What we did
The annual Croydon Business Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements of Croydon's thriving business community at a time of unsurpassed growth in London's largest borough. White Label have overseen the growth of the Awards year on year and aimed to make 2017 the biggest and best ever. We managed and successfully delivered the event, from launch to the final glittering black-tie Gala Awards Dinner & Charity Ball on 5th October, 2017, which attracted a record 460 guests.
How we did it
The White Label Events Team covered all the organisational details of staging such a major event, from the spring launch party with business leaders, sponsors and local stakeholders, through to the overall management and promotion of the awards entry and judging process. Entries rose by an astonishing 50% on 2016, with 200 businesses applying across 14 categories. We obtained top class sponsorship from local and national companies, including London Gatwick Airport, our headline Business of the Year sponsor for a second year running. White Label also achieved wide-ranging press and social media coverage to promote and raise the profile of the Awards, including working with our local Awards Media Partner, The Croydon Advertiser. The event culminated in a sumptuous Gala Awards Dinner & Charity Ball at the Grand Sapphire Hotel & Banqueting Suites for 460 guests, who enjoyed a champagne reception, a three course dinner, entertainment, music and dancing to two live bands. Celebrity host Kevin Day announced that £10,000 had been raised on the evening for local charities.
What they said
Cllr Mark Watson, Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs, London Borough of Croydon - Sponsor:
"Congratulations to everyone for what was a really great evening. It was a fantastic turnout, with 460 people at the Gala Dinner - it shows great confidence in Croydon's business community and as a council we are very pleased to do what we can to support businesses."
Mark Boret, Managing Director, Fleetline Coachworks:
"I am in awe of this amazing event – it was a really fabulous, well organised evening. I was surrounded by so many great businesses who are doing such a fantastic job in Croydon."
Tom Collins, Assistant Principal, Croydon College - Apprentice Employer of the Year:
"We are ecstatic to win. This is the third year we have entered - it's all about celebrating the success of our young people and we are absolutely over the moon for them."
Yuliana Topazly, My Outspace Business Centre - Women in Business:
"I was delighted to see the new Women in Business category in the awards and I am very proud to be the first winner. I hope even more businesswomen come forward and apply next year to show the great things they are doing."
Ravi Deswani, Founder, Crystalusion Limited - Tech Innovation of the Year: "It's phenomenal to win this award for the entire team. We see the growth taking place in Croydon and are extremely proud to be part of that - it's a great place to do business and these awards really celebrate that."