Excellent exporters to be recognised at the Dorset Business Awards 2010

Export is big business. Last year, goods worth £10.65 billion were exported to countries around the world from the South-West of England alone. The Dorset Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), is intended to reward those who are bucking the economic downturn and, instead, thriving through international trade.

This category will recognise those who have shown a marked increase in international exporting activity over the last three years. Entry is open to any business which has a BH/DT postcode or is based in the county and this includes multi-nationals or their subsidiaries with a major presence in Dorset to small private companies. Applications should be supported by evidence of increased international business, together with a summary of the strategy that resulted in this successful growth.

Exporter of the Year Award checklist

Entrants should include details of the following:

• Commitment to International Trade

• Increased export turnover or sales into new markets

• Innovative products/services being exported or evidence of versatility, imagination and persistence

• Training staff in winning/delivering export business

Russell Jones – International Trade Director of UKTI says: “International trade is one key to wealth creation making companies stronger and more competitive, especially in the current tough economic climate. This award will be presented to a company that is successfully breaking into international markets with dynamic products or services and will celebrate those businesses who are really trying to put Dorset on the international map. We are very proud of those companies and individuals who have managed to establish a strong reputation overseas, and we think its right that they are recognised at a prestigious event like the Dorset Business Awards.”

The awards’ campaign will culminate in a prestigious gala dinner ceremony on Thursday 9th December at the Lighthouse in Poole.

How to enter

To find out more, and to submit an entry visit www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk.

You can also print off an entry form and submit a paper-based entry.