TWPG Thomas Weisel Prtns Grp (MM)

Thomas Weisel Partners (NASDAQ: TWPG) (TSX: TWP), a global growth-focused investment bank, will host its Annual Consumer Conference, September 22-23 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York. Institutional investors and company management will gather for this two-day conference, which will focus on opportunities and challenges in the consumer industry in 2008 and beyond.

The conference will showcase presentations from over 50 established and emerging public and private companies, including those engaged in retail, restaurants, branded apparel and footwear, e-commerce, entertainment and hospitality.

"During the past year, we have continued to broaden and strengthen our coverage of the Consumer sector, including our recent launch of the restaurant sector. Although the last year has been challenging for both consumers and investors, we believe this is a particularly opportune time to closely evaluate the companies that participate in the largest sector of the US economy," said Keith Gay, Head of TWP's Research Group.

The conference kicks off Monday morning and will be led by Thomas Weisel Partners seven senior research analysts: Jim Duffy, sports and lifestyle brands; Liz Dunn, retailing - softlines; Jake Fuller, gaming, lodging and interactive market services; Ben Mogil, media and entertainment; Matt Nemer, retailing - hardlines; Fitzhugh Taylor, restaurants and Lloyd Walmsley, media and entertainment. Analysts will offer insight into the major trends impacting their respective sectors.

A full list of company participants follows:

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.
A. T. Cross Company
America's Car-Mart, Inc.
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Blockbuster Inc.
Blue Nile, Inc.
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Cabela's Incorporated
Cache, Inc.
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.
Charming Shoppes, Inc.
Cherokee Inc.
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund
Coinstar, Inc.
Deckers Outdoor Corp.
DSW, Inc.
Gaiam, Inc.
Garmin Ltd
Genesco Inc.
G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
IMAX Corporation
Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.
lululemon athletica inc.
Major League Gaming
Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.
Morgans Hotel Group Co.
National CineMedia, Inc.
O'Charley's Inc.
Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Polaris Industries Inc.
RHI Entertainment, Inc.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
Sport Supply Group, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Titan Machinery Inc.
Tractor Supply Company
U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc.
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Under Armour, Inc.
Urban Outfitters, Inc.
VF Corporation
Volcom, Inc.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
ZipRealty, Inc.
ZoomSystems

Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. is an investment bank, founded in 1998, focused principally on the growth sectors of the economy. Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. generates revenues from three principal sources: investment banking, brokerage and asset management. The investment banking group is comprised of two disciplines: corporate finance and strategic advisory. The brokerage group provides equity and convertible debt securities sales and trading services to institutional investors, and offers brokerage, advisory and cash management services to high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients. The asset management group consists of: private equity, public equity and distribution management. Thomas Weisel Partners is headquartered in San Francisco with additional offices in Baltimore, Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, New York, Portland, Silicon Valley, Toronto, London, Mumbai and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.tweisel.com.