YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO ‘WIN' IT

Businesswomen and female entrepreneurs from across the North East region are being encouraged to enter a major annual award which is now in its 11^th year.

Women Into the Network (WIN)’s North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of women of all ages and reach out to companies new and old alike, encompassing a wide range of services, and entry is now open ahead of the awards presentation and dinner later this year. 

Categories for the 2010 awards are:

·         The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship

·         Best New Business

·         Young Entrepreneur of the Year

·         Best Small Business

·         Best Social Enterprise

·         Best Creative Business

·         Best Home Based Business

·         Best use of Technology

·         Best Rural Business

·         Best Retail Business

“A WIN Award is a major accolade that could really open doors for your business – so please don’t be shy, or put off your entry until next year. Just remember, you’ve got to be in it to WIN it!”

Any woman who operates or owns an enterprise in the North East can enter. You can put forward yourself, a friend or colleague. Entrants must head up an independent organisation and be the main driving force behind it, whether it’s a business or a social enterprise. Rules of entry, judging criteria and entry forms can be found at www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk or by calling 0845 2699862.

A series of launch events, where people can find out more about the entry process and what the judges are looking for, be inspired by previous winners and hear the impact winning has had on them, and gain some valuable contacts, are being held across June and July.

Louise Germaney from Fundraising Skills UK Ltd, based in Newcastle, is still benefiting from being one of last years winners. She said:

“Winning the best home-based business category was great. I hope this new category continues to give recognition to other home based businesses in the region. It has certainly helped raise the profile of Fundraising Skills. And the award gave me a boost during a tough year in business!”

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Saturday, September 18 ahead of the shortlisting of nominations on Tuesday, September 28 and the presentation and dinner on Friday, November 19.

Tickets for the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards evening, at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, are available from the WIN website.

For more information, please contact Leeanne or Ellie on 0845 269 9862 or email info@womanintothenetwork.co.uk