Business Services Industry

ITA Announces Finalists for 2006 CityLIGHTS Awards; Illinois' Best and Brightest Technology Companies to Celebrate at Annual Awards Gala on March 23

Business Wire, March 17, 2006

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA) today announced the finalists for the 2006 CityLIGHTS Awards. The awards (www.itacitylights.com) recognize and celebrate outstanding information technology companies, executives and advocates in Illinois.

This year finalists are:

CEO of the Year

Given to the CEO who has driven his company to new heights in the past year.

--Glen Tullman, CEO, AllScripts

--Roderick Walter, President and CEO, Knightsbridge Solutions

--Ed Zander, CEO, Motorola, Inc.

CityLIGHTS Award

Given to an individual with a significant impact on the Illinois technology community.

--Annie D. Collins, Chairman, Fiber for Our Future

--Jonathan Silverstein, Professor, University of Chicago

--David Weinstein, President, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center

Lighthouse Award

Given to the company which best represents the region's growing stature as home to quality information technology companies.

--ASAP Software, Inc.

--Chicago Mercantile Exchange

--Trading Technologies, Inc.

Newcomer Award

Given to the company that has the strongest potential to emerge from its start-up phase to become a solid presence in the technology marketplace.

--BridgePort Networks

--SpringCM

--Univa Corporation

Rising Star Award

Given to the company which has emerged from its start-up phase to become a solid presence in the marketplace.

--The Acquity Group

--R3 Systems, Inc.

--The SAVO Group

Spotlight Award

Given to the CIO/CTO for leadership and outstanding contributions in use of technology.

--Michael Carlin, VP and CIO, Hospira, Inc.

--James R. Krause, Managing Director and CIO, Chicago Mercantile Exchange

--Lac Tran, SVP and CIO, Rush University Medical Center

The winners will be presented at the annual CityLIGHTS Gala to be held March 23rd at Galleria Marchetti. All Illinois technology executives are encouraged to attend and more than 350 are expected this year. To register for the event, visit www.itacitylights.com.

CityLIGHTS is ITA's annual celebration of vitality and innovation in the Illinois technology community. Celebrating its 7th Year, CityLIGHTS provides an opportunity to recognize some of the leading technology companies and individuals in our community whose innovation and success are driving change in Illinois. The Awards Gala is also an opportunity for the industry to connect with other technology executives, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and investors in the region for an evening of dining, socializing, and celebration.

About the ITA

The Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA) was introduced in early 2005 to reflect the expanded scope and vision of the Chicago Software Association. The organization benefits its members by providing networking, advocacy, resources and leadership to drive growth, development and retention of IT-focused business and talent in Illinois. Providing a platform for industry collaboration, the ITA has more than 400 member companies and is the largest Midwest trade organization dedicated to fostering support for the IT industry. Additional information is available at http://www.illinoistech.org/.>