For Additional Information Contact:
D'Andra Ulmer, grand beginnings
512.689.2203
grandbeginnings@austin.rr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BiGAUSTIN Rolls Out the Red Carpet for the Staple of Austin's Economy!
AUSTIN, Texas, March 18, 2004 - Tickets go on sale today for the fourth annual BiG IDEA Awards Luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2004, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Business Investment Growth (BiG) will recognize several local small businesses for their achievements in business. The event will feature all of the ingredients of a celebrity award show including the red carpet, which will be laid out at the luxurious new Austin Hilton at 500 East 4th Street. Awards and honors will be presented by local "celebrities" and community leaders including Governor Rick Perry, Ron Oliveira, and Austin's own Virginia Rogers. There will even be live entertainment provided by well-known jazz vocalist, Pamela Hart.
The keynote address will be delivered by Founder of Ginny's Copying Service and Relax the Back Franchising Company, Virginia Rogers. Ms. Rogers is known for developing some of the most successful small business ventures in Central Texas. Ms. Rogers will offer words of encouragement and inspiration as well as her take on this year's theme "Small Business, the Staple of Austin's Economy" to the many micro and small businesses, banks, and small business service providers expected to attend. Governor Rick Perry will deliver the closing remarks. KVUE Television Evening News Anchor Ron Oliveira will Emcee the event.
The BiG IDEA Awards honor small businesses in several categories for their achievements with five awards; the "Most with the Least" award, "Rookie of the Year" award, "Best Transition" award, "Creative Business" award, and "BiG Graduate" award. In addition to the award, winners will each receive up to $4000 in gifts and prizes. Past BiG IDEA recipients include Melissa Graham, Women Magazine, Navid Nadimi, Mail & Check Express, Ltd., Ester & Aaron Zamora, A/Z Refrigeration. Sponsors for this year's awards include Washington Mutual, Austin Business Journal, Hartman's Foundation, HEB, and KVUE all of whom, according to Board Member and Event Chairperson, Paul Saldana, are extremely pleased to sponsor this important event. "We all believe in the importance of acknowledging that these exceptional small businesses and many others are truly the staple of Austin's economy. As Event Chair I am both proud and excited about all of the speakers, prizes, entertainment and surprises planned for this year's ceremony".
BiGAUSTIN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded in 1995, and is Central Texas' single-source solution for small businesses in search of comprehensive entrepreneurial education and affordable loans. For more information visit: www.bigaustin.org. Reserve tickets by calling 928-8010 or visiting www.bigaustin.org. Individual tickets are $40 and sponsor tables are $2,500. Individual tickets will be available at the door for $50.