GLAMOROUS surroundings, good food, great entertainment – and some of the best businesses in the country. That was what the refreshed and revitalised Nottingham Post Business Awards 2013 served up at the East Midlands Conference Centre.
They also produced some inspirational stories of entrepreneurial achievement – and plenty of screams of joy from winners who were genuinely thrilled to have been picked out as among the best in business.
More than 400 people packed the conference centre for the awards ceremony, which was organised by Champions (UK) plc.
The evening began with a champagne reception for all the finalists, award sponsors and guests, who were enter tained by music from singer Georgia Holland.
There was more entertainment as the evening got into full swing from Graham Jolley, who mixed magic, memory tricks and some wicked humour.
Nottingham Post Media Group publisher Steve Hollingsworth opened the formal part of the evening, acknowledging the challenges posed by a tough economy but sounding an optimistic note.
He said: "The entrepreneurial spirit in this room tonight, the achievements and innovations of these businesses, tell us that we can look forward to a brighter economic future in our city and county."
It was East Midlands Today's Anne Davies and TV personality Paul Ross who introduced those great businesses, with winners announced by individual award sponsors.
Retail Assist crowned the evening, with Ian Blatherwick, managing partner of Browne Jacobson, revealing that the retail software solutions business had been chosen as the winner of the flagship award, Nottinghamshire Company of the Year 2013.
It was an evening that debunked some of the prevailing myths about business.
While banks and big businesses have been given a pasting for taking more than they give, Ikano Financial Services won the RSM Tenon-sponsored Contribution to the Community award for a business philosophy based on treating people fairly and putting something back into the community.
And the march of chain retailers hasn't stopped the winner of the Retailer of the Year award, popular independent deli Delilah Fine Foods, which was warmly praised by Jonathan Lawson, chief executive of sponsor Vision Express.
Showing that manufacturing in Notts is very much alive and kicking was A1 Flue Systems, the family-run businesses taking the Excellence in Manufacturing Award, sponsored by Lloyds-TSB Commercial banking. And there was success at the double, with an overjoyed Liz Hobbs winning not only the ncn-sponsored Small Business of the Year award for her events business but also the Business Entrepreneur of the Year award, sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council.
She wasn't the only winner almost overcome with emotion, Debbie Bryan leaving the stage ecstatic after her business walked away with the Creative Industries Award.
Reflecting on the event, Matthew Hayes, managing director of organisers Champions (UK) plc, said: "The Nottingham Post Business Awards were a great way to showcase the many businesses we have in Nottinghamshire. All of the winners and finalists were deserving of their awards and I was pleased that Champions (UK) plc was able to provide an evening that reflected the outstanding quality of all of the finalists and the prestige of our generous sponsors."