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Final week for nominations

North-east businesses have less than a week to put themselves forward as contenders for this year’s Northern Star Business Awards.

Now in its 8th year, the award ceremony is the flagship event for Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and regularly attracts up to 1000 guests at a glittering occasion which celebrates the achievements of the brightest and the best of North-east businesses across all sectors.

Several new categories have been introduced this year to reflect changing trends in business practice. These include a Green Award which will be awarded to a company that has implemented a strategy to reduce the impact its business makes on the environment or which is involved in providing alternative energy supplies.

“One of the strands of any energy policy must be looking at ways of reducing energy and well as the various means of providing it,” said Chamber Chief Executive Bob Collier. “That’s why we felt it was very timely to introduce this new award. Businesses right across the region are “greening” their offices and their companies and this award recognises the contribution which they make. Innovative practices are being introduced across all sectors and in companies large and small and we are expecting some strong entries. This award also looks at businesses which are developing alternative ways of providing that energy in the first place. This is a growing part of the industry and we are expecting to see some excellent nominations covering both aspects of the category.”

For many companies who have successfully made it through the difficult times of economic downturn, the key has been efficient and effective marketing of their products and services and also new this year is a new award for Best Campaign which will be awarded to a company that has planned and implemented a successful marketing campaign for a customer.

“A good marketing campaign can really lift a company above its competitors, by increasing its profile and raising awareness of what it does, said Mr Collier. “We know that many of our members’ successes have been supported by inspired marketing and this award will recognize some of the best examples of good practice.”

Also new this year is The Energy Award which will be awarded to a company which can demonstrate its success in developing and securing new business and an Outstanding Contribution to Society Award which will recognise companies which combine business practice with the greater needs of society.

This year’s Northern Star Awards will take place on Thursday October 6 at the Press & Journal Arena at AECC. Closing date for nominations is Friday, May 20 at noon. Full details of all the awards and how to nominate can be found at www.northernstarawards.co.uk . All completed nomination forms should be submitted electronically only to events@agcc.co.uk