Last Call for RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Nominees

National awards nominations close July 4, 2008

TORONTO, June 25 – From technology innovators and early childhood educators, to contractors, chefs and clothing designers – women entrepreneurs from all walks of life across Canada are honoured each year for their achievements at the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards. This year’s deadline for nominations is July 4, 2008.”The number of women incorporating businesses has more than doubled over the past decade, and women entrepreneurs now represent one of Canada’s fastest growing business segments,” said Rina Pillitteri, RBC’s national director of Small Business. “These annual awards offer an opportunity to give national recognition to some of the women entrepreneurs who are achieving their dreams and improving their communities through their successful business efforts.”

Since 1992, 87 awards have been presented for outstanding entrepreneurial achievements in categories such as Momentum, Start-Up, Impact on the Economy, Trailblazer, and Excellence in Entrepreneurship. Previous winners have credited the heightened profile they gained at this annual event with opening the doors to national and international growth opportunities, to prominent board positions, other national awards and recognition, as well as – for the 2006 Trailblazer winner – the Order of Canada.

Women entrepreneurs can be nominated by colleagues, friends and family, or can self-nominate by the July 4, 2008 deadline. The one-page nomination form simply asks for name, title and contact information for each nominee and nominator. When the nomination form is received, a full application kit is then sent out to each nominated entrepreneur, to complete by August 1, 2008. Winners will be confirmed by September 2008 and honoured at the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards dinner in Toronto on December 9, 2008.

RBC Champions are available across Canada to help nominees with their business plans, to complete their applications. Advice from previous award winners is posted at www.rbcroyalbank.com/business/women and nomination forms and eligibility information is available at www.theawards.ca.

For further information: Media contact: Jackie Braden, RBC, Media Relations (416) 974-2124, jackie.braden@rbc.com