Aug 10, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. — The National Small Business Association (NSBA) seeks nominations for the 2006 Small Business Advocate of the Year Award. The winner will be named as part of NSBA’s Washington Presentation, to be held in May 2006 in our nation’s capital.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to small business advocacy, a proven history of voluntary efforts and endeavors to advance small business and improve the conditions for small business owners; success and growth as a small business owner; and any other accomplishments demonstrating merit as an effective advocate for small business interests. Applicants also must be a small business owner and are permitted to nominate themselves.

The nomination process will proceed using the following schedule:

Deadline/Locations

Friday, Sept. 23: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Friday, Oct. 21: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Friday, Nov. 18: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Friday, Dec. 23: Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Friday, Jan. 20, 2006: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and Texas.

Please submit nominations to:

Small Business Advocate of the Year Award
National Small Business Association
1156 15th Street NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005-1755

Valerie W. Perlowitz of Vienna, Va., won the 2005 award. Perlowitz founded Reliable Integration Services, Inc. in 1988 and currently serves as its president and chief executive officer.

More information about the award -- and the application form -- can be found at nsba.biz/award.

For nearly 70 years, NSBA has been an advocate for the interests of small businesses throughout the country. The organization, which reaches more than 150,000 small businesses, is proud to be the first national small business advocacy organization in the United States.