sponsored by Suffolk Agricultural Association
The Suffolk Agricultural Association is delighted, once again to sponsor the Rural Business category in this year’s EADT Business Awards.
The Association was formed in 1831 as a charity, with the main purpose of advancing and promoting agriculture and allied industries. It naturally champions the promotion of the Suffolk countryside, the people that live there and businesses that thrive in rural areas.
It is fitting therefore that the Association presents the Rural Business award to honour businesses that have made their mark on the Suffolk countryside over the last year.
Chris Bushby, Executive Director said “this prestigious award recognises outstanding achievement across a number of areas including social and economic contribution to the local community, financial sustainability, diversification and future expansion plans.”
The Association achieves its charitable objectives through its three strategic arms: the Suffolk Show, Education and Trinity Park Events.
The annual Suffolk Show (2 & 3 June 2010) is the biggest event in the county and attracts over 85,000 visitors over 2 days. It provides the ideal platform for businesses to align their brand with the largest business and social event in the county via sponsorship or exhibiting.
The Association enhances the understanding of food, farming and related countryside businesses amongst its target audiences through conferences, educational projects in schools, colleges and universities and the staging of special events such as the annual School Farm and Country Fair.
Trinity Park Events Ltd is responsible for maximising the financial return from Trinity Park and its conference and events facilities to support the charitable objectives of the Association. The award winning Conference and Events Centre is Suffolk’s premier venue for conferences, business meetings and corporate or private events and is delighted to be hosting the Business Awards ceremony for the 4th consecutive year.
Judges of this category will be looking for businesses that have made a positive impact on the rural economy by providing services and/or employment in the countryside.
The venture may represent the diversification of an existing business or be a stand-alone business making an ongoing contribution to the rural community and economy.
The judges will also have regard for measures to minimise the environmental impact of the business and seek a commitment to sustainability.
In addition the accounts information requested, please let us have the following information about your business:
- What does your business do and is it a diversification of another business?
- How many people does the business employ (if part of a larger organisation, how many people at the rurally located business unit which is entering the award)
- What contribution does the business make to the local community other than providing jobs?
- How will the business develop over the next 5 years?
