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by business editor Trevor Sturgess

It will be anchors aweigh for this year's winners of top
business awards.

At last night's (14) launch of the second annual Kent Excellence in Business Awards
(KEiBA), it was announced that the glittering presentation gala
will be held in Chatham Historic Dockyard.

More than 500 guests are expected at the county's business night
of the year on July 1 in the newly-named Slip - The BIG Space
- formerly Number 3 Covered Slip - with a reception on board HMS
Gannet.

Bill Ferris, chief executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said
it was "one of the most exciting and innovative" buildings in the
country.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the KEiBA awards and all
those inspiring businesses," he said. He promised it would be a
"really good knees-up."

Chatham Historic Dockyard was named Best Leisure and Tourism
Business in last year's KEiBA, held in a marquee in the grounds of
Leeds Castle.

Mr Ferris said the award was one of the two highlights of the
Trust''s 25th anniversary since the dockyard closed in 1984. The
other was the widely-acclaimed Armed Forces Day.

More than 120 people attended last night's launch in Bradbourne
House, East Malling.

The awards, staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group,
represent the pinnacle of business recognition in Kent and Medway.
Winners take home a handsome glass trophy crafted by Maidstone
artist Annie Ross.

Graham Webb, haircare magnate and chairman of the judges, said
he was looking forward to hearing success stories from this year's
entrants.

"KEiBA are a wonderful opportunity to showcase your business,"
he said. "

And getting staff involved is a fantastic part of the process. I
do encourage you to enter and this year promises to be better than
ever."

Kevin Lynes, KCC Cabinet member for regeneration and economic
development,
said the awards celebrated excellence. "It's about making your
mark, putting your sign in the ground that says "we're here in
Kent, we are still open for business despite the recession and that
Kent is the place to be."

Geraldine Allinson, KM Group chairman, added: "2009 was
undoubtedly a challenging year and it's all the more important to
acknowledge through KEiBA those businesses that have made the most
of the challenges of the recent downturn with innovation, drive and
prudent financial management and hard work." The awards were "one
of the most powerful and cost-effective ways of marketing
yourself."

For Kate Austen, Kent's Young Entrepreneur of the Year, winning
the award was the highlight of her year. The founder of
Ashford-based retail and services business Podplus said: "We've now got a
beautiful trophy sitting on my counter in my shop and everyone
admires it."

Big name sponsors include Brachers, The Kent Foundation,
VisitKent, GSE Group, Institute of Directors, Heart, Kent Film
Office, Vertex Law, Headley Brothers and Southeastern.

• KEiBA categories are: Large Business of the Year, SME Business of the Year, Start-up Business of the Year,

  Best Business in Adult Social Care, Best Leisure and Tourism Business, Best Business from the Creative Industries, Business Commitment to the Community, Employer of the Year, Customer Service and Commitment, Entrepreneur, Young Entrepreneur, and Outstanding Contribution to the Business of Kent (by nomination only).

  All entries must be made via the KEiBA website by March 19.