http://www.chicagoautoshow.com

Situation: The Chicago Auto Show is acknowledged as the nation’s largest auto show. In an effort to live up to this important title, The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) needed a Web site that would be well-structured, fully functional, and user-friendly. Following a number of problems they had encountered with Web site functionality, CATA came in contact with Americaneagle.com.

Objective: In turning to Americaneagle.com, CATA’s main goal was to redevelop their site with a strong focus on site usability. Ultimately, they wanted to ensure that the site would function well in all browsers and that visitors would be able to easily navigate the site’s many pages. Furthermore, they were looking to enhance the site’s graphical interface with a dynamic new design.

Solution: To achieve the above goals, Americaneagle.com has been working with CATA since 2005 to redesign and enhance the Chicago Auto Show Web site in preparation for every year’s show. For 2008, Americaneagle.com focused on the following elements:

Enhanced Design: Americaneagle.com worked closely with CATA to create a new design for the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Today, about 80% of all monitors are set at 1024x768 resolution or higher. Therefore, in an effort to accommodate the majority of Web users, the Chicago Auto Show site was optimized to a 1024 design. Indeed, a 1024 design allows the Web site to take full advantage of the canvas size of the screen, minimizing negative space. What's more, the site was designed with an appealing new look and feel which allows users to fully enjoy their online experience.

Intuitive Navigation System: For optimal site user-friendliness, the new site includes a comprehensive navigation that is both easy and accessible and allows users to get to any section of the Web site using the fewest number of clicks possible. Drop down menus and highly visible homepage “buttons” are an important aspect to this end. The homepage, in particular, provides the visitor with an immediate image of the Chicago Auto Show brand and directs them to the most important sections of the site quickly and efficiently.

Photo Galleries: In an effort to add to the excitement of the Chicago Auto Show, Americaneagle.com implemented easy to use photo galleries. Within these galleries, visitors can easily view thumbnails and enlarge images.

Multimedia: For 2008, Americaneagle.com created a section on the site where Chicago Auto Show staff would have the ability to upload videos and allow patrons to upload their own videos. This portion added an extra sense of interactivity to the site.


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