Showcasing Excellence, Creativity and the “The Best of Belfast”, The Belfast Business Awards 2020 are now open for entries
14 January 2020
Is your business at the top of its game? Does your team go the extra mile in Customer Service Excellence time and time again? Are your Marketing Efforts extra special? Or maybe you are proud of your Age-Friendly Approach to business?
If you answered yes to any of the above, the 2020 Belfast Business Awards, wants to hear from you!
Now in their sixth year, the Belfast Business Awards sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK, has consistently showcased the very best of Belfast in a wide spectrum of business sectors.
They are hailed amongst the top business awards in the Northern Ireland business calendar, and are firmly established as a benchmark for excellence in today’s highly competitive business environment.
And this year the awards, which are hosted by Belfast Chamber, are promising to be even bigger and better than ever before.
The theme this year is the “Best of Belfast” with a broad modern catchment of categories including Employee of the Year, Best Creative Business, Best Technology Based Business, Best Green Business, Best Disability Initiative by an Employer, to best New Business and Business Premises and of course the Bank of Ireland UK Lifetime Achievement award. The awards will be held in the fabulous Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge on Friday 22nd May 2020.
Sponsors, local dignitaries and more than 150 key members of the local business community united in the Grand Central Hotel Observatory to launch the annual awards this morning.
Speaking at the launch, Paul McClurg, Head of Belfast Business Banking at Bank of Ireland UK commented:
“We are delighted to renew our sponsorship this year allowing us to continue to build on the proud partnership we’ve built over the past 6 years and further cements our purpose of enabling our customers, colleagues and communities to thrive. It demonstrates our commitment and continued investment in helping drive Belfast Business ambition forward across the city
“We understand the importance of strong commercial towns and cities to regional economies so we’re extremely proud to have an integral role in recognising, celebrating and supporting Belfast businesses, individuals and communities who together create jobs, drive growth and build a thriving Belfast.
“At Bank of Ireland UK we strive to work in partnership as a funding partner to businesses and through strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with business organisations like Belfast Chamber, whose vision mirrors our own ethos to support the customers and communities we serve. The Belfast Business Awards epitomise this through the focus on building confidence, showcasing and recognising the commercial talent and excellence this city has to offer.”
Paul concluded: “I would like to take this opportunity to encourage any business or business person to take the leap to enter, especially if you are new to awards. This is an excellent platform to showcase you and your team’s achievements and ambition.”
Simon Hamilton, CEO of Belfast Chamber said: “I am delighted to officially launch the sixth annual Belfast Business Awards. I would like to give sincere thanks to our principal sponsor, Bank of Ireland UK and indeed all our sponsors for their ongoing support, without whom these awards simply would not be possible.
“Showcasing Excellence, Creativity and the very ‘Best of Belfast’ are what these awards are about and giving businesses the opportunity to ‘down tools’ for the night and showcase their talents and share in their pride with their teams and families.
“This city may be small, but our reputation for excellence is known right across the world. We are immensely proud of the many businesses and organisations which are doing trade on a massive scale and we as Belfast Chamber want to give them the best platform we can for recognising and rewarding them for their efforts.
“Businesses like last year’s winners of Best Creative Business, Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People that provides our youth with opportunities to put them on the global stage.
“Like iMultply, who won Customer Service Excellence in the Professional Business Services Sector, who are only two years old and are now a market leader in the recruitment field.
“Belfast has huge talent, the warmest of people, hospitality that is second to none and I look forward to celebrating this at the awards which are the highlight of the Belfast Chamber calendar.”
Simon concluded, “I encourage as many businesses to enter as possible. Entry is free, online and accessible from www.belfastchamber.com.”
The Belfast Business Awards will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge on Friday 22nd May 2020. If you are interested in entering the Belfast Business Awards visit www.belfastchamber.com Entry deadline is midnight, 6th April 2020.
Full list of categories and sponsors
- Customer Service Excellence, Hospitality Sector
- Customer Service Excellence, Independent Retailer sponsored by Power NI
- Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services sponsored by Specsavers
- Best New Business sponsored by Belfast One
- Social Enterprise of the Year sponsored by East Belfast Mission
- Best Family Business sponsored by Willis Insurance
- Business Growth sponsored by Grant Thornton
- Best Company to work for award sponsored by Belfast Works Project
- Best Marketing Initiative sponsored by Bauer Media Group
- Best Business Premises sponsored by Linen Quarter BID
- Young business person (Under 30) sponsored by Victoria Square
- Employee of the year sponsored by Castle Court
- Business person of the Year sponsored by Value Cabs
- Best Digital Business sponsored by Exterion Media
- Best Eatery/Coffee Shop
- Best Creative Business sponsored by Destination CQ
- Best Hotel, sponsored by CBRE
- Best Age-Friendly Business sponsored by Age Charter
- Best Technology Based Business sponsored by Belfast City Council
- Best Disability Initiative by an Employer sponsored by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
- Best Green Business sponsored by Queens University
- Bank of Ireland UK Lifetime Achievement Award
*Please note, to be a valid entrant, your business must be located in Belfast or you must be a member of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.*