Richmond.com Press Release

November 8, 2004

RICHMOND REGION REWARDS CARD PROGRAM REWARDS MERCHANTS
Ellman's Dancewear takes prize as Best Performing Merchant

Richmond, VA - Richmond.com, Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond and Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that Ellman's Dancewear had won the distinction of Best Performing Merchant for the month of October in the Richmond Region Rewards Card Program.

The Richmond Region Rewards Card Program was introduced earlier this year through a partnership between the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and Richmond.com. It is a comprehensive value card program promoting the Richmond Region as THE destination location for tourism and local fun. The Richmond Region Rewards Card provides values and discounts at over 100 Richmond area shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions, and is free to consumers. The Richmond Region Rewards Card can be obtained by simply logging on to RichmondRegionRewards.com and requesting a card or picking one up at a participating merchant?s place of business. To date over 70,000 cards have been distributed to Richmond residents and visitors.

The Best Performing Merchant award was accepted by Jo Anne Draucker, owner of Ellman's Dancewear, at the Retail Merchants Association?s First Friday Forum on November 5. Beyond her certificate of recognition, Draucker received a prize package valued at over $500.

"We had already established a beneficial partnership with Richmond.com through our listing on their Shopping Channel. When we were presented with the opportunity to join the Richmond Region Rewards Card Program, it seemed like the next logical step," remarked Ellman?s manager Rosemary Liberto. Liberto attributes Ellman?s success in the program to their in-store display and the information that is readily available to their consumers. "Customers coming into the store are aware that we take the card. If they are not aware of the Richmond Region Rewards Card Program, our staff will explain it to them and give them a card so they can take advantage of our offer during their visit. Basically, we use it as an Ellman?s value card," added Liberto.

The Richmond Region Rewards Card Program will continue to reward its Best Performing Merchant in the upcoming months. The Best Performing Merchant is determined by numbers of offers redeemed and the number of different cards swiped each month, as well as the efforts displayed by the merchant to educate consumers on the program and their offer.

Partnering with local business organizations, Richmond.com has proven it reflects the personality and interests of the Richmond marketplace under the most recognizable, intuitive web address in the city. Richmond.com...Reflecting Richmond.

Richmond.com is a locally owned and operated company in Richmond, Virginia.

For information contact: megan.brackett@corp.richmond.com
Phone: (804) 355-4500