QPON PRESS

Nov. 14, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT INFO
Suzanne Arnold
sarndold@qponchicago.com, 773-562-3311
Tracy Baim, 773-387-2394
editor@windycitymediagroup.com

QponChicago.com marks 6-month anniversary

CHICAGO - Nov. 14, 2011 - QponChicago.com, Chicago’s gay daily deals site, marks its six-month anniversary in November. The website has featured more than 100 deals for a wide range of businesses during its launch period. These included restaurants, theaters, travel, AIDS and LGBT non-profit benefits, services, gyms, and many more.

QponChicago.com will have special holiday-themed deals in the coming weeks, with restaurants, spas, entertainment, health-related and more special deals. Some of the top deals so far have come from About Face Theatre, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Miss Asia restaurant, William Strauss Truffles, Illinois Nut & Candy Co., Music Box Theatre, AIDS Walk & Run, Chicago Archery Center, the Chicago Sky, Thousand Waves Martial Arts, and Radiant Smiles for You.

QponChicago.com is a website focused on deals by and for the LGBT and allied community of the Chicago region. The project is in marketing partnership with Windy City Times, Chicago’s award-winning LGBT newspaper.

In December, an affiliated program will launch, where Chicago businesses, chambers of commerce and non-profits can receive a percentage of sales generated through their websites.

Suzanne Arnold and Tracy Baim, the founders of QponChicago.com, have a long history of involvement in Chicago’s LGBT community, including through media and sports programs. They both served as leaders of the Gay Games VII board in 2006. Arnold has been a leader in numerous sports leagues, and Baim is co-founder and publisher of Windy City Times.

"We have been very excited with our business partnerships these first six months," said Arnold. "We are able to craft specialized deals and services for small and large businesses, cultural and non-profit groups. We have a database of 11,000 people interested in receiving a wide range of LGBT-inclusive offers."

QponChicago.com uses the innovative "QR Code" technology for each coupon, and it allows those purchasing coupons to receive the unique QR code for their coupon purchase through an email alert. They can elect to have the QR code sent instantly to their phone, to save on carrying the printed coupon.

The website also allow businesses to sign up and monitor sales of their coupons, and post new deals. They can void coupons through a QR reader or through the website.



2011-06-14
QponChicago.com launches for LGBT, allied community

CHICAGO - QponChicago.com is a new website focused on deals by and for the LGBT and allied community of the Chicago region. The project launches this month in marketing partnership with Windy City Times, Chicago's award-winning LGBT newspaper.

QponChicago.com will feature daily deals on a wide range of products and services, including restaurants, spas, travel, entertainment, health, beauty, pets, and much more.

Suzanne Arnold and Tracy Baim, the founders of QponChicago.com, have a long history of involvement in Chicago's LGBT community, including through media and sports programs. They both served as leaders of the Gay Games VII board in 2006. Arnold has been a leader in numerous sports leagues, and Baim is co-founder and publisher of Windy City Times.

"We wanted to create a one-stop place to find the best deals for the LGBT Chicago area, and that includes deals from great places all around the city and suburbs, in addition to special travel-related deals in other cities," said Arnold.

QponChicago.com uses the innovative "QR Code" technology for each coupon, and it allows those purchasing coupons to receive the unique QR code for their coupon purchase through an email alert. They can elect to have the QR code sent instantly to their phone, to save on carrying the printed coupon.

The website also allow businesses to sign up and monitor sales of their coupons, and post new deals. They can void coupons through a QR reader or through the website.

"Our goal is to make this a win-win for businesses and consumers," said Baim. "We want to drive traffic to LGBT and allied companies, and we want to help consumers by offering a range of LGBT-friendly choices. There is power in the 'gay dollar,' and this will complement a company's existing advertising plans with a no-risk coupon program."

The QponChicago.com website was developed by Lisa Hernandez and Martie Marro of LoveYourWebsite.com, a community-based business that works extensively with LGBT non-profits and small businesses.