Next-to-leading order matrix elements and truncated showers

An algorithm is presented that combines the ME+PS approach to merge sequences of tree-level matrix elements into inclusive event samples with the POWHEG method, which combines exact next-to-leading order matrix elements with parton showers. The quality of the approach and its implementation in Sherpa are exemplified by results for e+e- annihilation into hadrons at LEP, for Drell-Yan lepton-pair production at the Tevatron and for Higgs-boson and W+W- production at LHC energies.