Awards set to be ‘best one yet’

Hundreds of entries from across Lancashire are expected for the Be Inspired Business Awards, which will culminate in a star-studded ceremony at Blackpool Tower in September.

Preparations for this year’s awards are being finalised and Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes to make 2014 the best year yet.

She added: “The BIBAs has become known as ‘the one they all want to win’ by companies across Lancashire, and it has achieved that by not resting on its laurels.

“The 2013 awards saw us celebrate the achievements of the heroes of our economy, the business community of Lancashire.

“Now we are putting the final touches to our 2014 awards programme which we promise will be better than ever.”

In 2013, more than 900 business leaders attended the awards and were entertained by an all-star cast including compere and television star, Eamonn Holmes, X-Factor winner Matt Cardle and Marcus Bentley, the voice of reality television show, Big Brother.

The chamber has commissioned Lancaster University Management School to carry out a major research project into the awards.

It invested a five-figure sum in research into business awards across the globe, looking at judging processes and marketing.

The findings are due to be presented ahead of the awards. Entries for this year’s BIBAs will open on January 14.

For more information about this year’s awards, visit www.thebibas.co.uk

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