Rush of entries for awards
Business stars will soon shine
The deadline has now passed for nominations for Perthshire Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Back For The Future’ Business Star Awards and organisers have reported a flood of last-minute entries.
Businesses large and small throughout Perthshire have been nominating their star performers to the organising committee over the past few weeks – until the deadline of 5pm yesterday.
And judges will now have to pore over a ‘wide range of quality entries’ to see who will emerge victorious at the glittering ceremony at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Friday, November 19.
Perthshire Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite said: “We have had a great – and extremely diverse - level of entries; a real snapshot of our brilliant businesses in Perthshire.
“Now the really difficult task begins – deciding on who is going to take the laurels at our magnificent awards ceremony, which I am absolutely delighted is back on again this year.
“2020 brought unprecedented challenges, along with new opportunities and different ways of working. Every business was affected, and the Perthshire business community’s resilience and creativity were presented in a variety of ways.
“We are so pleased to bring our annual major event back and our award categories address the landscape and look to recognise and reward those operating in the recent and current environment.
“The past 18 months have been so difficult for our businesses and it is right that we use our landmark event to award and honour those individuals and businesses that went above and beyond expectation to thrive in the face of adversity. ”
The event – one of the most eagerly anticipated on the business calendar – will seem all the sweeter for many companies that have managed to navigate the issues that the pandemic brought with it.
And among the categories is one highlighting Best COVID Response and Reinvention Award, for businesses that have undertaken a transformative response – operationally, commercially or strategically – to the pandemic in order to survive and thrive.
And Community Heroes (group and individuals) during the pandemic will also be honoured.
Among the other categories are Apprentice of the Year, Most Promising New Business, Best Use of Social Media, Outstanding Young Business Person, Excellence in Customer Service Award and Outstanding Achievement by both a group and individual.
Tickets for the event - which include a three-course meal and live entertainment - are still available and are priced at: £85+vat pp for a member or £600 + VAT for a table of eight (largest available due to distancing). Non-members are £95 + VAT or £700 + VAT for a table of eight.
Ticket bookings and details of all the awards (which will be updated with the finalists and then winners) and further information can be found at www. businessstarwards.co.uk
The Chamber can be contacted on 01738 448325, emailed at: events@ perthshirechamber.co.uk or online at: www.perthshirechamber.co.uk