Port of Wilmington, Delaware Wins The Award of Excellence For 
Its Internet Web Site

August 14^th, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has awarded the Port of Wilmington, Delaware with the Award of Excellence for its second-generation web site in the AAPA’s 2001 Communications Competition.  This year’s competition attracted 175 entries from 48 ports, honoring 31 ports with 38 Awards of Excellence and 18 Awards of Merit. 

Earlier this year, the Port of Wilmington re-designed and re-engineered its Internet web site to suit its current communications needs within the maritime industry, and the local community.  The new site is easier to navigate while providing more information and new features about the Port’s maritime trade and facilities, history and community out-reach activities.

Thirty-five communications professionals evaluated the competing entries according to their appropriateness to their audience and objectives, content, clarity, style, innovative graphics and design, skill in use of copy, layout, art and photography, overall quality and effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and finally impact on the Ports’ communications.

Wilmington’s new site presents the significant development and growth the Port went through during the past few years, and the new value-added services the Port provides to its customers, including e-commerce real-time services.  As a result of the new design, the Port’s web master reports that visitors to the site have significantly increased from 15,000 visitors during the first four years of its posting to a current average of 3,000 visitors a week.

The AAPA will present the winning award during the AAPA’s upcoming Annual Convention on September 3^rd, 2001.  The results are also posted on the AAPA’s Web site at www.aapa-ports.org.

“We are very pleased to win the AAPA’s Award of Excellence for the Port’s web site, and we welcome everyone to visit our site at www.PortofWilmingtonDE.com, and learn more about the Port”, said Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager for the Diamond State Port Corporation. 

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and regional economy, generating more than 5,800 jobs and contributing over $22 million in annual tax revenues to State and local government.  The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.  For further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact:  Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @ (302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us