Planning begins for next year's Bangor Business Awards

 

JUST four months after the Bangor Business Awards 2007, preparations are already being made for next year's event.

 

A working group - including Town Centre Management, Chamber of Commerce, the event organiser, competition judges, and members of the local business community - has started meeting to discuss how the 2008 awards will be run.

 

In the first meeting, on September 13, the group covered everything from how the winners' plaques would look to what the categories themselves would consist of.

 

Although many issues were simply brought before the group for preliminary review, certain details have already been finalised.

 

The event, as usual, will take place in the Clandeboye Lodge hotel in Bangor, this time on May 22.

 

For the third year running, Northern Bank has agreed to act as principal sponsor, while Axa, J Hatty, Gillian Campbell, 3M, Bank of Ireland and Grafton have also already confirmed their sponsorship.

 

The official launch will take place in January - earlier than last year in order to give businesses more time to enter - after which 2,000 brochures will be sent to various Bangor companies.

 

Businesses then have around a month to put to send back an Expression of Interest form, which will be followed by a questionnaire and some forms to fill in and return.

 

Town Centre Management Project Officer Gary Montgomery said ticket prices have yet to be decided, and that the group has not made a final decision on who next year's compere will be.

 

"But it will be somebody who can be serious and also tell a joke, so that it doesn't become too heavy with business talk," he said.

 

"We want people to enjoy themselves for the night. We don't want them to be talking business all night."

 

The Bangor Business Awards ceremony has become known as one of the essential dates in the local corporate calendar - and one of the most glamorous.

 

This year's event, which took place on May 2, drew in a crowd of over 400, with all kinds of local entrepreneurs competing in 16 different categories.

 

Bangor Chamber of Commerce President Evan Ward told the working group he had heard of no complaints. Nonetheless, the group are considering introducing some changes.

 

"We're looking into to being able to give the businesses feedback on why a specific business did win, or why they were a runner up or a finalist," Mr Montgomery said.

 

"Or they would be able to ask why they didn't get nominated and we can say it's x, y or z - even somebody who entered into a category but didn't make the finalists.

 

"We're looking to give more people feedback this year and encourage the businesses as much as possible. Bangor has a lot of good businesses that some people maybe don't know about."

 

Mr Montgomery also said that the award categories 'might see some small change'.

 

"If a sponsor comes and says they would like to do a different category we're always open to suggestion," he said.

 

"This was discussed at the last meeting. But that was just a general discussion. At the next meeting, we'll be able to go into more depth on what can be done.

 

"Last year was the first year we had the environmental award, so maybe next year we could look to have something else."

 

Evan Ward said those involved would 'aim to build upon last year's successful awards', adding that it was 'pleasing' to see the number of businesses that take pride in what they have won.

 

"It is tremendous that the Northern Bank have agreed to once again be the principal sponsor of the Bangor Business Awards," he said. 

 

"With the Northern Bank's association, we are showing a sign of intent that the awards will continue to grow and improve." 

 

David Croft, North Down Senior Branch Manager of Northern said: "By agreeing to be principal sponsor of the awards for the third year running we are signalling our commitment to the Bangor area and all local businesses. 

 

"Over the previous two years we have built many mutually beneficial relationships through this association and we are pleased to be continuing this partnership."

 

For regular updates on next year's event visit www.bangorholywoodtcm.co.uk