Call for Nominations Now Open for the Arizona Technology Council's 2012 Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards Presented by Avnet, Inc.

PHOENIX, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Technology Council in conjunction with the Arizona Commerce Authority, today announced that nominations are now open for the 2012 Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards (GCOI) presented by Avnet, Inc. The awards gala will take place on November 8, 2012 from 3:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the heart of downtown Phoenix at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 North Third Street, in the North Building, 100 Level.

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The annual awards gala honors technology leaders and innovators from across the state. The event attracts more than 1,000 attendees each year for a night of networking, exhibits, awards and dinner.  For 2012, the "Building on 100 Years of Innovation" themed festivities will look ahead to the state's possibilities for the technology industry; building upon its rich past. The awards portion of the event will be a theater-style presentation, followed by a sit down and plated dinner.  Attendees will also benefit from information presented in a Technology Showcase of over 50 booths highlighting award finalists' and company sponsors' exceptional products and services.

"We are looking for a broad range of industries and any organization in the state that's involved in technology at all stages of growth," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "As we celebrate our industry, the night will also provide an opportunity to celebrate our teachers, future innovators, community leaders, and legislators that do so much to support both STEM education and technology innovation."

Businesses, academia, and non-profit organizations working in Arizona's technology sector who are utilizing innovative technology solutions to address critical challenges are all encouraged to apply for these independently judged awards. Chaired by Sheila Kloefkorn, president, KEO Marketing, the GCOI Committee will accept nominations  until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2012. Nomination forms for the following GCOI 2012 award categories can be downloaded online at http://tinyurl.com/85z3qus or by e-mailing the Council at [email protected]:

Individual Awards:

• William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year
• Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year
• OneNeck IT Services People's Choice Lifetime Achievement Award

Company Awards:

• Pioneering Award
• Green Innovator of the Year
• Innovator of the Year - Start-Up Company
• Innovator of the Year - Small Company
• Innovator of the Year - Large Company
• Innovator of the Year - Academia

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies.  Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.  These interactions contribute to the Council's culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit aztechcouncil.org.

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority is dedicated to welcoming domestic and international businesses to Arizona and encouraging the expansion of existing businesses in the State. The agency maintains foreign trade offices in Canada, Asia, Europe and Mexico. The ACA will focus exclusively on business attraction, retention and expansion of Arizona's strongest economic sectors including science/technology, aerospace/defense, renewable energies and small business/entrepreneurial expansion efforts. For more information contact: Arizona Commerce Authority at 602-845-1200 or www.azcommerce.com.

SOURCE Arizona Technology Council