What we did
The Croydon Business Excellence Awards 2016, in association with Gatwick Airport, launched for the second year on Thursday, March 10. The launch event was hosted on the 15th floor of Impact House. All events throughout the process were decorated in line with our black, white and gold brand and our glittering launch was a prime example of the theme in action, even down to the drinks.
How we did it
Over 100 companies submitted entries into the 14 award categories and the awards were judged in a vigorous process featuring 25 independent judges. The awards judging was finalised at the judges' dinner that we arranged in one of Croydon's finest restaurants.
The culmination of Croydon Business Excellence Awards was the Gala Dinner and Charity Ball on Thursday 6th October 2016 at the very glamorous Grand Sapphire Hotel in Croydon supported by many sponsors namely Gatwick Airport, our title sponsor.
The black tie dinner was a spectacular event, with over 300 companies in attendance, which encapsulated the way in which the programme had taken business awards in Croydon to a new level. The evening was hosted by Julia Hartley-Brewer, accompanied by live swing band Stirling Austin, and began with a higher-or-lower competition. Our celebrity host led the ceremony as well as the prize draw and charity auction later in the evening. Showcasing some incredible Croydon-based businesses, the night was a true celebration of Croydon, as was attested by the victory of the winning company.
The drinks receptions, three course meal and awards ceremony were all accompanied by live music, including a harpist, a string quartet, and we engaged the Supreme Collective band to perform after dinner. These additions, alongside the casino and fun photo booth that set up as part of the after-dinner entertainment all contributed towards an event that we were very proud to have created.