The dark days of January are over and now is the perfect time to look forward. And what better way than launching the 2023 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards – a celebration of our amazing business community.
This year there are 15 categories plus the prestigious ‘Business of the Year’ award, sponsored by HSBC and chosen from the category winners. Categories range from Young Employee/Apprentice of the Year to large business, and we also have a brand-new special award for the ‘Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by We are Staffordshire.
Last year we received around 300 award entries which our hard-working judges managed to narrow down to 45 finalists, with three nominees for each of the 15 categories. Fauld-based Cosy Direct won ‘Business of the Year Award’ as well as being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier that year.
Every entry demonstrated positivity and a sense of looking forward and building towards a future beyond the obvious negative factors which are making life difficult for us all at a business and personal level. I am confident that we will have as many if not more entries this year again highlighting the resilience and achievements of Staffordshire businesses.
You never know what winning an award can do for your business and previous Staffordshire Business Awards winners have gone on to further success, for example, at the British Chambers Awards or by being awarded a Queen’s (now King’s) Award for Enterprise.
The special gala evening award ceremony will be held on 13th July at Doubletree by Hilton on Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent. It is always a fabulous showcase for sponsors and finalists, and we will shortly be announcing our special guest comperes for the evening.
The deadline for applications is 24th March and finalists shortlisted for an award will be exclusively unveiled in our Daily Focus newsletter later in the Spring. It may sound a way off but its only around 50 days away so I would urge you to start thinking about your entries as soon as possible.
With that in mind, and to help your entry stand out, we are running two special free sessions at Commerce House on 12th and 15th February entitled ‘How to write an award-winning entry’. Both sessions are led by media consultant, stand-up comedian, presenter and former MD of budget airline bmibaby, Dave Bryon. Dave has been involved with organising and compering business awards since 2010 and if there is anyone who knows what it takes to win and what effect that can have on your business, its Dave.
The Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year will be chosen by fellow businesspeople and five passionate Staffordshire Ambassadors have already been shortlisted from the 170+ strong Ambassador Network in recognition of their ongoing passion, commitment and dedication to promoting Staffordshire both inside the county and beyond our borders, thus helping We Are Staffordshire to raise the profile of the county.
To vote for the Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year, click here: Staffordshire Chamber Business Awards 2023 (dotdigital-pages.com)
For everything about the awards including how to enter, categories and sponsors and the free ‘How to write an award-winning entry’ presentation events, visit our dedicated page here: Awards 2023 – Staffordshire Chambers
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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