WICT ANNOUNCES DATE FOR GALA;
DEADLINE FOR ACCOLADES NOMINATIONS APPROACHING
-- Nominations Due by April 28--

CHANTILLY, Va. – The Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) Foundation today announced that the 22nd Annual WICT Foundation Benefit Gala will be held on November 15, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The highlight of the Gala will be the presentation of the Accolades, WICT’s most prestigious awards.  Nominations for the Accolades must be submitted by April 28, 2006.

Additionally, WICT announced the members of the 2006 WICT Leadership Circle.  Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., MTV Networks and BET Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications are the members of this prestigious group for 2006.  The WICT Leadership Circle provides the highest level of financial support for WICT’s programs, services and advocacy.

The 2006 Accolades will be awarded in the following categories:

•      Woman of the Year
•      Woman to Watch
•      Tribute Accolade for Documentary/Biographical
•      Tribute Accolade for Drama/Music/Variety/Comedy

An independent awards committee comprised of industry leaders and WICT Board members will review all nominations and select final winners.  For more information on the Accolades criteria and to submit nominations, visit www.wict.org.

Last year’s Accolade winners include Woman of the Year, Laureen Ong, President, National Geographic Channel; Woman to Watch, Ellen East, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Cox Communications; Woman to Watch, Marlene Dooner, Corporation, Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations; Tribute - Documentary/Biographical- A&E Network for “Bearing Witness;” Tribute - Drama/Music/Variety/Comedy – A&E Network for “The Brooke Ellison Story.”

About WICT

For over twenty-five years, WICT has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide leadership programs and services, and create professional advancement opportunities for women. With over 5,000 members, Women in Cable Telecommunications is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable telecommunications industry. WICT develops women leaders who transform our industry through highly regarded professional events, educational programming and networking opportunities. WICT has 20 local chapters and satellites across the country. For more information, visit www.wict.org.

The WICT Foundation serves as a catalyst for industry change through research, development, advocacy and education.  Its current effort, the PAR Initiative, measures and supports the advancement of industry women against the following standards:  Pay Equity, Advancement Opportunities and Resources for Work/Life Support.  Groundbreaking programs such as the PAR Initiative, and other WICT Foundation research on issues such as work/life balance and the business case for gender diversity, have inspired industry-wide advancements for women.  The Foundation’s development efforts are responsible for some of WICT's most innovative programs, particularly the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. 

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