Schipul Selected by Wilderness Education Association to Build Online Community
BLOOMINGTON, IN., May 14, 2007 -- Schipul - The Web Marketing Company (www.schipul.com), a worldwide provider of Web marketing solutions, has launched a robust new Web site for the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). A leader in outdoor leadership instruction, the WEA selected Tendenci® association management software to power its new Web site, www.weainfo.org, which includes numerous social media features designed to foster the development of a vital online community.
The WEA is a not-for-profit organization that educates the general public and outdoor leaders in the appropriate use of wildlands and protected areas. With Tendenci (www.tendenci.com), the organization''s new Web site is loaded with Web-based tools designed to encourage a dynamic flow of information to keep outdoor enthusiasts involved.
The organization''s Web site features an easily updated online calendar that promotes an ever-changing WEA course schedule. Online surveys deliver real-time data on the opinions of members. Its easy-to-use Content Management System enables frequent updates by multiple site administrators on every page without the inconvenience of going through a third-party Web site administrator.
"Tendenci gives us an all-in-one solution for building an online community for our members and affiliated organizations across the country," said Mary Williams, national office manager for WEA. "Schipul has designed a Web solution that is easy for our longtime members to use while also offering leading edge capabilities that those just entering our field have come to expect."
Outdoor leadership is a rapidly growing field, spurred by increasing environmentalism and rapid growth in adventure travel. Dozens of colleges and universities use the WEA''s programs as part of their outdoor education curriculum. The organization''s field-based courses teach technical skills that enable individuals to guide and educate others safely and effectively.
The WEA will use Tendenci''s integrated online payment for membership and renewal, and expects the new Web site to simplify management of the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership by automating many functions of event promotion, registration and payment.
Tendenci''s integrated Really Simple Syndication (RSS) capabilities enable anyone who wants to stay updated on WEA''s courses and programs to subscribe to automatically receive word of site updates as they happen. Tendenci also automates search engine optimization functionality, which makes the site visible to major search engines and attracts new visitors.
About the Wilderness Education Association
Established in 1977, the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) promotes the professionalism of outdoor leadership, improves the safety of outdoor trips and enhances the conservation of the wild outdoors. The WEA promotes professionalism through the following strategies: certification, accreditation, affiliation, membership, program consulting, research and development and the fostering of collaboration and partnerships with like-minded institutions and organizations. Additional information about the WEA and its ongoing programs is available at www.weainfo.org.
About Schipul - The Web Marketing Company
Schipul - The Web Marketing Company developed and builds on the Tendenci® association management application, which has more than 330,000 users worldwide. Schipul is based in Houston, and provides marketing services on the Internet to a variety of service industries in local, national and international markets. Schipul''s clients include American Association of Dental Office Managers, National Pharmacy Technician Association, The Children''s Fund, Wolff Companies and DPK Public Relations. Additional information about Schipul is available at www.schipul.com and www.tendenci.com.