What
Fast Growth 50 Awards 2017
Who
500 people from the 50 fastest growing companies across Wales.
Where
Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff
Why
To recognise the 50 fastest growing companies across Wales.
Organisers
Background
This year was the 19th year of the Awards founded by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE. After nineteen years of identifying the fastest growing firms in Wales, this unique initiative is firmly established as the list of business success that entrepreneurs across Wales aspire to. Every year, it is a constant remainder of the vast entrepreneurial potential that exists within the Welsh business sector, with growth performance by businesses that is as good as any to be found across the regions of the UK.
Objective
To organise a black-tie event for 500 people with a three course dinner, awards presentation and after dinner entertainment at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff. Every company in the Awards are one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Wales. The Awards were set-up to show companies in each of their respective sectors which is the fastest growing.
Before the Awards
The Fast Growth 50 Awards 2017, launched in June, is dependent on receiving completed entries and information from companies that are then verified by Companies House data or through the firm’s accountants. The three requirements to be able to qualify for the Awards were:
Be independent and privately held (not a subsidiary or branch plant of another company)
Had sales of at least £250,000 in 2013-14
Be based in Wales
Due to the nature of the Awards the judging process concentrates solely on the accounts of the business.
As well as organising the bookings, liaising with sponsors and guests with the information for the evening. We also arranged the table plan, collected logos and designed the programme book. Menus were decided, photo booths were sourced and scripts written. Not forgetting deciding the set design with Cleartech Live and organising the order of the awards to make sure they had the most impact.
The Mercure Holland House Hotel set up for the Fast Growth 50 Awards 2017
On the Night
The night started with a drinks reception on arrival, followed by dinner then the Awards presentation. The awards were hosted by Sian Lloyd who did a wonderful job of managing the room. The Secretary of State, Alun Cairns and Karen Thomas from headline sponsors Barclays both gave speeches. 17 awards were given out in total and this year there was a special contribution award given to the wife of recently passed Professor Martin Rhisiart who Dylan owed a lot of the success of the Awards to. After the awards finished it was back to the bar to celebrate the wins and to do some serious networking (and dancing).
Result
A successful event where all 50 companies were celebrated for their contribution to the Welsh economy. The Awards had media coverage in WalesOnline, The Western Mail, BusinessNewsWales and The North Wales Daily Post in the days following.
The Future
Next year is the 20th anniversary of the Awards and it will be the biggest yet.
Testimonials
"I have been working with Grapevine Events for the last three years on the annual Wales Fast Growth 50 awards. Their approach to managing one of the biggest Welsh business dinners has always been impeccable and professional, and I would recommend Liz and her team to anyone who wants to work with the best events company in Wales today."
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE
Founder, Fast Growth 50 Awards
Aerfin win the Fastest Growing Business in Wales 2017
To find out more information on the Awards and all the winners, click here.
