The excitement is building ahead of this week’s Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo. Known as the premier event on the county’s business calendar, the Dorset Business Awards takes place at the Lighthouse Poole on Thursday (November 28) and more than 500 guests will be flocking to the glittering Awards finale to celebrate the 2013 success stories of the local economy.

Ten successful, entrepreneurial and fast-rising Dorset companies will be put into the spotlight and awarded with one of the accolades. As well as the Awards ceremony, which is to be hosted by BBC’s Laura Trant, guests will be able to celebrate a little longer this year at the ‘after-show’ party. The bar area in the Lighthouse Poole will be transformed following the Awards presentation and a DJ will hit the decks to entertain the county’s socialites.

Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sponsors are confident the event is going to be sensational. Peter Scott, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says: “This really is one of the highlights in the business calendar. It’s an evening of celebration, inspiration and it’s always been enjoyable.

“This year, we have some exciting businesses shortlisted, from manufacturers to retailers and leisure and hospitality firms to technology specialists. The Awards evening enables the region to celebrate those that are doing well, innovating, recruiting and expanding. We look forward to welcoming finalists and guests to this year’s Awards Gala Dinner.”

The Dorset Business Awards is also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105.