Nothing does a successful business justice like the recognition, publicity and exposure of a high-profile award win. But there are hundreds of awards out there, and you can’t enter them all – so which do you choose?
If you’re a Bedfordshire business, the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards are surely a clear contender, but perhaps for more reasons now than you were previously aware. Because this respected event, in its seventh year, is now completely organised and run by us at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce directly, rather than by a third party.
This creates powerful engagement, as we represent 700 businesses in the county, with around 50,000 employees, and we now have total control over promoting the awards and publicising the entrants and winners – a natural synergy.
But if you want to shine in these new and strengthened awards, one thing hasn’t changed: you’ve still got to be in it to win it – and there’s a deadline looming.
So, what do you need to do next, and by when?
Find suitable entry categories
Firstly, you need to understand the sheer breadth of the entry categories, because with over 20 on offer, it’s very likely indeed there’ll be one or more that are relevant to you and your business.
From geographic entries including Business of the Year for Bedford, Luton and Central Bedfordshire, to categories of age and size, to more specific awards (growth, innovation, sustainability, individuals, apprenticeships, not- for-profit, and many more), the emphasis is on enabling your business and its people to tell a knockout story to the world, whatever the nature of your achievements.
You can find details of all the categories and how to create an account via the link at the end of this article.
Once you’ve created an account, you can log in to it to submit your award entries online – and there’s no need to submit an entry at one sitting, either. Using your login, you can save and update draft entries an unlimited number of times, enabling you to submit them only as and when you consider them complete, and giving you time in between to track down supporting information if you need it.
All entries must be submitted by 3pm on Friday March 8, and although that may seem like a while away, bear in mind that if you do need to support your entry with supplementary information, you need to factor in the additional time required to locate it.
Getting started on this earlier, rather than later, is prudent.
What will you get out of the awards?
Having more control over the awards this year means that we at the Chamber are able to maximise the benefits associated with participating in them as both entrants and winners.
Naturally, the awards (and their winners) generate a hefty amount of local press coverage, which ultimately widens the audience your business can reach.
But we’ll also be working to ensure both pre- and post- event publicity is maximised through our own marketing channels. This will include social posts, website content, email campaigns, editorial in local business publications and features in the Focus magazine that all our members receive.
The benefits don’t stop at the county boundary, however! The awards are part of a national range of events, and if you’re a winner in certain categories, you’ll automatically make it through to the SME National Business Awards Final, where you’ll be in the company of some of the best businesses in the UK.
What do you get if you win?
Of course, alongside the publicity and exposure you’ll enjoy as a finalist, you’ll also be able to book your place as a guest at the official awards night on Thursday July 4 at The Bedford Corn Exchange – a lavish affair featuring a drinks reception, two-course dinner and wine, entertainment, and the awards presentations and celebrations themselves.
Opportunities to increase your profile at the event also include advertising in the souvenir programme, and personalised gifts for all guests, so there’s no shortage of added value waiting in the wings.
Check out the categories and how to enter at https://eventsandpr.co.uk/sme-luton-and- bedfordshire-business-awards/award-categories/
For more information on how to become a Chamber member, call the friendly team on 01582 522448 or visit www.chamber-business.com
CEO
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce
