Finalists Selected for

Governor’s

Celebration of Innovation Awards

Winners to be Announced Evening of December 5, 2006;

Event of the Year to Honor Arizona’s Top Technological and Business Achievements

The Arizona Technology Council, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Commerce, announced the following companies have been chosen as finalists by the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation event’s selection committee comprised of local business and academic leaders. One company, within each category, will be announced as the winner the night of the event. The award categories and finalists for each are as follows:

Young Innovator of the Year Award Winners

The “Best of the Best” of the Arizona Engineering and Science Fairs (grades 9-12) for the year 2006. Each of these students will receive a $1000 scholarship to further enhance their education.

“The finalists for this year’s Governor’s Celebration of Innovation are some of the most impressive we have seen in the four year history of the event. It is obvious that Arizona’s technology industry continues to thrive when we see the quality of companies that make their home in our great state,” said Kevin Margeson, Chairman of the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation event, and Director of the Arizona Aerospace and Defense Industry Association.

In its fourth year, the awards program is acknowledged as the premier recognition of statewide technological and business achievement and leadership in innovation. The awards dinner will be held at the Pointe South Mountain Resort on December 5, 2006. The event begins with a reception at 5:00 p.m., with dinner and ceremonies beginning at 6:30 p.m. The program will end at 9:00 p.m. This year’s event features an early bird deadline for registration. Tables of ten are $1,250 for Council members and $1750 for non-members before November 7th, $1,500 for Council members and $2,000 for non-members after November 7th. Individual tickets are $125 for Council members and $175 for non-members before November 7th, and $150 for Council members and $200 for non-members after November 7th. To purchase a table or individual ticket go to http://www.celebration-of-innovation.com.

Award Category Descriptions

• 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 business unit that has achieved significant business success, 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 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; Innovation may have been in previous years

• 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; Innovation may have been in previous years

• 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 1 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

• William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year Award

Presented to an individual or organization (including Not For Profit) 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 5 years or more.

• Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Award

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.

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 visit http://www.celebration-of-innovation.com.

About 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 21^st 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 is the largest member-driven technology association in the state. The Arizona Technology Council represents the interests of over 35,000 employees across more than 500 of the leading technology companies their support firms, educational institutions and state-wide economic development groups that collectively form Arizona’s technology community. Donna Kent was named president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council in November 2005. Along with Ms. 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 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.