It’s more important than ever to join in

Oct 7 2008 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

WITH world, national and regional economies that are less than buoyant, it would be too easy to diminish the significance of the nebusiness awards this year. Celebrating success seems curiously at odds with the doom and gloom pervading the financial news.

But it is actually more important than ever that we continue to provide a platform for North-east businesses to showcase their strengths and achievements. The 2008 awards will prove there are hundreds of businesses achieving impressive results and demonstrating world-class qualities - despite the global ‘credit crunch’.

In the business world, confidence is such an important factor - confidence to invest, confidence to innovate and confidence to take risks. Confidence can be inspired by the deeds of others and the nebusiness awards have a massive role to play in highlighting companies that have overcome the challenges of a tough economy.

We believe these awards are pre- eminent among all the regional business awards in the UK. This is the ninth year of the regional format with sub regional events for the Tees Valley, Durham and Wearside, and Tyneside and Northumberland feeding the regional final at Hardwick Hall on April 30, 2009. Believing we have the best awards, though, does not mean we are complacent. We have refreshed the categories - Employer of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Public Sector Organisation of the Year are new - and we are introducing a new format for the dinners. Guy Browning, an accomplished speaker and business commentator, will host all the dinners. Plus we will also be working even more closely with our principal sponsors, Business Link North East, to achieve our joint objective of promoting all that is best in North -east business.

As ever, we want to encourage as many entries as we can - this is the lifeblood of the event. Entry is simple and via our website: www.nebusinessawards.co.uk

The North -east has a reputation for resilience and constant re-invention and this year, more than ever, it’s imperative we remind ourselves that these qualities are alive and kicking.

The role of the awards in promoting excellence, providing inspiration and challenge and championing the top companies in the North-east is more relevant and timely than ever. Our aim is simple: to make the 2008 nebusiness awards the biggest and the best yet. Please get involved.