Shortlist announced for Entrepreneur of the Industry Award 2007

shortlist of five people comprising the UK promotional marketing industry's most innovative entrepreneurs has been decided by a high profile judging panel searching for the 2007 The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, an annual initiative by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA).

The shortlist includes entrepreneurs Tim Cadel, managing director of Business Baubles, the personalised baubles company; Matt Franks, director of Eco Incentives, the environmentally friendly promotional product and business gift company; Evan Lewis, director of Everything Environmental which provides distributors with recycled and eco-friendly business and promotional gifts; Calypso Rose, managing director of Clippykit, the bespoke designer Clippykit bag company and Tricia Weener, managing director of Intelligent Marketing & Communications, the integrated marketing agency.

This shortlist was drawn up after written submissions were reviewed and interviews conducted by with judges including Michelle Dewberry, winner of The Apprentice in 2006 and founder of Michelle Dewberry Limited; Danny Bamping, winner of the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award and managing director of Bedlam Puzzles; Alistair Frost, Microsoft UK consumer marketing communications lead and Colin Lloyd, promotional marketing entrepreneur and president of the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP).

David Lebond, Chairman of the BPMA and of the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award judging panel commented: “For a second year we were amazed by the exceptional talent which makes up our industry. The response to this initiative recognising innovation and creativity has been overwhelming and we realise choosing an overall winner will be a challenging decision.

The winner of The Entrepreneur Of The Industry Award will be announced on 19 December in London.

Entrants announced for prestigious Entrepreneur of the Industry Award

Judging panel announced for prestigious Entrepreneur of the Industry Award.

The organisers of the 2007 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, a nationwide search for the most dynamic individual in promotional marketing, have revealed the judging panel for this year's initiative.

Judges confirmed include Michelle Dewberry, winner of The Apprentice in 2006 and founder of Michelle Dewberry Limited; Danny Bamping, winner of the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award and MD of Bedlam Puzzles; Brian Binley, Conservative MP for Northampton South and member of the DTI Select Committee and Chair of the Conservative Enterprise Group; Alistair Frost, Microsoft UK's consumer marketing communications lead; Colin Lloyd, promotional marketing entrepreneur and past president of the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP) and Grant Morgan, MD of the Louis Kennedy Partnership, a leading promotional merchandise supplier.

The judging panel will be chaired by British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) chairman, David Lebond.

David Lebond, commented: "Our judging panel for 2007 has been strengthened by the expertise and insight of Danny Bamping, our first winner, in addition to the highly astute and widely respected Michelle Dewberry. We're all looking forward to judging entries from the large pool of talent working within the exciting below the line industry."

The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award is open to any candidate from the many areas of the creative and vibrant below the line industry. In summary, the criteria will be looking at:

The winner of The Entrepreneur Of The Industry Award will be announced on 19 December in London.

Touchstone Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd, the organisers of the National Incentive Show, is delighted to sponsor The Entrepreneur of the Industry award. The National Incentive Show, 25 - 27 September 2007, the UK 's most established event for the incentive, motivational and promotional marketing industry. Supported by the BMPA this is a must see event for anyone in search of products and services to attract new customers, drive sales and reward employees. So don't delay and register now:
www.nationalincentiveshow.co.uk

The National Incentive Show is gathering information on the people's experience of incentives & promotional marketing and would be grateful to hear from you. Complete the survey here:
http://www.nationalincentiveshow.co.uk/page.cfm/Action=Form/FormID=4/t=m

The deadline for submissions will be the last minute of the National Incentive Show (NIS), 25-27 September 2007 at Birmingham's NEC.

The Awards Presentation will take place at the BPMA Christmas Lunch and Awards Ceremony on the 19th December at the Riverbank Park Plaza, situated on the Albert Embankment. http://www.bpma-events.co.uk/christmaslunch07.htm

Why participate?

An award that recognizes what you and/or your team have achieved boosts morale and motivates everyone. It is also much more than just a thank you ar a pat on the back. It is an award from your peers which really means something. Last years finalists will vouch for that.

Last year the award was judged by a panel of very different, yet highly astute industry leaders none of whom had any idea how this new initiative would turn out and something unexpected happened during the judging process. Rather than a review of the finalists' career successes to date, there were lively debates and each finalist and the judges walked away with something valuable. Judges left with a refreshing insight into how leaders are shaping their industry, and finalists gained important feedback and helpful analysis from the judges. Competitions in their traditional sense rarely allow for this scenario.

Entrepreneurship across the whole of our industry is critical to its continuing success and this award will raise your company's profile through direct contact with your fellow participants, judges and sponsors and via the media.

What sets an entrepreneur apart?

There are some key characteristics that we believe make the difference.

• An entrepreneur has vision - This is the driving force of an enterprise. They turn the vision into a reality and passionately promote it, so it becomes a success.
• They are positve thinkers and decision makers - They are used to overcoming adversity and barriers and make incisive decisions that make change happen quickly.
• Determination. They never give up - This unrelenting determination drives them through the highs and lows of growing a business and is an essential foundation for success.
• They take prudent risks - They assess costs, market/customer needs and persuade others to join and help.
• They know when something's not working - Many business owners have unrelenting determination in pursuing ideas that will never work. So the paradox is, while you need determination, you also need the ability to know what to be determined about. This is a subtle skill that sorts the achievers from the masses.
• An outstanding marketer - It does not matter how great your idea is, you have to be able to convert it into positive outcomes so this is a vital skill.
• They are able to deal with setbacks - The majority of people see setbacks as something to feel bad about. The entrepreneur regards setbacks as something to learn from.

How does the judging process work?

The judging panel meet to review the entries and agree a shortlist based on the information submitted and the criteria they are looking for. Short-listed finalists are then invited to attend an interview as part of the final selection process. The judging panel, which will be led by David Lebond, Chairman of the British Promotional Merchandise Association and Executive Director of P&MM Ltd, part of motivcom, will include senior and visionary people from both within the industry and from the wider business environment.

What are the judges looking for?

The short-list decision will be based on the on the written submission and supporting evidence. Overall this should demonstrate the following:-

The final stage interview will give you the opportunity to put your words into action.

Who can enter?

Anyone, at any level involved in the industry. i.e. agency, manufacturer, service provider, supplier, printer, buyer, sourcer, distributor, product designer etc.

Next steps

1. Download the INFORMATION PACK
2. Complete the ENTRY FORM and return it with your submission by the closing date.
3. Commit to participate in an interview if selected as a finalist.
4. As a finalist, commit to attend the Awards Ceremony in December.