Award Winners to Be Announced in Las Vegas on November 12

ROCKVILLE, MD – November 6, 2007 – Sally Martin, vice president of Strategic Contracting for Avendra was named a Finalist in The 4th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Winners will be announced during a gala event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Monday, November 12. 

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run – worldwide.  More than 800 entries were submitted for consideration in 40 categories of which 270 became Finalists. Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging.  Martin was named as a Finalist in the “Best Executive—Service Businesses—up to 2,500 Employees” category.

Martin was chosen for her “behind the scenes” work in building a supply chain to procure the linen and terry products necessary to create the dramatic new bedding and linen looks that have transformed the hotel industry in the past few years.  

“As hotel companies redesigned the looks of their rooms over the past several years, we worked closely with our customers and the supplier community to meet the needs driven by the new brand standards,” said Dennis Baker, president and CEO of Avendra.  “Now, besides contracting for more than 11 million sheets and pillowcases and 22 million towels each year, Sally and her team along with our suppliers built a new model that allows customers to create unique “custom” items.  And, they accomplished this in the most challenging of times when U.S. mills were closing and moving offshore in record numbers.”

“Being named a Finalist in The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an important achievement,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards.  “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition.  We congratulate all of the Finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition.”

Details about The Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/women. 

About Avendra
Avendra is North America’s leading procurement services company serving hospitality-related industries.  Avendra customers gain access to contracts leveraging $2.5 billion of annual purchases, expert advisory services and in-depth purchasing data and analysis.  Through Avendra, customers obtain substantial savings on their purchases and other value added services to improve their operations and bottom line results.  Formed in 2001, the company is headquartered in Rockville, MD and has regional offices throughout the United States and Canada.  For more information, please call toll free, (866) AVENDRA, visit www.avendra.com, or email inquiries to info@avendra.com.

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Selling Power Sales Excellence Awards.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.