VisitLanarkshire is calling out to all businesses operating in Lanarkshire’s buoyant tourism industry to enter the 2010 Lanarkshire Business Excellence Awards.
There are 11 awards up for grabs this year reflecting the diversity of businesses across Lanarkshire.
The Excellence in Tourism Development award, which is sponsored by the Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership, recognises the significance of tourism to the local economy. It also highlights the hard work and dedication of local tourism operators to meet the expectations of those who visit the area, to ensure that they enjoy their stay.
There is also a new category this year, the Lanarkshire Food & Drink award, which will recognise the success in a growing industry sector that puts Lanarkshire and its produce on the map worldwide.
The awards which will be sponsored by Amey for the second year and will take place in the Shawlands Park Hotel on Friday 26 February 2010, will be hosted by North and South Lanarkshire Councils.
Mark Calpin, chair of Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership said: “Lanarkshire’s tourism industry has enjoyed a huge amount of success over the last year. This is due to the high standard of visitor attractions and accommodation offering that the area boasts.
“Those who have contributed to this success deserve to be recognised for their hard work. The Excellence in Tourism Award aims to showcase the efforts of businesses to ensure that Lanarkshire remains a popular visitor destination, not only for locals but for those across Scotland and further afield.”
Anne Peters, managing director of the Halo Crowwood Hotel who won the 2009 Excellence in Tourism Award, said: “I would encourage all businesses working in Lanarkshire’s tourism sector to step forward and enter this year’s event. This is a great opportunity to get recognition for the hard work and dedication that you have put into ensuring that your business is a success.
“It is important that tourism operators are encouraged to work hard to help to build upon Lanarkshire's buoyant tourism industry and the Excellence in Tourism Award certainly helps to this.”
Councillor Tom Maginnis, Convenor of Regeneration Services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this year’s awards ceremony, which recognises achievement and progress by local companies in what continues to be a challenging economic environment.”
South Lanarkshire Council’s Chair of Enterprise Resources, Councillor Chris Thompson said: “The awards now in the 15th year are recognised by Lanarkshire companies as the awards to win and the recognition and morale boost that they provide is immeasurable. Awards success is also a recognised accreditation for promoting businesses to customers and suppliers.”
The award categories are:
Lanarkshire’s Best New Business
Lanarkshire’s Best Small Business (less than 25 employees)
Lanarkshire’s Best Business (26 employees or more)
Best Performance in Manufacturing & Innovation
Lanarkshire Employer of the Year
Lanarkshire’s Best Green Business
Best Performing Social Enterprise
Business Growth through Marketing & Sales
Business in the Community
Lanarkshire Tourism Excellence Award
Lanarkshire Food & Drink Award
Firms from across the region will today be able to download applications forms for the Lanarkshire Business Excellence Awards by visiting www.lanarkshire.com/businessawards. Deadline for entries is Friday 20th November 2009.
Short listed finalists will be announced on the 14th December 2009 and the winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony which will held at the Shawlands Park Hotel on Friday 26th February 2010.