The 3M Canada Company Award for Emerging Technology will be presented on June 20th at the CATAAlliance's 21st Annual Innovation Awards Gala Dinner, to be held in Ottawa.

Terence Matthews, Chairman of March Networks Corporation, will provide the Gala keynote to an audience of Canada's technology leaders.

CATAAlliance, Canada's largest high tech association, and the traditional champion of Canada Research and Development, explained that its long-standing award for the best emerging technology of the year in Canada has been renamed the '3M Canada Company Award for Emerging Technology.'

"3M Corporation invested $1.25 billion on Research and Development (R&D) last year and 3M Canada is one of the largest mandated subsidiaries," said CATAAlliance president John Reid. "We're proud to announce that our most prestigious award for Emerging Technology will be named in 3M Canada's honour."

Excellence in Emerging Technology is given in recognition of the recent launch of an innovative new product. Advanced technology products, technology-based services and products that utilize emerging technologies may be considered. Entries will be judged in relation to the degree of innovation incorporated in the product and its market potential.

"There is a diversity of new technologies and potential customer solutions residing in Canadian universities, government laboratories and small companies" said Ian Hardgrove, President & GM, 3M Canada Company, adding "One of 3M's interests is broadening contact with Canada's world class research capabilities, leading to productive collaborations. We think it is only natural that 3M Canada Company should honour innovative and creative Canadian companies with an award with our name on it."

3M is a global leader in a variety of major markets including consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and telecommunications, safety and protection services, health care, and industrial and transportation.

Established in 1951, 3M Canada Company was one of the first international subsidiaries opened by 3M and today, it is one of the largest. 3M Canada's head office and original manufacturing site is in London, Ontario where approximately 1,000 of the company's 1900 employees work in London. Other plants are located in Brockville and Perth, Ontario and Morden, Manitoba. Sales offices are located in major cities across the country and a national service network supports customers.

CATAAlliance spurs the business of advanced technology. It is Canada's largest and most powerful multi-sector technology trade association; it is dedicated to stimulating growth for technology enterprises through the promotion of strategic partnerships, technological innovation and entrepreneurial values and is recognized as "the Canadian champion" of research, development and innovation.