NASDAQ CEO BOB GREIFELD ADDRESSES TOWN HALL LOS ANGELES AT PLAYA VISTA

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, NASDAQ President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Greifeld addresses Town Hall Los Angeles on ???The Business of Being a Stock Market: What will the Next Decade Bring? at The Centerpointe Club in Playa Vista.?? Following his address, audience members ??" consisting of leaders and rising stars in the worlds of business and technology ??" will pose their questions during Town Hall???s

Q & A session.??

With the changes taking place at the New York Stock Exchange, observers note an increased competition on the part of NASDAQ to woo old-line companies to their exchange and to attract new companies, such as recent speculation that Disney/Pixar may be listed on NASDAQ.

In January 2005 NASDAQ had its initial public offering.?? Compared to the US, global markets are largely public entities.?? According to Greifeld, the quality of international markets is inferior ???Our fundamental mission [and how we define quality] is to ensure that we have a great trading outcome for investors.????? Greifeld stated, ???We tell them that our market offers a more efficient way to raise capital, and is a more efficient way for investors to maximize their returns.?????

NASDAQ???s strategy is paying off in Asia where Greifeld said they have been incredibly successful, ???In 2005 we listed the leading IPO in China ??" Baidu, which is the Chinese equivalent to Google.

NASDAQ is the largest US electronic stock market. With approximately 3300 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other US market. It is home to?? companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks.

Town Hall Los Angeles is a premier, nonpartisan public forum dedicated to furthering civic participation and awareness since 1937. Our mission is to foster an open dialogue on issues of regional, national and international significance. We endeavor to be as forward-looking as the region we serve. Our membership reflects the broader community and our programs, involving today???s most influential business and political leaders, promote a vigorous exchange of ideas.

All members of the media are invited to cover this timely meeting.

** Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.??

WHEN:????????????????????? Wednesday, February 8, 2006??????????????????????????? ?????????????????

??????????????????????????????????????????? 12:00 Noon Luncheon??

??????????????????????????????????????????? 12:30 ??" 1:30 p.m. Town Hall address with audience Q & A session

???????????????????????????????????????????????

WHERE:????????????????? The Centerpointe Club at Playa Vista

??????????????????????????????????????????? 6200 Playa Vista Drive ??" Playa Vista?? ??????????????????????

CHECK-IN:??????????? Media check-in and set-up from 10:30 a.m. on

SET-UP:????????????????? Mult box will be in place.?

Note to reporters and editors: The organization is identified by its full name, Town Hall Los Angeles, as opposed to a generic town hall meeting in the lowercase.

Media RSVP to Deborah Weinberg at Town Hall Los Angeles 213 312.9307 or [email protected]

Reservations for the public: Call 213 628.8141 or www.townhall-la.org?

Cost: $58