Convio Named "Private Company of the Year" by Austin Business Journal

Company Increases Revenue Nearly 50 percent for Second Consecutive Year and Lands 500th Nonprofit Customer

Austin, Texas (January 16, 2006) —

Convio, Inc., the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet for building strong constituent relationships and driving support, has been named the 2005 “Private Company of the Year” by the Austin Business Journal.

The editorial staff at the regional business newspaper honors Central Texas companies and executives with various year-end distinctions based on a demonstrated track record of success and continued achievement in their respective marketplaces.

“We’re honored to have been selected by the Austin Business Journal as 'Private Company of the Year,' especially considering the strength of the private business market in the Central Texas area,” said Gene Austin, CEO, Convio. “Our company’s people, products, services and overall culture have enabled us to excel in our marketplace, and we are on track for another year of solid growth in 2006.”

Convio begins 2006 with strong momentum and continues on a path of steady growth. The company’s year-over-year revenue has grown approximately 50 percent for the past two years.

Convio also reached a major milestone last year by landing the company’s 500th customer, The ALS Association, a nonprofit dedicated solely to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Other new customers in 2005 include the American Red Cross and National Multiple Sclerosis Society — the two largest deals since the company’s inception in 1999 — as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities and Thirteen/WNET New York, the nation's most-watched public television station.

“In its year-end edition and in its coverage throughout the year, the Austin Business Journal highlights business executives and companies such as Convio that have contributed to the overall strength of the Central Texas economy,” said John Egan, editor of the Austin Business Journal. “Such coverage informs our readers and provides examples of business success for companies big and small in the Austin area.”

The Austin Business Journal has twice named Convio one of the fastest growing private companies in Central Texas. Additionally, Convio was one of only 17 firms on Forbes’ 2004 list of fast-growing private technology companies and also made Red Herring’s 2004 "100 Top Private Companies” list.

About Convio

Convio is the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet strategically to build strong relationships with constituents for driving fundraising, advocacy and other forms of support. Convio has online solutions for fundraising, advocacy, Web content management, event fundraising, ecommerce and email communications. All solutions include the Constituent360™ platform, a sophisticated, online marketing database that centralizes constituent data and integrates with offline databases.

In addition to The ALS Association, American Red Cross, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Thirteen/WNET New York, Convio's clients include American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, AVON Foundation, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Easter Seals, Farm Aid, Georgetown University, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Trust For Historic Preservation, and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, please visit www.convio.com. 

Press Contact:
Karoline McLaughlin
Director, Corporate Communications
Convio, Inc.
kmclaughlin@convio.com
512-652-7865