IN THIS EDITION: THE SONOMA COUNTY 350, THE ECONOMY AND TOURISM

Welcome to the third edition of the new Outlook.

This year, we have split up our annual look at the Sonoma County economy

into four editions to make them more timely and accessible to readers.

Inside this edition, you will find the Sonoma County 350, the definitive

list of the county's largest companies across 20 sectors of the local economy.

The list, now in its 15th year, chronicles the fortunes of the companies that

dominate our ever-changing business landscape. Thirty companies are new to the

list this year, and an equal number have fallen off.

Also in this issue, we offer an exclusive forecast prepared for you by the

Sonoma State University Center for Regional Economic Analysis. All signs point

to a solid expansion over the next 18 months.

Tourism is a special focus of this edition. We take a look at the future of

this $1 billion industry as the summer travel season gets under way.

We will return in September with the final edition of Outlook in 2006.

Here's what awaits you:

As the annual grape harvest begins, we will examine the outlook for Sonoma

County's wine industry. The section also will report on the direction of the

health-care sector as it prepares for open enrollment in the fall.

We welcome your feedback.

Ted Appel

Business Editor

tappel@pressdemocrat.com

521-5288