The Provincial Government is seeking nominations for its Export and Innovation Awards. The awards, announced today at Memorial University�s School of Business, combine the annual Exporter of the Year Award with two new innovation awards, which will be presented April 18 at the Fairmont Newfoundland.

"Part of our innovation strategy is to recognize innovators for their contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador. Accordingly, we have created the Innovation in Business Award and Distinction in Innovation Award," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "We want people from all regions of the province to nominate companies or people who they feel warrant one of these awards."

The Innovation in Business Award is aimed at businesses and recognizes a company for its outstanding achievement in creating new opportunities to advance its business through innovation.

The Distinction in Innovation Award is focused primarily on non-profit organizations and educational institutions and recognizes an individual or group that makes an outstanding contribution towards Newfoundland and Labrador�s innovative culture.

The Exporter of the Year Award recognizes innovative business approaches and successes of Newfoundland and Labrador exporters in all business sectors and regions of the province.

"The Provincial Government has created these awards in recognition of the importance of strategic risk-taking and to celebrate the success of those who achieve innovative solutions. These awards are designed to encourage awareness of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, and recognize individuals and groups who advance science or develop new approaches to community development," said Minister Taylor.

The Exporter of the Year Award is in its 23^rd year and is now part of the new Export and Innovation Awards. Its format remains unchanged and interested parties are encouraged to nominate companies for this popular award.

The award was won by North Atlantic Refineries in 2007 which posted $3 billion in exports. "North Atlantic has been a major contributor to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy," said company Vice-President, Glenn Mifflin. "Receiving the 2007 Exporter of the Year Award was a true recognition of the hard work that all 700 of our employees have put into our company's success." 

Nomination and application kits have been developed for the awards and are available on the Provincial Government�s website: //www.intrd.gov.nl.ca/intrd/Forms/EIAwardsNominationForm.pdf. Anyone can nominate themselves or another individual, group or company. The nominations are judged by a selection committee and three finalists will be chosen in each category. The deadline for nominations is April 8, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Fairmont Newfoundland on April 18, 2008.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
ScottBarfoot@gov.nl.ca