Advanta Sponsors...
Advanta Becomes Exclusive Sponsor of
2004 Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs
Sponsorship Demonstrates Advanta's Continuing Support and
Recognition of Women in Business
SPRING HOUSE, PA and NEW YORK, NY – May 19, 2004 - Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ:ADVNB; ADVNA) announced today that it is the exclusive sponsor of The 2004 Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs, a national awards competition from the producers of the prestigious American Business Awards. The competition is designed to recognize the accomplishments of women small business owners in the United States.
A Call for Entries for the competition was issued today, for categories ranging from Entrepreneur of the Year and Company of the Year to Best Community Involvement Program and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Entries will be accepted beginning June 1, and the entry deadline is June 30. All U.S.-based women-owned businesses with up to 100 employees are invited to enter. Complete details on the competition and how to enter are available at www.stevieawards.com/women.
Advanta Corp., founded as Teachers’ Service Organization, originally provided needs-based loans to teachers - mostly women - at a time when banks often did not. Today Advanta is one of the nation's largest issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) of MasterCard business credit cards to small businesses and has been committed to supporting the success of women in business for over 50 years.
"Women entrepreneurs comprise the most dynamic and fastest-growing segment of small businesses in America,” said Dennis Alter, Chairman and CEO of Advanta. “Our exclusive sponsorship of the Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs is another example of our dedication to supporting women in business across all industries.”
Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards, said: “Advanta’s longstanding commitment to helping women entrepreneurs makes them the ideal sponsor for this program. Their sponsorship will help us raise the profile of the award and increase access to deserving nominees throughout the country.”
A Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors, comprised of leading entrepreneurs, business journalists, and women’s association executives, has been formed to oversee the awards. Winners of the Stevie Award trophy, which is made by the company that makes the Oscar® and Emmy Awards, will be announced during a ceremony in October 2004 in New York.
About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. 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.
About Advanta
Advanta focuses on the small business market and related community, providing funding and support to the nation’s small businesses through innovative products and services. Using our direct marketing and information based expertise, we identify potential customers and provide a high level of service tailored to the unique needs of small business. Advanta is one of the nation’s largest issuers of MasterCard business credit cards to small businesses. Since 1951, Advanta has pioneered many of the marketing techniques common in the financial services industry today, including remote lending and direct mail, affinity and relationship marketing. Learn more about Advanta at www.advanta.com.
CONTACT: Advanta Corp.
Catherine Reid, 215-444-5073
AdvantaCommunications@advanta.com
or
David Weinstock, 215-444-5335
dweinstock@advanta.com
or
The Stevie Awards
Jill Feldman, 212-627-8098
jill@mkpr.com