Virginia DMV to Issue "Internet C@pital" License Plate

Virginia first state with "dot com" specialty plate

McLean, Virginia, USA, May 29, 2001 - Competitive Innovations, LLC, an emerging leader in "business solutions for the internet economy"(tm) today announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") has acknowledge receipt of over 350 pre-paid applications for a new special license plate with an Internet theme. Geared to promote the state's central role in the Internet economy, the plate features the slogan, "Internet C@pital," and uses the well-known ".com" and "@" symbols as a graphical element.

The Internet license plate concept was conceived and sponsored by Mike Kennedy, Competitive Innovations' founder and Chief Executive. Kennedy first presented the idea to his Virginia delegate Jeannemarie Devolites in 1998. Devolites authored a bill supporting the concept that the Governor signed into law during the 1999 General Assembly session. Virginia's special plate law requires at least 350 pre-paid applications be collected by the sponsor and submitted to DMV within three years of approval. Now that DMV has received more then enough pre-paid applications, the plates are in production. Beginning in June, the pre-paid plates will be issued and new plates will be available directly from the Virginia DMV.

To facilitate and streamline the pre-paid application process, Kennedy's company developed an online application at http://www.cillc.com/vaplate/ and established an e-mail distribution list to track the project's progress. They also garnered corporate support from area companies like Network Solutions, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Net2000 Communications. These corporate supporters were instrumental in realizing the minimum requirement (350 pre-paid applications) although over 200 of the applications submitted came from individual supporters. These included a mix of Internet fans and owners of small to mid-sized Internet centric businesses.

Kennedy, an entrepreneur and seventeen-year technology industry veteran, noted "I am delighted that Virginia businesses can now promote their web addresses while cruising offline." Kennedy, who has received a flood of congratulatory e-mails from applicants waiting to receive their new plates, further noted that "the process took longer then we expected, but everyone waiting for a new plate seems to appreciate the hard work and dedication necessary to see this not for profit endeavor through to its realization."

"I am excited to be a part of history and can't wait to receive my new plates," noted Fran Craig, President and CEO of Unanet Technologies. Unanet provides web-based software for workforce automation and Craig, the company founder, was one of the first pre-paid applicants to register for the Internet special plate. Craig's plate will promote her company by displaying "UNANET" followed by the ".com" artwork.

"Through the efforts and hard work of Governor Gilmore, the Commonwealth of Virginia has had tremendous success with Internet and technology businesses," noted Devolites. "Now we can acknowledge these businesses' contribution to our economic development while allowing them to promote their business and Commonwealth as part of the Internet C@pital."

About Competitive Innovations, LLC

Founded in 1999, Competitive Innovations, LLC. is an emerging leader in Internet business solutions. Its offerings include strategic consulting, web site design, construction, and maintenance services. The company is focused on streamlining existing business, industry, and government operations using web technologies. Its specialized expertise and unique capabilities include web page accessibility solutions for users with special needs.