Businesses from all over the county will gather at Kingston Country Courtyard near Corfe Castle on Wednesday June 17 to officially launch the 2015 Dorset Business Awards in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo.

The Awards, which celebrate the thriving spirit of business in the region by shining a spotlight on outstanding organisations and business leaders, are set to be even bigger than before, with the introduction of a brand new category for 2015, ‘VoIP Unlimited Business Engagement with Education Award’.

Sponsored by Tower Park-based Breeze Volkswagen, the launch will highlight the achievements of previous Dorset Business Award winners and reveal the Award categories for 2015. Invited guests will have the opportunity to network with other business professionals, listen to guest speakers and hear more about this year’s categories.

Organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry since 2006, and backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105, the Awards ceremony has become so popular the 2015 Gala Dinner has been moved to the Windsor Hall in the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) to accommodate all the sponsors, finalists and guests.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry, says: “As the Dorset Business Awards comes of age, we anticipate an exciting year for businesses across Dorset entering the Awards programme to achieve not just local but national recognition for their achievements. The Awards provide the ideal platform to share your successes - winning one of these sought-after accolades sends out a clear message to the business community that your company is remarkable and is continuing to thrive.”

Mark Pillow, managing director of VoIP Unlimited and sponsor of the Business Engagement with Education Award, comments: “We are delighted to be associated with this prestigious event by backing a new award to support the emerging business talent in this region. The Dorset Business Awards recognise innovation, excellence and the determination to succeed, and we are thrilled to be onboard for 2015.”

Ian Girling adds: “Due to the success of the 2014 event, we have confirmed the Bournemouth International Centre as this year’s venue for the Gala Dinner. We are looking forward to working with the BIC to stage the biggest and best event yet!”

From June 17, businesses will be able to enter via www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk until Friday September 11.

The Awards’ campaign will culminate in a prestigious gala dinner ceremony on Thursday November 26 at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Companies interested in finding out more about the launch event or Award categories should contact Lorraine Hubbard on 01202 714810.