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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

     
[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

OR

     
[   ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to _________

Commission file number: 0-26420

AMBASSADORS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  91-1688605
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
1071 Camelback Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  92660
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (949) 759-5900

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]  No [   ]

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [X]  No [   ]

     Indicate number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common shares outstanding as of October 15, 2003: 9,956,381




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
Exhibit Index
EXHIBIT 31.1
EXHIBIT 31.2
EXHIBIT 32.1
EXHIBIT 32.2


Table of Contents

AMBASSADORS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

             
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
    Item 1.   Financial Statements    
       
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002
  1
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
  2
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
  3
        Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   4
    Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   10
    Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   15
    Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   15
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION    
    Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   16
SIGNATURES           17
EXHIBIT INDEX       18

 


Table of Contents

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

                         
            September 30,   December 31,
            2003   2002
           
 
            (unaudited)        
Assets:
               
 
Current assets:
               
   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 44,817     $ 46,910  
   
Available-for-sale securities
    62,186       59,822  
   
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $73 in 2003 and 2002
    2,931       2,550  
   
Deferred income taxes
    807       965  
   
Prepaid program costs and other current assets
    3,613       2,605  
 
   
     
 
       
Total current assets
    114,354       112,852  
 
Property and equipment, net
    1,174       1,507  
 
Goodwill
    6,817       6,817  
 
Other intangibles
    2,713       2,361  
 
Deferred income taxes
    4,146       4,146  
 
Other assets
    681       476  
 
   
     
 
       
Total assets
  $ 129,885     $ 128,159  
 
   
     
 
Liabilities:
               
 
Current liabilities:
               
   
Accounts payable
  $ 3,208     $ 3,395  
   
Accrued expenses
    3,141       3,759  
   
Participants’ deposits and deferred revenue
    7,968       5,989  
 
   
     
 
       
Total liabilities
    14,317       13,143  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
           
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 9,956,381 and 9,916,614 shares issued and outstanding in 2003 and 2002, respectively
    100       99  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    89,132       88,940  
 
Retained earnings
    26,564       26,416  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (228 )     (439 )
 
   
     
 
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    115,568       115,016  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 129,885     $ 128,159  
 
   
     
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

                                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
     
 
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
      (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Revenue:
                               
 
Travel and incentive related
  $ 2,683     $ 2,661     $ 9,333     $ 10,115  
 
Software and technology related
    171             1,113        
 
License fees from equity investee
    119       (5 )     405       408  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    2,973       2,656       10,851       10,523  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Cost and operating expenses:
                               
 
Cost of software and technology related revenue
    92             879        
 
Selling and tour promotion
    1,096       825       3,333       2,815  
 
General and administrative
    2,739       2,254       8,348       7,647  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    3,927       3,079       12,560       10,462  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
    (954 )     (423 )     (1,709 )     61  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Other income:
                               
 
Realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
                1,152        
 
Interest and dividend income
    294       474       1,014       1,576  
 
Other, net
    492       27       933       420  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    786       501       3,099       1,996  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (168 )     78       1,390       2,057  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (159 )     (93 )     247       352  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (9 )     171       1,143       1,705  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $703 in 2002
                      (1,197 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (9 )   $ 171     $ 1,143     $ 508  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings (loss) per share — basic:
                               
 
Continuing operations
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.12     $ 0.17  
 
Discontinued operations
                      (0.12 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.12     $ 0.05  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic
    9,933       9,876       9,895       9,853  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted:
                               
 
Continuing operations
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.11     $ 0.17  
 
Discontinued operations
                      (0.12 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.11     $ 0.05  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — diluted
    10,217       10,059       10,137       10,199  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.10     $     $ 0.10     $  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

                         
            Nine Months Ended
            September 30,
           
            2003   2002
           
 
            (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
 
Net income
  $ 1,143     $ 508  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
    910       686  
   
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
    (1,152 )      
   
Undistributed earnings from equity investment
    (525 )     (232 )
   
Deferred income taxes
          (449 )
   
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions and dispositions:
               
     
Accounts receivable
    (50 )     1,125  
     
Prepaid program costs and other current assets
    (1,008 )     (1,328 )
     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (478 )     (1,014 )
     
Participants’ deposits and deferred revenue
    1,979       379  
     
Other intangibles and other assets
    (11 )     27  
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    808       (298 )
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
 
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
    40,215       83,467  
 
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
    (41,058 )     (61,106 )
 
Cash paid for other investments
    (1,934 )     (304 )
 
Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries
    (96 )      
 
Purchase of property and equipment
    (221 )     (317 )
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (3,094 )     21,740  
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1,026       257  
 
Purchase and retirement of common stock
    (833 )     (305 )
 
Distribution resulting from spin-off of subsidiary
          (5,299 )
 
Payment on note payable
          (200 )
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    193       (5,547 )
 
   
     
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,093 )     15,895  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    46,910       28,021  
 
   
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 44,817     $ 43,916  
 
 
   
     
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation

     The Company

  Ambassadors International, Inc. (the “Company”) is a travel services and performance improvement company. The Company’s operations are classified in the following segments:

    Ambassadors Performance Group — Develops, markets and manages meetings and incentive programs for a nationwide roster of corporate clients utilizing incentive travel, merchandise award programs and corporate meeting management services.
 
    Ambassadors Services Group — Provides comprehensive hotel reservation, registration and travel services for meetings, conventions, expositions and trade shows.
 
    Ambassadors Technology Group — Develops, markets and distributes event portfolio management technology solutions for corporations and large associations.

  The Company was founded in 1967 and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1995. Ambassadors Group, Inc. (“AGI” or the “Education Group”) represented the entire operations of the Company until 1996 when the Performance Group commenced operations. The Services Group commenced operations in 1998 and the Technology Group commenced operations in 2002.

  Basis of Presentation

  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of Ambassadors International, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003, the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts in 2002 to conform with the 2003 presentation.

  It should be understood that accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year-end. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the entire year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
  As more fully described in Note 5, on January 25, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a spin-off distribution that separated the Company into two publicly traded entities. The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 includes the effects of discontinued operations on a consolidated basis, without separate identification and classification of discontinued operations.

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  Accounting for Stock Options

  The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principals Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and has adopted the disclosure-only alternative of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“SFAS No. 123”) as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure.”

  The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share had compensation expense for the employee stock-based plans been recorded based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 (in thousands, except per share data):

                                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
     
 
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
Net income (loss), as reported
  $ (9 )   $ 171     $ 1,143     $ 508  
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (10 )     (158 )     (215 )     (796 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss), as adjusted
  $ (19 )   $ 13     $ 928     $ (288 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings (loss) per share — basic
 
As reported
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.12     $ 0.05  
 
As adjusted
    0.00       0.00       0.09       (0.03 )
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted
                               
 
As reported
  $ 0.00     $ 0.02     $ 0.11     $ 0.05  
 
As adjusted
    0.00       0.00       0.09       (0.03 )

  Dividends Declared

  On September 2, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized a new dividend policy paying shareholders $0.40 per share annually, distributable at $0.10 per share on a quarterly basis. The first dividend of approximately $995,000 was paid on October 2, 2003 to shareholders of record on September 17, 2003. As of September 30, 2003, this payment was declared and accrued accordingly in the accompanying balance sheet. The Company and its Board of Directors note that they intend to continually review the dividend policy to ensure compliance with capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Company’s financial position and other conditions which may affect the Company’s desire or ability to pay dividends in the future.

2. Business Acquisitions

  In December 2002, the Technology Group acquired certain of the assets and business of Bluedot Virtual Event Organization, Inc. out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The purchase price consisted of debtor-in possession financing and other costs of $308,000, the assumption of liabilities and future contingent payments by the Technology Group to the sellers covering the twenty-four months following the closing date. The Company allocated the excess purchase price to an intangible asset, purchased software, of $607,000. The amortization period for this intangible asset is five years. As of September 30, 2003, the Company provided an additional investment of approximately $21,000 which was allocated to purchased software and reduced the asset for amortization of approximately $95,000. During the first twelve months following the closing, the Technology Group shall pay the greater of (i) 5% of the gross revenues actually received in each quarter allocable to the assets purchased, or (ii) $25,000 per quarter as the first year minimum payments. During the second year following the closing, the Technology Group shall pay the greater of (i) 5% of the gross revenues actually received in each quarter allocable to the assets purchased, or (ii) $15,000 per quarter as the second year minimum payments. As of September 30, 2003, the Technology Group paid $75,000 for the first, second and third quarter contingent payments and recorded these payments as an adjustment to the purchase price.

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  In November 2002, the Performance Group acquired a 51% ownership interest in Innovations in Marketing, LLC (“IIM”). IIM was a start-up performance incentive and meeting management company. IIM’s initial capital consisted of $1,000 of which 51% was contributed by APG and 49% was contributed by the minority owner. The Operating Agreement specified that APG shall loan IIM up to $400,000, which eliminates in consolidation, for the working capital needs of IIM. Subsequent to September 30, 2003, the Performance Group sold it’s 51% ownership interest to the minority owner.

  In March 2002, the Performance Group acquired a 49% ownership interest in Incentive Travel, LLC (“ITI”). The terms of the purchase agreement call for contingent payments by the Performance Group through 2005 based upon actual income before income taxes multiplied by the Performance Group’s 49% ownership interest calculated based on a predefined multiplier. Total payments related to ITI’s fiscal 2002 results were $2.4 million of which approximately $1.9 million was paid during 2003 and was allocated to intangible assets (license). The remaining purchase price of $0.5 million was paid during 2002 and was allocated to goodwill. As of September 30, 2003, the Performance Group’s obligation related to ITI’s fiscal 2003 results is estimated to be $507,000 which has been accrued and allocated to intangible assets (license).

  License fees earned from ITI are included in the operations of the Performance Group and represent approximately $119,000 and $405,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, and ($5,000) and $408,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively. The Company also recorded its proportional share of the earnings and management fees from ITI of approximately $150,000 and $623,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, and $10,000 and $282,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively, which are included in other income.

3. Corporate Investment

  The Company has an investment in the financial results of a property and casualty insurance program mainly consisting of auto liability and auto physical damage risks for the accident year ended June 30, 2003. On June 18, 2003, the Company issued a letter of credit of approximately $1.3 million for its right to participate proportionately in the underwriting profits or losses of the program. The Company has recorded its proportional share of the income from this investment of approximately $331,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 in other income. The Company’s maximum exposure to potential loss is approximately $2.1 million which includes the issued letter of credit. The Company believes this investment will lead to additional strategic business opportunities within the Performance Group.

4. Gain on Sale of Available-for-Sale Securities

  In January 1999, the Company purchased a minority interest in a joint venture that owns the capital stock of Scheduled Airlines Traffic Offices, Inc. (“SatoTravel”). In June 2001, the Company sold its ownership stake in SatoTravel to Navigant International, Inc. (“Navigant”) (Nasdaq: FLYR). The Company received approximately $7.2 million in cash and approximately 237,000 shares of common stock of Navigant, and recorded a gain of approximately $8.3 million in other income ($5.5 million net of income taxes). The agreement also provided for an additional payment of cash and stock to be paid to the Company if SatoTravel, as a subsidiary of Navigant, had achieved certain revenue objectives by June 14, 2002. The additional payment was disputed by Navigant and both parties agreed to arbitration to settle the dispute.

  In June 2003, the arbitration was settled and the Company received approximately $0.7 million in cash, net of arbitration related expenses, and approximately 36,000 shares of common stock of Navigant. As of June 30, 2003, the Company recorded in other income the final component of the gain consideration on the sale of this investment in the amount of approximately $1.2 million ($0.7 million net of income taxes).

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Table of Contents

Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5. Discontinued Operations

  On January 25, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the spin-off of its wholly owned subsidiary, AGI, by declaring a special stock dividend to the stockholders of the Company and distributing to them all of the outstanding shares of AGI. The stock dividend was paid to the Company’s stockholders of record as of February 4, 2002, and was distributed to such shareholders after the close of business on February 28, 2002, the date that the spin-off was completed. Each stockholder of the Company received one share of common stock of AGI for each share of common stock owned in the Company. The distribution of AGI’s common stock pursuant to the spin-off was intended to be tax free to the Company and its stockholders. The Company received a favorable Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling to that effect. The trading of the common stock of AGI on the Nasdaq National Market began on March 1, 2002 under the symbol “EPAX.”

  The spin-off of AGI was accounted for as a disposition of discontinued operations as of February 28, 2002, the date of the dividend. The spin-off impacted the Company’s balance sheet on February 28, 2002 by reducing total assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity by $34.8 million, $21.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively. The effect of the spin-off on the Company’s statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 is reflected as discontinued operations.

  The revenues and loss from discontinued operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Revenue
  $     $     $     $ 518  
Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit
                      (1,900 )

6. Comprehensive Income

  The components of comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (9 )   $ 171     $ 1,143     $ 508  
Change in unrealized gain on marketable equity securities, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $95, ($463), $158 and ($48)
    139       (789 )     211       (74 )
Change in unrealized gain on foreign currency exchange contracts, net of income tax expense of $0, $0, $0 and $163
                      340  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 130     $ (618 )   $ 1,354     $ 774  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7. Earnings Per Share

  The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations and the number of dilutive securities (stock options) that were included in the dilutive EPS computation (in thousands):

                                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
     
 
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
Numerator:
                               
 
Net income (loss) for basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ (9 )   $ 171     $ 1,143     $ 508  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Denominator:
                               
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding — basic
    9,933       9,876       9,895       9,853  
 
Effect of dilutive common stock options
    284       183       242       346  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding — diluted
    10,217       10,059       10,137       10,199  
 
   
     
     
     
 

  For the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 there were approximately 79,000 and 412,000 stock options outstanding, respectively, whereby the exercise price exceeded the average common stock market value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 there were approximately 116,000 and 98,000 stock options outstanding, respectively, whereby the exercise price exceeded the average common stock market value. The effects of the shares which would be issued upon the exercise of these options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they are anti-dilutive.

8. Business Segments

  The Company operated the Performance Group and Services Group segments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. The Technology Group segment was added in December 2002. On February 28, 2002, the Company spun-off the Education Group and recorded the effect of the transaction as a disposition of discontinued operations. Corporate and Other consists of general corporate assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents, corporate investments and goodwill) and other activities which are not directly related to the Performance Group, Services Group or Technology Group. Selected financial information related to these segments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (in thousands):

                                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,
       
 
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
Revenue:
                               
 
Performance Group
  $ 1,687     $ 1,753     $ 6,167     $ 6,709  
 
Services Group
    1,115       903       3,571       3,814  
 
Technology Group
    171             1,113        
 
Corporate and Other
                       
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total revenue
  $ 2,973     $ 2,656     $ 10,851     $ 10,523  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss):
                               
 
Performance Group
  $ (1 )   $ (16 )   $ 439     $ 1,071  
 
Services Group
    25       (48 )     346       199  
 
Technology Group
    (512 )           (1,147 )      
 
Corporate and Other
    (466 )     (359 )     (1,347 )     (1,209 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total operating income (loss)
  $ (954 )   $ (423 )   $ (1,709 )   $ 61  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

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Ambassadors International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9. Recent Pronouncements

  In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). FIN 45 requires that a liability for the fair value of an obligation for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 be recorded in the financial statements of the guarantor. Guarantees pre-existing before the implementation of FIN 45 are required to be disclosed in financial statements issued after December 15, 2002. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

  In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”) which requires the consolidation of variable interest entities, as defined. FIN 46 is applicable to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. Variable interest entities created prior to February 1, 2003, must be consolidated in financial statements issued after December 15, 2003. Disclosures are required currently if the Company expects to consolidate any variable interest entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of this interpretation to have a material impact its financial condition or results of operations.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ambassadors International, Inc. (the “Company”) which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A forward-looking statement may contain words such as “will continue to be,” “will be,” “continue to,” “expect to,” “anticipates that,” “believes that,” “to be,” or “can impact.” Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. A more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors, may be identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, or in the Company’s press releases.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the period. Management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those which impact its most critical accounting policies, on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, within the framework of current accounting literature.

The following is a list of the accounting policies that management believes are the more significant judgments and estimates, and that could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from hotel reservation, registration and related travel services are recognized when the convention or meeting commences. Revenue from the sale of merchandise is recognized when the merchandise is shipped. Revenue from pre-paid certificate-based merchandise incentive programs is deferred until the Company’s obligations are fulfilled.

Software and technology related revenue is derived from a combination of license and maintenance fees and services provided with the Company’s enterprise software tools. The services provided include hosting of data, development and workflow configuration. Revenue from contracts with multiple elements is recognized in accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions.” Revenue from development contracts that require significant production, modification or customization of software is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based on contract costs incurred to date compared with total estimated contract costs in accordance with SOP 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company invests cash in excess of operating requirements in short-term time deposits, money market instruments, government mutual bond funds and other investments. Securities with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Available-for-Sale Securities

The Company classifies its marketable investments as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities consist of debt securities with maturities beyond three months and equity securities, which are carried at fair value.

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from operations and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities are recognized on a specific identification basis in the statement of operations in the period the investments are sold.

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Other Investments

The Company includes its minority investments in other operating companies as other assets in the accompanying balance sheets. The cost of these minority investments is allocated against the underlying fair value of the net assets of the investee. Any cost of the investment over the Company’s portion of the underlying fair value of the net assets of the investee is recorded as goodwill. The equity method of accounting is used for investment ownership ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent. Investment ownership of less than 20 percent is accounted for using the cost method.

Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the investments that may not be reflected in an investment’s current carrying value.

Intangible Assets

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles.” Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is no longer amortized, but is subject to annual impairment tests. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair market value of each of its reporting segments when performing its impairment tests. Assumptions used include growth rates for revenues and expenses, investment yields on deposits, future capital expenditure requirements and appropriate discount rates. The Company determined that as of September 30, 2003 there was no indication of impairment.

Deferred Income Taxes

The asset and liability approach is used to account for income taxes by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, if in the future the Company determines that it will not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002:

Revenue

Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $3.0 million compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. As a result of the general decline in the travel industry and overall business volume, the Performance Group experienced a $0.2 million decrease in travel and incentive related revenue during the third quarter of 2003 compared to 2002, which was partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in license fees from an equity investee during the same period. Revenue from the Services Group increased $0.2 million due to an increase in total programs operated in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to 2002. The Technology Group acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2002 contributed the software and technology related revenue of $0.2 million.

Cost of Software and Technology Related Sales

The three months ended September 30, 2003 included cost of software and technology related sales from the Technology Group of $0.1 million. As the Technology Group acquisition was completed during the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company had no cost of software and technology related sales for the third quarter of 2002.

Selling and Tour Promotion Expenses

The Company’s policy is to expense all selling and tour promotion costs as they are incurred.

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Selling and tour promotion expense increased $0.3 million in 2003 due to the increase of personnel expenses in the Services Group and from the addition of personnel and other operating expenses resulting from business acquisitions which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2002.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million in 2003 due to the addition of operating expenses from the business acquisitions which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2002 and the addition of amortization of the intangible assets resulting from prior year business acquisitions.

Operating Loss

The Company incurred an operating loss of $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 compared to $0.4 million in the comparable quarter of 2002, a decrease of $0.6 million. The decrease is the result of changes as described above.

Other Income

Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $0.8 million compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $0.3 million. For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded $0.3 million related to earnings from the corporate investment in the financial results of an insurance program. Income and service fees earned on equity investments increased by $0.1 million from 2003 compared to 2002. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in investment income due to lower yields on short-term investments.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and $0.1 million in the comparable quarter of 2002, an increase of $0.1 million. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 was (94.6%) compared to (119.2%) for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. The decrease in the benefit rate is due to the final contingent consideration received on the sale of SatoTravel which was taxed at the current statutory tax rate and the revaluation of the state deferred tax assets to a higher rate as of December 31, 2002. These increases to the effective tax rate were partially offset by an increase in tax-exempt interest income to approximately 87% of the Company’s investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 from 72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

Income from continuing operations decreased to a loss of $9,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 from income of $171,000 for the comparable quarter of 2002, a decrease of $180,000. The decrease is the result of changes as described above.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002:

Revenue

Total revenue was $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $10.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Travel and incentive related revenue decreased $0.8 million due to a decrease in business volume from both the Performance Group and the Services Group in 2003 compared to 2002. The Technology Group acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2002 contributed the software and technology related revenue of $1.1 million.

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Cost of Software and Technology Related Sales

The nine months ended September 30, 2003 included cost of software and technology related sales from the Technology Group of $0.9 million. As the Technology Group acquisition was completed during the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company had no cost of software and technology related sales as of the third quarter of 2002.

Selling and Tour Promotion Expenses

The Company’s policy is to expense all selling and tour promotion costs as they are incurred.

Selling and tour promotion expenses increased by $0.5 million in 2003 due to the addition of personnel and other operating expenses from the business acquisitions which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2002, which were offset by lower personnel expenses in the comparable prior year business operations of the Performance Group.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $0.7 million in 2003 due to the addition of personnel and other operating expenses from the business acquisitions which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2002 and the addition of amortization of the intangible assets resulting from prior year business acquisitions. These additional expenses were partially offset by lower personnel expenses in the comparable prior year business operations of both the Performance Group and the Services Group and by decreased travel, entertainment, promotional and marketing expenses due to overall cost reduction efforts.

Operating Income (Loss)

The Company incurred an operating loss of $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to operating income of $0.1 million in the comparable period of 2002. The decrease is the result of changes as described above.

Other Income

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $3.1 million compared to $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of $1.1 million. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 included: (i) $1.2 million from the final component of contingent consideration received on the sale of SatoTravel which occurred in June 2001; (ii) $0.3 million related to earnings from the corporate investment in the financial results of an insurance program; and (iii) an increase of $0.3 million from income and service fees earned on an equity investment. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in investment income of $0.6 million due to lower yields on short-term investments.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 17.8% compared to 17.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase in the effective tax rate is due to the final contingent consideration received on the sale of SatoTravel which was taxed at the current statutory tax rate and the revaluation of the state deferred tax assets to a higher rate as of December 31, 2002. These increases were partially offset by an increase in tax-exempt interest income to approximately 87% of the Company’s investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 76% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

Income from Continuing Operations

Income from continuing operations decreased to $1.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $1.7 million in the comparable period of 2002. The decrease is the result of changes as described above.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s business is not capital intensive. However, the Company does retain funds for operating purposes in order to conduct sales and marketing efforts for future programs and to facilitate acquisitions of other companies.

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 was approximately $0.8 million and ($0.3) million, respectively, an increase of $1.1 million. The increase in net cash primarily relates to the increase in net income and timing differences in the collection of current assets and the payment of current liabilities.

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 was approximately ($3.1) million and $21.7 million, respectively, a decrease of $24.8 million. The decrease is due to activity during the quarter ended September 30, 2002 in which the Company liquidated investments in order to transfer funds to a second money manager and to contingent payments made in 2003 on prior year acquisitions.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 was $0.2 million and ($5.5) million, respectively, an increase of $5.7 million. Current period activity consisted of the proceeds received from the exercise of employee stock options partially offset by the purchase and retirement of common stock . Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 mainly related to the spin-off of AGI that was completed on February 28, 2002 (see Note 5 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company does not have any material capital expenditure commitments for 2003.

The terms of the Company’s acquisition of Bluedot Virtual Event Organization, Inc. included minimum contingent consideration of $100,000 to be paid in 2003 and $60,000 to be paid in 2004. As of September 30, 2003, the Company has paid $75,000 of this minimum consideration. The terms of the Company’s investment in Incentive Travel, LLC included contingent payments due in March 2004 based upon fiscal 2003 income before income taxes. As of September 30, 2003, the Company has accrued approximately $507,000 for the 2004 payment based upon the current estimate of 2003 income.

The Company has issued a letter of credit of approximately $1.3 million for its right to participate proportionately in the underwriting profits or losses of a property and casualty insurance program mainly consisting of auto liability and auto physical damage risk. The letter of credit is an irrevocable facility and is deemed to be the Company’s investment cost to participate in this program. The Company’s maximum exposure to potential loss is approximately $2.1 million which includes the issued letter of credit.

The Company is continuing to pursue further acquisitions of related travel and performance improvement, service and other businesses that may require the use of cash and cash equivalents. No assurance can be given that definitive agreements for any acquisitions will be entered into, or, if they are entered into, that they will be on terms favorable to the Company.

In November 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of the Company’s common stock (up to an approved amount) in the open market or through private transactions. This repurchase program is ongoing and during 2003 the Company has repurchased 98,000 shares for approximately $833,000. The Company does not believe that any future repurchases will have a significant impact on the Company’s liquidity.

On September 2, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized a new dividend policy paying shareholders $0.40 per share annually, distributable at $0.10 per share on a quarterly basis. The first dividend of approximately $995,000 was paid on October 2, 2003 to shareholders of record on September 17, 2003. As of September 30, 2003, this payment was declared and accrued accordingly in the accompanying balance sheet. The Company and its Board of Directors note that they intend to continually review the dividend policy to ensure compliance with capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Company’s financial position and other conditions which may affect the Company’s desire or ability to pay dividends in the future.

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Management believes that cash, cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated operating cash needs for at least the next twelve months.

Trends and Uncertainties

The results of operations and financial position of the Company’s business may be affected by a number of trends or uncertainties that have, or the Company reasonably expects could have, a material impact on income from continuing operations, cash flows and financial position. Such trends and uncertainties include the repercussions of war with Iraq or terrorist acts, the impact of the SARS epidemic and the Company’s acquisition of or investment in complementary businesses. The Company will also, from time to time, consider the acquisition of or investment in businesses, services and technologies that might affect the Company’s liquidity requirements.

Discontinued Operations

On January 25, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the spin-off of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ambassadors Group, Inc. (“AGI”), by declaring a special stock dividend to the stockholders of the Company and distributing to them all of the outstanding shares of AGI. The stock dividend was paid to the Company’s stockholders of record as of February 4, 2002, and was distributed to such shareholders after the close of business on February 28, 2002, the date that the spin-off was completed. Each stockholder of the Company received one share of common stock of AGI for each share of common stock owned in the Company. The distribution of AGI’s common stock pursuant to the spin-off was intended to be tax free to the Company and its stockholders. The Company received a favorable Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling to that effect. The trading of the common stock of AGI on the Nasdaq National Market began on March 1, 2002, under the symbol “EPAX.”

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to changes in financial market conditions in the normal course of business due to its use of certain financial instruments. Market risk generally represents the risk that losses may occur in the values of financial instruments as a result of movements in interest rates and equity prices.

There have been no material changes in the reported market risks or the overall credit risk of the Company’s portfolio since December 31, 2002. See further discussion of these market risks and related financial instruments in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures: As of September 30, 2003, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s chief executive officer and its chief financial officer reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), which are designed to ensure that material information the Company must disclose in its report filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, and have concluded, based on that evaluation, that as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)  Changes in internal control over financial reporting: In the three months ended, September 30, 2003, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

         
(a)   Exhibits:
     
    31.1   Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
    31.2   Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
    32.1   Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
    32.2   Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

         
(b)   Reports on Form 8-K:
     
    (1)   The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K on July 25, 2003 in connection with the dissemination of an earnings release.*
     
    (2)   The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K on September 3, 2003 in connection with the implementation of a new dividend policy.
     
    (3)   The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K on October 27, 2003 in connection with the dissemination of an earnings release.*


*   Report containing information that under Item 12 is not deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Company is not subject to the liabilities of that section. The Company is not incorporating, and will not incorporate by reference this report into a filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

         
    AMBASSADORS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
         
Date: November 6, 2003   By:   /s/ Timothy T. Fogarty
       
        Timothy T. Fogarty
Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index

     
31.1   Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2   Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1   Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2   Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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