Groupon, Chicago Transit Authority, Howard Tullman Winners at 12th Annual ITA CityLIGHTS Award

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - May 13, 2011) - The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is honored to announce the winners of the 2011 ITA CityLIGHTS Awards.

The 2011 Awards includes two new categories; the New Concept Award and the Best Strategic Use of Technology Award. As technology continues to revolutionize industries, the recognition of the entire ecosystem, from ideation to application in non-tech products, is celebrated.

The gala is held annually to celebrate the state's thriving technology ecosystem and highlight some of the advancements of the past year.

The 2011 Award winners are:

• CityLIGHTS Award:
  Presented to an individual or business that actively and consistently supports the growth of the Illinois technology industry through demonstrated collaborative involvement that brings a spotlight on the community.
  • Howard Tullman, Flashpoint Tribeca Media Arts Academy
    
    
• CEO of the Year Award:
  Presented to the CEO who has led extraordinary business growth of their technology company over the past year.
  • Adam Caplan, Model Metrics
    
    
• Technologist of the Year Award:
  Presented to the individual whose talent has championed true technology innovation, either through new application of existing technology or the development of technology to achieve a truly unique product or service.
  • Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, Illinois Institute of Technology
    
    
• Newcomer Award:
  Presented to the company that has the strongest potential to emerge from its start-up phase to become a leader in the technology industry.
  • Tap.Me
    
    
• New Concept Award:
  Presented to the company or individual regardless of size and status of the company with the best new technology-focused concept of the year.
  • MentorMob
    
    
• Rising Star Award:
  Presented to the company, which, through innovation in products, services or business approach, has grown to become a serious competitor in the marketplace.
  • Aircell
    
    
• Lighthouse Award:
  Presented to the company who has taken a leading role in the national industry while attracting national attention to the Illinois technology industry.
  • Groupon
    
    
• Best Strategic Use of Technology Award:
  Presented to the non-tech organization whose has leveraged technology to provide a differentiated product or service, or has transformed the norm in their industry.
  • Chicago Transit Authority

"On behalf of the ITA and our over 700 member companies, we extend our congratulations to the 2011 CityLIGHTS Awards recipients. The 2011 group of nominees, finalists, and winners continue to elevate the stature of Illinois' technology. The ITA truly appreciates all supporters of the Awards Gala who continue to collaborate to grow the technology ecosystem in Illinois, not only through this event but as acting ambassadors of the community," said Fred Hoch, ITA president. "We are enthused by the thriving technology industry here in Illinois and are thrilled to honor the incredible accomplishments of the winners, finalists and nominees."

ITA presented the awards on Thursday, May 12 at the CityLIGHTS Awards Gala at Union Station in downtown Chicago. Voting participation set a new record in 2011, with more than 6,000 voters reflecting the strength of the 2011 finalists and the continued growth of the Illinois technology industry.

Sponsors of this year's CityLIGHTS Awards include Presenting Sponsor Grant Thornton; Gold Sponsors CompTIA, McGuireWoods, Model Metrics, NAVTEQ and SurePayroll. Event Sponsors Authentify, Lantern Partners, and SmartSignal.

About the ITA
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