Convio, Leading Nonprofits and Political Campaign Expert Address the Impact of the Internet on Public Policy at Independent Sector Conference

Convio Founder, Vinay Bhagat, Leads Key Session With Easter Seals, American Cancer Society and Dean for America Internet Guru at Prestigious Nonprofit Conference

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Nov. 1, 2004) — Convio’s Vinay Bhagat, along with experts from Easter Seals, American Cancer Society and the Dean for America presidential campaign, will address the 2004 Independent Sector Annual Conference on how today’s nonprofits can leverage the Internet to influence public policy.

Bhagat’s session at this year’s Independent Sector Conference (Making Participation Count, The Fairmont Chicago, Nov 7-9), is titled “The Power of the Internet to Shape Public Policy," and is scheduled on Nov. 8, 2:30-4:00 p.m. For more information on the conference, please visit http://www.independentsector.org/AnnualConference/2004/main.htm.

Convio, Inc. is the leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits use the Internet for developing strong constituent relationships that drive fundraising, marketing, advocacy and other forms of support. Dean for America used Convio’s online tools to attract 650,000-plus constituents and raise more than $20 million online in less than a year, and now is a model for nonprofits on effective use of the Internet to mobilize a constituency to take action.

One of the most influential organizations serving the charitable community, Independent Sector is a coalition of leading nonprofits, foundations and corporations strengthening not-for-profit initiative, philanthropy and citizen action. The Independent Sector Annual Conference is the premier national meeting ground for the leadership of the entire nonprofit sector.

In his session, Bhagat will provide an overview of what nonprofits can learn from today’s most progressive political campaigns about how to use the Internet to engage constituents so they will advocate, donate, volunteer and participate in other critical ways.

"Political campaigns historically have broken new ground in using media to reach, motivate and mobilize constituents, which is exactly what nonprofits need to do to fulfill their missions," said Vinay Bhagat, founder and chief strategy officer of Convio. "So, it is important to take stock of what today’s campaigns are teaching us, and the big lessons now are all about utilizing online tools."

Co-presenting with Bhagat will be:

Liz Nielsen, Easter Seals. Nielsen will discuss Easter Seals' "Full Participation for All" campaign an online petition-based initiative targeting federal, state and local policy makers to make sure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to be active members of society. Nielsen also will explain how Easter Seals plans to use the Internet to motivate campaign participants to provide additional forms of support.
Bobby Clark, CampaignWorks (formerly with Dean For America). Clark will talk about the applicability of online strategies and tactics used by the Dean campaign to other organizations, among them, the Don’t Amend Alliance, a Utah-based organization working to stop a proposed state constitutional amendment that would deny legal rights and protections to any form of domestic relationship other than traditional marriage. The Don’t Amend Alliance is using Internet tools for petition drives, “viral” email marketing (people sending emails to friends and relatives), fundraising and more to generate support for defeating the proposed amendment.
Tracy May, American Cancer Society-Chicago. May will explain how her organization has used the Internet to mobilize constituents for the annual "Walk & Roll" event, a 5-mile walk, 10-mile in-line skate or 15-mile bike ride along Chicago's lakefront to raise funds and awareness for eliminating cancer. May also will discuss online cross-marketing to event participants so they also will advocate, fundraise, volunteer and participate in additional ways.

About Convio, Inc.

Convio is the leading provider of software and services that help nonprofit organizations use the Internet to build strong constituent relationships to drive support and participation. Convio has online solutions for fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising, Web site management and email communications. All solutions include the Constituent360™ platform, a sophisticated, online marketing database that centralizes constituent data and integrates with offline databases. This gives organizations a unified view of constituent interests and motivations -- key for personalized and targeted outreach and communications. Convio also provides services and consulting to help organizations achieve success online.

In addition to Easter Seals, Don’t Amend Alliance, and American Cancer Society-Chicago, Convio's clients include the American Diabetes Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, AVON Foundation, Brady Campaign United with the Million Mom March, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Chicago Public Radio, Farm Aid, Georgetown University, KCET Community Television of Southern California, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.

Whitney Wood Otstott
Corporate Communications Manager
Convio, Inc.
512-652-2632
wotstott@convio.com