To Air Live on CNN/U.S. and CNNfn on May 24 at 10 p.m.

CNN Interactive Features Special Sections on New Economy and Small Businesses, May 17-24

CNN/U.S. and CNNfn will explore the challenges and opportunities unique to small business in the 21st century in the CNN/CNNfn TOWN MEETING: PROSPERING IN THE NEW ECONOMY-THE SURVIVAL OF SMALL BUSINESS. The town meeting, coinciding with National Small Business Week, will bring together small-business owners, Internet specialists, financial analysts, economists and futurists to exchange ideas on the threats posed to small businesses by the new economy and examine a variety of cutting-edge solutions. Hosted by CNN Business News anchor Jan Hopkins, the town meeting will air live on Wednesday, May 24, from 10-11 p.m. (ET), on CNN/U.S. and CNNfn.

The first nationally televised town meeting of its kind, the CNN/CNNfn Town Meeting will be at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in the financial district of New York, with remote satellite locations in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Detroit. Hopkins will host a panel discussion featuring, among others, Aida Alvarez, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Hank Gilman, managing editor of Fortune Small Business; Darien Dash, founder and CEO of DME Interactive Holdings Inc.; and Watts Wacker, futurist and author.

Hopkins will moderate questions from a live audience in New York and from the CNN Web site at CNN.com/NewEconomy, which will feature an online chat began by Hopkins at 9:30 p.m. (ET). The interactive event will take place throughout the CNN/CNNfn town meeting and continue until 11:30 p.m. (ET), with guests joining the online discussion following the program.

"The new economy has forced business leaders to reevaluate strategies for success, and for small businesses, in particular, this can be an extremely critical process," said Hopkins. "This town meeting is an opportunity to share insights and solutions to help small businesses successfully compete in the new economy."

Hopkins is anchor of CNN and CNNfn's premier market wrap-up program, Street Sweep, which airs weekdays at 3:59 p.m. Street Sweep gives the most immediate and comprehensive recap of the day's market activity live from the New York Stock Exchange. Hopkins joined CNN in 1984 and was the first television correspondent to report regularly from the New York Stock Exchange. Her reporting of the market downturn in 1987 helped CNN garner its first Peabody Award.

Surrounding the CNN/CNNfn town meeting, CNN.com is launching a special section dedicated to examining the problems and possibilities the new economy presents to small business owners and employees. The section will feature original reporting, chats and experts who will answer users' questions. The site launches today, May 17, at CNN.com/NewEconomy.

In addition, CNNfn.com, CNN's financial news Web site, is offering a week-long series on small business and the new economy. The CNNfn.com special report, which will be located at CNNfn.com/news/special/smallbiz, will feature in-depth coverage of issues affecting small business owners. Internet users can submit questions to neweconomy@CNN.com beginning May 17, ending on May 24. With the assistance of experts in various fields, CNN.com will provide answers for one question each day on the site. On May 24, the unanswered questions will be placed into a pool of questions to be considered for CNN/CNNfn's May 24 broadcast.

CNNfn, the financial network of the CNN News Group, brings viewers financial news weekdays from 6-12 a.m. (ET), and will be a 24-hour service in June. CNN/U.S., a division of the CNN News Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is the world's leading 24-hour news network, providing its audience with in-depth, live coverage and analysis of breaking news events from around the world. CNN/U.S. also offers a full range of programs covering the latest in business, weather, sports, entertainment, health and science news, as well as topical, in-depth interviews.

CONTACTS:
Christa Robinson, CNN New York, 212/714-5542
Jeff Cusson, CNN New York, 212/714-7883
Edna Johnson, CNN Interactive Atlanta, 404/827-2157