Automation Alley Announces Sixth Annual Awards Gala Call for Nominations

TROY, Mich., July 11 -- Automation Alley, which drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy, announced it is now accepting nominations for its Sixth Annual Awards Gala. The Gala will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, September 22 at the General Motors Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich. The event honors the excellence of top technology companies and employees from Southeast Michigan during the past year.

"The nominations indicate the abundance of great minds, talented people and committed businesses in the region," said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley.

This year's gala will be one of the first external events to be held at the General Motors Heritage Center. This exclusive location is a museum and living repository of automotive history, housing nearly 200 GM vehicles from the past century.

  Nominations are now being accepted for the following categories:
  *  Legend CEO (lifetime achievement award)
  *  CEO of the Year
  *  CIO of the Year
  *  Emerging Leader
  *  Automation Alley Member of the Year
  *  Educational Program of the Year
  *  Technology Company of the Year
  *  Emerging Technology Company of the Year
  *  Non-Profit Organization of the Year

Award winners are chosen by the Automation Alley Awards Committee. Alley members and all other members of the Southeast Michigan business community are eligible to enter.

In addition to the announcement of award winners, Gala guests enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner and afterglow with a live band, cigar lounge and martini bar. Tickets to the event are available through Automation Alley at a cost of $125.

For details on submitting nominations or to obtain tickets for the Gala, please visit http://www.automationalley.com/ or call 800-427-5100.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives.

More than 630 businesses, educational institutions and government entities belong to Automation Alley, covering an eight county area and the City of Detroit. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through the Automation Alley International Business Center, which provides business attraction services and exporting assistance; the Automation Alley Technology Center, which brings together businesses, educators and government to help entrepreneurs accelerate technology commercialization; and the GLIMA Network, a state-wide association for individuals engaged with and involved in technology-oriented industries.

For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/ .