Businesses in York and North Yorkshire have proved their success on the local, regional and national stages in the past year, with new and growing enterprises putting the city and the surrounding area well on the map in a variety of sectors.

That success is now set to be reflected in the 26th annual Press Business Awards, where the best of local firms of all types and sizes and the pick of the region's entrepreneurs will be rewarded for their great efforts.

The awards, which again welcome insurance giant Hiscox as overall sponsor, recognise achievements of all kinds of businesses; large and small, across different sectors and in various areas of best practice.

This year we have four entirely new categories - Business Innovation of the Year, sponsored by the University of York; Socially Responsible Business of the Year, sponsored by York St John University; Employer of the Year, sponsored by JWP Creers; and the Achievement Through People Award, also sponsored by the University of York.

We also have a slightly different category, the Retail, Tourism or Leisure Business of the Year, instead of the previous Tourism and Hospitality title,

and the Exporter of the Year Award replaces the previous Dare to Export.

Add to these the six other accolades on offer, and it is easy to see why our sparkling ceremony in November will be a night of unrivalled celebrations in the only dedicated business awards to shine the spotlight on entrepreneurial achievements and dynamic economic growth in York and North Yorkshire.

The awards have always told tales of determination and devotion, of overcoming challenges and seeking opportunities, and have introduced us to the people behind the success stories.

It has been a dramatic past several months for business in York itself, as winter floods had a devastating impact on businesses close to the Rivers Ouse and Foss.

But there followed a secondary effect across the whole city, as national media reports about the floods caused people to stay away from York during January.

Massive efforts were made to tell the rest of the world that York was very much open for business, so visitor numbers were back to normal by March and April, and many enterprises which had been forced to shut opened their doors once more.

The episode illustrated the resilience and community spirit of local businesses, as many showed their generosity in contributing to fund to help those worst affected by the deluge.

The Press Business Awards will also celebrate all that is best in the business world in York and the surrounding area.

To have your chance to become part of an elite group of winners, read on to find out how to enter 12 of these categories, which will be considered by our independent panel of judges.

The categories are: Small Business of the Year; Large Business of the Year; New Business of the Year; Exporter of the Year; Retail, Tourism or Leisure Business of the Year; Business Personality of the Year; Family Business of the Year; the Achievement Through People Award; Socially Responsible Business of the Year; Business Innovation of the Year; Technology Business of the Year and Employer of the Year.

The overall Press Business of the Year Award will be chosen from among the winners of the above categories.

As well as gaining clients’ attention and motivating and rewarding staff, the finalists in these categories will be invited to attend an exclusive, black-tie dinner at York Racecourse.

We are delighted to once again welcome back BBC broadcaster Colin Hazelden to act as our Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Entry details:

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES:

Friday, July 29, 2016

WHO CAN ENTER?

All businesses from sole traders to plcs, based in the circulation area of The Press, which radiates out to Northallerton and across to the North York Moors in the north, down to Selby in the south, out to Beverley and the Yorkshire coast in the east, and across west to Harrogate and Wetherby.

WHY SHOULD I ENTER?

The Press Business Awards have helped to raise the profile of many truly fantastic businesses in the region. Your entry, win or lose, will be summarised to form a profile on your business, which will be published on the Business Pages of The Press, and online on thepressbusinessawards.co.uk website.

HOW DO I ENTER?

Choose up to two of the 12 awards categories, which are explained at thepressbusinessawards.co.uk as well as in this supplement.

Formulate a compelling argument on why your business deserves to win. Your written entry will be your only opportunity to convince the judges to put you through to the next round of the competition.

Copy and paste your entry into the online interactive entry form, ticking the boxes for the categories you wish to enter. It you’re entering two very different categories, submit two separate entries, focused on the award you’re going for. You’ll also be given the opportunity to submit any professional business photographs you’ve had taken to be used alongside your profile in The Press, but please remember that you will only be able to submit one photograph per entry via the online entry form.

Supporting documentation or hard copy entries cannot be accepted. Previous winners may enter.

Employees of The Press and all other publications within Newsquest (Yorkshire & North East) Ltd are ineligible to enter.

JUDGING

Each entry will be considered by an independent judging panel.

Three finalists will be chosen in each category, and the shortlist will be published in The Press in August. Each finalist will be interviewed by a member of the judging panel to help them decide the winner.

Judges reserve the right to disqualify entrants which do not meet the eligibility criteria or to switch entrants’ categories where they consider the entry better suited.

The judges’ decision is final.

WHAT NEXT

Visit thepressbusinessawards.co.uk for updates and profiles of entrants. Also follow progress on The Press Business Awards 2016 on Twitter @yorkbusiness, using #PressBizAwards

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in November at York Racecourse.