A CELEBRATION of Dorset business achievement will be launched next week.

The 2012 Dorset Business Awards will be launched on June 27 at the Victorian Barn, Woolland, near Sturminster Newton.

The awards, now in their 19th year, are backed by the Dorset Echo and Bournemouth Daily Echo and are being organised for the seventh year in a row by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The launch event, sponsored by Tower Park-based motor dealership Breeze Volkswagen, will celebrate the achievements of former winners and reveal this year’s award categories.

Established 18 years ago to find the region’s top business leaders, companies, employers and entrepreneurs the awards have good support from the business community and always see a lot of entries.

Award sponsors for 2012 are Bournemouth University, the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, JP Morgan, KPMG, Liz Lean PR, Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, Prince-croft Willis and Superior, as well as newcomers Barclays, the Dolphin Shopping Centre, Hays and Lloyds Bank. Peter Scott, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The launch of our regional business awards is always an exciting moment for us and it’s great to have Breeze Volkswagen sponsoring this event this year. “The event attracts the cream of Dorset’s businesses every year.

“Economic conditions have never been tougher but this competition always unearths great examples of businesses which are doing extremely well against the odds. The resilience of Dorset business is genuinely encouraging and our awards offer firms the recognition they deserve.”

John Corderoy, managing director of Breeze Volkswagen, said the launch would signal to the business community that the entries for this year’s awards were open.

He said: “The Dorset Business Awards have gained a reputation as the most coveted business accolade. As such, we are delighted to be associated with the 2012 launch event, which will signal the opening of the entry process. “By supporting the launch of the awards it provides us with the opportunity to reinforce the strong relationships we have with corporate customers locally.”

The awards will open on Monday, July 2 and close on Friday, September 14. For more information on how to enter visit www.

dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or call Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.