On Thursday 9 June, over 500 members of the business community will come together to celebrate the success and hard work of local businesses as the winners are revealed for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2016.
Over 100 entries were received for the Awards this year and 40 businesses have now been shortlisted in 11 categories; winners will be announced on the night, as well as the coveted Overall Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sanlam. The evening promises once again to be a spectacular event, with this year’s highlight being speaker Colin Jackson, Olympic Silver Medallist, World Record Holder and TV Personality.
As well as a celebration, the Awards bring the business community together and facilitate invaluable networking, the benefits of which will last far beyond the night itself. One example of this is illustrated by Universal Display Ltd, a company which have sponsored the Design and Signage for the Awards for many years, creating banners, event signage, seating plans, programmes and unique centrepieces.
At the 2013 Awards, Director Mike Lapac met Katie O’Regan from Fleet Innovations Ltd, an innovative Kidderminster based company which provides solutions for drivers to calculate business mileage. The two discussed Fleet’s product, PEAK mileage, and Mike decided to trial it in his business.
He commented: “I found the product to be a brilliant solution for calculating business miles – it is simple, accurate and cost-effective and makes expenses claims so much easier. We now use it across the business and I would recommend it to anyone.”
Fleet Innovations went on to win the Most Promising New Business Award on the night and since then have launched a new system, the world first 3G mileage capture trip stick. Unlike the PEAK 3G Mileage Capture System, the new system records all trips without manual intervention, automatically uploading them and creating a claim.
Katie O’Regan, Business Development Manager, said: “Winning the Most Promising New Business Award was such an achievement for Fleet Innovations and a fantastic recognition of our work. The award has given us more credibility and was a great encouragement to the team. We also made some great new contacts who we have enjoyed doing business with ever since.”
Mike said: “As sponsors of the Chamber Business Awards, Universal Display Signs & Graphics Ltd are always pleased to be associated with the Chamber as well as having the opportunity to showcase just a small sample of our work on such a large scale to the local business community. The Awards are always a fantastic opportunity to bring businesses together: I would encourage any business from the two counties to attend – you will not only have a night to remember but may also make some new contacts”.
The Chamber Business Awards take place on Thursday 9 June at the University of Worcester Arena. This year, Universal Display Ltd are creating the sports themed table centrepieces to showcase some of the capabilities of their new CNC Router machinery, adding to their range of some of the most advanced sign printing equipment in the two counties.
Tickets for the Awards are now on sale and are expected to sell out fast. Prices are £90 for Chamber members and £110 for Non-members, with tables of ten also available. Contact the Events team at events@hwchamber.co.uk or 01905 673 600 for more information.