AN awards ceremony that shines the light on women in business has returned for a seventh straight year.
The ever popular Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs), which highlights and recognises women in business, will be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Friday, September 29th.
Organiser, Coral Horn, has decided to launch the awards early after being ‘inundated’ with emails in regards to nominations.
More than 600 guests are expected to attend the event as women from across the region will battle it out to scoop one of the most coveted female business awards.
“After receiving so many emails, I just thought, let’s get the 2017 awards open even though it’s earlier than we would usually launch,” said Ms Horn, owner of networking group Pink Link Ladies.
“We’ve already received a number of nominations from previous and new entrants which really highlights the esteem in which the awards are held as they go from strength to strength each year.
“Last year’s awards were certainly the biggest to date but already we have plans to make 2017 even bigger; and the calibre of entries we are already seeing come through are highlighting that it is without doubt going to be just as difficult for our judges”
After receiving rave reviews, returning for the second straight year as MC will be Rebecca Jane. Rebecca is the owner of a successful all-female private investigation company, which was set up in 2009 after she suspected her now ex-husband was having an affair.
Also confirmed for the evening is Patrick McBride, the current Milk Tray Man. Patrick will be the official EVA escort as he will escort the winners to the stage.
To mark the launch of the EVAs, which has attracted NatWest as headline sponsor for a fifth consecutive year, a number of roadshow events will take place.
They will be held in Preston, on Wednesday, April 12th at 10am-2pm at the Best Western Plus Samlesbury Hotel, in Manchester on Wednesday, May 17th at 10am-2pm at Spinningfield’s and Cumbria on Wednesday, May 3rd, at The Hydro Hotel, at 1pm-3pm.
Potential entrants can get some hints and tips on how to impress the judges with their application and get advice on how to prepare and perform during the interview stages.
There will also be presentations from previous winners on how they and their businesses have benefited since they won their highly regarded awards.
Heather Waters, Territory Enterprise Manager at NatWest, added: “We’re delighted to be the headline sponsor for the Enterprise Vision Awards for the fifth consecutive year.
“Each year we are seeing the awards grow and become even more popular and we are proud to be involved in an event that supports and celebrates not only enterprise but successful and powerful women in various industries too.
“It’s an exciting awards to be a part of, no matter what size your business is, and we look forward to welcoming entries from a range of business women across the region..”
The awards are now open for entries and nominations. Those looking to enter can find out more at the free EVAs launch events. More information is also available at www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk.
Entries will close on Monday, June 12th and the winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony on 29th September 2017 at Blackpool Winter Gardens.
