Winning awards as a business can do wonders for your brand awareness, as well as building trust amongst your customers and connections. As marketers, it’s always handy to have a list of the opportunities available to your business or your clients.

While national and international awards may have further reach, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to get your brand recognised in Norfolk. Plus, we know that running awards isn’t easy, so we wanted to shine a light on the other organisations doing great things for the region.

Have you entered any of these before? If not, make a note of the launch dates and deadlines, and consider submitting a nomination.

1. Eastern Daily Press Business Awards

Best for: Businesses of any size and industry, as well as some individual categories

Every year, the Eastern Daily Press Business Awards bring together Norfolk’s business community for an elegant evening where achievements, individuals, and important milestones within a company are celebrated.

These awards serve as a platform to connect with similar professionals, offering valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, winning or participating in these awards can enhance a company’s brand visibility through increased media coverage. It doesn’t matter if a business is just starting out or has been around for a while; these awards provide a chance to applaud the dynamic businesses that contribute to Norfolk’s economic landscape.

The nominations tend to open around summer and the celebration event takes place towards the end of the year. You can find out more on their website: https://www.edpbusinessawards.co.uk/

2. DevelopHER Awards

Best for: Women in the tech and digital space

The DevelopHER Awards is an annual event in East Anglia, recognizing women in the tech sector. It began in 2015 in Norwich, growing each year with over 150 attendees and 130 nominations across 11 categories. Now held in Norwich, Ipswich, or Cambridge, it returns to Norwich in 2023.

Founded by Vickie Allen, an advocate for gender equality in tech, the awards aim to elevate women’s profiles in the industry, inspiring future generations. You can support by nominating, sponsoring, attending, or volunteering.​

You can find out more on their website: https://www.developherawards.com/

3. Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards

Best for: Businesses of any size and industry

The Broadland and South Norfolk Councils host an annual event where businesses from the two districts can nominate themselves for recognition in various categories. For instance, there are awards for Business Collaboration, which acknowledges companies that excel in working together. Another category, Business Growth, celebrates companies that have demonstrated significant expansion.

For businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors, there are specific awards such as Visitor Experience, and Pub of the Year and Retailer of the Year awards for both Broadland and South Norfolk, with nominations open to the public.

You can find out more on their website: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/broadland-south-norfolk-business-awards

4. Muddy Awards

Best for: Independent Lifestyle businesses

The Muddy Stilettos Awards are highly sought-after honors for independent lifestyle businesses, spanning 28 counties and requiring no entry fee. These awards are characterized by positivity and enjoyment, providing the 3.8 million readers with an opportunity to express gratitude to their beloved local establishments.

You can find out more on their website: https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/

6. Norfolk Arts Awards

Best for: Artists and contributors to the Norfolk art community

The Norfolk Arts Awards provide an opportunity to honor local organizations, projects, or individuals who have greatly influenced Norfolk’s arts and cultural landscape in the past year. It’s a platform to celebrate their significant contributions and recognize their impact on the community’s artistic and cultural vibrancy.

You can find out more on their website: https://norfolkartsawards.org/about-us/award-categories/


7. Norfolk Food & Drink Awards

Best for: Cafés, restaurants, hospitality spaces and food/drink products

Norfolk’s culinary scene has long been revered for its array of food and drink businesses, ranging from specialized ingredient providers to restaurants offering inspired menus, solidifying its status as a hotspot in the industry.

The Norfolk Food and Drink Awards provide both businesses and customers with a platform to nominate their favorites, offering a chance to recognize Norfolk’s food heroes and heroines. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge those who have not only weathered the storm but have also made substantial contributions, enriching the culinary landscape and adding to the county’s flavorful tapestry.

You can find out more on their website: https://www.norfolkfada.co.uk/


8. Norfolk Women’s Marketing Awards

Best for: Women and non-binary marketers in Norfolk

The NWM Awards were created to mark the second anniversary of Norfolk Women’s Marketing Network CIC. One of our primary values is empowerment, which we aim to promote by celebrating the talent in our amazing community.

There are 7 awards to be won in total, each with its own remit, conditions, and judging criteria – please read each description carefully and nominate for as many awards as you see fit. Each category can be sponsored by a generous business, you can find out more about our sponsors on the individual category pages: The Star Award, The Leader Award, The Marketer Award, The Newcomer Award, The Role Model Award, The Changemaker Award, and The Ally Award – which is the only business award available.

You can find out more on the central page: https://nwmnetwork.co.uk/awards/

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