Publisher of "Italy at St. Louis", Franco Giannotti, has just notified me that has his 'Italian American Web Portal of the MidWest' has reached the 200,000 "hits" per Month (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND !!!! ) Milestone. (202,225 to be exact!)

It wasn't much more than 2 years ago when Franco and I first began collaborating, that "Italy at St. Louis" was receiving just 5,000 "hits" per month.

That's a remarkable success story, particularly in view of Franco operating 'Italy at St. Louis' on a Part Time basis, in that he is Full time owner of Venmar Systems, that provides businesses with Telephone Systems, AND that he is a Vice President  of  COMITES (of the Chicago based 11 state consulate district), AND that Franco is a tireless promoter of the teaching of, and teacher of, the Italian Language in St. Louis, among other Italian American activities. (whew!)

Franco has been very OPEN to suggestions, (so different from many of my friends,
you know who you are :), and after incorporating 'The ANNOTICO Report' was willing to listen to suggestions to include a Restaurant Guide, and an Event Calendar.

Oh, did I neglect to mention that 'The ANNOTICO Report' for the last three months has been the SECOND most visited location on the "Italy at St.Louis" Site!!

What was # 1? Of course it was the 'Restaurant Guide' :) :(
The 'Calendar of Events' is 'sub contracted' and unable to be counted, although Franco is sure that it is one of the more popular.

Following in popularity are: 'Storia d'Italia' by Luisa Gabbiani Flynn (a tireless and prolific contributor), Miscellanea, Italiano per piacere, Forum, COMITES, and a number of local Italian American clubs.

We both agreed that while the 'static' (slow changing) information was the 'foundation' of the Site, that it was the 'dynamic' (current, up to date, daily) information was going to drive 'traffic', and create 'growth'.

Keeping up the Site 'daily' has been a monumental chore, with the backbreaking other responsibilities of Franco, who is reluctant to 'delegate', because 'Italy at St.Louis' is HIS 'baby' !!  Franco does recognize that when visitors return and see that the site is Not 'religiously' updated, they will be 'discouraged' and either not return as frequently, or at all. It is inconceivable what the results would be at 'optimum' performance!

The only disagreements Franco and I have had is in regard to Advertisements.
Franco, the beautiful person that he is (I should take lessons :), wanted 'Italy at St. Louis" to be a 'labor of love,' his 'contribution' to the Italian American community, and didn't want to appear that like so many others to be "using" the community.

I have had only limited success in persuading Franco that by offering advertising,
that he was providing a Service to the Community, and that if, G-d forbid, Franco was going to end up making a Profit, that he could "expunge" his sins by donating the profit to a worthwhile local Italian American project :)

Franco is very 'cautiously' proceeding in that direction, as if, he were being asked to make a pact with the devil :)

Now, I ask each of you to look at the "Italy at St. Louis" Site, and consider how much the Italian American Community in YOUR City, would be enriched, by having such a similar Site.

It is a wonderment to me that despite the Template, that "Italy at St. Louis" offers, and its record of Success, and the Need, that NONE of the numerous people who are power centers in their community, have been able to see the merits. Not even my fellow Jewish Italians!!!!!

Congratulations Franco on your Success, and for being THE Pioneer in the Italian American Community, and if History is Accurate (and when is it?) it will show you as the Father of the Italian American Internet!

I had envisioned myself in that role, but I have had no success in selling the idea of a NATIONAL Internet PORTAL, with Anything and Everything One Would Want to Know About the Italian American Community and Italy in ONE PLACE, and that in its 'prototype state' it has 5,000+ Web Sites in Directory form.

In other words, The PORTAL would be a Network of Italian American City Sites, plus matters of Italian American Interest on a National Basis, and Italy.

The Annotico Report can be viewed at:

"Italy at St. Louis"  Italy at St. Louis Index Page (Archives)
http://www.italystl.com/