This is the second in a series of six interviews of CEOs of online community platform providers to the association industry, in conjunction with a white paper we're writing about them. The first interview is here. The white paper will be available for free download in the next few weeks.
CEO Interview - Bob Cramer, ThePort Network
Tell us a bit about the history behind The Port Network. How did you get where you are now?Software development is in the core DNA of ThePort Network. We were one of the first organizations to leverage XML and over the years built one of the most powerful and flexible white label social media platforms in the world. ThePort’s hard-core development focus has allowed us to stay in front of a rapidly changing industry while creating real products tailored for associations that deliver true ROI and reliability.
What's your vision for the company? Where are you going?ThePort’s vision is to create a comprehensive social media platform that delivers tangible and measurable return on investment for our customers. This means creating new ways for associations to engage their membership and deliver real value to members. Our goal is to create the most tailored platform for associations that is also integrated with their association management systems. With ThePort’s Social Media Solutions, we can help members share news and resources online, create more involvement in association events and introduce new methods for increasing non-dues revenue. We try and listen carefully to the needs of the market and then deliver those specific solutions.
What makes ThePort's platform unique?Being a pioneer in this field has allowed ThePort to assemble a customer list that is unrivalled. There is a reason that so many large and well-respected organizations have decided to work with ThePort. First and foremost, we deliver what we promise and that is not often the case in this new market. Many companies talk a good game, but delivering the sophisticated solutions that are needed to create online communities is much harder to do. We also support our customers diligently and continue to offer them new capability and functionality as it becomes available. We also pride ourselves on being able to deliver solutions that fit the requirements of organizations large and small.
How do you see your platform shaping the association industry? How does it change "business as usual" at the operational level?The association industry can take their relationship with members to new heights with the power of social media. They can do this cost-effectively and with great impact. By giving people who share a passion or interest a place to congregate, exchange ideas, become thought leaders, associations can increase member participation and also develop new tools to drive revenue.
If you could use just three adjectives to describe The Port, what would they be and why?Leadership: ThePort is the clear market leader for associations who want to deploy their own socially enabled communities.
Integrated: ThePort has built the most open platform in the industry allowing us to link together with other association management systems and databases to let appropriate information flow where it is needed.
Reliable: ThePort has the most experience and most users of any company in our space.
Stay tuned for more CEO interviews, as well as more details about the white paper in due course.
Want more info on ThePort?
We went on to do a handful of other small events, but our real breakout moment came when we launched My.SXSW on our platform in early February of 2009. SXSW, being on the bleeding edge of technology, gave us the street cred we needed to approach other events with confidence. We now have a very strong pipeline and some real marquee customers using our software and telling us that they're getting more registrations, generating more buzz and even saving money (on things like printing costs) by using our hosted software.In the summer of 2009, LaunchBox Digital -- a DC-based startup incubator -- invested in us and provided the leadership and guidance to attract other investors. Although we have not yet made a formal announcement of our funding status, we're making significant progress toward a seed round and participating in investor pitch days on the East and West coast in August.
