Scores of businesses fought their way through snow for the launch of the most prestigious business awards in the county.

Dozens of guests made it to Chatham Historic Dockyard to mark the opening of KEiBA 2017, which is now open for entries.

Now in its ninth year, the launch evening has been established as the first major networking event of the year on the Kent calendar.

Scroll down for video

Run by Kent County Council and the KM Group, the awards are presented in front of more than 600 people at a gala dinner at the Kent Showground in Detling in June.

There are 16 categories to be entered, including a new construction project of the year prize. By popular demand, SME business of the year has been split into two gongs – small business of the year and medium business of the year.

Guests at the launch were treated to a reception in the Historic Dockyard’s Command of the Oceans exhibition.

They heard from past winners about the impact of being honoured at the KEiBAs, short for the Kent Excellence in Business Awards.

Ben Perkins, one of the team at Aero Legends, which won start-up business of the year at KEiBA 2016, said: “The main benefit has been the coverage but it was also a huge moral boost.

“Now, when we are recruiting new staff, we advertise that they are joining an award-winning team, which is great.

“We are also generating more footfall through the door and have a lot more customers in Kent now.”

Michele Harriman-Smith, chief executive of Childrensalon, which won the customer service and commitment award last year, said: “We feel really proud. We have won awards elsewhere but we feel really proud to win in Kent.”

HR director Denise Hamilton added: “It’s incredibly motivational. Everyone was really psyched, especially the customer service team. It makes it all worthwhile.”

Kent County Council cabinet member for economic development Cllr Mark Dance said: “Excellence in business is the key word. It is what we aspire to. Kent has always batted above its rate.

“It’s not easy running a business in this climate. Banks could do more and it’s difficult times.

“These companies earn good healthy profits and employ more people, expand and export. That’s a KEiBA winner. We really have something to celebrate.”

KM Group managing director Richard Elliot added: “KEiBA is just brilliant. It’s fantastic when you look at the broad range of awards for a variety of industries which are promoted all across the county.

“We really like supporting business. This is a great county with some great business and let’s promote them and be proud about it.”

The deadline for entries is Friday, February 24. Enter online at keiba.co.uk