Women in Business are calling on all local business women to submit their entries for the prestigious awards before the deadline of 2nd October. 

The 2017 Women in Business Awards, supported by the Irish News, will celebrate the achievements of business women across Northern Ireland.  Now in its 7th year, the Awards reward and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of some of the most successful, entrepreneurial and inspiring women in Northern Ireland.  

The award categories include: Best in Professional Services, Best Small Business, Outstanding Innovation, Outstanding Management and Leadership and Young Business Women of the Year.

This year’s Awards will be held on Thursday 9th November at the Crowne Plaza, Shaws Bridge and nominations have been encouraged by Women in Business Chief Executive, Roseann Kelly, “The Women in Business Awards allow all sectors and industries to come together for an evening of celebration to recognise the best of home grown talent and the valuable contribution that women make to the economic life of Northern Ireland.

“With a wide scope of categories and many with two levels, corporate and small business, there is the opportunity to highlight a particular woman or area of your business that is performing in an exceptional way.”

Recognition as an award finalist and winner holds great prestige, offering unique business opportunities that can help drive your businesses. All finalists will join the Women in Business Award Finalist Alumnae, a group specially created to offer all finalists since 2011 the opportunity to network and engage with like–minded business women and to stimulate opportunity for both personal and professional development.

Sharon Martin, IT Manager at Terex, was the 2016 winner of Advancing Diversity in the Workplace Award. She commented on the benefits of winning an award with Women in Business, “There have been many positive impacts of winning this award and the evidence can be seen in our recruitment, sales and brand profile.  The award has supported us in achieving our goal of becoming a truly diverse market leader. Our research would suggest that the perception of Terex in the marketplace has undoubtedly grown and become more positive.

“Winning the award was promoted through our brands social media presences and featured in the Terex Finlay 2016 highlights. Our customers were delighted and the award provided tangible proof of our diversity aims to our increasingly diverse customer base.”

Sinead Dillon, Principle Consultant at Fujitsu was the 2016 winner of the Best Professional Services Award. Sinead emphasises the importance of acknowledging business women’s achievements, “In this fast–paced world, successes and achievements can quickly be forgotten as we look to our next goal or ambition. The Women in Business Awards allow business women to take a moment to reflect on their accomplishments and recognise other successful women.”

All 2017 finalists will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive Finalist Retreat where they will come together to be inspired by a range of speakers and network with their peers in a unique environment. 

To enter visit www.womeninbusinessni.com.  Tickets are now available and early booking is highly recommended for this sell–out event.