Sage to Help Honor Small Businesses at National Small Business Week

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - Apr 5, 2012) - Sage North America today announced that it will serve as a co-sponsor of National Small Business Week in Washington D.C. from May 20-22. Sage will be a co-sponsor of the National Awards Luncheon honoring State Small Business Person of the Year winners on Monday, May 21.

In recognition of the small business community's contribution to the American economy and society, the President of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week. Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the National Small Business Week Conference has been recognizing the significant impact made by outstanding American entrepreneurs and small business owners since 1963.

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA takes the opportunity to recognize the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. These individuals grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America's global competitiveness. Award categories include: Champion Awards, Entrepreneurial Development Awards, Lender Awards, Phoenix Awards, Procurement Awards, State Small Business Person of the Year Awards, and National Small Business Person of the Year Award. Winners of each award were nominated by individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States.

One of the week's signature events is the National Awards Luncheon honoring State Small Business winners. The top Small Business from each of the 50 states, as well as U.S. territories, will attend, and the National State Small Business Person of the year will be announced at the luncheon. The winner of this prestigious award must be an individual (or partners) who owns and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business. Judges will look at a broad range of criteria when selecting the winner including growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, and staying power, among others.

"Sage is honored to sponsor the National Awards Luncheon to recognize the State Small Business Winners during National Business Week. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of the nation's economy, and helping to support their success is what inspires Sage people every day," said Connie Certusi, Sage executive vice president for Small Business Accounting Solutions. "National Small Business Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognize these outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs for their critical contributions to our country. Sage would like to congratulate all of the state winners, and we look forward to congratulating the national winner at the luncheon."

To learn more about National Small Business Week, please visit www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com. Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov, and Twitter: http://twitter.com/SBAgov.

About Sage
Sage is a leading global supplier of business management software and services for small and midsized businesses. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs more than 12,300 people and supports more than 6 million customers worldwide. For more information about Sage in North America, please visit the company website at: SageNorthAmerica.com. Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/SageNorthAmerica, and Twitter, twitter.com/SageNAmerica.

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