Award categories

The awards were open to any organisation within the Belfast City Council boundary.

The closing date for entries was 4pm on 18 February 2011.

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Categories
Award		Sponsored by
	Best New Business Open to all businesses that have been founded within the last three years (from January 2008) and have translated a great idea into a successful business venture. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Business Expansion Open to all businesses that, during the last three years (from January 2008), have demonstrated growth in all areas including products, services, staff, customers, profit, markets and market share. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Innovative Use of IT Open to all businesses that, during the last three years (from January 2008), have developed dynamic and innovative ways to communicate on the internet. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Marketing Initiative Open to all businesses that, in the last three years (from January 2008), can demonstrate excellence and outstanding achievements in developing and implementing a marketing strategy that has delivered measurable business benefits such as increased profit, sales, usage or awareness. Includes a paper based application.

	Embracing the Belfast Brand Open to all organisations which have demonstrated effective and creative use of the Belfast Brand, in jointly promoting their business and Belfast. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Social Economy Business Recognises and champions the vital work carried out by the most successful social entrepreneurs in Belfast and marks the contributions they have made in changing the future of their communities. Social enterprise organisations are those businesses trading for social and environmental purposes. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Young Business Person of the Year Open to young entrepreneurs (under the age of 35) who are enjoying success in building their own business (on or before January 2011). Best demonstrates ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Green Business Open to businesses who, in the last three years (from January 2008), have a green invention/ product development and/or have implemented environmental management policies or principles. Includes a paper based application.

	Best International Trade Open to all organisations who, in the last five years (from January 2006), can demonstrate excellence in import, export and international trade achievement. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Manufacturing Business Designed to recognise the contribution of this sector to the economy and excellence achieved within manufacturing. Includes a paper based application.

	Best Creative Business Open to businesses from the creative industry sector including film, TV, digital media, music and design who can demonstrate, in the last three years (from January 2008), skill, creativity and innovation in the development of a unique product, service or design. Includes a paper based application.

	Customer Service Excellence - Independent Retailer Recognises the contributions of independent retailers to the local community and Belfast's retail industry and rewards the smaller/owner operated type businesses who are committed to offering excellent levels of service to each and every customer. Independent retailers will be viewed as independent owners of three or less stores. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Customer Service Excellence - Multiple Retailer Recognises the contributions of a branded retail business, which is committed to offering the highest levels of service to each and every customer. A multiple retailer will be viewed as a company with four or more branches throughout Northern Ireland. Includes a short application form and mystery shop.

	Customer Service Excellence - Professional Service Sector Recognises the contributions of the professional service sector and rewards those who are committed to offering the highest levels of service to each and every customer. Applications are welcomed from all professional service organisations including accountants, architects, engineers, law firms, public relations professionals and recruitment consultants. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Best Bar or Pub Open to licensed premises who can demonstrate to customers that they are in a professionally operated venue that offers a safe environment and an enjoyable social event. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Best Restaurant Open to licensed and unlicensed premises who can demonstrate they are the very best of the best within the Belfast restaurant trade offering superb service and fantastic food. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Best Café or Coffee Shop Open to coffee shops, cafés, sandwich bars and fast food outlets who can demonstrate excellent customer service, ambience and atmosphere and delicious food. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Best City Hotel Open to all registered hotels who can demonstrate excellence in customer care, quality premises and impeccable standards. Includes a short application and mystery shop.

	Best Regeneration Project Open to all organisations who, in the past three years (from January 2008), have been involved in the development of a regeneration project which has significantly improved and revitalised an area in the Belfast City Council boundaries. Includes a paper based application.	A joint venture by SIAC (NI) Ltd and Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd.

	Best Corporate Social Responsibility Open to organisations who, in the last three years (from January 2008), can demonstrate innovative Corporate Social Responsibility strategies or initiatives that have or are currently making a real difference to people at a local level. Includes a paper based application.

	Belfast Champion This award will honour a person living/ working in Belfast who is deemed to have made the most significant contribution to improving the quality of life of those living in the city. The individual may be from the private, public, voluntary or community sector. Anyone can nominate an individual and should have their consent to do so. Includes a paper based application.