For Somerset businesses that want to stand out from the competition, a sure way to differentiate your company is by winning awards. It’s a well-known fact that awards can provide a big boost both in terms of new business and staff morale, adding credibility to the company, as well as making your workforce and clients feel proud to be part of your success.

The Somerset Business Awards offers the perfect platform to put your company in the limelight and now – for the non-superstitious among you – help is on hand. A breakfast seminar on Friday 13 August at The Exchange in Bridgwater will give advice on how to write an impressive entry and maximise your chances of success.

The seminar will include valuable tips on how to write your application and present your company in the best possible light, giving you a great opportunity to win one – or more – of the 2010 Somerset Business Awards.

There are fourteen different awards this year, meaning there’s guaranteed to be at least one category suitable for your business to enter, and in some cases several. Open to companies of all types and sizes, it’s an opportunity not to be missed to give you stand-out from the rest. You can find out more and see the full list of award categories by visiting the Somerset Business Awards website at www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

The breakfast seminar will be hosted by Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Ian Dyer, Chairman of the Somerset & Wiltshire Region of the Federation of Small Businesses, who is one of the judges for the Somerset Business Awards. There is a small charge of £10 per person, which includes a full English breakfast.

Somerset Business of the Year 2009 award winner, Higos Insurance Services, now includes this endorsement within its marketing campaign to help convey authority and reliability. The company’s Marketing Manager, Neil Wyatt, summarises the importance of winning the award. “We were delighted to receive our award, it was recognition of a lot of hard work by many people. To be judged the best large business in Somerset is a fantastic achievement and something all of our staff should be proud of. Winning the Somerset Business of the Year has helped raise the profile of Higos Insurance Services within the county and has provided a focal point of our marketing activities throughout the year.”

Martin Brooks from Hilton Herbs, which won the 2009 award for Best Exporter, reinforces this impression. “Winning the award provided a huge boost to everyone at Hilton Herbs for the recognition of their hard work over the year. It has also introduced us to some new and useful contacts and we will definitely be entering the business awards again in 2010.”

The annual awards recognise and celebrate business success, both adding credibility and achieving publicity for the winners. They have become one of the most important and popular fixtures on the county’s business calendar in recent years, with winners going on to do bigger and better things following the success of winning a Somerset Business Award.

To register for the Somerset Business Awards breakfast seminar on 13 August, please contact the Somerset Chamber of Commerce on 01823 444924 or email your name and company details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Somerset Business Awards are organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses, in conjunction with a wide range of sponsors from the private and public sectors.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Full list of awards categories and sponsors:

Award                                                             Sponsor

Best Exporter Award                                      UKTI

Business of the Year 0-5                                (TBC)

Business of the Year 5-50                              Lloyds TSB

Business of the Year 50+                               Business Link

Carbon Reduction Award                               Somerset County Council

Charity of the Year                                         Clarke Willmott

E-Business Award                                          Samson Office Supplies

Entrepreneur of the Year Award                    Albert Goodman

Marketing & Promotion                                   Glyder

New Business of the Year                              ADPR Ltd

New to Somerset Award                                Into Somerset

Service Excellence Award                             Ylem Ltd

Sole Trader Self Employed Award                 Lentells

Waste Minimisation Award                             Somerset Waste Partnership

The Somerset Business Awards website can be found at www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk

For further information, please contact Sue Higgins at the Somerset Chamber of Commerce on 01823 444924, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Further press information is available from Kirsty Mode at ADPR on 01460 241641, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 2010 (SBA 15)