TripSmarter.Com Wins International Recognition

Nov. 12, 2007 - PRLog -- PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Tourist Network Interactive, an award-winning New Media agency, announced that it has been awarded Outstanding Achievement in Website Development by the Interactive Media Awards™ for its work on the TripSmarter.Com Travel Website. The honor, granted by the Interactive Media Council, Inc., recognizes that the website met and surpassed the basic standards of excellence that comprise the web’s most professional work. The site was honored specifically for excellence in Travel/Tourism.

The judging consisted of various criteria, including design, usability, innovation in technical features, standards compliance and content. In order to win this award level, the site had to meet strict guidelines in each area — an achievement only a small fraction of sites in the IMA competition earn each year.

Steve Nichols, Director of New Media at Tourist Network Interactive, said, "We were extremely honored to receive this year’s IMA for Travel & Tourism. We've always pushed ourselves to exceed expectations on every level of web development. It feels great to have our work on TripSmarter.Com recognized by experts from the media and marketing industries. "

Judges for the 2007 Interactive Media Awards™ include representatives from American Express, CBS Radio, CNN Money, Deutsche Bank, The History Channel, Microsoft, Comedy Central, New Line Cinema, The New York Times, Ogilvy & Mather, Time Inc., Time Warner Inc., Verizon Business, Cadbury Schweppes and others.

IMA winners have the distinct and prestigious honor of being recognized as among the “best of the web,” excelling in design, usability, innovation, standards compliance and content. Winners are also considered to be sites that rise above their competition and stand out as the top choice for their target market.

About TripSmarter.Com:
Founded in 1997, TripSmarter.Com is an award-winning visitor information resource for travelers visiting popular destinations in the Southeast US. As the official website of the Tourist Network television stations, TripSmarter.Com provides 24/7 live streams of Beach TV, Key TV, New Orleans Television and the Atlanta Channel. TripSmarter.Com's unique approach to providing useful and entertaining travel information includes features like live web cams, live visitor TV streams, thousands of photos and on-demand videos, user reviews of local businesses, event calendars, travel articles, custom maps and a well-established Travel Community where members share their travel stories, photos and restaurant reviews with other travelers. Visitors can also compare hotel prices, book their room online, purchase airline tickets, research local businesses, plan their vacation and much more. For more information visit http://www.tripsmarter.com.

About the Interactive Media Awards:
The Interactive Media Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement. Sponsored by the Interactive Media Council, Inc., a nonprofit organization of leading web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals, the competition seeks to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet. For more information visit http://www.interactivemediaawards.com.

Contact:
Steve Nichols
Tourist Network Interactive
steve@tripsmarter.com

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Founded in 1997, TripSmarter.Com is an award-winning visitor information resource for travelers visiting popular destinations in the Southeast US. As the official website of the Tourist Network television stations, TripSmarter.Com provides 24/7 live streams of Beach TV, Key TV, New Orleans Television and the Atlanta Channel.

Website: www.tripsmarter.com