Contact:  Patrick Kowalcyzk, patrick@mkpr.com
Jill Feldman, jill@mkpr.com
Michael Kaminer Public Relations, 212.627.8098

FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS
SEEKING BEST U.S. COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS

Eliminating Entry Fees for Many Categories,
Nation’s Only Independent Business Awards Launches
2006 Call for Entries

New York, NY – January 11, 2006  – Giving more Americans the opportunity to get recognition for the extraordinary work they do everyday, The Fourth Annual American Business Awards marked the launch of its call for entries today by eliminating the entry fees for all non-executive individual categories, including Best Marketer, Best Corporate Communicator, Best Sales Manager, and Best Salesperson.

The American Business Awards are the only national, independent business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.

Entry kits for The 4th annual American Business Awards may be requested at www.stevieawards.com/aba.  The 2006 awards will honor accomplishments made in 2005. The entry deadline is March 31.

Starting today, entries may be submitted in dozens of categories ranging from Best Executive to Most Innovative Company.  For a full list of categories visit: http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3655.cfm

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards, designed by the same company that makes the Clio and Emmy, will be presented at a gala, nationally broadcast ceremony in New York City on June 12, 2006.

The 3rd annual American Business Awards were presented last June to a diverse range of outstanding American organizations, including ADP, Inc., AT&T Corp., E*TRADE FINANCIAL, Hewlett-Packard, S C Johnson, Sprint, and Staples, among others.

Premier Sponsors of The 2006 American Business Awards include ValueVision Associates, RealLife HR, and the Professional Society for Sales & Marketing Training.  Media sponsors include CIO Decisions, CRMAdvocate, Human Resource Executive, ProductionHub.com, and Selling Power.  The Business TalkRadio Network will host the live radio broadcast of the June 12 awards ceremonies, and HB Group will videocast the ceremonies worldwide.

To request an entry kit, visit http://www.stevieawards.com/aba or contact The Stevie Awards by phone (703) 547-8389; fax (703) 991-2397; or email info@stevieawards.com.

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

###