Ernst & Young Convenes Largest Gathering of Entrepreneurs in America

NEW YORK, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrepreneurs from across the country and special guests from throughout the world will gather in Palm Springs, California from November 15-18, 2007 for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2007 national awards. Now in its 21st year, the awards honor entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

The three-day program includes business discussions, networking activities and speakers such as Lance Armstrong and Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's. The event is expected to draw over 1,500 attendees and will culminate with a black tie gala, hosted by Jay Leno, on Saturday, November 17th where recipients of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 National Award will be announced.

"For 21 years, Ernst & Young has honored the most accomplished entrepreneurs in America during the largest gathering of its kind," said Phil Anderson, Americas Director, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program. "This group of leaders is truly forging the future of our country by driving innovation, fostering economic growth and developing local communities. Nowhere else will you find such a talented congregation of business visionaries."

Other featured speakers at this year's program include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 national award winner, Dr. Richard Caruso, Chairman and Founder of Integra LifeSciences Corporation; Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and Built to Last; and Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic and Bismarck. The program also includes a special panel, moderated by Deborah Norville, to discuss the state of entrepreneurship in America. Panelists include Helen Greiner, Founder and Chairman of iRobot Corporation; Patrick Lo, Chairman, CEO and Founder of NETGEAR; Jim McCann, CEO of 1-800-Flowers.com; and Jill Blashack Strahan, Founder and CEO of Tastefully Simple.

This year, Entrepreneur Of The Year serves as the concluding event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum. The Forum is a premier gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. At this exclusive event, companies capitalize on emerging market trends, establish new partnerships and relationships, learn from the most advanced thinkers in the business, and celebrate their success. Strategic Growth Forum also includes the Ernst & Young IPO Transformation-CEO Retreat, for CEOs considering an IPO or other strategic transaction; the Ernst & Young Cleantech Symposium, bringing together entrepreneurs, corporate executives, financiers, and public policy leaders to discuss key industry issues; and a special seminar, Private Equity and the Changing Transaction Landscape.

"Strategic Growth Forum gathers together business leaders who are changing the economic landscape of our country," said Maria Pinelli, Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young LLP. "This group is developing new and innovative ideas every day that will keep our country growing for the next 50 years."

A Regional, National and Global Award to Honor Entrepreneurs The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program was created and is produced in the United States by Ernst & Young LLP. From a single program in 1986, the awards have expanded to 26 programs across the U.S., more than 50 countries and over 135 cities around the world.

"America has a unique relationship with entrepreneurship - some might say it's in the genetic make-up of our country," said Anderson. "Across the board, this year's Entrepreneur Of The Year candidates carry on this exceptional spirit, determination and drive towards success."

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. To be considered for the Entrepreneur Of The Year award, candidates must be an owner or manager of a private or public company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company and still active in top-level management. An independent panel of judges consisting of business leaders and past Entrepreneur Of The Year winners selects the finalists and award recipients.

Viewers can watch entrepreneurs from across the country vie for the national award during a live webcast on www.ey.com/us from the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Springs on November 17 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. PST. To register for the webcast, follow this link: http://webcast.ey.com/events/default.aspx?prog=%7B23ed64e8-286d-4a46-a28b- 5c020f6b12c7%7D .

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have Bank of America as the national presenting sponsor, as well as SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.

About the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Markets Practice

Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides the best high-growth companies. Our multi-disciplinary team of elite professionals provides perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. Ernst & Young is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies, and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 130,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives . Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited does not provide services to clients.