Celebrate your business success!
Calling businesses to enter the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards
7th Jul 2009
Businesses in Ulster are invited to enter the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards, which officially launched today. The awards, which are run in association with the Belfast Telegraph, aim to reward established businesses, across all industry sectors and regardless of size, for their leadership, successes and contribution to the economy in the face of many challenges and obstacles.
This year the awards also welcome the support of Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland. Shortlisted businesses are rewarded at provincial level there will be a celebration event for Ulster businesses in Belfast in November - before finalists go on to compete for all-island awards, with prizes to be presented at a ceremony in Dublin in February 2010.
This is the 16th year of the awards, which were revamped and expanded to include Northern Ireland last year. Over 400 businesses from Northern Ireland and the Republic entered the 2008 awards, a 400% increase on the previous year.
Entries are open to established businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs whose businesses have achieved success and have demonstrated innovation and leadership in overcoming the current challenges in the marketplace. Businesses can enter themselves or can be nominated in one or more of eight categories:
- One-to-Watch Award
- International Business Award
- Social Entrepreneurship Award
- Best Business Start-up Award
- Family Run Business Award
- Green Business Award
- Agriculture and Food Award
- Emerging Technology Award
The overall all-island winner will receive a comprehensive prize package including an Executive Education programme at Harvard University Business School and a significant advertising package - an online and print package worth in excess of 10,000 in the Belfast Telegraph if the overall all-island winner is from Northern Ireland.
Provincial winners will receive a number of prizes including entry into the all-island awards, coverage in the Belfast Telegraph and a dedicated profile page on the awards website.
Entries will close on 31st October 2009 and the Provincial Award Winners will be announced in November, with the overall Ulster Bank Business Achiever and all-island category winners announced in February.
Launching the awards, Ian Jordan, Ulster Bank's head of business centres in Northern Ireland said: Now more than ever, it is essential that the local business community celebrates and rewards entrepreneurship and business success. The resilience and determination of local businesses is very encouraging and the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards is about recognising that. There are thousands of companies making a valuable contribution to their local communities and we are very pleased to be able to highlight their achievements as an example to others.
Donal Durkan, Director, Invest NI said: As the global climate continues to create challenges for industry, it has never been more important for firms to embrace change, innovation and a focused approach to sustaining growth. The awards will recognise Northern Irelands most dynamic and forward thinking businesses, of all sizes and across all sectors, for their continued contribution to the local economy, and their determination to succeed.
InterTradeIreland Chief Executive Liam Nellis said: Recognising and celebrating business success has never been more important with the island North and South facing significant economic challenges. Companies can draw inspiration and ideas from others who have driven their businesses forward, overcome difficult challenges and achieved success through a combination of imagination and energy and a clear focus on customer needs, innovation and excellence. Role models have an important contribution to make to economic recovery and growth.
Companies will be judged on a variety of merits including sales performance, market share growth, company milestones, innovative new products or services and successful achievements by key personnel.
The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards are open for entry or nomination by individuals or businesses at www.businessachieversaward.com