Business Development Award: sponsored by England Marketing. This award is open to any company that can show it has achieved and maintained a business development strategy. Judges will be looking for: the company s approach to customer needs, a successful

Business Development Award: sponsored by England Marketing. This award is open to any company that can show it has achieved and maintained a business development strategy. Judges will be looking for: the company's approach to customer needs, a successful business development plan, knowledge of competition and market place, ability to monitor and provide evidence of a sales and marketing strategy.

Small Business of the Year: is sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, Huntington. This award is open to any company which began trading prior to January 2004 and employees up to 25 members of staff. It will need to demonstrate a clear defined business plan for the next 12 months and comprehension of its market place, innovation and vision, customer care and turnover.

Retailer of the Year: sponsored by DH Barford and Co chartered surveyors. The award is open to any retail outlet that can show good performance over the past 12 months. Judges will look for: knowledge of the product range and market place, details of premises and design, customer service and staff satisfaction, expansion strategy, and performance charts for the past 12 months.

Business Person of the Year: sponsored by Leeds Day Solicitors. This award recognises a senior individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their company's performance. If you would like to nominate a senior individual, you will need to provide evidence of their abilities. How the person manages change and innovation and their team, examples of their personal contribution to the success of the company, detail their personal biography, education, training and experience.

Employer of the Year: sponsored by Luminus Group. This award is open to any company that employs staff and can prove excellent development and induction programmes. Details about staff satisfaction and motivation, internal communication, working environments, staff benefits, training programmes and work-life balance are necessary.

Innovation Award: sponsored by Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership. This award celebrates businesses prepared to conceive, test and practice new ideas. Provide evidence of: inventiveness of products and services, innovation and its benefits, and the implementation of the vision. Also provide a marketing plan to show how your innovation could help other businesses.

Employee of the Year: sponsored by Piggott Black Bear. This award is open to employees who have made a significant contribution to the company's success or their own personal development and who have been with their current employer for at least 12 months. Provide details of the employee's relationship with customers and colleagues, professional attitude, time-keeping, and ambition.

Sustainable Development Award: sponsored by Sealed Air. This award is open to companies that contribute to the environment, community and society. You will need to provide details of: projects your company is involved in and future plans to benefit the environment, society or local economy, and show the effects of these on the local community. Also detail how the company supports education with regards to informing or involving students in environmental/community issues.

Business of the Year: sponsored by Whitmarsh Sterland. This award isn't open to apply for directly. The winnerwill be chosen from category finalists.

HOW TO ENTER: Closing date for entries of all award categories is 5pm, Friday, August 25. For further information and an entry form contact Carol Gray on carol.gray@archant.co.uk or 01763 245241 or apply online at: www.cambs24.co.uk/businessawards

The Awards Evening

The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards culminates in an annual Awards Dinner - a black tie event that sells out every year. The event is unique and combines the fun and excitement of the award ceremony celebrating the Huntingdonshire business talent and an opportunity to make contacts.

This year's event is on Friday, November 10, at Burgess Hall, St Ives. Tickets can be reserved and early booking is advised as previous years have seen waiting lists. Contact Carol Gray on 01763 245241.