SILVER trophies are up for grabs again as the county's top annual business contest gets underway. Kent Business Awards 2003 has been launched with an appeal to the county's top firms and individuals to "go for it."

Organisers are looking for a record entry in a prestigious contest that will end with victors enjoying a night of glory at the glittering gala awards dinner on June 19.

Altogether, 10 awards are on offer, including, for the first time, one for top businessman or woman.Others will recognise the way companies work with schools, colleges and training providers to raise employability of people about to enter the workplace.

There will be awards for the best use of IT, customer service and success through investing in people. Awards are also on offer for the leading small business (open to any firm employing 25 staff or fewer) and outstanding achievement by an organisation serving the community.

Speaking at the launch "masterclass" in the East Malling Conference Centre, Jill Cochrane, chairman of the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors, urged firms and organisations to enter to give themselves a chance of winning the coveted trophy, designed by Paul Harrison, a Kent silversmith.

"It will give you widespread recognition and prestige," she said. "It is a very pretty trophy, a powerful sales and marketing business tool. It's a boost for staff and very good for recruitment to have one of these."

Bosses of three previous winners gave a masterclass to would-be entrants. Tony Searles, of Award International, a promotional firm from Cliftonville that won the small business prize earlier in the year, spoke of his firm's progress since winning the trophy.

John Cooper, chief executive of the Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent (voluntary sector award) and David White, chief executive of Tunbridge Wells Equitable Friendly Society (Kent Company of the Year) explained what the award had done for their organisation.

Mr White could not praise it highly enough. There had been a fantastic reaction from staff when he took the trophy around the offices the morning after his society's triumph in June.

He had this message for companies: "Do it! More than anything, we have been able to recognise the people who work for us. Any award that comes from someone else, an outside independent body, lifts them enormously."

He added: "Recognition is more than anything I as chief executive or the senior management can give them."

Awards and sponsors: Kent Company of the Year (Kent County Council). Two categories: firms with more than 25 employees but fewer than 100; and businesses with 100 employees or more.

Success through Investors in People Award (Business Link Kent). Two categories: employers with fewer than 50 staff and employers with 50 or more.

Kent Businessman/Businesswoman of the Year (Invicta FM); Employability Award (Learning and Skills Council Kent and Medway); Small Business Award (Business Link Kent); Technology Award (Fidelity Investments); Customer Service Award (Bluewater); Voluntary Sector Award (Pfizer).

Other sponsors are the Kent Messenger Group, Fortis Bank, and Concept Media. The glittering gala awards dinner will be held at the Sage Pavilion, Sandgate, near Folkestone, on June 19.

Entry details on 01273 207155, fax 01273 207310, email info@kent-business-awards.co.uk or web www.kent-business-awards.co.uk. The deadline for entries is January 31.