We came, we ate, we grabbed a shiny trophy.

That was mobileStorm\’s experience at the Technology Council of Southern California\’s Technology Industry Awards ceremony, held last Thursday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. We were a finalist, along with two others, in the \”Mobile Company Of The Year\” category. We took up an entire dinner table of hardworking, proud mobileStormers dressed to impress.

The awards, in its 14th year, showcased impressive contenders. You know how stars up for Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes will say, \”It was an honor just to be nominated\”? Well, we can certainly say that about being finalists for the tech council\’s accolades! (To see what we\’re talking about, check out the list further down.)

We were a little bummed not to win \”Mobile Company Of The Year,\” but have to give props to Networks In Motion, which makes software that turn GPS-enable mobile phones into \”full-featured navigation devices.\” We can\’t begrudge their win, since technology like theirs will help bring about the kind of location-based services that we ourselves have been touting for a long time. Their products can help to make targeted SMS messaging even more relevant for marketers.

Many finalists and winners dealt with innovative software, which makes an online software provider like us very excited. The following is a rundown of the winning companies.

Alelo Inc, Product Of The Year: Creates software programs that use the same technology as 3D videogames to teach language and culture; the training program that won the council\’s award is \”Tactical Iraqi.\” Other finalists: Covario; YouMail, Inc.

Citrix Online, Software Company Of The Year: Makes remote access, collaboration, remote support, and online meeting technologies. Other finalists: CrownPeak; SYSPRO.

QLogic, Hardware and Storage Company Of The Year: Supplies storage and networking solutions including controller chips, host adapters, and fabric switches. Other finalists: DataDirect Networks Inc.; SiliconSystems, Inc.

8e6 Technologies, Network and Security Company Of The Year: Develops high-speed Internet filtering and reporting solutions, which helps enterprises secure their networks from user-generated Internet threats. Other finalists: High Tower Software; Integrien Corporation.

HireRight, Inc., Internet and New Media Company Of The Year: Offers employment-screening solutions for organizations and companies of all sizes. Other finalists: RealtyTrac, Inc.; YLighting LLC.

K2 Network, Entertainment and Gaming Company Of The Year: Combines Massively Multi-player Online Games (MMOGs) with social networking for its players. Other finalist: Spark Unlimited, Inc.

Networks In Motion, Mobile Company Of The Year: See above for details. Other finalists: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.; mobileStorm.