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EXHIBIT 7
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
This SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered
into as of June 20, 2000, by and between Thayer Equity Investors III, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("THAYER"), and GV Investment LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company ("GVI"). Certain capitalized terms used herein are
defined in Article I.
RECITALS:
A. Pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement (the "PURCHASE
AGREEMENT"), dated as of June 20, 2000, by and between Global Vacation Group,
Inc., a New York corporation (the "COMPANY"), and GVI, the Company has issued
and sold $27,500,000 of its 9% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the "CONVERTIBLE
NOTES") to GVI, which Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock (the "COMMON STOCK").
B. Thayer is the owner of a majority of the Common Stock of
the Company.
C. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, Thayer and GVI
have determined that it is in their respective best interests to enter into, and
perform under, this Agreement for the purposes, among others, of: (i) assuring
continuity in the ownership of the Company; and (ii) limiting the manner and
terms by which the Shareholders' Common Stock may be transferred.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the foregoing and the covenants set forth
herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, in addition to terms defined
elsewhere herein, the following terms when used herein shall have the following
meanings:
1.1 "AFFILIATE," with respect to any Person, shall mean: (i)
any other Person that directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, such Person; or (ii) a general or limited partner or
member of such Person. With respect to GVI, the term "Affiliate" shall mean any
investment fund to which Three Cities Research, Inc. acts as the principal
investment advisor and manager.
1.2 "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.3 "EQUITY SECURITIES" shall mean: (i) any securities of the
Company having voting rights with respect to the election of the Board not
contingent upon default (including,
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without limitation, shares of the Common Stock); (ii) any other securities
evidencing any equity ownership interest in the Company; and (iii) any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any of the
foregoing securities (including, without limitation, the Convertible Notes).
1.4 "FAMILY MEMBERS" with respect to an individual, shall mean
such individual's spouse, parents, siblings and children.
1.5 "PERMITTED TRANSFER" shall mean a Public Sale or a Transfer
of Convertible Notes or shares of Common Stock by a Shareholder to: (i) one or
more Family Members of such Shareholder, or to such Shareholder's estate; (ii) a
trust or limited liability company created and maintained solely for the benefit
of one or more Family Members of such Shareholder; or (iii) an Affiliate of such
Shareholder. Prior to any such Transfer, each transferee shall execute and
deliver a Joinder Agreement to this Agreement. Upon such execution and delivery,
each such transferee (other than a Public Transferee) shall be included within
the definition of "SHAREHOLDER" for purposes of this Agreement.
1.6 "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company,
trust, unincorporated organization or government body.
1.7 "PUBLIC TRANSFEREE" means a transferee of a Shareholder
pursuant to a Public Sale.
1.8 "PUBLIC SALE" means any sale of Common Stock sold pursuant
to a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
1.9 "SHAREHOLDERS" shall mean collectively the Persons named in
the recitals and each other Person, other than a Public Transferee, that becomes
a holder of Equity Securities and agrees in writing to be bound by and comply
with the terms of this Agreement.
1.10 "TRANSFER" shall mean any actual or proposed disposition of
all or a portion of an interest (legal or equitable) by any means, direct or
indirect, absolute or conditional, voluntary or involuntary, including, but not
limited to, by sale, assignment, put, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage
or other encumbrance, operation of law, distribution, settlement, exchange,
waiver, abandonment, gift, alienation, bequest or disposal.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2.1 SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD. Each Shareholder shall
vote all of his or its shares of Common Stock and any other voting Equity
Securities of the Company over which such Shareholder has voting control and
shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within his or its control
(whether in his or its capacity as a Shareholder, director, member of a board
committee or officer of the Company or otherwise, and including, without
limitation, attendance at meetings in person or by proxy for purposes of
obtaining a quorum and execution of written resolutions in lieu of
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meetings), to ensure that: (i) the authorized number of directors on the Board
shall be established and maintained at eight (8) directors; (ii) of the eight
(8) directors, Thayer shall have six (6) nominees on the Board; and (iii) of the
eight (8) directors, GVI shall have two (2) nominees on the Board, provided,
however that:
(a) if at any point in time GVI holds, on
an as-converted basis: 2,619,047 or fewer shares of Common Stock (as adjusted
from time to time for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations or any
similar events); or fifteen percent (15%) or less of the total outstanding
Common Stock, on a Fully-Diluted Basis (as defined below), but more than
1,309,523 shares of Common Stock and more than five (5%) percent of the
outstanding Common Stock, on a Fully-Diluted Basis, then Thayer and GVI shall
each vote all of their respective shares and each shall take all other necessary
or desirable actions within its control to cause only one (1) of GVI's nominees
to become or continue to be a member of the Board; and
(b) if at any point in time GVI holds, on an
as-converted basis: (i) 1,309,523 or fewer shares of Common Stock (as adjusted
from time to time for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations or any
similar events); or (ii) five percent (5%) or less of the total outstanding
Common Stock, on a Fully-Diluted Basis, then Thayer shall not be required to
vote its shares or to take any other action to cause any of GVI's nominees to
become or continue to be members of the Board.
The Shareholders shall vote all of their voting Equity
Securities to ensure that the number of directors comprising the Board shall not
be increased without the prior written consent of: (i) GVI and (ii) Thayer.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties to this
Agreement acknowledge and agree that the Board shall have the right, pursuant to
the Company's By-laws, to select and recommend individuals for election to the
Board and nothing contained in this Section 2.1 shall conflict with such right.
Solely for the purposes of this Section 2.1, the term "Fully-Diluted Basis"
shall mean giving effect to the conversion of all of the Convertible Notes and
to the exercise of all options which have been granted under the Company's
employee stock option plan (as such plan is in effect on June 20, 2000), but not
to the exercise, conversion or exchange of any other options or convertible or
exchangeable securities.
2.2 REMOVAL. Thayer and GVI shall each vote all of their
respective shares and each shall take all other necessary or desirable actions
within its control to ensure that the removal from the Board (with or without
cause) of any of the nominees of Thayer and GVI, respectively, set forth above
is made only upon the written request of the Person or Persons entitled to
designate such director pursuant to Section 2.1; provided, however, that in the
event that GVI is no longer entitled to the number of directors that it then
currently has on the Board as provided pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or (b) above,
then at Thayer's request, GVI shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its
nominee(s) not entitled to be a director of the Company to resign from the
Board.
2.3 VACANCY. In the event that any director nominated hereunder
for any reason ceases to serve as a member of the Board during his term of
office, Thayer and GVI shall each vote all of their respective shares and each
shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within its control to cause
the resulting vacancy on the Board to be filled by a director nominated by the
Person or Persons entitled to nominate such director pursuant to Section 2.1.
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2.4 REPRESENTATIONS. Each Shareholder represents that he, she
or it has not granted and is not a party to any proxy, voting trust or other
agreement which is inconsistent with or conflicts with the provisions of this
Agreement, and no holder of Equity Securities shall grant any proxy or become
party to any voting trust or other agreement which is inconsistent with or
conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
VOTING COMMITMENT; OFFICERS
3.1 VOTING COMMITMENT. Thayer shall vote all of its shares of
Common Stock and any other voting Equity Securities of the Company over which
Thayer has voting control, and will take all other actions within its control to
ensure that a meeting of the shareholders of the Company is held not later than
within one (1) year after the date of this Agreement, at which the Company's
shareholders are asked to vote on a proposal to approve the issuance of the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. At
such shareholder meeting, Thayer shall vote all of its shares of Common Stock
and any other voting Equity Securities of the Company over which Thayer has
voting control, and will take all other actions within its control to cause such
proposal to be approved by the shareholders. In connection with any Transfer of
shares of Common Stock by Thayer to one or more third parties prior to such
shareholder meeting that would cause the amount of Common Stock held by Thayer
and its Affiliates to fall below fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company as of such date (excluding any shares of Common
Stock issued upon conversion of the Convertible Notes), Thayer shall require the
transferee of such shares of Common Stock to agree to vote those shares and take
other actions as required by this Section 3.1.
3.2 OFFICERS. If either Thayer or GVI requests a change in the
Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, then the
other party shall do all things in its power to effect that change. Both parties
shall support only such replacement candidates for the offices of Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company as are mutually
agreed upon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree
that the Company's Board shall have the sole right to elect or remove officers
of the Company and nothing contained in this Section 3.2 shall conflict with
such right.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL TRANSFERABILITY RESTRICTIONS
Except for Permitted Transfers and other Transfers in compliance with
Articles V and VI of this Agreement, no Shareholder shall Transfer or cause or
permit to be Transferred any Equity Securities owned or controlled by such
Shareholder, and any purported Transfer in violation hereof shall be null and
void and the Shareholders shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
Company not to record such transfer on the Company's books or treat any
purported transferee of such Equity Securities as the owner of such shares for
any purpose. Prior to Transferring any Equity Securities to any Person (other
than pursuant to a Public Sale), the transferring Shareholder shall cause the
prospective transferee to execute and deliver to the Company, Thayer and GVI a
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Joinder to this Agreement. All references to Thayer and GVI in Articles V or VI
hereunder shall include their respective Affiliates and transferees pursuant to
a Permitted Transfer (other than to one or more Public Transferees).
ARTICLE V
TAG ALONG RIGHTS
5.1 THAYER TRANSFER. Thayer shall not engage in any transaction
or transactions (including a merger, consolidation or similar business
combination) that involves the Transfer by Thayer (together with any Affiliates
of Thayer) to a third party of greater than 2,837,175 shares of Common Stock, as
adjusted from time to time for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations
or any similar events (other than a "DRAG ALONG SALE" as defined in Article VI
below and other than a Permitted Transfer), without first offering to GVI the
right to participate in such Transfer as set forth in this Article V (a "THAYER
TRANSFER").
5.2 GVI STOCK TRANSFER. GVI shall not engage in any transaction
or transactions (including a merger, consolidation or similar business
combination) that involves the Transfer by GVI (together with any Affiliates of
GVI) to a third party of greater than 1,571,429 shares of Common Stock, as
adjusted from time to time for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations
or any similar events (other than a "DRAG ALONG SALE" as defined in Article VI
below and other than a Permitted Transfer), without first offering to Thayer the
right to participate in such Transfer as set forth in this Article V (a "GVI
STOCK TRANSFER").
5.3 GVI NOTES TRANSFER. GVI shall not engage in any transaction
or transactions that involves the Transfer by GVI (together with any Affiliates
of GVI) to a third party of Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount
of greater than $8,250,000 (other than a Permitted Transfer), without first
offering to Thayer the right to participate in such Transfer as set forth in
this Article V (a "GVI NOTES TRANSFER"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
Transfer of Convertible Notes to a third party shall be deemed not to be a GVI
Notes Transfer for purposes of this Article V if: (a) the aggregate
consideration paid or payable for the Convertible Notes is not more than the
outstanding principal and interest due on such Convertible Notes as of the date
of such Transfer; and (b) the consideration per share paid or payable for any
shares of Common Stock Transferred in any contemporaneous or related Transfers
of Common Stock by GVI is less than the Conversion Price (as defined in the
Convertible Notes).
5.4. AGGREGATION. In any series of contemporaneous or related
Transfers of Common Stock and/or Convertible Notes that would: (a) in the case a
series of Transfers of Common Stock by Thayer, result in the Transfer of an
aggregate of 2,837,175 or more shares of Common Stock; and (b) in the case of a
series of Transfers by GVI: (i) result in the Transfer of an aggregate of
1,571,429 or more shares of Common Stock; (ii) result in the Transfer of
Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount greater than $8,250,000; or
(iii) result in the Transfer of any combination of Common Stock or Convertible
Notes constituting, on an as-converted basis, 1,571,429 or more shares of Common
Stock, such series of Transfers shall be deemed to constitute a single Transfer
and the amounts of Common Stock and/or Convertible Notes Transferred thereby
shall be aggregated together so that such series of Transfers trigger the
provisions of either Section 5.1, in the case of a series of Transfers by
Thayer, or Section 5.2 or Section 5.3, in the case of a series of Transfers by
GVI. All share amounts in the preceding
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sentence shall be as adjusted from time to time for any stock splits, stock
dividends, combinations or any similar events.
5.5 NOTICE. Before consummating a Thayer Transfer, a GVI Stock
Transfer or a GVI Notes Transfer (each, a "TAG ALONG SALE"), either Thayer or
GVI, as the case may be (the "SELLING PARTY"), shall first deliver a written
notice (a "TRANSFER NOTICE") to the other party (the "TAGGING PARTY") stating:
(i) in the case of a Thayer Transfer or a GVI Stock Transfer, the Selling
Party's desire to Transfer shares of Common Stock to a third party, the number
of shares of Common Stock proposed to be Transferred, and the price per share of
Common Stock and other general terms of the proposed Transfer, including any
escrow of funds from such Transfer; or (ii) in the case of a GVI Notes Transfer,
the Selling Party's desire to Transfer one or more Convertible Notes to a third
party, the number of Convertible Notes proposed to be Transferred, and the price
per share of Common Stock that such proposed Transfer of Convertible Notes
represents, computed by dividing the aggregate purchase price for the
Convertible Notes proposed to be Transferred by the number of shares of Common
Stock for which those Convertible Notes could have been converted at the time of
Transfer.
5.6 TAGGING PARTY RIGHT. The Tagging Party may elect, by
delivering to the Selling Party a written notice (a "TAG ALONG NOTICE") of its
election within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Transfer Notice (the "TAG
ALONG PERIOD"), to participate in the Selling Party's Transfer of Common Stock
or Convertible Notes on the same terms and conditions specified in the Transfer
Notice. In the case of a GVI Notes Transfer, the "same terms and conditions"
shall mean that the Tagging Party shall have the right to sell shares of Common
Stock for the price per share of Common Stock determined by dividing the
aggregate purchase price for Convertible Notes proposed to be sold by the number
of shares of Common Stock for which those Convertible Notes could have been
converted at the time of sale. The Tag Along Notice shall specify the maximum
number of Common Stock shares that the Tagging Party may elect to Transfer,
which number shall not exceed the product (rounded down to the nearest whole
number) obtained by multiplying (x) the number of shares of Common Stock owned
by the Tagging Party (excluding any shares of Common Stock receivable upon
conversion of Convertible Notes) by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock and/or shares receivable upon conversion of
Convertible Notes, as the case may be, proposed to be Transferred by the Selling
Party, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock either owned by the Selling Party or receivable by the Selling Party upon
conversion of any Convertible Notes held by the Selling Party. If the Selling
Party is selling shares of Common Stock and the Tagging Party holds Convertible
Notes, the Tagging Party shall convert all such Convertible Notes to shares of
Common Stock prior to or concurrently with the Tag Along Sale. The Selling Party
shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to interest the third party
in purchasing all the shares of Common Stock specified by the Tagging Party in
the Tag Along Notice, in addition to the Common Stock or Convertible Notes, as
the case may be, that the third party may already have agreed to purchase from
the Selling Party. If the third party refuses to purchase all of such additional
shares of Common Stock then the Selling Party must reduce the amount of Common
Stock or Convertible Notes, as the case may be, that it proposes to sell to such
third party by the amount necessary to enable the Tagging Party to sell to such
third party an amount of Common Stock equal to the product (rounded down to the
nearest whole number) obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock such third party is willing to acquire by (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of
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Common Stock owned by the Tagging Party and the denominator of which is the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock owned by the Selling Party and the
Tagging Party.
5.7 CONSUMMATION.
(a) At least ten (10) days prior to the consummation of
a Transfer by the Selling Party described in a Transfer Notice and not before
the earlier of (x) the end of the Tag Along Period and (y) the receipt by the
Selling Party of a Tag Along Notice, the Selling Party shall provide written
notice (a "CONSUMMATION NOTICE") to the Tagging Party stating (i) the identity
of the third party transferee, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that
such the Tagging Party will be entitled to sell to such third party pursuant to
this Article V, and (iii) the date the Transfer will be consummated. At least
five (5) days prior to the date of such consummation, the Tagging Party shall
deliver to the Selling Party for Transfer to the third party one or more
certificates, properly endorsed for Transfer, which represent the number of
shares of Common Stock such Tagging Party is entitled to sell, as provided in
the Consummation Notice. The certificate(s) delivered to the Selling Party by
the Tagging Party shall be Transferred to the third party identified in the
Consummation Notice, as part of the consummation of the Transfer of Common Stock
pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice and the
Consummation Notice. Upon receipt of the proceeds of the Transfer, the Selling
Party shall promptly remit to the Tagging Party that portion of such proceeds to
which such Tagging Party is entitled by reason of such Shareholder's
participation in such Transfer together with any stock certificates for any
shares not sold in the Transfer.
(b) In connection with a Transfer pursuant to this
Article V, the Tagging Party shall be required to make representations and
warranties regarding the Common Stock or Convertible Notes that the Tagging
Party proposes to Transfer (including, without limitation, the Tagging Party's
ownership of and authority to Transfer such Common Stock or Convertible Notes,
the absence of any liens or other encumbrances on such Common Stock or
Convertible Notes, and the compliance of such Transfer with the federal and
state securities laws and all other applicable laws and regulations). In
addition, if the Tagging Party is a holder of more than ten percent (10%) of the
outstanding Common Stock, on an as-converted basis, it shall also be required to
provide customary representations and warranties regarding the Company.
5.8 SECURITIES LAWS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Article V, the Selling Party shall have no obligation to permit a
Tagging Party, and no Tagging Party shall have the right, to participate as a
Tagging Party in a Thayer Transfer, a GVI Stock Transfer or a GVI Notes Transfer
if such Transfer (i) would not be exempt from all registration requirements
under federal and state securities laws or (ii) would violate, or cause the
Transfer to violate, any applicable federal or state laws.
ARTICLE VI
DRAG ALONG RIGHTS
6.1 DRAG ALONG SALE. Subject to Section 6.3, if either Thayer
or GVI (the "DRAGGING PARTY") in its sole discretion determines to accept an
offer from a third party that is not an Affiliate of such Dragging Party to
purchase all of the shares of Common Stock then held by the Dragging Party, then
the other party (the "DRAGGED PARTY") shall be required to sell all the shares
of Common Stock either held or receivable upon conversion of any Convertible
Notes held
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by such party pursuant to such offer (the "DRAG ALONG SALE"). Prior to
commencing any Drag Along Sale, the Dragging Party shall convert all Convertible
Notes held by such Dragging Party to shares of Common Stock. If a Drag Along
Sale is structured as a: (i) merger or consolidation, each Dragged Party shall
waive any dissenters' rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in connection
with such merger or consolidation; or (ii) sale of stock, then each Dragged
Party shall agree to sell all of its shares of Common Stock and to either (a)
convert all Convertible Notes and sell all shares of Common Stock received upon
such conversion, on the terms and conditions approved by the Dragging Party or
(b) elect to receive on the Drag Along Sale Date from the purchaser in the Drag
Along Sale the aggregate principal and accrued interest on all outstanding
Convertible Notes held by such Dragged Party (a "FORCED REDEMPTION") as of such
date. Each Dragged Party in such Drag Along Sale: (i) shall be subject to the
same terms and conditions of sale; and (ii) shall execute such documents and
take such actions as may be reasonably required by the Dragging Party.
6.2 DRAG NOTICE. The Dragging Party shall provide the Dragged
Party with written notice (the "DRAG NOTICE") of a Drag Along Sale at least
fifteen (15) days prior to the date of consummation of such sale (the "DRAG
ALONG SALE DATE"). The Drag Notice shall set forth: (i) the identity of the
third party transferee in a Drag Along Sale; (ii) the price and the other
general terms of the proposed Transfer; and (iii) the Drag Along Sale Date.
6.3 FORM OF CONSIDERATION. Upon the consummation of a Drag
Along Sale: (i) each holder of Common Stock (including the Dragging Party) shall
receive the same form of consideration and the same amount of consideration per
share as each other holder of Common Stock; (ii) if any holders of Common Stock
are given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received,
then each other holder of Common Stock shall be given the same option; and (iii)
any non-cash consideration received by holders of Common Stock pursuant to the
terms of a Drag Along Sale shall be allocated among the Dragged Party and the
Dragging Party pro rata based upon each transferor's percentage ownership of the
aggregate shares of Common Stock held by the Dragging Party and the Dragged
Party. If any portion of the consideration in a Drag Along Sale is subject to
escrow or a future contingency, the Dragged Party's right to the proceeds of the
Drag Along Sale shall be proportionally subject to such escrow and/or
contingency and the future payments due therefrom.
6.4 CONSUMMATION.
(a) At least five (5) days prior to the Drag Along Sale
Date, the Dragged Party shall either (i) convert all Convertible Notes held by
such Dragged Party and deliver to the Dragging Party for Transfer to the third
party one or more certificates, properly endorsed for Transfer, which represent
all of the shares of Common Stock held by such Dragged Party; or (ii) elect to
proceed with a Forced Redemption in compliance with Section 6.1. Such
certificate(s) shall be Transferred to the third party transferee identified in
the Drag Notice, as part of the consummation of the Drag Along Sale. Upon
receipt of the proceeds of the Drag Along Sale, the Dragging Party shall
promptly remit to the Dragged Party that portion of such proceeds to which such
Dragged Party is entitled by reason of such Dragged Party's participation in
such Drag Along Sale.
(b) In connection with a Drag Along Sale, the Dragged
Party shall be required to make representations and warranties regarding the
shares of Common Stock that such Dragged Party Transfers in such sale
(including, without limitation, such Dragged Party's
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ownership of and authority to Transfer such shares of Common Stock and the
absence of any liens or other encumbrances on such shares of Common Stock). In
addition, any Dragged Party who is a holder of more than ten percent (10%) of
the outstanding Common Stock, on an as-converted basis, shall also be required
to provide customary representations and warranties regarding the Company.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION; ADDITIONAL PARTIES
7.1 TERMINATION. All rights and obligations set forth in this
Agreement, to the extent not previously terminated, shall terminate upon the
earlier of: (i) the written agreement of Thayer and GVI; (ii) the closing of a
Drag Along Sale; (iii) the closing of any Transfer or series of related
Transfers of shares of Common Stock, Convertible Notes or any combination of
shares of Common Stock and Convertible Notes that results in Thayer and GVI and
their respective Affiliates holding together, on an as-converted basis, less
than 7,347,672 shares of Common Stock, as adjusted from time to time for any
stock splits, stock dividends, combinations or any similar events; or (iv) at
such time that either (a) Thayer's or its Affiliates' holdings of Common Stock,
on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis, are less than five percent (5%) of
the outstanding common stock of the Company; or (b) GVI's or its Affiliates'
holdings of Common Stock, on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis, are less
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company.
7.2 ADDITIONAL PARTIES. All additional shares of capital stock
issued by the Company to a Shareholder shall be deemed to be "Equity Securities"
owned by such Shareholder for purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 LEGEND. All certificates evidencing Equity Securities
restricted by this Agreement shall bear a legend indicating the existence of the
restrictions imposed hereby and a stop transfer order may be placed with respect
to such securities. The legend referred to in the preceding sentence shall be
substantially in the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JUNE 20, 2000, AMONG CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS OF GLOBAL
VACATION GROUP, INC. (THE "COMPANY") AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED
EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH AGREEMENT. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT
IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY AND WILL BE
FURNISHED UPON REQUEST TO THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THE SECURITIES
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.
8.2 COMPLIANCE WITH HART SCOTT RODINO ANTITRUST IMPROVEMENTS
ACT. Conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of Common Stock pursuant to
this Agreement may not be made without a filing under the Hart Scott Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR ACT") and the
expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act.
All time periods concerning conversion of the Convertible Notes and actions to
be
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taken after conversion of the Convertible Notes shall be equitably extended to
reflect delays caused by such filing and the expiration or termination of such
waiting periods.
8.3 NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS. No failure or delay on the part of any
party in the exercise of any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right or power hereunder shall
operate as a waiver of such right or power or of any other right or power. The
waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach hereunder.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all rights and remedies existing
under this Agreement are cumulative with, and not exclusive of, any rights or
remedies otherwise available.
8.4 AMENDMENT. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Agreement, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented only by the written
agreement of Thayer and GVI. Any amendment approved by Thayer and GVI pursuant
to the preceding sentence shall be binding upon all other Shareholders.
8.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS; THIRD PARTIES. This Agreement
contains the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with
respect thereto, written or oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators and permitted assigns.
Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities.
8.6 NO ASSIGNMENT. No party hereto may assign any of its rights
or obligations under this Agreement to any other person, except that Thayer and
GVI may assign part or all of their respective rights and obligations hereunder
to one or more of their respective Affiliates, and their respective successors
and assigns.
8.7 NOTICES. All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
personally, by facsimile or sent by overnight express or by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Global Vacation Group, Inc.
1420 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 575
Washington, D.C. 20005
Attn: Larry R. Gilbertson
Tel: (202) 347-1800
Fax: (202) 347-0710
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If to Thayer:
Thayer Equity Investors III, L.P.
c/o Thayer Capital Partners
1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20004
Attn: Daniel Raskas
Tel: (202) 371-0150
Fax: (202) 371-0391
With a copy to:
Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P.
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Attn: Christopher J. Hagan
Tel: (202) 637-5771
Fax: (202) 637-5910
If to GVI:
GV Investment LLC
c/0 Three Cities Research, Inc.
650 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attn: J. William Uhrig
Fax: (212) 980-1142
With a copy to:
Clifford Chance Rogers & Wells, LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attn: David W. Bernstein
Fax: (212) 878-8375
All notices to any of the parties hereto shall be sent to the
addresses set forth above, return receipt requested. All deliveries of notice
shall be deemed effective when received by the persons entitled to such receipt
or when delivery has been attempted but refused by such person or persons.
8.8 CAPTIONS. The captions contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
8.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original
instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one
agreement.
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8.10 GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. All questions concerning the
construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits
hereto will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of New York. Any party bringing any action under this Agreement shall only
be entitled to choose the state or federal courts located in the Borough of
Manhattan in New York City as the venue for such action, and each party hereto
consents to the jurisdiction of the court chosen in such manner for such action.
8.11 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are
severable, and the unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement. The parties
acknowledge that it is their intention that if any provision of this Agreement
is determined by a court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as drafted,
that provision should be construed in a manner designed to effectuate the
purpose of that provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law.
8.12 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The rights of the parties under this
Agreement are unique and the failure of a party to perform its obligations
hereunder would irreparably harm the other parties hereto. Accordingly, the
parties shall, in addition to such other remedies as may be available at law or
in equity, have the right to enforce their rights hereunder by actions for
specific performance to the extent permitted by law.
8.13 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each of the parties hereto agrees to
execute all such further instruments and documents and to take all such further
action as any other party may reasonably require in order to effectuate the
terms and purposes of this Agreement.
8.14 FIDUCIARY DUTY. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Agreement shall in any way impair any fiduciary duties of the
Shareholders or any directors of the Company to the Company and no Shareholder
shall be required to take any action hereunder for which the Company receives
legal advice that such action could violate such Shareholder's fiduciary duties
to the Company.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first
above written.
THAYER:
THAYER EQUITY INVESTORS III, L.P.
By: TC Equity Partners, L.L.C.
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ Daniel Raskas
-----------------------------------
Name: Daniel Raskas
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
GVI:
GV INVESTMENT LLC
By: /s/ Jeanette Welsh
----------------------------------------
Name: Jeanette Welsh
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
-------------------------------------
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