This is it
The launch of our annual call to the business community to display their efforts and triumphs – only this time it comes during the toughest recession in living memory.

Our theme last year was Reaching For The Top and we make no apologies for sticking to that aspiration this year.

It illustrates our recognition that the upward slope may still be steep, but for many who battle and plan through business, the summit remains climbable, if not well and truly conquered.

Of course it has been tough. You’ve struggled. You’ve manoeuvred. You’ve thought and fought your way against the odds. Now pause for a second to reap the rewards…

By entering the 19th annual Press Business Of The Year Awards 2009 you’re reaffirming your confidence and defiance.

You are not alone
For all that most firms have had to endure by way of a recession-hit economy, here in York and North and East Yorkshire, the business community’s tread has by and large remained firm and resolute.

That is why there are 16 categories to tackle – equalling last year’s record

We at The Press recognise how easy and yet senseless it is for businesses to talk themselves down into disaster, especially when there are so many ventures still defying the odds, still battling and boxing clever.

That is why we launched our campaign, York Means Business, to seek out and publicise the many good stories which Cassandras of doom tend to ignore. We need to counter the gloom and talk ourselves up to success.

The quality and self-confidence of many job-spinning businesses in the region with which we have come into contact proves the point. All of us are still striving to Reach for the Top.

So don’t hesitate. Go for it...

Here, in a nutshell, are the main facts:

Closing date for entries: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Venue for the glittering final: The Voltigeur Suite in the Knavesmire Stand at York Racecourse
When? Thursday, November 26, 2009
Awards host: BBC presenter Colin Hazelden
Guest Speaker: `Judith Donovan CBE

Who qualifies?
All businesses from sole traders to plcs, based in the circulation area of The Press radiating from York to the North York Moors in the north; and from Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington in the east, across to Harrogate in the west.

Judging?
Each entry will be considered by experts in each category, in addition to Steve Hughes, Managing Editor of The Press; David Dickson and Tony Tarpey of Garbutt & Elliott, York; and Brian Woodhouse for Business Link Yorkshire.

They will narrow the field down to three finalists in each category. Each of these will then be interviewed by a judging panel with the winners announced at the Awards Ceremony in the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse on November 26, 2009.
Judges reserve the right to switch entrants’ categories where they consider that the entrant stands a better chance.
Judges’ decisions will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Why enter?
Because it is quick and simple to do. And because it would be a bad business decision if you didn’t! Your FREE entry, win or lose, will be scrutinised for a profile of your venture in The Press’ daily business news pages and in its first-Tuesday-of-the-month Business Press supplement. What is more it will be echoed on this website that attracts more than 1.77 million page impressions per month.

The mathematics is simple.

Vast publicity + zero outlay = good business!

Here’s how you enter
Now that you have navigated your way to this website study the categories. Select up to two then formulate up a MAXIMUM of 1,000 words of submission either for each of them, or to cover both. Now beam into the interactive entry form to copy and paste your submission into it.

Anyone who legitimately enters any category (or categories) will also be considered for the overall John Guy Memorial Award 2008 accolade.

Remember to follow the guidelines for each award category, as these are the main points on which the judges could base their selections.

Entries must relate to successes measured by the organisation or individual in the last 12 months.

If you wish, under separate cover, email photographs which may be used to illustrate your profile both in The Press and on the website, to ron.godfrey@thepress.co.uk

Other supporting documents are not to be sent. Closing date for entries will be Thursday July 23, 2009. Employees of The Press and all other publications within Newsquest (York) Ltd are ineligible to enter. Also ineligible are those who work for any of the sponsor organisations.