VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL AND GRAVITYFREE RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FOR WEB SITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 4, 2004 -- Sarasota, FL � The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Southwest Florida�s landmark, multi-dimensional performance venue, and GravityFree, a Sarasota-based Web site developer, received two top Mirror Image Awards last month from the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Central West Coast Chapter.

The Mirror Image Awards competition is conducted annually to recognize outstanding public relations programs in the Central West Coast Chapter of the FPRA, and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism in the area (ImPRessions Newsletter, May �04). Van Wezel and GravityFree won a Grand Image Award for the �Audio and Visual Tools of Public Relations� division and an Image Award in the Web site category. Both recipients are equally proud of the recognition the Web site has received since its launch last fall and the success it has generated for the performing arts hall.

Tickets for the Van Wezel�s new season were on the verge of going on sale last year, when staff members decided to meet with GravityFree�s production team to discuss the redesign of their Web site. The two parties had just over two months to plan, design, and implement the high-profile, fully-dynamic site, ��a sizable project that really tested the skills of the GravityFree team. After it was finished on time and on budget, the results proved to be worth the challenge,� said Ray Villares, co-founder of GravityFree. The site combines the beauty and informative services of print advertising with the accessibility and timeliness of the Internet.

One of the most important goals of the Van Wezel�s online presence is ticket sales. Visitors interested in purchasing tickets for upcoming events are given the highest priority, and the entire site itself is focused on making their experience as easy and straightforward as possible. �We wanted to create a Web site that provided quick access for ticket purchases, and offered an easily accessible communication tool for our media colleagues,� said Margaret Fuesy, Public Relations Manager for Van Wezel. �The redesigned site increased Internet sales by 45%, allowed all content management to be controlled by our internal staff, and increased patron and media relations.�



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*For more information about the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, please visit their Web site at www.vanwezel.org or call 941- 955-7676.

*For more information about GravityFree, please visit them on the Web at www.gravityfree.com or

call 941-927-7674.