INVESTIndiana Equity Conference Returns to Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, July 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following its successful debut in 2008, the biennial INVESTIndiana Equity Conference returns to Indianapolis this September with more than a dozen Indiana-based public companies scheduled to appear before a gathered audience of fund managers, analysts and investment professionals from the Midwest and Wall Street.

The one-day equity event will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 9.

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a fitting venue for this event. CEOs and CFOs from Indiana companies can outline the factors driving their companies' performance at the same place where every year the best racing teams in the world depend on the latest technology and innovation to give them the edge on their competition," said Terry McWilliams, an investor relations executive and chairman of the conference.

Among the leading NASDAQ and NYSE-listed companies taking part are Eli Lilly and Company, Cummins Inc., Old National Bancorp, Zimmer Holdings, Inc., Steel Dynamics, Inc., Hillenbrand, Inc. and Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. The participating companies are all based in Indiana and represent various industries, sizes and market capitalizations. Companies include those within the banking and finance industry, software development and manufacturers of durable goods, healthcare products and component materials. The full list of participating Indiana public companies and presentation schedules will be announced separately.

"As we saw at the first INVESTIndiana conference, this event provides a convenient forum for Indiana companies and professional investors and analysts to connect in formal presentations and individual meetings and to hear important commentary about economic trends," said McWilliams. 

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will welcome conference attendees and provide perspective about Indiana's economy in the opening keynote address. Daniels came from a successful career in business and government before being elected the state's 49^th governor in 2004, holding top management positions at the Hudson Institute and Eli Lilly and Company, and served as Chief of Staff to Senator Richard Lugar, Senior Advisor to President Ronald Reagan and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. (A bio can be found here: http://www.meetmax.com/upload/event_4621/The%20Honorable%20Mitch%20Daniels.pdf)

"As business leaders understand, creating a business environment in Indiana that encourages growth is essential to our continued economic success," said Governor Daniels. "Whether it is Hoosier companies expanding their current operations here, or companies from out of state and abroad locating here, Indiana is open for business."

The Indianapolis financial analyst community, through the http://www.membersocieties.org/indianapolis/default.aspx">CFA Society of Indianapolis, is formally involved with the event. As an organizing sponsor, the CFA Society serves on an advisory board of financial, corporate and investor relations professionals planning and overseeing the conference. Also involved as an organizing sponsor is the http://www.financialexecutives.org/eweb/startpage.aspx?site=ch_ind">Financial Executives International chapter of Indianapolis, whose members include chief financial officers, treasurers and other financial executives.

The attendees are select professional fund managers, equity analysts and qualified financial professionals from the region and Wall Street who follow or invest in Indiana equities or their underlying industries. Attendance is on an invitation-only, first-come, first-serve basis, with conference costs (admission, continental breakfast, lunch, and keynote speakers) underwritten by the conference and its sponsors. Registration is available through http://www.invest-ind.com/">www.invest-ind.com but a registration code is required. Call INVESTIndiana to discuss qualifications to attend.           

The title sponsors of INVESTIndiana are http://www.crowehorwath.com/">Crowe Horwath LLP, one of the nation's largest public accounting and consulting firms, and http://www.icemiller.com/">Ice Miller LLP, one of the largest law firms based in the Midwest with several nationally recognized practice areas.

 "Highlighting a diversity of industries and companies, this conference demonstrates why Indiana is an excellent place for business and investment," said Crowe Horwath partner Joe Scheidler. "As a national firm with Indiana roots that provides audit, tax, risk, advisory and performance services to public and private companies, supporting an equity conference such as INVESTIndiana is a natural fit for Crowe."

Steve Hackman, partner at Ice Miller, said, "We are once again thrilled to take part in this event that spotlights top Indiana public companies. As one of the largest law firms in Indianapolis, we have represented many of these companies in business, finance and SEC matters and are happy to provide a forum that allows them to reach professional investors."

In addition to title sponsors Crowe and Ice Miller, support for the conference comes from platinum sponsor http://www.hilliard.com/">Hilliard Lyons, which provides comprehensive financial services and advice to clients through more than 70 offices in 13 states.  Gold sponsors include http://www.nasdaqomx.com/">NASDAQ OMX, http://www.sbauerfunds.com/">SBAuer Funds LLC and http://www.twst.com/">Wall Street Transcript, and in-kind gold sponsors http://www.bitwisesolutions.com/">BitWise Solutions, http://www.curran-connors.com/">Curran & Connors, http://www.markeys.com/">Markey's Rental & Staging and http://www.optimumcompanies.com/">Optimum Print Solutions.

Information about qualifications for attending and registration, as well as background about underwriting sponsors, can be found at INVESTIndiana's Web site: http://www.invest-ind.com/">www.invest-ind.com. 

The INVESTIndiana logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7703