07/14/00 Sweet Sixteen and Getting a Facelift

Sweet Sixteen and Getting a Facelift

American Dietetic Association -- The e-Association
-- Freshens Its Look

For Immediate Release
 Contact: Bridget McManamon, Lori Ferme
800/877-1600, ext. 4769, 4802
Please do not publish these numbers)

Chicago -- June 21, 2000 -- www.eatright.org, the voice of nutrition on the Internet turns 16…in Web years…and is undergoing a facelift. The American Dietetic Association, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, an original Web pioneer, established an Internet presence in May 1996 and currently ranks as one of the top one hundred thousand sites in the world.

"We are leading the way with new member services on the Web and rapidly transforming into an e-Association," said ADA's CEO Connie Rivera. "We are developing innovative ways to keep our members, allied health professionals, the media and consumers abreast of reliable, science-based nutrition information and much more."

What's an e-Association? A community of association members inspired and enabled to meet the challenges of the new service economy on the Internet. ADA has had continued long-term success on the Internet. A recent survey of visitors to ADA's site revealed that 42 percent of visitors return to the site to get information on everything from weight-loss resources to disease-specific resources to finding a registered dietitian. In addition, 66 percent of ADA Web site visitors ranked their overall experience on the site as above average.

"The structure of the new Web site allows visitors to access accurate and timely nutrition information in three clicks or less," said Rivera. "Our goal is to provide a site that lets consumers and our members get what they need quickly and easily." The new design incorporates features available in new browsers, such as dynamic HTML and cascading style sheets.

ADA has defined its community of interest - members and consumers interested in food and nutrition - which uses the site as a "metamarket" place: a place where gathering, sharing, trading and purchasing goods, services and information is generated.

ADA’s Web site, www.eatright.org, attracts nearly 71,000 visitors per month who spend, on average, 25 minutes per session.

The 70,000-member American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Based in Chicago, ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

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