SARASOTA CHAMBER USES WEB SITE TO DELIVER
100,000 REFERALS TO ITS MEMBERS

Released on = August 31, 2004, 6:15 pm

Press Release Author = Jessica Moats / GravityFree

Press Release Summary = SARASOTA CHAMBER USES WEB SITE TO DELIVER
100,000 REFERALS TO ITS MEMBERS

Press Release Body = Sarasota FL – This week, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of
Commerce reached a pinnacle point when it recorded its 100,000th online referral to
members.

The Sarasota Chamber, established in 1921, is a non-profit organization of over
2,000 dynamic members who recognize the value of working together to accomplish what
no single member could hope to achieve individually. In September 2002 the Chamber
made the decision to invest in a new Web site that would profile the Chamber’s
diverse programs and provide visitors with information about Sarasota County and our
business climate. Working with local Web site developer GravityFree, they
identified four key priorities of the project which included; delivering added
member benefits, improving communication both among internal leadership and general
public, streamlining processes and generating a new source non-dues income.

Since its launch in February 2004 the Web site, www.sarasoatchamber.org, has
exceeded all expectations. Most significant is the astronomical increase of
referrals to members. Each Chamber member receives a member profile listing on the
site, similar to the yellow pages. Visitors to the site can search the directory by
keyword or member category. Each time a visitor clicks on a web site or map link
tied to a member profile, a referral is recorded. Monthly referrals have jumped
1,200%, from 500 to 6500. Referrals to members are not the only benefit that was
come for the new site whose traffic has doubled to over 1,200,000 unique visitors
per month. Revenue from site advertising sales has skyrocketing by %, creating over
$50,000 in new non-dues income.

“The Chamber has always viewed technology as a integral ingredient in an
organization’s success,” says Steve Queior, Sarasota Chamber President. “It has
taken the Chamber’s role as liaison between the business world and the community to
a new level.”

The Chamber’s Web site was designed by Sarasota-based Web site developer,
GravityFree. GravityFree has been instrumental in helping many non-profit
organizations align their use of technology with their strategic initiatives. “We
are extremely proud of the Chamber’s success online. It’s another example how
Internet technology paired with the right strategic plan and management team can
produce extraordinary results” stated Ray Villares, co-founder of GravityFree.

Plans are under way to create a new Technology committee within the Chamber that
will address how technology is used throughout the organization as well as identify
and execute enhancements to the Web site. “Hold on to your seats, this is just the
beginning,” commented Villares who as agreed to serve as committee Chairman for the
upcoming year.

About GravityFree
GravityFree is an award winning Gulf Coast, Florida-based Web site developer with a
diverse portfolio of over 7 years in Web site, eCommerce and software development.
GravityFree continues to perfect its acclaimed methodology, product offering, and
respected professionalism. Its strong partnerships with Microsoft (NASDAQ : MSFT)
and Macromedia (NASDAQ S: MACR) help the company stay on the leading edge of
development. For more information about GravityFree, please visit them on the Web at
www.gravityfree.com or call 941-927-7674.

Web Site = http://www.gravityfree.com

Contact Details = Contact: Jessica Moats
Phone: 941-927-7674
Email: jmoats@gravityfree.com