Mark Jones is partnerships manager at Destination Basingstoke. He has worked in Basingstoke for 27 years, including 13 years as editor of the Gazette and eight years as director of communications and fundraising at Ark Cancer Charity.

IT REALLY is awards season at this time of year – but while the BAFTAs and Oscars will be handed out over the coming weeks, for businesses in Basingstoke and Deane, it’s all about getting those entries in for the INSPIRE Business Awards 2024.

The team at Destination Basingstoke (DB) is proud and honoured to organise these annual business awards – it’s something that DB has been doing for nearly 20 years and the event has proved to be a great and popular celebration of local businesses.

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This year, DB is pleased to have added some new awards to the list that are up for grabs –there is a total of 12 plus a Winner of Winners Award.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has again stepped up to be headline sponsor at the event – a great show of support by the local authority in the local business community.

The event is also being supported by new and previous sponsors – all of which speaks volumes about the commitment of these companies to the business community as well as their backing for an awards event that delivers for sponsors, finalists and winners.

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I’ve always been wowed by the can-do approach of the people in the Basingstoke and Deane business community. There are so many people who are passionate about the town and borough and want to do what they can to make sure that local businesses thrive. They are also proud of what businesses and individuals are doing, and INSPIRE gives them the opportunity to showcase and celebrate excellence and achievement.

Like all awards, you’ve got to be in it to win it, so if you want to get your eyes on the prize, you need to get your entries in by the Thursday, February 29 deadline – you can enter at destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/inspire.

Good luck to all those who end up in the running for the trophies, and Team DB look forward to putting the spotlight on the sponsors, finalists and winners when the INSPIRE Business Awards night arrives at Oakley Hall on Thursday, July 11.