BY ANY standards, Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2015 was a great success and MK Business Leaders Partnership is proud to have delivered another great event.
With nearly 600 guests, up more than 15% on 2014, it was a sell-out.
We had some great feedback for our compere, the distinctive trophies, the fabulous live band and the food and service.
There was a fantastic reception in the room for all our winners and especially for the deserved Lifetime Achievement Award to MK Dons FC chairman Pete Winkelman and Business of the Year Award for Bletchley Park.
We produced a further surplus to be donated to the Business Leaders Fund for start-up businesses, held by the Milton Keynes Community Foundation.
The chatter and laughter as guests mingled before the show demonstrated how in just two years MK BAA has become the biggest and probably the friendliest annual gathering of business people in the region.
MKBLP always envisaged MK BAA as the showcase recognising and rewarding local business excellence, to sit alongside our breakfast briefings, dinners with significant key speakers and our regular contact with local and national government, regional agencies and business informers and influencers.
MKBLP is not resting on its laurels to improve and further establish the event.
For MK BAA 2016 we have actress, comedienne and gifted impersonator Debra Stephenson as compere as well as a few surprises up our sleeve.
At the top of our ‘to do’ list is reaching more businesses and persuading them of the benefits of entering. They include the positive media exposure generated, the effect on staff morale and, for finalists, a great night out.
In 2015 we expected a greater response from businesses in those entry categories where this area is so strong: in logistics and distribution, in retail and in manufacturing and we want to see them much better represented.
There are thousands of other businesses of all kinds within the MK postcode area – and that includes Bedford and Buckingham – that have yet to be part of MKBAA.
So please enter one of the 12 open award categories and take your chance to shine in 2016.
We have a streamlined two-stage online entry process that is even easier to navigate, as well as the opportunity for businesses to be nominated by others.
We are now open for entries via the MK BAA website www.mkbaa.co.uk – closing date is November 30 2015.
To find out how your business can be a part of MK BAA 2016 as a sponsor or supporter, please contact me at phs@phsconsultancy.com.
I hope to see you all on March 10 next year.
