Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking

Widely recognised as the award for exceptional performance in business, this premier sector is open to companies with an annual turnover in excess of £2 million. Entrants need to show outstanding success during their most recent full financial year and can be judged on criteria ranging from growth and increased trading profit through to development of services.

Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Business Initiative

The category created for the small businesses which make a major contribution to the economy. Criteria includes turnover not exceeding £2 million during their most recent full trading year. Entrants have to demonstrate solid success – be it growth in profit or turnover, exploiting new products, production, services or markets.

Young Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Hacking Ashton LLP

Entrants must have been 40 or under on January 1, 2008. They may be employed or self-employed and should be directly responsible for the success of their enterprise.

Candidates will be able to demonstrate a role in improving profits, introducing new products and services, or opening up markets.

Start-up Business of the Year Award sponsored by Keele University Science and Business Park

An award to promote and encourage the most vigorous of enterprises among new ventures.

The enterprise must be independent and not a subsidiary of another organisation and have been established within the past two years.

The judges will be looking for evidence of early financial success and a sound business plan.

Contribution to the Community Award, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council

The award honouring those enterprises which are putting something back into the community. Contenders may have been funding charitable activities, providing recreational facilities, or assisting young people's enterprise start-ups. Entrants should show they have worked in partnership with local communities.

International Trade Award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment

This award will be made for outstanding achievement in international trade. Entries are welcome from new or established exporters and from companies involved in overseas strategic alliances or manufacturing partnerships, and also from providers of financial services, training, consultancy, professional services etc.

The growth in international trade in relation to the size of the company, and its overall success, will be of importance.

Business Innovation Award, sponsored by the Business Innovation Centre (BIC)

Entrants will be companies for which a new idea, or novel use of an existing one, is making a significant contribution to its business.

That contribution could be by way of a new product, service or process, and the judges will be keen to hear about the intellectual processes which gave rise to its design and development.

Environmental Business Award, sponsored by Michelin

Companies must have introduced environmental improvements which are enhancing the quality of life within North Staffordshire. Qualifying projects must have been completed, or have reached a meaningful stage, within the past 12 months.

Typical benefits are likely to be a reduction of harmful emissions, waste and or noise, improved usage of raw materials or transport efficiency, land reclamation, or action taken to reduce the impact of business activity on neighbours.

Investing in People, sponsored by Learning & Skills Council

Businesses must be able to demonstrate a real commitment to the training and personal development of staff. The judges will be interested in the adoption of strategic training and development strategies which have resulted in real and demonstrable benefits to the business. Entrants will need to be working towards, or to have achieved, Investors in People Standard.

Communications Technology in Business Award, sponsored by BT Local Business

This award will go to the company that has introduced new technology to improve communications with external or internal customers and/or suppliers and, where appropriate, is utilising e-commerce in its trading activities. The judges will be interested in the benefits that the technology has brought.

Design Excellence Award, sponsored by Staffordshire University

This award will go to the company with a product which exhibits design excellence – an innovative product which has a practical purpose, is economic to produce and makes a significant contribution to business success. There are no restrictions on the type of product, so long as it demonstrates all of the success criteria, with particular emphasis on innovation, creativity and application of good design.

Promoting Success on Screen, sponsored by RSM Bentley Jennison

Companies reaching the finals of the Business Awards will be profiled on videos to be shown at the awards presentation dinner in April.

The Awards programme is presented in association with North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry