What
Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2017
Who
250 people from the business community within Caerphilly County Borough
Where
Why
To recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses within Caerphilly.
Organisers
Background
The Caerphilly Business Forum holds an annual awards ceremony to celebrate the businesses in Caerphilly. This was the 16th year the Awards had taken place. The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards are considered one of Wales’s most hotly contested and prestigious business awards. Rewarding success and recognising business excellence within Caerphilly County Borough over the previous 12 months, the Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.
Objective
To manage and organise an awards ceremony in Caerphilly. From launching the awards ceremony, to finding sponsors, setting a judging process and culminating in a black-tie event with a three course dinner, awards presentation and after dinner entertainment at Llechwen Hall Hotel, Caerphilly. Grapevine was responsible for all elements, getting Board approval on each decision and keeping the Board regularly updated.
Before the Awards
Coleg Gwent once again came on board as headline Platinum sponsors and the awards were launched in April 2017. New sponsors from all types of industries within Caerphilly were found and they all helped to promote the awards to their networks.
A strong marketing campaign was created using social media including Twitter and Facebook to launch the awards and to encourage companies to enter the free awards. The deadline for entries was chosen as the end of October and over 70 entries were received.
The shortlist was then decided by the premium award sponsors; Broomfield and Alexander and the Chair of the Judging panel; Dr Barrie Kennard.
The shortlist was announced on social media and in the press and the successful applicants were invited to a short interview. 32 interviews took place over a couple of days by a panel of judges made up of the sponsors and the Chair. Applicants were also filmed, which would be used on the evening to introduce the companies that they work for.
As well as arranging the interviews, organising bookings and payments, logos were collated and the programme book written. The photographer and photo booth was sourced and scripts written.
Llechwen Hall Hotel set up for the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2017
On the Night
The format of the night was a drinks reception on arrival, dinner then the Awards presentation. The Chair of the Caerphilly Business Forum, Denise Lovering and Stephen Owen from Platinum sponsors Coleg Gwent gave two wonderful welcoming speeches before dinner. Then it was over to host Jamie Owen, BBC Wales to start the Awards presentation. This year there were more awards - 10 in total - and introduced for the first time a ‘Highly Commended’ Award for those companies whom the judges felt deserved special recognition. Once the Awards were over the DJ started playing and the dancing began.
We did have a slight problem on the night with the car park being too busy and guests having difficulty in parking, luckily it didn’t spoil the event and since the event the venue have assured us that the problem is being sorted for future events.
Result
A successful event where businesses from all across Caerphilly were celebrated for their contribution to the community. This year’s awards had the highest ever attendance.
Post awards there has been media coverage in The South Wales Argus, BusinessNewsWales and The Caerphilly Observer.
The Future
We are already planning for this year and had interest for sponsorship so watch this space! It will be interesting to see how many of the companies apply for this year’s awards to keep their winning position.
Testimonials
"The team at Grapevine Event Management organise and plan the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards down to the very last detail. They are thorough, efficient and totally professional in their approach. We have been absolutely delighted with the work they have done for us which has certainly helped raise the profile of the Forum and businesses in the Caerphilly County Borough."
Denise Lovering
Chair of Caerphilly Business Forum
All the winners of the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2017
To find out more information on the Awards and all the winners, visit the website: http://www.cbforum.co.uk/awards/2017awards/default.htm
