Havering Business Awards 2009

Havering Business Awards are recognised as one of the best events of its type. The awards have previously won the accolade of London's No 1 Business Event as the 2007 Winner of the VisitLondon Awards.

Comedian Jo Brand who came to prominence in the early 1990s and has appeared on a host of TV shows including QI and Have I Got News For You hosted this year's ceremony. Jo also raises money for Comic Relief and rape crisis groups.

Yvonne Bendall of Havering Council and Claire Hunt, of Essex-based Kat Creativ Ltd Marketing and Communications, arrange the ceremony.

Hunt said: "Jo Brand was absolutely fantastic, hysterically funny but a real professional. Each year we aim to change and improve the awards to make it a magical night, it is imperative that every finalists goes away feeling like a winner."

The venue for the awards, the CEME conference centre in Rainham, is typical of the way the Havering borough promotes itself.

The shiny steel and glass centre is within the M25 and just off the A13. It offers modern high quality rooms and equipment at out-of-town affordability.

There is an auditorium with full audiovisual facilities for product launches and presentations, and smaller rooms for seminars, interviews and networking events.

To find out about making your event a CEME success call Theresa Swift on 020 8596 5151 or visit the CEME conference centre website

Looking ahead....

This year's Havering Business Awards attracted a record number of entrants in many categories.

Already the organisers are thinking about next year.

A call for entrants for Havering Business Awards goes out to companies and the community in March each year.

The best entrants are short-listed and judges visit the three finalists selected for each category. The winners are announced at the annual awards ceremony.

If you know of a business that would like to enter the Havering Business Awards next year, call 01708 432047 and put down your company's name for a registration pack.