Though it feels like just yesterday that we launched OnMilwaukee.com from my dining room table, today marks the nine-year anniversary of the day we "flipped the switch." Technically, we incorporated a few months earlier, but on Sept. 1, 1998, we formalized our intention to build Milwaukee's best magazine. Though I say it every year at this time, we couldn't be happier with the magazine we've built, the people we work with, and the ever-growing numbers of Milwaukeeans who read and advertise on OnMilwaukee.com.

The last 12 months really have been great for us -- certainly the best one-year period ever. From the outside looking in, you've probably noticed a lot of changes in our product. This summer, we launched a brand new version of the magazine, incorporating many of the "Web 2.0" features we've been developing for years. A few months earlier, we introduced Readers Blogs to OnMilwaukee.com, improving the way our readers can interact with the site.

It's all part of our mission to become more inclusive and more representative of Milwaukee, while delivering a product that compliments the city we love. As my business partner, Jeff Sherman, and I have screamed till were both blue in the face, media is a conversation, not a sermon. This year, we really put our money where our mouths are, developing several new applications that keep OnMilwaukee.com on the cutting edge of independent media for years to come. And we're not done yet.

The last year has also brought several new faces to our team. We now have four, full-time advertising salespeople, in addition to a sales assistant and traffic manager -- bringing our total staff to 15 loyal, dedicated and hard-working (but fun-loving) Milwaukee experts. I'm happy to report that their efforts are working. Through July, advertising sales are up 46 percent from this time last year. New regional and national media buys are coming in every day, as agencies take notice of our more than one million monthly readers. Local companies recognize us, too, and understand that if they're looking for "hyper local," they've come to right place.

We've also had the opportunity to take on a few exciting Web development projects, which keep our programming and design staff plenty busy. This year, we finished dynamic sites for the Wisconsin Dental Association and Goodwill Industries, and we're working now on projects for Holzhauer Graphics and Milwaukee Downtown, with a few more coming down the pike.

And of course, we continue to bust our butts in the editorial department, which remains near and dear to me. We've driven readership with innovate series like "Milwaukee in Las Vegas," "Bar Month" and the "Great Milwaukee Quiz." I hear it every day, but I never get tired of it: OnMilwaukee.com has established itself as the one-stop shop for everything Milwaukee. That comes from the creative work of our five staff writers, countless contracted writers and editors. I truly appreciate their talent.

As we head into our 10th year of operations, the future looks very bright for OnMilwaukee.com. We're beginning to develop sister sites in and beyond Wisconsin. We're working on new applications that you haven't seen anywhere else in Milwaukee. We've forged new media partnerships, including a weekly segment talking about our famous Weekend Preview on FM 102/1. And as we move out of "start-up" mode and into a sustained and steady growth mode, we'll make sure we position ourselves in front of the community even more than ever before.

Most importantly, we're still having fun. This summer, nearly all of our staff joined me for "OMC Retreat 2.0" at my Northwoods cabin. Whether we were grilling out, creating a human pyramid or having our own little '80s dance party (see above), I realized this: every one of my colleagues is also my friend. I couldn't pick a better group to go to work with every day, and for better or for worse, there's not a dull moment in our East Side office. These people, whether producing a magazine or doing anything else, are the ones you want at your side and in the trenches. I really, truly mean that. Thanks, guys.

And thank you, Milwaukee. You have helped us lead the way in delivering Milwaukee's best daily magazine for nine years. If you think about it, that's a long time for an Internet company based in Milwaukee or anywhere else. Jeff and I have always known we could make this thing work , and with your continued support, it's only getting better from here.

So here's to another great year. On Milwaukee!