The number one night of the year for businesses in Oxfordshire. That is how the Oxfordshire Business Awards is being billed for 2009 and few could argue with that assessment following the success of the awards evening this year which was the biggest and best ever in the competition’s 15-year history. More than 500 movers and shakers from across the county gathered at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel to celebrate the best in the local business community and take part in an event which is still being talked about six months later. So how do you go one better? It is difficult but according to awards chairman Paul Lowe there has never been a more beneficial time to enter. He said: “At a time when the economy is in a downturn, the Oxfordshire Business Awards is an opportunity for companies and individuals to shout about their success and reveal how they are bucking the trend. “There are so many success stories in the county and we don’t want them to be buried in the bad news. Entering the awards will help them realise the level of their achievements.” In an effort to improve upon the success of earlier years, organisers have freshened up the award categories once more to help encourage as many entries as possible. Significantly, a Business Link New Business category has been introduced to reflect the vast number of companies which start up in the county every year. Only businesses that started trading in the years 2005, 2006 or 2007 are eligible to enter. Mr Lowe added: “As one of the most innovative areas in the United Kingdom, it is only right we recognise the risks and rewards of entrepreneurs and we look forward to welcoming some of the brightest ideas into the competition for the first time.” The increasing importance of green issues has been reflected in the Environmental Award for Property and Construction which is being judged by new sponsor Ice Energy, which itself won the Sustainability category in 2007. That category has now been adoped by another newcomer, the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, part of Oxfordshire County Council. And the individual categories have now been re-branded Business Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, giving a more dynamic reflection of the type of candidate expected to enter. Entry to the awards is free and simple and will take about ten minutes. Simply go online at www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk, where details of all the categories can be found along with the entry form. Your entry will be acknowledged by the relevant sponsor who will then send you a more detailed questionnaire All initial entries need to be received by Friday, February 27 2009. The whole process culminates in the celebration dinner on Friday, June 19 2009 at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on Thames. Contact: Jane Reeve on 01865 811218 or e-mail jreeve@darbys.co.uk Website: www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk