives of KPMG LLP will not be available to respond to
questions at the meeting.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
During fiscal year 2004, KPMG charged fees for services rendered
to Travelzoo as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service |
|
2003 Fees | |
|
2004 Fees | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit fees
|
|
$ |
181,950 |
|
|
$ |
214,170 |
|
Audit-related fees
|
|
$ |
89,900 |
|
|
$ |
67,309 |
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
271,850 |
|
|
$ |
281,479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS TRAVELZOOS
PRINCIPAL INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR 2005.
Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate
of incorporation and bylaws, the presence, in person or
represented by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of our stock is necessary to constitute a
quorum of stockholders to take action at the Annual Meeting.
Once a quorum of stockholders is established, the affirmative
vote of a plurality of the shares, which are present in person
or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is required to
elect each director. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy in
favor of any other matter properly brought before the Annual
Meeting is required to approve of such action.
Shares represented by proxies which are marked vote
withheld with respect to the election of any person to
serve on the Board of Directors will not be considered in
determining whether such a person has received the affirmative
vote of a plurality of the shares. Shares represented by proxies
that are marked abstain with respect to any other
proposal will not be considered in determining whether such
proposal has received the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares and such proxies will not have the effect of a
no vote.
Shares represented by proxies which deny the proxy-holder
discretionary authority to vote on any other proposal will not
be considered in determining whether such proposal has received
the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares and such
proxies will not have the effect of a no vote.
We know of no matters to come before the Annual Meeting except
as described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters
properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxies solicited
hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the
judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
Stockholder Proposals for the 2006 Annual Meeting
Proposals of eligible stockholders intended to be presented at
the 2006 Annual Meeting, currently scheduled to be held on
June 7, 2006, must be received by us by January 2,
2006 for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy relating to
that meeting. Upon receipt of any such proposal, we will
determine whether or not to include such proposal in the proxy
statement and proxy in accordance with regulations governing the
solicitation of proxies.
If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at
Travelzoos Annual Meeting in the year 2006 or to nominate
one or more directors and the proposal is not intended to be
included in Travelzoos proxy statement relating to that
meeting, the stockholder must give advance written notice to
Travelzoo by March 15, 2006.
13
These requirements are separate from and in addition to the
requirements a stockholder must meet to have a proposal included
in our proxy statement.
Any such notice must be given to our Secretary, at 590 Madison
Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York, 10022. Any
stockholder desiring a copy of our bylaws will be forwarded one
upon written request.
Householding
As permitted by applicable law, only one copy of this Proxy
Statement is being delivered to stockholders residing at the
same address, unless such stockholders have notified the Company
of their desire to receive multiple copies of the Proxy
Statement.
The Company will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request,
a separate copy of the Proxy Statement to any stockholder
residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed.
Requests for additional copies should be directed to Investor
Relations, Travelzoo Inc., 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor,
New York, New York, 10022 or by telephone at (212) 521-4200.
Other
We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. Proxies will
be solicited by mail and also may be solicited by our executive
officers and other employees personally or by telephone, but
such persons will not be specifically compensated for such
services. It is contemplated that brokerage houses, custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the
soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock held of
record by such persons and we will reimburse them for their
reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, please sign,
date and return the enclosed proxy promptly in accordance with
the instructions shown on the enclosed proxy. You have the power
to revoke your proxy, at any time before it is exercised, by
giving written notice of revocation to our Secretary or by duly
executing and delivering a proxy bearing a later date, or by
attending the Annual Meeting and casting a contrary vote. All
shares represented by proxies received in time to be counted at
the Annual Meeting will be voted. Your cooperation in giving
this your immediate attention will be appreciated.
|
|
|
Ralph Bartel
|
|
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Secretary |
590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
14
TRAVELZOO INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Ralph Bartel as his/her Proxy, with full power of substitution, to
represent him/her at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Travelzoo Inc. (the Company) on June
1, 2005, or any adjournments or postponements thereof. If you do not indicate how you wish to vote,
the Proxy will vote for all nominees to the Board of Directors, for the ratification of the
appointment of KPMG LLP to serve as the Companys independent auditors for the year ending December
31, 2005, and as he may determine, in his discretion, with regard to any other matter properly
presented at the meeting.
(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
TRAVELZOO INC.
Mailing Instructions
If you receive this proxy card via mail, please date and sign it, and return it in the postage paid
envelope provided.
If you receive this proxy card via e-mail, please print the proxy card, date and sign it, and
return it to:
Travelzoo Inc.
Attention: Secretary
590 Madison Avenue
21st Floor
New York, NY 10022
DETACH PROXY CARD HERE
Please Detach Here
You Must Detach This Portion of the Proxy Card
Before Returning it in the Enclosed Envelope
|
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1.
|
|
ELECTION OF
|
|
o
|
|
FOR all nominees listed below
|
|
o
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
|
|
DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
(except as marked to the contrary, if any, below)
|
|
|
|
to vote for all nominees listed below |
Nominees: 01 Ralph Bartel, 02 Holger Bartel, 03 David Ehrlich, 04 Donovan Neale-May, 05 Kelly Urso.
(To withhold authority to vote for an individual write that nominees name in the space provided below.)
2. |
THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP TO SERVE AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE
COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2005 |
o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN
3. |
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE SAID MEETING AND ANY POSTPONEMENT OR
ADJOURNMENT THEREOF |
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the
Proxy Statement and 2004 Annual Report of Travelzoo Inc.
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Date
, 2005 |
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(signature) |
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(signature, if jointly held) |
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Please sign exactly as name appears at left. If stock
is jointly held each owner should sign. Executors,
Administrators, Trustees, Guardians and Corporate
Officers should indicate their fiduciary capacity or
full title when signing. |
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MARK HERE IF YOU
INTEND TO ATTEND
THE MEETING |