Chicago, IL – March 27, 2007 – The Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA) today announced the finalists for the 2007 CityLIGHTS Awards. The awards – which honor outstanding information technology companies, executives and advocates in Illinois – will be presented to the winners at the eighth annual CityLIGHTS Awards Gala on April 12 at the Drake Hotel.
This year’s finalists include:
- CityLIGHTS Award: Given to an individual that has made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community.
o Dick Reck, President, Business Strategy Advisors
o Brad Spirrison, President, MidwestBusiness.com
o J.B. Pritzker, Partner, New World Ventures
- CEO of the Year Award: Given to the CEO who has driven his company to new heights in the past year.
o Paul Jarvie, President, ASAP Software
o Brian Carpizo, CEO, Junction Solutions
o Raymond Spencer, Chairman and CEO, Kanbay
o Art Roldan, CEO, SecurePipe Corporation
o Robert Post, President and CEO, TravelCLICK
- Spotlight Award: Given to the CIO/CTO for leadership and outstanding contributions in the application of information technology.
o Steve Canter, CIO, Berlin Packaging
o William Farrow, EVP and CIO, Chicago Board of Trade
o Hardik Bhatt, CIO, City of Chicago
o Mitch Greenwald, CIO, SeatonCorp
o Jim Parker, CIO, Supplier Systems Corporation
- Lighthouse Award: Given to the company that best represents the region’s growing stature as home to world-class information technology companies.
o Advanced Technology Services, Inc.
o Aladdin Knowledge Systems
o Infogix
o Initiate Systems
o Orbitz
- Rising Star Award: Given to the company that has emerged from its start-up phase to distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
o The Acquity Group
o Authentify
o Fieldglass
o INCISENT Technologies
o The SAVO Group
- Newcomer Award: Given to the company that has the strongest potential to emerge from its start-up phase and distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
o AdGooroo
o Cleversafe
o ForceLogix
o LiquidTalk
o Sky Road
“We had an astounding number of truly excellent nominations this year and would like to thank all of those who submitted,” said Fred Hoch, president of the ITA. “The high level of quality submissions and volume of applications we received demonstrates the continued growth of Illinois’ strong technology community.
CityLIGHTS is ITA’s annual celebration of vitality and innovation in Illinois’ fast-growing technology community. The Awards Gala will recognize key players and rising stars whose innovations are driving positive change in Illinois. All Illinois companies and executives are invited to attend the event, which is the largest gathering of technology executives in the state. Last year’s event drew more than 400 attendees.
Sponsors of this year’s CityLIGHTS Awards include Premier Sponsor Grant Thornton; Platinum Sponsors IBM Corporation and Oracle Corporation; Gold Sponsors Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Fastroot Technology, Lakeview Technology and McGuireWoods; and Event Sponsors Authentify, Chase Bank and Lantern Partners.
To register for the event, visit www.itacitylights.com.
About the ITA
With roots dating back to 1982, the Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA) represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 400 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. By connecting members with industry peers and participants, providing the latest strategic information, market research and critical market insight and by promoting key thought leaders to raise visibility and gain a greater market awareness and presence, ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration. Additional information is available at http://www.illinoistech.org/.
Contacts:
Fred Hoch President, ITA, +1.312.435.2805, fhoch@illinoistech.org
Lee Winklepleck, Account Executive, Ruder Finn, +1.312.329.3978, winklepleckl@ruderfinn.com