The third annual Powys Business Awards has been officially launched.
The 2011 contest sees new categories such as the leadership award which enables people to nominate others and brings on board some new sponsors including Turner Peachey Chartered accountants and Leadership & Management Wales (LMW).
Last year's business awards were a huge success, celebrated in a glittering dinner and awards presentation attended by over 200 guests. Extensive publicity contributed to record levels of interest and entries were received from both large and small companies throughout the length and breadth of the county.
The quality of entries also impressed the judges. County Councillor Wynne Jones, speaking on behalf of the judging panel said: "The judging process showed once again that we have many wonderful businesses here in Powys and that many are coming through difficult trading conditions very well indeed. I look forward to seeing this high calibre of business in 2011."
The breakfast launch of the awards was kindly hosted by the joint organisers of the awards, Powys County Council. At the launch, organisers Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, Powys County Council and the Cambrian News announced the list of categories and sponsors for the 2011 business awards.
Nomination forms are now available for the 2011 Powys Business Awards, which will again culminate in a black-tie dinner this year in Newtown at Theatr Hafren on September 27. Companies large and small are being encouraged to enter the awards, which celebrate excellence in business in the county and bring recognition in the local and regional business communities.
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to raise their profile. Businesses are independently judged on their excellent standards.
"The awards structure offers a public forum where recipients can gather in the presence of other business leaders and their peers to celebrate their success, at the awards dinner and presentation. Award recipients also enjoy local publicity as the awards are covered by local and regional newspapers, websites and by broadcasters and everyone who reaches the finals also has the added bonus of having a free professionally made short film made about their business which can be added to their website or otherwise used in their publicity."
The categories for the 2011 Powys Business Awards are:
* Business of the Year sponsored by Powys County Council
* Judges' Award, sponsored by Themes Restaurant
* Small Business Award sponsored by Turner Peachey, Chartered Accountants
* Training & Development Award sponsored by Coleg Powys
* Start Up Business Award sponsored by County Times
* Leadership Award sponsored by Leadership & Management Wales (LMW)
* Young Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Cambrian News and Brecon and
Radnor Express
* Growth Award, sponsored by Finance Wales
* Tourism Award sponsored by Tourism Partnership Mid Wales which is open to businesses in Powys, Ceredigion & Meirionnydd
* Manufacturing Award sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
* Social Enterprise/Charity Award sponsored by Mid-Wales Housing Association Ltd