The Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2012 was officially launched at Shepherd Neame’s Old Brewery Store, in Faversham. KEiBAs are not just a badge of success – they also inspire confidence and win new customers, former KEIBA stars told a business networking event held to launch this year’s awards.

Now in their fourth year, the prestige associated with winning an award is gaining national recognition. The awards scheme is staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group, and aims to recognise excellence in business across Kent and Medway.

This year, a new category has been introduced, ‘Success in International Markets’, to recognise companies that are challenging the current economic climate by developing fresh markets abroad. It is hoped that successful businesses can be held up as an inspiration for other Kent firms looking to export their goods or services.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Kevin Lynes, said:

“Awards are one of the most powerful and cost-effective marketing tools and winning a prestigious Kent Excellence in Business Award will help your organisation to stand out from the crowd, send a positive message to your existing customers and attract new business.

“Whether yours is a large or small company, there are lots of very good reasons to enter KEiBA 2012 – winning one of these awards raises your company profile and reputation, boosts staff morale and retention, generates invaluable media coverage, helps attract quality new staff and, of course, it impresses potential customers and investors.

“Kent is an excellent place to do business and KEiBA is about celebrating the best of the best in this wonderful county of ours.”

Richard Elliot, Managing Director, KM Group, said:

“Like many businesses across the county 2011 was a tough year, given the economic climate, and therefore through KEiBA it is important to reward those businesses that met the challenge with innovation, drive, strong financial management, determination and sheer hard work.

“The KM Group is particularly pleased to see the return of the award for Business Commitment to the Community in 2012. This is an area that is very dear to our hearts. We recognise that continuing to support our local communities is extremely important in these difficult economic times.

“Now in its fourth year, KEiBA is considered to be the premier accolade that businesses in Kent and Medway can aspire to. Winning one of these awards says a tremendous amount about your business.”

Sonja Wood, founder of Ecosan, who won Business Commitment to the Environment 2011, said:

“Since winning the KEiBA award our business has grown massively. We now employ 12 members of staff. We only started in 2007 with me and my husband. All our staff are Kent people and we are very proud to be a Kent success story. The KEiBA is so wonderful because it is so positive. We’ve got great recognition within the business community and since winning the KEiBA award have gained a lot of new customers. It has also opened the door for us to a lot of business that we would have never considered before. Just because they have heard of the KEiBA, they will give us time, listen to us. We have the opportunity now to land our biggest contract ever – and that is because of the KEiBA.

“I think everybody should enter the KEiBAs – what have you got to lose?”

Luke Quilter, managing director of Sleeping Giant Media, won Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011. He said:

“The whole KEiBA experience has been amazingly positive. It is a great opportunity to get external validation for all the hard work you put into your business. Sometimes it is hard when you try to explain what it is you do. Awards like KEiBA really give you that validation. It is external input showing you are genuine and you really can deliver on what you say you can.”