Entries Being Accepted for 2004 Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards

    TEMPE, Ariz., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Technology Council, High
 Technology Industry Cluster, Arizona Department of Commerce and the Southern
 Arizona Tech Council announce the call for entries for this year's Governor's
 Celebration of Innovation Awards.  The awards celebrate technological
 innovation in Arizona by recognizing the varied contributions of
 professionals, companies and academia showing excellence in innovation, to
 promote the state's technology community.  The event delivers an insider look
 at emerging to established companies, carefully chosen by a selection panel to
 showcase innovation and growth potential.
     Seven awards are available to those projects, businesses, organizations,
 educational programs, or individuals who exemplify outstanding achievements in
 technological innovation.  Selection of award recipients will be made by a
 judging committee drawn from the fields of science, technology, venture
 capital and higher education.
     "Arizona has a multitude of organizations and individuals with innovations
 deserving to be recognized," says Todd Bankofier, president and CEO of the
 Arizona Technology Council.  "And by entering this awards competition,
 organizations can leverage this prestigious opportunity to be spotlighted in
 front of the most significant group of technology industry professionals in
 Arizona."
     This year, presentation of the awards will take place on Thursday,
 November 18, 2004, at a special dinner to be held at the Arizona Biltmore
 Resort & Spa.
     To obtain an entry, as well as additional information, a list of past
 winners and more about the upcoming awards and event Awards, visit the
 official Governor's Celebration of Innovation website at
 www.celebration-of-innovation.com or contact the Arizona Technology Council
 Office at (602) 343-8324 x104.  Entries are due by August 27, 2004.  There is
 a $25 fee per entry.  The following awards are open for entries until 5:00 pm
 on August 27, 2004.
 
      *  William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year
      Presented to an individual who contributes to Arizona's technology
 industry through relentless community involvement, leadership, and excellence
 in economic development activity.  Any individual in industry, government, or
 academia may be nominated.  Award is limited to individuals residing in
 Arizona 5 years or more.
 
      *  Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year
      Presented to an individual who contributes to Arizona's technology
 industry through sustained growth of their business or company.  Any
 individual in a leadership position employed by an Arizona-based business, or
 division of a corporation operating in Arizona may be nominated for this
 award.  Leadership qualities such as entrepreneurship, community involvement,
 and management expertise will be considered.  Award is limited to individuals
 residing in Arizona 5 years or more.
 
      *  Pioneering Innovation
      Presented to an outstanding company that has gone above and beyond the
 call of duty in contributing to Arizona's technology industry through
 sustained business presence, corporate citizenship, community involvement, and
 business success.  A company of any size or technical discipline may be
 nominated.  The award is limited to commercial enterprises doing business in
 Arizona for 5 years or more.
 
      *  Innovator of the Year -- Start-Up Company
      Presented to a company or licensed team that has achieved significant
 business success through innovation in the past calendar year and meets the
 following requirements: Must be actively selling or developing a commercially
 available product or service for less than 24 months; Must be deriving revenue
 and/or funding; Must demonstrate innovation and potential viability; Company
 must be based in Arizona; Innovation must be developed in Arizona; Must have a
 management structure of one or more persons; Profitability is not a
 requirement
 
      *  Innovator of the Year -- Small Company
      Presented to a company or licensed team (no limit on the duration of the
 project) that has achieved significant business success in the past calendar
 year and meets the following requirements: Company must be in operation for 24
 months or more; Company must be generating less than $50 million in annual
 revenue; Company must be based in Arizona; Innovation must be developed in
 Arizona.
 
      *  Innovator of the Year -- Large Company
      Presented to a company or licensed team (no limit on the duration of the
 project) that has achieved significant business success through innovation in
 the past calendar year and meets the following requirements: Company must be
 in operation for 24 months or more; Company must be generating $50 million or
 more in annual revenues; Company must be based in Arizona; Innovation must be
 developed in Arizona
 
      *  Innovator of the Year -- Academia
      Presented to a department or office within an accredited higher education
 institution that has achieved success through innovation in the past calendar
 year and meets the following requirements: Has achieved success through
 research and development; Must demonstrate technical innovation, scientific
 achievement and potential commercial viability; Institution must be based in
 Arizona; Open to both students and faculty; Has contributed to economic
 development within Arizona through teaching, research or other academic
 pursuits.
 
     About the Governor's Celebration of Innovation
     The Governor's Celebration of Innovation was established in 2003 by
 combining two technology award ceremonies: the High Tech Industry Cluster's
 17-year student awards ceremony and the Arizona Software and Internet
 Association's 10-year "Celebration of Innovation".  With the addition of the
 Governor's support of last year's event, the Governor's Celebration of
 Innovation has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind
 in Arizona.  The inaugural Governor's Celebration of Innovation took place in
 November 2003 and was a colossal success with over 1200 in attendance.
 
     About The Arizona Technology Council
     The Arizona Technology Council's vision is for Arizona to be recognized as
 a top-tier center for technology-based industries and businesses with an
 education system that produces a best-of-class 21st century workforce in a
 statewide community where its citizens share in the highest quality of life
 possible.  The Council's mission is to drive partnerships, policies and
 programs that advance the business climate for Arizona's technology community.
 The Council delivers on this mission by representing, supporting and
 advocating for member companies through initiatives, advocacy, networking and
 effective communications.
     The Arizona Technology Council, a nonprofit membership based technology
 association, currently represents over 30,000 employees across more than 400
 of the leading technology companies in industries including advanced
 manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, e-learning, environmental technology,
 software/internet, semiconductor, and telecommunications.  The Council is led
 by its president, Todd Bankofier, chairman of the board, Paul Johnson, an
 appointed executive committee and a board of directors comprised of a
 cross-section of academic, private and public sector professionals.  For more
 information, visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.
 
     About the Southern Arizona Tech Council
     The Southern Arizona Tech Council is a non-profit organization formed in
 August 2000 whose mission is to promote and implement high tech industry
 economic development and competitiveness in Tucson and Southern Arizona.  For
 more information visit www.satc-az.com.
 
     About the Arizona Department of Commerce
     Collaborating with economic development partners statewide, the Arizona
 Department of Commerce works to create jobs, expand the tax base, increase per
 capita income and promote a globally competitive business environment.  The
 agency provides reliable information and research, community assistance,
 targeted business attraction and development coupled with strategic workforce
 development.  Nationally and internationally, the Department of Commerce
 promotes Arizona assets: a growing, high-tech workforce; competitive operating
 environment; easy access to major markets; affordable, available real estate;
 reliable utilities; abundant natural resources and an unmatched quality of
 life.  For more information visit www.azcommerce.com.
 
     About the High Technology Industry Cluster
     The High Technology Industry Cluster (HTIC) is dedicated to improving
 Arizona's ability to nurture its own high-technology companies through an
 ongoing program that addresses needs of technology industries.  Our efforts
 are directed at assisting Arizona's high-technology companies become globally
 competitive.  HTIC improves the business climate of the high-technology
 industry through: promotion; by championing changes in public policy,
 legislation, economic infrastructure, and education; through facilitation of
 university/business and business/business networking and partnering; and other
 key activities supporting technological innovation in Arizona.
 
 

SOURCE  Arizona Technology Council