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NORTH WEST PUB OF THE YEAR These are the very best pubs in the region and are selected because of their consistent commitment to excellence. This award category is open to all bars/pubs who can demonstrate a professional, safe and ambient environment adhering to best practice standards of operation in their sector. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Range and nature of products/supply/services • Overall customer/ visitor experience including quality customer service • Innovative marketing and promotion • Improvement and developments which have been made in the last 3 years or are scheduled for the future, which aim to improve the customer experience.
NORTH WEST RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR This award is open to all restaurants who are committed to creating the ultimate dining experience which includes cooking, ingredients, service, atmosphere and environment. Entrants of this category will do everything right from the moment the customer makes contact to when they leave with a smile on their face. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Range and nature of ingredients used/menus/ products on offer/services; demonstrating were appropriate the use of local suppliers, regional producers and provenance of ingredients. • Overall customer/ visitor experience including quality customer service • Innovative marketing and promotion • Improvement and developments which have been made in the last 3 years or are scheduled for the future, which aim to improve the customer experience.
NORTH WEST GUEST ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER OF THE YEAR Quality accommodation is a critical element of the visitor experience for both our leisure and business visitors. In order for the accommodation sector to be successful and competitive both nationally and internationally, it is important that quality standards are set high and continue to improve. This award will recognise the accommodation provider who: • Goes that extra mile to provide a quality ambiance, product and service creating a genuine emotional engagement with the visitor • Provides an unrivaled customer/ visitor experience including quality customer service • Innovative marketing and promotion • Provides an extensive range of products/supply/ services.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO ARTS & CULTURE This award is designed to recognise and reward an individual or business that has dedicated time and care in developing the arts and cultural offering of the region. This contribution could be part of their core business or on a voluntary basis. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Any initiatives/ contributions and achievements to date • How any initiatives undertaken have assisted in encouraging the exploration of shared histories • Inspiration of further cultural developments or activities • Impact of any contributions on the community or visitor experience in the region.
BEST TOURISM EVENT OR INITIATIVE This category celebrates events and tourism initiatives which include, inspire and involve all guests. Judges will be looking for the event or initiative which compliments the visitor experience within the region and which has the ability to grow and develop further enhancing the image and profile of the region. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria • How the event or initiative increased tourism numbers giving a breakdown of the demographics of visitor/ guests • How the event or initiative encouraged partnerships and collaborations with other organisations either both locally or internationally and the outcomes of these • Evidence of media attention and description of marketing campaigns regionally, nationally and/ or internationally and the quantifiable outcomes of these • Long term benefits of the event or initiative to the North West visitor experience.
EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION Innovation is a new idea, more effective device or process. Innovation can be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements or existing market needs through more effective products, processes, services technologies or ideas. This award recognises local businesses that have embraced innovation to significantly improve the commercial performance or prospects of the company Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Understanding of the business/market challenge and strategic reasoning for choice of innovative solution. • Details of the new idea, device or process introduced into the business over the past 3 years including details of the implementation and proposed outcomes. • Impact of innovation to the business i.e. reduced costs, improved differentiation when compared to competitors, increased sales, improved capability in the workforce. • Qualitative and quantitative data to support claims of success.
NORTH WEST CREATIVE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Creative industries are defined as ‘those industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent with the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing intellectual property’ This award recognises the growing importance of the creative industries to the local economy. It is open to businesses from the sector which include: Advertising, Architecture, Art and Antiques, Design, Designer Fashion, Film, Video Games, Music, Performing Arts, Publishing and TV and Radio. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Values and vision of the company with evidence of good business practice • Demonstration of how creativity and innovation have been used in either day-to-day business or as solutions for specific problems • Evidence of commercial success e.g. winning new business or business retention • Plans for future development.
NORTH WEST CRAFT INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR This award aims to shine a light on the ever growing craft sector and promote the vibrant craft community in the region. Entrants must be based in the North West region and all work must be original and hand-made i.e. not reproduced, copied, mass-produced or assembled from component parts. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Business objectives, planning and evaluation • Originality and quality of design and production • Future sales and marketing strategies, how the business will develop and grow
GROWTH THROUGH EXPORT AWARD This award recognises local companies that have identified opportunities in export markets and are successfully trading beyond the Northern Ireland market. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Export sales growth over the past two years in terms of sales outside of NI, export markets entered, market share and how this has been achieved • Innovative nature of products/services/ distribution channels • Strategies in place to maintain this export growth and further export growth
BEST USE OF DIGITAL AND/OR SOCIAL MEDIA The award will be made to the organisation that demonstrates the best application of digital technologies in their business. The award winner should illustrate how the use of digital techniques has helped to develop and build their business. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Clear business objectives and how the use of digital/ social media is incorporated • Evidence of the impact on the business (e.g. inquiries, sales, bookings etc.) • Evidence of public engagement (e.g. number of web downloads, number of followers • Description and analysis of the implementation of digital or social media campaign.
NORTH WEST RETAILER OF THE YEAR If you go that extra mile and build your organisation around the needs of your target audience and are focused on delivering excellence in the retail environment we want to hear from you. This category provides a superb platform to recognise and reward great customer service so tell us how you have identified customer needs and managed and monitored their expectations to set you apart. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • How quality service is defined and delivered within the organisation • Customer base and any evidence of customer satisfaction i.e. customer feedback, endorsements, increased sales • Future plans for the business and how these will be achieved • Originality of offering, this may be through products on sale, service, added value for consumers, customer engagement etc.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD This award is designed to recognise and reward those business services who are engaged in selling their expertise in professional, scientific and technical services. Those eligible to enter this category include banks, building societies, solicitors, property management companies, estate agents, architects, surveyors and accountants or any other professional service provider. Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: • Commitment to excellence in customer care and how this is achieved • Demonstration of how a holistic service is provided • Provision of a diverse product offering • Specific response to challenges in the market
HAIR & BEAUTY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD A new Award for this 2018! Does your business have an amazing flair for hair? Is your barbershop a cut above the rest? Or could your beauty business brush the competition to one side? Enter your business now in this category and tell us why you're the best! Entrants will be judged on the following criteria: •How quality service is defined and delivered within the organisation •Customer base and reference to customer satisfaction i.e. customer feedback, endorsements, increased sales •Future plans for the business and how these will be achieved •Originality of offering, this may be through products on sale, service, added value for consumers, customer engagement etc.
NORTH WEST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award seeks to define the qualities of successful entrepreneurship – from drive, ambition, vision and tenacity to inspirational leadership, inventiveness and confidence. This is a non-entry award which has been awarded by the judging panel; this person will be chosen on the basis of proven performance and application of the highest standard of business.
NORTH WEST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Is your business representative of all that is positive about the work that takes place in the city on a daily basis? Entrants will be judged on the following criteria • Business growth and performance • Unique and innovative approaches • Evidence of ethical credentials and good stakeholder relationships • Evidence of long term planning balanced by the flexibility to deliver consistent results in dynamic market conditions. The overall winner of each individual category will automatically be entered into this award.