Canadian Information Productivity Awards Launches 15th Season

CIPA Attains Unprecedented Recognition as Knowledge Resource for IT Sector

	For More Information: Contact: norm.kirkpatrick@cipa.com (905) 952 0778

TORONTO, March 1, 2007 - Innovative organizations from across Canada are being invited to submit entries to the 15th annual competition of the Canadian Information Productivity Awards (CIPA) and achieve an international reputation for excellent management.

CIPA, Canada's leading national IT-based innovation/productivity awards program, has achieved a unique position as an industry resource. It is a showcase for excellence displayed by organizations intent on leading their industries in productivity and the use of information technology to change, adapt, innovate and compete in a dynamic global landscape.

Case-study descriptions of award-winning solutions are displayed at www.cipa.ca and in other media and promotional literature, serving as examples to emulate. No other organization in Canada provides a business resource of this nature, enabling senior executives across the country to maintain awareness of innovations in both the private and public sectors.

On an international basis, the CIPA competition also reveals which Canadian organizations are best positioned to be global market leaders. This applies to all of the diverse sectors represented each year in CIPA entries - manufacturing, resource, financial, retail and service companies; government, education and healthcare organizations -- whether nationally known or just beginning to build their reputations.

Deadline for the 2007 competition is May 29. This year's awards program will emphasize Canada's regional economic strengths, says Norm Kirkpatrick, CIPA President and CEO.

"Because of the longevity and high prestige of these leadership awards, the CIPA program is attracting growing support from industry associations and governments in all regions," Kirkpatrick says. "Our winners and finalists this year will be recognized for finding outstanding solutions to business challenges, enhancing wealth creation and competitiveness across the country."

There will be five entry categories in the 2007 competition: Efficiency and Operational Improvements, Customer Centricity, Collaboration, Organizational Transformation and Innovation. In each category, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations will compete separately. Entry forms with simplified entry procedures can be downloaded from www.cipa.ca. There is no cost to enter the competition.

Winners and finalists will be celebrated at the CIPA Awards Gala in Toronto in November. They will also gain national and international recognition through the Web and other extensive media exposure. Benefits accrue not only to entrants, but also to technology vendors and suppliers of expertise that support their customers' winning projects.

About the Canadian Information Productivity Awards

CIPA is Canada's oldest and largest awards program in the field of information technology and the premier showcase for Canadian IT and innovation. It is supported by Managing Sponsor CGI Group Inc. and CA Canada; media partners Rogers Communications Inc., IT World Canada and High Road Communications; research partner IDC Canada and allied technology associations CATA, CHITTA, CIPS, COACH, CME, FiQ, ITAC and others.

The mission of CIPA is to celebrate visionary organizations that have implemented IT project solutions that address business challenges or maximize opportunities in an innovative way.

For further information, contact:
Norm Kirkpatrick
President & CEO, Canadian Information Productivity Awards
905-695-6590, norm.kirkpatrick@cipa.ca

Lawrence Moule
Director of Communications, CIPA
416-458-4410, lawrence.moule@cipa.ca