Volunteer Teams from Convio Win Third Place at Accessibility Internet Rally Competition

Austin, Texas (December 4, 2008) —

Two volunteer teams comprised of ten interactive services and web design and development specialists from Convio and Small World Labs an Austin-based social media and social networking software company, won third prize in their respective categories at this year's AIR (Accessibility Internet Rally) Interactive Competition. Convio's two teams competed against 13 other Web pro teams to design accessible and highly interactive rich media site for Austin-area nonprofit organizations in need of accessibility expertise for their existing Web sites. This was the third consecutive competition in which Convio’s team members finished in the top three, taking first place in their category during the previous contest. The awards were presented at Holiday Inn Town Lake on November 12, 2008.

“We are proud to see our team members recognized for their passion, commitment, and expertise in the critical field of online accessibility,” said Misty McLaughlin, Manager of User Experience at Convio. "Our team takes great pride in creating successful online experiences for all nonprofit constituents – both in AIR competitions and in the work they do for our clients each day. Good Web design is by definition accessible to everyone. I commend our team on their impressive leadership in this field.”

Convio's winning team in the “Formula One” category for advanced technologies, was comprised of interactive services specialists and web designers Brandy Reppy, Charles Vestal, Don Roach, Shara Kilarski, Ken Cantu plus Nick Bartkowiak from Small World Labs. They received third prize for Texas Choral Consort’s Web site.

Convio’s winning team in the “Stock Car” category for basic accessibility, was comprised of interactive services specialists and web designers Ben Breakstone, April Davis, Taylor Shanklin and Tracey Davis. They received third prize for YESSERA’s Web site.

The accessible design competition is a central initiative of Knowbility, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 in Austin, Texas, to raise awareness and rally communities to support the independence of children and adults with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology.

“AIR provides a chance for professional growth, an opportunity for local involvement, and a way to connect to the greater accessibility community,” said Brandy Reppy, Interactive Architect for Convio and participant on one of the winning teams. “Building sites for accessibility with every changing technology never stops being a challenge - and it never quits being fun and rewarding.”

Produced in Austin since 1998, and replicated in cities throughout the country, AIR is nationally recognized for excellence and innovation for engaging communities in Web accessibility issues through its fun, friendly web design competition. The AIR program has long-term results and provides benefits for the whole community. Web developers learn about how and why to create accessible online applications and then apply their new skills by creating an accessible Web site that is reviewed by national accessibility experts.

About Convio

Convio is the leading provider of on-demand constituent relationship management (CRM) software and services that give nonprofit organizations a better way to inspire and mobilize people to support their organization. The company’s online marketing suite offers integrated software for fundraising, advocacy, events, email marketing and web content management, and its CRM system, Convio Common Ground™, helps organizations efficiently track and manage all interactions with supporters. All Convio products are delivered through the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and are backed by a portfolio of best-in-class consulting and support services and a network of partners who provide value-added services and applications focused on the unique needs of nonprofit organizations.  

Convio clients include nonprofit organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Associations and Faith-based organizations around the world such as American Red Cross, American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Humane Society of the United States, Easter Seals, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Sierra Club, and National Public Radio. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.

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