2020 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Award Nominations Now Open, Due Friday, August 7

2020 Awards Include MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year, Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year, Innovators of the Year and AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award

The Arizona Technology Council, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), announced nominations for the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) awards are open now and due Friday, August 7 at 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 GCOI program will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 4.

Award categories include MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year; Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year; Innovators of the Year – Academia, Small Company, Large Company and Startup; and AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Arizona’s technology ecosystem has grown into one of the largest in the country and is a major contributor to the state’s economic development,” said Steven G. Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO. “GCOI is the state’s premier technology industry awards ceremony, and it allows us to celebrate the individual leaders and companies that have made this growth possible. It’s rewarding to review a new collection of applications highlighting the exciting innovations occurring throughout our state.”

“The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards provide an excellent opportunity for our technology ecosystem to come together and recognize the incredible talent we have in Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO. “Innovators across our state are doing cutting-edge work and as a result, Arizona is globally recognized as hub for next-gen technologies. We look forward to evaluating the 2020 GCOI nominees!”

2020 GCOI award categories are:

“Arizona has become one of the top states for companies on the cutting edge of technology and innovation,” said Mark Dallmeier, chief sales/revenue officer at MSS Business Transformation Advisory. “Much of Arizona’s progress can be directly attributed to forward-thinking, responsive leaders who drive innovation within businesses and markets. It’s important to recognize and honor outstanding leaders who are a positive force for change.”

To learn more about the GCOI awards, nominate a company or technology leader, register to attend, or become a sponsor, please visit the Council’s website at .


About Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, visionaries and community members to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit .

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit  and follow the ACA on Twitter .