State of Georgia'’s Web site captures international recognition

ATLANTA, May 22, 2006 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development's (GDEcD) Web site, Georgia.org, recently won recognition in two international competitions. The site, which was redesigned and newly launched in October 2005, was named an Official Honoree in the 2006 Webby Awards and also received a silver medal in this year's Summit Creative Awards. 'We are extremely proud of our Web site and the staff that work every day to keep it up-to-date,' said Craig Lesser, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'This recognition reaffirms that our Web site is not only aesthetically pleasing, but remains a vital resource to Georgia's citizens and those, nationally and internationally, who wish to learn more about our state.' The Webby Award is the leading international award honoring excellence in Web design, creativity, usability and functionality. Established in 1996, the Webbys are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 500-member body of leading Web experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries and creative celebrities. This year's 10th annual Webby Awards was the largest to date. Over 5,500 Web sites were entered in the competition from all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. The Official Honoree distinction is awarded to sites that score in the top 20 percent of all sites entered into the Webby Awards. The Summit Awards organization is dedicated to furthering excellence in the communications industry. It administers awards competitions throughout the year, using rigorous evaluative criteria, to recognize companies and individuals that excel beyond the expected. Throughout its 12-year history, the Summit organization has established itself as one of the premier arbiters of communication excellence. Companies and individuals from more than 50 countries and five continents participate in its awards programs. GDEcD's site, at www.georgia.org, provides a wealth of information for businesses considering a move to or expansion in the state; travelers looking for unique and exciting places to visit; and researchers interested in learning about the state's economic, cultural and academic resources. Site users can find specific pieces of information by entering dedicated tabbed sections for travel, business, culture, people and more, either clicking through the appropriate pages or conducting a search for the information. "The georgia.org site is a very important tool for our department. It plays an essential role in helping us communicate Georgia's business and tourism assets to the world," said Gilda Watters, GDEcD director of marketing and communications. "We are pleased that our hard work on the site has resulted not only in its increased use, but in these international honors." Working with global interactive agency nurun | ant farm interactive, GDEcD developed the Web site to complement the state's new marketing strategy, which was unveiled in September 2005. The redesigned Web site plays an integral part in the state's 'Put your dreams in motion' campaign, using the Web address georgia.org as a call to action for businesses and visitors to get more information about Georgia. The state's dynamic new peach logo is featured throughout the site. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.