Nominations Opened for New Governor's Celebration of Innovation; New Format Emphasizes the Ongoing Evolution of Arizona's Technology Sector
The Arizona Technology Council opened nominations for the 2006 Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards today. The GCOI celebrates innovation by businesses, academia, and non-profit organizations working in Arizona's technology sector and is presented by the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Department of Commerce. It is the premier awards event for Arizona's technology sector, attracting entries from companies of all sizes. Bob Parsons, founder and CEO of The Go Daddy Group Inc. and a 2005 winner, said, "It was an ... honor to be named the Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year by the Arizona Technology Council. Like Ed Denison, I am a firm believer in the spirit of the entrepreneur and the importance of taking risks in business and in life."
The event will take place on Dec. 5, 2006, at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix. The AZ Tech Council will accept award nominations along with a $35 per nomination fee until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15. Nominations can be submitted on the event Web site at http://www.celebration-of-innovation.com. The theme for this year's re-vamped GCOI is Create -- Collaborate -- Celebrate, and is the first GCOI with Donna Kent at the helm of the Arizona Technology Council.
The 2006 Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards will be presented in a new, expanded format, and will be the signature event of the AZ Tech Council's Season of Technology Celebration. The season will kick off in November with a Council Connect keynote address by Bill Harris, president and chief executive of Science Foundation Arizona.
According to Kent, president and CEO of the AZ Tech Council, "The GCOI is not just a single event. It is part of a system which highlights technological innovation and collaboration that is born and bred in Arizona, and that impacts the global technology sector. We want innovators from everywhere to see the evolution of Arizona's technology sector and understand that this is a business environment in which their creativity can flourish and where they will have collaborators that will help them grow their businesses."
The GCOI Awards will open with a technology showcase which will give attendees an opportunity to see the finalists' innovations up close. After the awards, the winners and VIP attendees will continue the celebration during a by-invitation-only Winners' Circle after-party.
The season will continue after the main event when an Arizona Innovator of the Year will be sponsored to attend DEMO 2007. DEMO, which bills itself as the "Premier Launchpad for Emerging Technology," will be held in Phoenix in February 2007.
The following awards are open for entry until 5 p.m. on August 15, 2006. Not-for-profit organizations are encouraged and eligible to submit nominations assuming that they meet the criteria specified in the categories for which they wish to be nominated.
William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year
Presented to an individual or not-for-profit organization that contributes to Arizona's technology industry through relentless community involvement, leadership, visibility and excellence in economic development activity. Any individual or organization representing industry, government, or academia may be nominated. Award is limited to individuals or organizations residing in Arizona five 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 five 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 five years or more.
Innovator of the Year -- Startup Company
Presented to a company or business unit that has achieved significant business, technical innovation, or scientific achievement 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 generating revenue and/or receiving funding
-- Must demonstrate innovation and potential viability
-- Company or business unit 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 business unit (no limit on the duration of the project) that has achieved significant business success, technical innovation, or scientific achievement in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
-- Must be in operation for 24 months or more
-- Must be generating less than $50 million in annual revenues
-- Company or business unit must be based in Arizona
-- Innovation must be developed in Arizona
Innovator of the Year -- Large Company
Presented to a company or business unit (no limit on the duration of the project) that has achieved significant business success, technical innovation, or scientific achievement in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
-- Must be in operation for 24 months or more
-- Must be generating $50 million or more in annual revenues
-- Company or business unit 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:
-- Each department or office may submit one project for consideration
-- 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 college 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, 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 1,200 in attendance. For more information on the GCOI, visit http://www.celebration-of-innovation.com.
About The Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is the largest member-driven technology association in the state. The AZ Tech Council represents the interests of over 35,000 employees across more than 500 of the leading technology companies, their support firms, educational institutions and statewide economic development groups that collectively form Arizona's technology community. Donna Kent was named president and CEO of the AZ Tech Council in November 2005. Along with Kent, the organization is led by chairman of the board and former president and chief executive, Todd Bankofier, 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 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. CONTACT: Arizona Technology Council Public Relations Mariana Crone, 602-343-8324, ext. 104 mcrone@aztechcouncil.org URL: http://www.businesswire.com