AUSTIN, Texas, July 9, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- As more organizations move key elements of their operations online, the American Counseling Association (ACA) -- the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors -- is partnering with Convio to strengthen its use of the Internet for communicating with and providing services to its members.
"Like many professional associations today, we are responding to our members' increasing expectations for easy access to frequently, updated information as well as 24/7 availability of services and benefits," said Richard Yep, ACA's Executive Director. "Heavy reliance on the mail and other traditional communication methods simply isn't as efficient and effective as online alternatives such as personalized Web site content and email communications. Working with Convio is key for our organization's future and our ability to continue providing leadership for the counseling profession."
Convio -- the leading online Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) company for nonprofits -- provides Internet software and services that enable member-supported organizations to build and sustain strong relationships with constituents, which is vital to the success of associations and other nonprofit organizations.
The ACA-Convio partnership comes at a time when the association is undergoing a comprehensive revamping of its Internet capabilities. Improved functionality for ACA's Internet infrastructure will include easy-to-use systems for managing its Web site, personalizing content to members, having secure content areas, communicating via personalized emails, profiling member interests and tracking constituents' online interactions with the organization.
Convio will enable ACA to show personalized Web content to each member based on information he or she provides about geographic location, professional affiliation and expertise, interests, etc. For example, professional counselors in private practice will see different content -- content that is relevant to their practice area -- than school counselors, and vice versa. Convio is uniquely able to integrate this and other information about members -- such as history of interactions with the organization -- into a single marketing database so ACA staff in different departments can have a complete, 360-degree view of members and conduct coordinated cross-marketing programs. Convio also is enabling integration between ACA's online presence and its association membership database.
"ACA is taking an important step to leverage the power of the Internet and Constituent Relationship Management technology to provide much higher levels of service to its members -- key for ensuring high retention rates and strong conversion from student to full membership," said Vinay Bhagat, founder and CEO, Convio. "Also, ACA selected Convio because of our integrated platform and ability to integrate tightly with offline member donor databases. We expect the association to see significant benefits in this regard, as well."
Convio serves other professional associations including the Texas Dental Association (www.tda.org), the American Dental Association's third largest affiliate. The Texas organization uses Convio for online advocacy, recruiting member dentists, promoting continuing education, managing events and fundraising.
About American Counseling Association
Founded in 1952 and based in Alexandria, Virgina, The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a nonprofit, professional and educational organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. By providing leadership training, publications, continuing education opportunities and advocacy services to more than 55,000 members, ACA helps counseling professionals develop their skills and expand their knowledge base. ACA has been instrumental in setting professional and ethical standards for the counseling profession. The association has made considerable strides in accreditation, licensure, and national certification. It also represents the interests of the profession before Congress and federal agencies, and strives to promote recognition of professional counselors to the public and the media.
About Convio
Austin-based Convio is the leading online Constituent Relationship Management, or CRM, company serving the nonprofit sector. Convio's mission is to increase the effectiveness of how nonprofit organizations attract, engage and retain constituents to provide funding and other forms of support. The Convio(tm) software solution consists of five product suites: eFundraising, eMarketing, Advocacy, Content Management and a Constituent Center database. Using Convio, nonprofits can send targeted, personalized email communications; conduct fundraising, membership and advocacy campaigns; publish personalized and fresh Web content; manage registrations, RSVP's, ticket sales and other event logistics; tap volunteers and their personal networks for campaigns; track constituent interactions; connect online systems to off-line donor databases; and more. The Convio platform automatically shares data among all five product suites, giving nonprofits a unified view of each constituent so staff can conduct more personalized and targeted marketing. Convio also provides Internet marketing consulting services to help nonprofits adopt online marketing best practices.
Convio serves national and regional organizations in all segments of the nonprofit sector including disease and disorder, education, healthcare, human services, advocacy, associations, public broadcasting, museums and other visitation facilities, and political campaigns. Convio's clients include Easter Seals, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Devereux Foundation, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, American Lung Association of Texas, National Foundation for Cancer Research and KCET (PBS, Los Angeles). For more information, please visit http://www.convio.com.