About the DBA's 2016

The Dorset Business Awards celebrates the achievements of Dorset’s businesses, large or small across the county and across all sectors. It rewards our high achievers, our inspirational leaders and our unsung heroes.

For thirteen years the Dorset Business Awards were showcased under the orange and blue logo. In 2008, the then named Dorset Business (the Chamber of Commerce & Industry) who organise the Dorset Business Awards organised a re-branding of the Awards with a new logo & kite mark designed by students at the Arts University College at Bournemouth. Dorset Business (the Chamber of Commerce & Industry) then re-branded back to Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry in July 2010 and are proud to continue to organise these prestigious awards for those great businesses across Dorset.

In 1994 there were just 5 awards this year the sponsors have capped the number of awards to 11. They cover a diverse range of businesses from multinationals to small family run concerns, this ensures that there is an opportunity for everyone to participate. Past award winners have seen their businesses grow and thrive as a result of the publicity that they have received.

The Awards have become the region’s leading business awards competition since they were launched. They provide an opportunity for the region’s companies and business professionals to showcase their talents and achievements. Previous winners have said “that taking part in the awards is a valuable and enjoyable experience which brings some great publicity for organisations of any size and stature”.

What does it take to judge a Dorset Business Award?

• Each award goes through a rigorous judging process by a minimum of three, impartial judges, who are chosen for their knowledge of and relevance to the award category. Therefore over 33 judges are out and about across Dorset judging the 2016 award entries.
• The names of the judges are not published within the business community nor do they meet any of the other award category judges during the judging phase.
• The judges have no conflicts of interest; for example they do not normally have any close personal or commercial connection with entrants.
• The judging panels can spend as long as a week considering each entry submission against the category criteria and their own discretion based on their relevant expertise. A score sheet is used to ensure the judging process is consistent.
• Transparency and integrity is at the core of the Awards process.
• The Dorset Business Awards reserves the right to withdraw an entry from the judging process at any time if the entry is deemed inappropriate for any reason.

Why Enter?

There are a number of specialist award categories to suit the needs of any organisation and you can enter as many as you like (although we suggest a maximum of two) providing you meet the entry criteria

The benefits of entering The Dorset Business Awards extend far beyond picking up one of the prestigious trophies in November and include:

• The positive publicity and recognition gained across the County and beyond.
• The visibility of the achievements of finalists and winners is greatly enhanced before a wide audience of customers and potential customers, suppliers, partners and the business community generally.
• Reaching the finalist stage is a commendable achievement as the entries having been subject to a rigorous judging process.
• Acknowledge the contribution and achievements of your staff and boost morale.
• Finalists and Winners become strongly aligned and associated with the key principles of the Awards – business success, innovation and ethical practice.
• Finalists get the opportunity to attend the Meet the Finalists drinks reception on 14th November at 6.30pm. This event will showcase all 33 worthy Finalists and affords additional PR via an all Finalists photo-shoot, social communications and other media routes.
• PR Opportunities: Winners and Finalists will be provided with a “kite mark” which they can use on their letterhead and literature.
• Finalist companies will receive extensive profile at The Gala Dinner.
• A press release of each winning company will be available “hot off the press” at The Dorset Business Awards Gala Dinner within the Daily Echo Annual Review.
• A press release of each winning company will be included in The Dorset Business Magazine.
• Extended post awards opportunities with video being showcased on The Dorset Business Awards website and YouTube.

Still not convinced?

You will also get the chance as a finalist to attend The Dorset Business Gala Dinner on Thursday 24th November at the Bournemouth International Centre as a guest of the category Sponsor providing you with the opportunity to network with 800 local business people.

Photographs of all the winners will be displayed on The Dorset Business Awards website and the list goes on…