THIS week has seen the launch of the INSPIRE11 Business Awards – a major event that rewards and showcases business success in north Hampshire.

Phil Wilding, chairman of the organising committee for INSPIRE11, told the audience at the awards launch sponsored by Audleys Wood Hotel, Basingstoke: “This year, the geographical area for awards entries is bigger than ever – Rushmoor Borough Council are new sponsors – so we now cover the Test Valley, Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.”

A past winner isSam Willoughby, who in 2006 set up her What’s On 4 website business, based in Bramley. She went on to win E-Business of the Year Award at INSPIRE07 and INSPIRE10.

Sam told the audience: “I wanted to share with you three very specific ways that being involved with the INSPIRE awards have supported my business.

“First, it has given us focus. Entering is like business therapy. You are pausing from your usual madness of running a business to catalogue your achievements in a really positive way, and it makes you appreciate what you have done.

“It also helped us with our franchising here in the UK and overseas. Winning an INSPIRE award gives us instant credibility and also an independent endorsement, making us stand out from all the other franchises that are out there.

“Thirdly there is funding – yes, there is some real money! The sponsor of the E-Business of the Year Award at INSPIRE10 was UK Trade and Investment. So we had an instant introduction and we are now on the Passport to Export programme, where we have received training and have funding to support our franchising in Ireland and the US.”

This year’s INSPIRE11 awards will take place on November 10, although the venue has still to be confirmed. The closing date for nominations, which can be made by companies and individuals themselves, or by customers and employees, is July 31.

Nominations to enter the awards can made through the website at inspire businessawards.co.uk, and visitors can find out for themselves to see why last year’s event was such a success, by watching a video compiled by Sardine Media.