News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Tuesday, January 28, 1997
Contact:	Mark McLindon, Chairman, Alexandria Technology Award Committee, (703) 527-1451; Tom Brannan, Assistant City Manager, (703) 838-4300

Alexandria to Showcase High Tech Business During March 10-14 Technology Achievement Week

Alexandria’s expanding technology sector will be in the spotlight March 10-14 for Technology Achievement Week, which will showcase advances in technology by Alexandria-based businesses.

The announcement of the winner of the 1st Annual Alexandria Technology Achievement Award on Monday, March 10, will kick off a week of events highlighting achievements in technology by Alexandria businesses. Alexandria Mayor Kerry J. Donley and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mark McLindon will present the Technology Achievement Award on Monday, March 10, at a luncheon honoring the award winner and the finalists.

Alexandria’s Technology Achievement Week and the Technology Achievement Award are sponsored by the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc., to recognize local businesses that have developed new technology or incorporated technology advances in their operations. The award originated with the Ad Hoc Task Force on Information and Communication Technologies, which is co-chaired by Alexandria Vice Mayor Redella S. Pepper and Council Member Lois Walker.

The five finalists competing for the Alexandria Technology Award will be announced on Monday, February 10. In all, 26 Alexandria firms have been nominated for the award. A panel of judges evaluated each firm’s nomination on the basis of technological achievement and the impact on business, industry and/or the City of Alexandria.

"The technology sector is the backbone of Alexandria’s expanding economy," said Mayor Donley. "The City is currently home to 157 high technology firms that employ over 8,800 full-time employees, or about one of every ten persons employed in the City. Four of the Washington region’s fastest growing technology companies, with combined annual revenues approaching $18 million, are located in Alexandria. Last month, we opened the Alexandria Small Business Development Center for Entrepreneurial Resources and Technology at the George Washington University Graduate Education Center. With a strong core of technology firms investing in their employees and with the $8.6 million invested in the past two years in educational technology in our City Schools, we’re hoping to attract additional technology firms and expand Alexandria’s share of the technology market," said Mayor Donley.

The Alexandria City Public Schools will play a prominent role in Alexandria’s week-long celebration of achievements in technology. "Students and teachers will demonstrate how they use technology in the classroom and access to the Internet to enhance learning," said School Superintendent Dr. Herbert Berg. "The City’s support for educational technology is an essential investment in our students," added Dr. Berg. "It sends a signal to technology companies that Alexandria’s schools are preparing our students to meet the future and the scientific and technological challenges it holds."

Technology Achievement Week begins on Monday, March 10, with a luncheon at the Radisson Plaza Hotel to honor the five firms competing for the Technology Achievement Award. Mayor Donley will introduce the chief executive officers of the winning firm and the four finalists to the luncheon audience and at a press conference immediately following the luncheon.

On Tuesday evening, March 11, City Council will honor the award winner and the finalists with a proclamation. The presentation will be televised live by Jones Communications on Channel 11.

On Wednesday, March 12, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Alexandria City Public Schools will sponsor "Technology Day," an in-school program hosted by School Superintendent Dr. Herbert Berg and students and teachers at Patrick Henry Elementary School, 4643 Taney Avenue, one of Alexandria’s newly "wired" schools. The audience will include the award winners, corporate and business partners, and members of City Council and the School Board. An expanded program will be presented beginning at 7 p.m. that evening for parents and guests. Members of the community are cordially invited to attend.

On Thursday morning, March 13, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce will recognize the award winner and the finalists in the Technology Achievement Award competition at a Networking Breakfast at the Radisson Plaza Hotel.

On Friday evening, March 14, the chief executive officers of the winning companies will be guests of the Technology Achievement Week co-sponsors at a dinner in their honor at Potowmack Landing Restaurant. City Council will also attend.


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