NEW SOCIAL COMMUNITY INTEGRATED INTO RFMA WEBSITE.

The Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA) (www.rfmaonline.com) has added a social networking community to its website using technology from social media solutions provider ThePort Network, Inc. (www.theport.com). The fully integrated community supports interaction and knowledge sharing between association members.

With approximately 700 members, RFMA is a nationwide professional organization that brings restaurant managers, suppliers and vendors together for networking and the exchange of information to improve job effectiveness and restaurant performance.

Using the new social community, RFMA members can develop their own unique profile pages and network with others, including the ability to join and participate in forums and sub-groups focused around key subjects. Members can also upload photos and publish their own blogs about RFMA conference attendance, their experiences in restaurant management, or virtually any topic.

The social community was unveiled to members at the 2009 RFMA national conference in Orlando, Fla., in February.

"We view the new social network as both a valuable member service and a membership development tool for our organization," said Tracy Tomson, RFMA Executive Director. "We're already seeing a lot of participation by members desiring to meet, seek advice and share information with others in their field."

Tomson added that smaller associations should not shy away from social networking as a member retention and marketing tool. "Our experience is that it is not cost-prohibitive and we think it will actually help us grow. Social networking presents opportunities for associations and trade groups of all sizes," she said. "We chose ThePort for its technology - we especially liked how the new social community could be seamlessly layered into our existing website."

ThePort's social media platform is designed for rapid deployment and provides organizations with a fully branded social community that is completely integrated with existing websites and back-end CMS or AMS. Members sign into the community using their existing username and password, and can begin immediately to collaborate and share with others.

"Especially now, as associations look for new ways to retain and acquire members, social communities can add significant, ongoing value and extend participation beyond just a single annual event," said Bob Cramer, CEO and Co-Founder of ThePort Network. "We are very pleased RFMA selected ThePort to transform its existing website into an online social networking location for its members."

About RFMA

Founded in 2004, the Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA) brings restaurant facility professionals together to network and share knowledge alongside those who provide products and services for restaurants. RFMA is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and publishes an industry magazine, Restaurant Facility Business. For more information, go to www.rfmaonline.com.

About ThePort Network

ThePort(TM) Network, Inc. is dedicated to delivering compelling and complete software as a service (SaaS) solutions that enable customers to create, operate and monetize socially enabled online communities. Through its integrated suite of proven social media solutions, ThePort enables its customers to enhance their existing web presence with branded online communities, creating engagement between the brand and their constituents, stimulating interaction between community members, and driving new revenue opportunities. With a focus on the nonprofit, trade association and media industries, ThePort customers include such world-renowned organizations as BizJournals, CARE, Arthritis Foundation, Sierra Club, Urban Land Institute, Restaurant and Facility Management Association, and Lee Enterprises.

For more information, visit http://www.theport.com or call 678/644-4122.

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