I’m with you, I can’t believe it’s been nine months already. But time flies and here we are, mere months away from the 2009 Innovation Awards, presented by Lott + Barber. Go ahead and clear your calendar for October 22, when the festivities will take place. (Just not sure where yet – but we’ve got some smart ideas.)

An annual affair, the Innovation Awards honors the best and brightest innovators in and around Savannah’s Creative Coast, bringing together both established local leaders and up-and-coming key players in the fields of technology, design and development – including the non-profit, education and government sectors.

“We can’t wait to see how this year’s Innovation Awards turns out. We’re still talking about last year’s extravaganza - the record crowds, the epic showing of Savannah’s creative businesses, and of course the TCCa Typhoon of 2008. Here’s hoping this year is at least half the party,” Forrest Lott, principal of Lott + Barber said.

Amen, Forrest – here’s hoping it’s half the party and half the torrential downpour! (Our apologies to the table in the back, you know who you are.) But yes, this year’s Innovation Awards promises to match the energy, excitement and techy glamour of 2008. And who knows, it could be your year as a finalist, or even a winner! But we aren’t mind readers, so get busy and let us know what sort of innovative shenanigans you’ve been up to… Submit your application online; deadline for submission is August 21.

This year, we’ve reduced the playing field to four categories (down from six). By making the categories more general, we hope to encourage greater accessibility, competition and efficiency.

• Business – Limited to businesses with 50 or more employees, we’re looking for a business with brains and brawn that has their finger on the pulse of innovation. Specifically, entrants will be judged on their creativity, innovation or technical prowess in the delivery of products or services, as well as on the leadership role of management. In this category, if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
  
• Small Business – The best things often come in small packages. We’re big fans of the little guys, so we’ve given Small Business a category all their own. Applicants should let us know about their versatility as a young business, adaptability in economic downturn, and creativity in development, programs or technology.
  
• Community, Education and Government – This is our “warm fuzzy” category, dedicated to those hardworking agencies, groups and non-profits who make Savannah a better, safer and smarter place to live. This award will recognize creativity or innovation in a service, program or application of technology that has a positive impact on the educational experience; enhances the community with the expansion of a higher-wage, knowledge-driven economy, or improves operations or the delivery of civic services. (C’mon, give me a hug already.)
  
• Sustainability – This category appeals to companies and organizations where endurance, diversity and productivity parallel the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources. Let us know your nominee that demonstrates environmental leadership through the use or creation of innovative products, business or legislative practices to help make our Creative Coast a more sustainable community.
  

Ok, I’d love to stay and chat, but you have work to do. Go, create, innovate… APPLY!

TITLE SPONSOR: LOTT + BARBER

A leading commercial architecture, sustainable design and land planning firm headquartered in Savannah, Lott + Barber excels at working with clients at every phase of a project, from site selection through grand opening events. Founded in 1990, the firm has been honored with numerous design awards over the years, including Historic Preservation Awards from Historic Savannah Foundation, Excellence in Architecture awards from the American Institute of Architects and a National Award for Outstanding Technical Merit in Metropolitan Transportation Planning from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. For more information about Lott + Barber, please call (912) 234-5230 or visit www.lottbarber.com online.

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