For example, once my homebase was setup in Fort Collins, CO, I then saw a number of local event listings like concerts, festivals and other cool things. For advertisers, Featured Listings are presented in a very visible manner and eye-catching graphics and logos are also displayed in a floating window... in my case I was presented with details of  The Taste of Vail Festival and a non-intrusive Starbucks logo was also presented to me.

As I browse local events I can easily obtain more information by clicking the listing. The map scrolls to reveal the location of the event and the floating information window pane is updated with more information about the requested event. Optionally, I can save the event to my favorites, Get more details like complete directions, a description, and contact information, finally, I can also get detailed driving directions.

Creating an Event

Members can easily add an event to the listings, basic listings being Free of charge. Optionally, add up to 3 images associated with the event, include coupons and other relevant details.

Saving an Event

Finally, when you identify events or listings of interest you can easily add to your saved events. Upon reviewing your events you can easily organize and created more detailed event itineraries in PDF format - perhaps a list of the sessions of interest taking place at a conference... nice! The itineraries are saved as PDFs.

NavDog Features:

• free membership
• unlimited event listings
• weather condition
• traffic conditions
• create travel itineraries
• 1-click driving directions

NavDog displays events taking place in your local area

Clicking on an event brings up detailed information including driving directions from your home location

Navdog founder, Shawn Fredrickson provided us with some comments about the development of Navdog...

The real power of our geographic delivery system is found in the way Navdog.com allows its members and those who list events to edit their geographic location.  Basically they can associate an address with its correct location on the map or create a new venue anywhere on the planet and give it a name.  If a member desires they can choose to submit the edited, created or corrected location to our public database where other event managers can use it for their own events. This geographic customization is a concept we call "Human Edited GIS" and it removes inaccuracies found in geo-coding by allowing humans to eyeball the actual location instead of being forced to live with the location the system gives them. 

  Because of our early decision to use a simple lat+long instead of a traditional street address we are able to deliver a point and click method for obtaining driving directions, visitors can literally right-click the map, drop a virtual house or starting point there and get driving directions to any event from that location.  We believe this adds value to the visitor experience by getting them where they want to go much faster than the traditional mapping sites where an address is required.

We are also working on utilizing the mapping interface to change the way sponsors expose their products to consumers by placing their store locations right on the map based on their actual geo-location. We will also require our sponsors to add value by offering our visitors something in exchange; i.e. a coupon.  Like all other events on our map the sponsor locations would benefit from the integrated driving directions which also serve as the printed media for their coupons and offers and this will extend a sponsors' exposure far beyond the computer screen. This innovative model will serve to open a valuable internet market to corporate sponsors who have never had an adequate online venue to advertise their products.  These sponsors would include fast food & coffee shops, convenience store chains, retail locations of all kinds, etc.

See http://www.navdog.com/

See also the developer's weblog at http://navdognews.blogspot.com/