TRIBECA FLASHPOINT ACADEMY CEO HOWARD TULLMAN NOMINATED FOR 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Award

Illinois Technology Association (ITA) Recognizes Technology Leaders as 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Award Finalists

Finalists Include Technology Visionaries and Leaders of the Industry


May 4, 2011 (Marketwire) --
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 05/04/11 -- The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) Board of Directors is proud to announce the finalists for the 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Award. The finalists include:

Sandee Kastrul, President and Founder, i.c. stars

i.c. stars provides opportunities for inner-city young adults in Chicago to harness the strength of the Internet economy for social and economic empowerment.

Matt Moog, Founder, Viewpoints

Matt is nominated for his support of the local technology community and the development of Built In Chicago. Built in Chicago's mission is to connect, educate and promote the growing digital community in Chicago.

Howard A. Tullman, President and CEO, Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy

Howard is nominated for his support of the local technology community as a whole. He has led the recovery of many companies, volunteered his time to various organizations over the years and continues to be an ambassador of the industry.

"We are thrilled to recognize the CityLIGHTS Award Finalists who do so much to help the local technology ecosystem grow," said Fred Hoch, President, ITA. "The group of local leaders nominated for this award was outstanding as were the technology companies across the board. The level of competition in 2011 has set a new record in every category -- number and quality of nominations, stature and commitment of the judges, as well as the number of voters! The industry is driving the economic recovery of the region."

Winners of all 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Awards will be named at the Gala on May 12, 2011, at historic Chicago Union Station. Tickets are available and the public is welcome to attend. The event is an opportunity for the industry to connect with other technology executives, entrepreneurs, industry and civic leaders, corporate executives and investors in the region for an evening of dining, socializing, and celebration. This diverse group comes together annually for ITA CityLIGHTS with a focus on the role of technology in Illinois and the expansion and support of breakthrough technology not only as a stand-alone business but also within established companies.
CityLIGHTS is the largest gathering of technology executives in the state of Illinois and is now in its 12th year.

Award categories include the Newcomer Award, the Best Strategic Use of Technonlogy Award, the New Concept Award, the Rising Star Award, the Lighthouse Award, the Technologist of the Year Award, the CEO of the Year Award, and the CityLIGHTS Award.
ITA thanks the 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Sponsors including Presenting Sponsor, Grant Thornton, Gold Sponsors CompTIA, McGuire Woods, Model Metrics, NAVTEQ, and SurePayroll, and Event Sponsors Authentify, Smart Signal, and Lantern Partners for their continued support and making the event possible.
About the Illinois Technology Association

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is a driving force behind the growth of Illinois' vibrant technology industry. We are relentless in championing the development and application of technology, from start-up companies to industry leaders, leveraging the transformative nature of technology to revolutionize industries. ITA uniquely capitalizes peer-to-peer collaboration, networking, and access to experts across the breadth of business to cultivate the Illinois technology industry. The unique and powerful integration of these valuable and experienced resources differentiates the ITA as a source of accelerated growth for the technology industry of Illinois. For more information about ITA, please visit www.illinoistech.org.

Contact the ITA at headquarters@illinoistech.org, follow the discussion on Twitter at @itabuzz, and visit www.illinoistech.org to find out more about how ITA supports the growth of the local industry.

TRIBECA FLASHPOINT STUDENT EMILY GREENQUIST SELECTED AS WINNER IN "50 FOR THE FUTURE" COMPETITION SPONSORED BY ILLINOIS TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION

"50 For The Future" Award Ceremony to Honor Top Illinois Technology Students

Accenture CIO Frank Modruson to Keynote Award Presentation Event on April 13

The Illinois Technology Foundation (ITF), the philanthropic arm of the Illinois Technology Association (ITA), announced today the 50 For The Future awards presentation on April 13, with Frank Modruson, CIO of Accenture, as the keynote speaker. ITF is dedicated to fueling the technology workforce for the future of the Illinois' economy.

Now in its fourth year, 50 For The Future is designed to recognize students with interest in and potential to use technology in innovative ways. 50 For The Future provides encouragement and recognition to students who pursue innovation through technology, providing access to business leaders to showcase their talent. The program is open to students enrolled in institutions of higher learning throughout Illinois.

"Students honored in the 50 For The Future are some of the best technology talent in Illinois and I am honored to have the opportunity to address them," said Frank Modruson, chief information officer at Accenture and keynote speaker for the 50 For The Future event. "The nominees are certainly people worth watching. They represent the future of our industry."

Also in attendance at the event will be senior executives from more than 30 of the region's top technology companies, industry organizations and academic institutions -- including: Motorola, NAVTEQ, Underwriters Laboratory, Baxter, and many others. These senior executives are serving as judges for the 50 For The Future.

"50 For The Future could not be possible without the involvement from senior level executives such as Mr. Modruson," said Ray Oral, CIO of CNA and co-chair of 50 For The Future. "We are honored to have such esteemed guests continue to attend and judge 50 For The Future every year."

About the Illinois Technology Foundation

The Illinois Technology Foundation's mission is to support the development of a technology talent pipeline that begins in elementary school, is refined in high school, and is fully developed in our region's higher education graduates. The Foundation facilitates relationships and efforts across industry, academia, students, and government, developing and managing targeted programs within the talent pipeline. Through action, leadership, and collaboration, the Foundation supports and nurtures the technology talent to ensure a viable and a regional wealth creating economy. The Foundation is the philanthropy arm of the Illinois Technology Association (ITA), a membership organization of more than 500 Illinois technology companies who support the development of a stronger technology talent pipeline in the region. Additional information is available at www.illinoistechfoundation.org.

About the Illinois Technology Association
Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is passionately committed to the successful growth of our member-companies and the regional technology industry. ITA champions the interests of start-ups and industry leaders, innovation agents and students as independent and collaborative thought leaders who leverage the power of technology to transform business. Through fostering strategic development, peer-to-peer leadership, networking, and access to experts across the breadth of business, membership in ITA accelerates the realization of success. For more information about ITA, please visit www.illinoistech.org.