Exciting new regional awards

Around 50 businesses, community organisations and individuals in Coventry and Warwickshire are on the shortlist for an exciting, new awards event for the region.

The Coventry & Warwickshire Business and Community Awards, which have been developed by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has announced the finalists in nine out of the ten categories. The winners will be announced at the Awards Celebration Evening taking place at the Belgrade Theatre on Thursday, March 27.

The selected finalists are from across all areas of the region and cover everything from manufacturing and technology through to professional services, and leisure and hospitality. There are also a series of community groups shortlisted, recognising the not-for-profit sector.

The finalists for the Inspirational Individual will be announced later in January.

It follows a rigorous, independent judging process that saw nearly 200 entries submitted for the new awards that have been designed to celebrate the impact businesses, community organisations and individuals make in the region.

The event itself will feature much more than a series of award presentations, with arrival drinks, bowl food and snack bags on offer as well as a show – co-created with the Belgrade Theatre – to highlight some of the amazing local talent from across the region.

Tickets for the event will be priced at £45 (shortlisted organisations will receive two complementary tickets) with a discounted rate for charity and community groups.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Firstly, I have to thank all of our sponsors and judges who supported us in the run up to Christmas in going through raft of entries we had. The number and the standard of entries received was incredibly high.

“The fact that this is our first year meant we were taking a leap of faith that this kind of awards event was something the region wanted and needed, and the sheer level of interest and number of submissions has proved that to be the case.

“Now, it is all systems go as we build towards our inaugural celebration event in March which will showcase so much of what is great about Coventry and Warwickshire through the food on offer and the show on stage – and that’s before we even get to the awards!

“We’ll have more exciting announcements to make in the coming weeks but, for now, I’d urge everyone to get their tickets for what promises to be a fantastic night and to find out who will be crowned the winners!”