Product of the Year Finalists Announced

The New Hampshire High Technology Council (NHHTC) has announced the semi-finalists in the 2008 Product of the Year Competition. The competition recognizes high tech products and services that represent the "best of the best" in terms of innovation, performance, functionality, value, uniqueness and ties to New Hampshire.

• Bradford Networks for its "NAC Director Guest/Contractor Services (GCS)"
• Cellular Specialties, Inc. for its "DSP85 Digital Repeater"
• Dell, Inc. for its "Dell EqualLogic PS5500E"
• Eleme' Medical Inc. for its "Smooth Shapes Systems"
• Ensconce Data Technology for its "Digital Shredder"
• Insight Technology for its "MTMV2-LCD"
• Russound for its "E-Series System"
• SphereOptics for its "Vacuum Compatible Uniform Radiance Source"

Semi-finalists were chosen by a panel of seven NH technology innovators, including Wendy Caswell, president and CEO, Zink Imaging; Brian Cole, engineering manager, Gentex Electro-Acoustics; Bob McCray, manager and investor in 35+ companies in the New Hampshire area; Ed Mitchell, Compressor Energy Solutions; Dick Morley, entrepreneur, angel investor, and inventor of the Programmable Logic Controller; David Todaro, chairman of the Software Association of NH and vice president of Bid2Win.com; and Steve Varga, general manager, Insight Tech-Gear.

On Monday, October 20th, each of the semi-finalists will make a presentation to the panel of judges. Up to five products will then be selected to compete at the gala Product of the Year event, November 18th, at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester.

According to Matt Pierson, NHHTC chairman, "This event not only celebrates high tech products and the New Hampshire based teams that create them, it gives the audience a unique opportunity to weigh in with their own opinions. Each audience member will vote for their choice of the Product of the Year after hearing a seven-minute presentation. The ultimate winner will be chosen by a combination of the judge's rankings and the audience's votes."

The November 18 event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at the Center of NH Radisson with a cocktail networking reception. Each of the finalists will display their products at this time. To purchase tables or tickets, please register online at www.nhhtc.org.