Biggest night of year for business

5:07pm Friday 6th June 2008

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The great and the good from he world of work will congregate at Shendish Manor, Apsley, tonight to honour the region's top companies and individuals in the Business Excellence Awards for South Hertfordshire, North London and North West London.

The black tie event will be hosted by television news and "Egghead" presenter Dermot Murgnahan and is sponsored by a host of blue chip companies including Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest Group, SA LAW, Alliotts Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, BDO Stoy Hayward, the University of Hertfordshire, Coutts and Lombard.

Independent judging for the competition - now in its seventh year - was provided by Wenta Business Services, Watford Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Investment.

The competition has been promoted by the Watford Observer.

Categories in this year's competition include: Graduate of the Year; International Trade and Export; SME of the Year; Success through People; Entrepreneur; Innovation; Growing Business; and overall Business of the Year.

Joint chairs of this year's awards committee, Julie Gingell of SA Law and Jackie Withey of Alliotts said: "2008 has been a remarkable step in the seven-year journey of these prestigious regional awards.

"It has led to a new name, new identity and, most importantly, a greater understanding of how our business community benefits from them.

"Our task was to understand what past nominees and winners had gained from entering.

"The majority identified three clear values that subsequently became the focus of our 2008 awards promotion: greater media exposure, increased business opportunities and what many described as a "marketing advantage".

"While we were aware that a nomination or win had long been used as a tangible mark of quality, the extent of its perceived power exceeded even our own expectations.

"Businesses described the effect that it had on both customers and staff. The value of using the award in marketing materials and pitches was being matched by the motivation it gave employees.

"Seeing it as a clear recognition of their hard work, they were being encouraged towards even greater personal performance that was directly driving organisational success.

"These responses helped us to further define our own role in maximising the value of this mark of quality. The result was not only a new brand, but a move away from the Watford and North West London Business Awards to the Business Excellence Awards."

Drinks on the evening will be chilled to perfection as stepping in at the last minute as sponsors of the champagne reception before the main business of the evening are The Snow Centre ofn Hemel Hempstead.

The Snow Centre aims to be Britain's premier indoor snow sports destination. Opening in April 2009, it will recreate alpine conditions every skier and boarder dreams of with a 160m main slope and 100m lesson slope, both more than 30m wide and both maintained with the perfect snow surface.

As well as providing the perfect slope, the centre aims to show visitors how to get the most from it.

Instructors and coaches will provide a whole range of lessons ranging from the beginner's class to classes for those to refining their skills and pushing themselelves even further.

Après ski will also be taken care of with restaurant, bars and cafès with panoramic views over the slopes and there will be a large Snow and Rock retail store on site too.

• Find out who wins what as it happens visit www.watfordobserver.co.uk later this evening.