North East Companies Invited To Attend 8th Annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise

Companies from across the North East are today (date of issue) being reminded to book their table at the 8^th annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Keynote speaker for the event is one of Britain's highest profile entrepreneurs, Simon Woodroffe, founder of Yo! Sushi. A known face from his time as a panellist on Dragon's Den, Simon spent thirty years in the entertainment business before founding Yo! Sushi, a conveyor belt sushi bar. The restaurant became an overnight success and the brand continues to expand both at home and abroad. Simon is currently expanding the YO! brand with the development of YOTEL, the world's most radical hotel described as "a cross between first class air cabin and luxury micro-living" and YO! Zone, a spa, café, bar and nightclub. As an active supporter of budding entrepreneurs Simon has developed YO! How, an online support community where people can get advice on public speaking, appearances in the media, book and video publishing and training programmes. Simon is one of the five entrepreneurs to advise the government on economic prosperity. Local business men and women will have an exclusive opportunity to hear Simon's inspiring business story at the prestigious awards ceremony held on Thursday 7^th June 2007 at Aberdeen's Ardoe House Hotel.

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust (ENET) comments, "The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise is putting the spotlight on new, enterprising companies that look set to make their mark on the north east economy. Attending the event will not only demonstrate support for local businesses, but also provides an ideal networking opportunity amongst the 400 north east businessmen and women who are expected to attend. We are also delighted to be welcoming Simon Woodroffe as this year's key note speaker. Entrepreneurs from the Grampian area have an exclusive opportunity to hear Simon impart his personal and business wisdom during his first public speaking event in the region. His talks are renowned for rousing motivation and inspiration with the immense honesty and passion by which Simon shares his experiences. "

The Awards recognise business accomplishment, innovation and entrepreneurial flair and are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (ENET), which delivers Business Gateway services in the north-east on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian, sponsors of the event along with The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The awards include categories for new businesses, business growth, innovation and commitment to the community. The 14 finalists, drawn from across the north east, will each receive a certificate at the awards ceremony and the winners will receive the coveted Enterprise award along with a cheque for up to £5,000.

Stuart Heslop, director of commercial banking, Aberdeen for RBS says, "This is the sixth consecutive year that RBS has proudly sponsored the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Each year we see a high calibre of businesses being commended for their success, pioneering ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, qualities that RBS values and promotes. I look forward to meeting all the finalists at the awards ceremony in June and congratulating the five winners of the coveted Enterprise award."

The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen. Tickets cost £80 per guest (plus VAT) or £800 (plus VAT) for a table of ten. The event begins with a champagne reception at 7pm, with carriages at 12.30am. Tickets for the event can be booked by calling 01467 672535, emailing Karen.clark@enetrust.com or completing a booking form online at www.grampianawards.com.

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

Kelly Morrison

Account Executive

Tricker PR

Telephone: 01224 646491

Email: kmorrison@trickerpr.com