MILWAUKEE, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) today announced its principal sponsorship of and participation in the 2002 Business Leadership Network Summit in Washington, D.C. on November 18-19 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street.

The Business Leadership Network, led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is an alliance of companies who are working together to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Summit will gather as many as 150 businesses from across the nation to discuss their best practices for employing people with disabilities and develop new strategies to advance this initiative.

"Manpower is determined to lower the unemployment rate among people with disabilities, which is nearly 50 percent more than the rate for those without disabilities," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, president and CEO of Manpower Inc. "We've found that the most effective way to achieve that goal is by collaborating with other businesses, community groups and the government. The Business Leadership Network unites the same powerful mix of organizations, which makes it an effective force in moving people with disabilities into the workforce. The Summit will no doubt produce a renewed commitment to this effort."

Summit attendees will share information with each other and learn about the latest advancements in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities from a distinguished panel of speakers, a few of which include:

• Terry Hueneke, board member and former executive vice president of Manpower Inc.

• Elaine Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor

• Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• Peter Nostrand, chairman, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank, Greater Washington

"We can motivate more companies to hire people with disabilities by increasing awareness of the resources available to employers who do so," said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "The National Business Leadership Network Summit not only provides those resources but also creates an opportunity for employers to publicly share the success they've achieved with their disability initiatives."

Manpower leads several programs across the country to help people with disabilities find their place in the workforce. One such effort was recently recognized by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao in her "People with Disabilities -- Strengthening the 21st Century Workforce" report to President George W. Bush. In it, she cites Manpower's partnership with SunTrust Bank as a promising practice for increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Manpower and SunTrust continue to work together to provide meaningful employment to people with disabilities.

More information regarding the Business Leadership Network Summit can be found at www.usbln.com or by dialing 800.833.1354.

About Manpower

Manpower Inc. is a world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and solutions to customers through 3,900 offices in 61 countries. The firm annually provides employment to two million people worldwide and is an industry leader in employee assessment and training. In North America, Manpower staffing services include administrative, industrial and contact center personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information on the company can be found at www.us.manpower.com .

SOURCE Manpower Inc.