Best Western International is offering visitors to its website the opportunity to win $10,000 through a unique trivia contest where speed is the name of the game.From December 1, 2004 to March 1, 2005, consumers can log on to www.bestwestern.com
and take part in the High Speed IQ Challenge. Each day, contestants will receive a series of three new multiple-choice questions encompassing a variety of speed-related topics—from automotive to entertainment, aircrafts to animals. With each correct response, visitors will earn a sweepstakes entry for the grand prize drawing of $10,000 cash.

Individuals can also earn additional entries through the game’s “tell-a-friend” feature, increasing their chances for the cash prize with every referral they make. After each day’s play, contestants will be given an update on their performance and on the number of entries earned.

Designed to build consumer awareness of Best Western’s free high-speed Internet access (HSIA) at all of its North American properties, the High Speed IQ Challenge will reinforce this special amenity feature among players with a targeted message during each game.

“The High Speed IQ Challenge offers a unique approach to engaging customers, providing access to a large and dedicated web audience,” said Matt Clyde, Director, eCustomer Contact, for Best Western. “Through this interactive program, we hope not only to entertain visitors to the Best Western website, but to educate them on the brand’s free high-speed Internet access, now available at all Best Western hotels across North America.”

In February 2004, Best Western launched not only the largest initiative ever undertaken within the hotel industry; but also one of the fastest technology implementations, with its HSIA program. In just eight months, the company established wireless or hard-wired HSIA in some portion of the public areas, and at least 15 percent of guest rooms, across the brand. For properties subscribing to the company’s own exclusive HSIA system known as SpeedLinks, Best Western Information Services also created a 24-hour toll-free customer hotline to assist both guests and staff with questions.

The hotel chain’s free HSIA is now a part of its BestRequests(R) program, which features 17 guaranteed services and amenities (14 international) available at every Best Western hotel.

The High Speed IQ Challenge was developed and will be managed by ePrize, an interactive promotion agency with offices in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and London. The company conceives and implements effective interactive promotions that include online sweepstakes, instant-win games, interactive loyalty programs, online trivia games, collect-and-win campaigns and online/offline convergence marketing.
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