GJCF receives award for outstanding website


This is the main homepage of the GJCF's website, www.greatjonescountyfair.com. The fair recently won an award for its outstanding website. The site offers information about the fair, a list of entertainers, and a one-stop-shop for buying concert tickets.

This is the seating chart on the fair's website. Once you click the section you want to purchase, photos pop up to show you the exact perspective to the stage.
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     The Great Jones County Fair was the recipient of international recognition.

     In late November, the fair received an Award of Distinction for Communications under the category “Hall of Honor Communications,” honoring the fair’s website. The award was on behalf of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE).

     There are 20 categories for the Communications Award, each divided into five divisions. Entries are judged by a team of industry leaders, selected from the IAFE membership. There are over 1,200 members around the world.

     The award was presented to the GJCF during the IAFE’s convention Nov. 30 in Law Vegas.

     This was the second time the GJCF won in this particular category.

     “We still have the best website out there,” proclaimed GJCF Manager John Harms.

     The GJCF’s website is designed and maintained by a local company led by Brad Miller out of Cascade, Solar Pixel LLC.

     “We have some talented people here,” expressed Harms of the local business.

     Miller has been working with the GJCF for a decade or more.

     “He enjoys the fair business,” explained Harms. “He has a good feel for 4-H and FFA.”

     During the week of the fair, Harms said Miller is stationed at the fairgrounds. When concert tickets go on sale, Miller is also at the fair office to provide any troubleshooting as the sale launches.

     “We have a great working relationship,” Harms said.

     As for why he feels the fair’s website stood out among its competitors, Harms said it’s due to the interaction. So many people flood to the site the morning of ticket sales. Harms explained many fair websites out there direct customers to other sites in which to purchase tickets. The GJCF sells tickets right off its own website.

     “They don’t market their concerts through their sites like we do,” he said.

     Harms is also a personal fan of the color theme throughout the GJCF website.

     “I just appreciate what Brad (Miller) has done,” he said.

     The GJCF also presents each and every concert act on its homepage, and dedicates an additional biography page to them as well.

     “That is the biggest thing for us,” he said. “It grabs people’s attention as they scroll on our home page.”

     The fair’s website is a constant work-in-progress throughout the year as entertainers are announced, tickets go on sale, attractions are updated, and sponsors come on board.

     Harms said one thing people like about the site is the interactive seating chart. Users can click on the chart and then the section they wish to sit and a photo pops up showing the exact view of the stage from that vantage point.

     Harms said the site is also easy to navigate through, not to mention easy to remember: www.greatjonescountyfair.com.

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