Enter the Echo's Industry Awards and celebrate the businesses helping Dorset to flourish

We are celebrating the superb section of industry in our area with the launch of the Dorset Echo Industry Awards.

The awards will bring together the best of businesses in the DT postcode sector, recognising their achievements.

The overall sponsor for the event is the Sealife and Jurassic Skyline.

Businesses are welcome to nominate themselves. Or, anyone outside a business interested in its impact on the wider community and local economy can enter a nomination in any of the categories.

Dorset Echo editor Diarmuid Macdonagh said: "We are delighted to be launching the inaugural Dorset Echo Industry Awards showcasing the best of business in this area.

We believe it is important to highlight the many companies, across myriad sectors, which make such a huge contribution to our economy.

"There are innovative industries, both big and small, operating in fields from food to fashion, tourism to technology, employing thousands of people, exporting around the world or helping to attract visitors to our county and we aim to celebrate their achievements with these prestigious awards."

Finalists will be invited to the Industry Awards ceremony at Weymouth College on July 7, where the winners will be announced.

The winners of each category will each receive £100, a trophy, a bottle champagne, and will be featured in the category winners' coverage in the Dorset Echo and online at dorsetecho.co.uk

THE INDUSTRY AWARDS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES;

• Best overall retailer - Sponsored by Fleetline Taxis
• Best customer service provider- Sponsored by Dowsetts
• Best social media marketing
• Best business development or innovative idea - Sponsored by Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce
• Best new business (opened in the last 2 years)- Sponsored by Basepoint
• Best contribution to local tourism - Sponsored by Pengillys
• Best product or Service - Sponsored by New Image
• Best community engagement business - Sponsored by Active Mobility
• Best business engagement with education - Sponsored by Weymouth College

How to enter; Businesses from the DT postcode sector can be nominated by sending 100-250 words by e-mail to debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk with Industry Awards in the subject line, up to 3 supporting documents may be provided as attachments.

The name, address, website, contact name and telephone number must be submitted with each nomination.

Nominations can be submitted by businesses for themselves or alternatively businesses may be nominated by someone from outside their business. The closing date for nominations will be June 13, 2016. Usual Newsquest competition terms and conditions will apply please visit newsquest.co.uk/terms for full details.

Once received the nominations will be judged by the judging panel and nominated business may undergo a mystery ‘shopper’ experience. The judges will be looking to announce the 3 finalists in each category w/c June 20 in the Dorset Echo.

All 3 finalists plus one guest each will be invited to join their category sponsors at the awards ceremony where the category winners will be announced.

The Industry Awards ceremony host Weymouth College will join the Dorset Echo in welcoming all Industry Award finalists and sponsors to join us at the Industry Awards ceremony on Thursday, July 7.

The winners of each category will all receive £100, a trophy, a bottle champagne and will be featured in the category winners' coverage in the Dorset Echo and online at dorsetecho.co.uk Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Abbie Evans 01305 830846