Arizona Technology Council’s 2021 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Award Nominations Now Open, Due Friday, July 9

The Arizona Technology Council, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and Avnet, today announced nominations for the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) awards are open now and due Friday, July 9 at 5 p.m. The 2021 GCOI Awards will be held in-person at the Phoenix Convention Center on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

“As the nation’s fastest growing technology hub, Arizona is home to some of the best and brightest innovation leaders in the world,” said Steven G. Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO. “Each year the GCOI company and individual nominees get stronger. We look forward to reviewing all of the outstanding applications and celebrating our winners and finalists together at this incredible annual event.”

Award categories include MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year; Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year; Innovators of the Year – Academia, Small Company, Large Company and Startup; and AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award. Visit www.aztechcouncil.org/event/gcoi2021 to learn about each category and how to submit nominations.

“The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards provide a unique opportunity to recognize the many innovators and entrepreneurs elevating Arizona’s reputation as an international technology hub,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO. “Thanks to our hardworking startup community, Arizona has become the premier place to develop, test, and launch new ideas. We look forward to reviewing this year’s nominees!”

GCOI 2021 marks the 18th year of this prestigious, black-tie event that attracts more than 850 attendees for a night of networking, dining and entertainment. The event will consist of a strolling dinner and Tech Showcase followed by a theatre-style awards program. Companies featured at the Tech Showcase consist of award finalists, sponsors and Council partners. Early-bird tickets are on sale through Friday, September 3.

The 2021 GCOI award categories are:

• MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year – Presented to an executive or an organization (profit or nonprofit) that has achieved significant business success driving positive, transformational change in their organization with measurable outcomes in 2020. This is the third year in which the MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year Award will be presented.

• Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year – 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. The award is limited to individuals or organizations residing in Arizona for five years or more.

• Benchmark Academia 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. Open to both college students and faculty.

• Innovators of the Year – Small Company, Large Company and Startup – Presented to a company or business unit in a technology industry that has achieved significant business success, technical innovation or scientific achievement in the past calendar year.

• AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to a business leader who has demonstrated a lifetime of success in growing and advocating for the state’s technology ecosystem. Finalists for the award will be announced on Monday, August 16.

To learn more about the Arizona Technology Council’s GCOI awards, nominate a company or technology leader, register to attend, or become a sponsor, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org/event/gcoi2021.

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.

About Avnet

As a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, Avnet has served customers’ evolving needs for an entire century. The company supports customers at each stage of a product’s lifecycle, from idea to design and from prototype to production. Avnet’s unique position at the center of the technology value chain enables the organization to accelerate the design and supply stages of product development so customers can realize revenue faster. Decade after decade, Avnet helps its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at www.avnet.com

About Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, visionaries and community members to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.