Toshiba and Orange County Innovation Seek Entries for Green Innovation Award : Local Companies and Organizations Encouraged to Enter Products and Ac

IRVINE, Calif. (Business Wire EON) August 6, 2008 -- Kicking off Orange County's "Innovation Month," the award will be presented on Oct. 1, 2008, the first day of the Innovation and Globalization in Green conference at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Aside from an award from Toshiba, the winner will receive $5,000 and a Toshiba laptop PC. Second- and third-prize winners will receive $3,000 and $1,000, respectively, and a Toshiba laptop PC. There will also be a live audience vote at the conference, which will award another Toshiba laptop PC to the "people's choice" winner.

The deadline for entry is Monday, Sept. 15, 2008; the award submission form is available at www.ocinnovation2008.com. Selected applicants will be invited to present before a panel of judges on Sept. 25, 2008, at Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., headquarters in Irvine.

"Toshiba supports environmental values not only in its own business operation, but in its spheres of influence, specifically in the local communities in which it does business," said Chris Harrington, vice president of strategy, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "Not only is it Toshiba's goal to improve the lives of our customers with innovative products and technologies, but Toshiba encourages others to find pioneering solutions that contribute to the betterment of the environment and society around the world and locally."

Finalists presenting to the judges will be scored in two categories: environmental value and degree of innovation. The six highest-ranked finalists will be invited to present during the Innovation and Globalization in Green conference.

Last year, WaterHealth International of Lake Forest won the Toshiba Green Innovation Award for its "UV Waterworks" technology, which uses ultraviolet light to disinfect contaminated water in an environmentally conscious, quick and affordable way, delivering clean drinking water to remote populations around the world. Other finalists presented water valves that automatically shut off in the event of a product malfunction, renewable transportation fuel from feedstock, and environmentally sustainable LED lighting systems for the film and TV industries.

"The Toshiba Green Innovation Awards perfectly complement the objective of the Innovation and Globalization in Green Conference," said Ardelle St. George, chairwoman of OCI. "We are pleased to again work with Toshiba to raise local awareness of the need for organizations to develop solutions that will reduce our carbon footprint, and recognize those individuals who already are making a difference."

About Orange County Innovation

Orange County Innovation (OCI) is an active network of business, service and academic leaders dedicated to promoting global awareness of Orange County as a powerhouse of innovation. It celebrates the significant growth of technology, science, entertainment, arts and industry in Orange County recognizing October as "Innovation month." OCI activities are spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of numerous business, civic and academic groups. www.ocinnovation.org

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry leading portable computers; projectors; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and telephony equipment and associated applications.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a global leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems, as well as major infrastructure systems. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 740 companies, with 198,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing US$76 billion. For more information on Toshiba's leading innovations, visit the company's Web site at www.toshiba.com.

© 2008 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice.

Release Summary:

Toshiba's Digital Products Division, along with Orange County Innovation (OCI), today announced its open call for submissions for the 2nd annual Toshiba Green Innovation Award in Orange County.

Keyword Tags: award, csr, environment, environmental, green, innovation, laptop, laptop pc, orange county, toshiba