The official launch of the Midlands Business Awards 2009, for which the awards ceremony takes place at the NEC Hilton Metropole in January, has taken place with an official reception, attended by winners, finalists, judges and sponsors from this year’s event.

The awards, run by Leamington-based UK Special Events, this time includes a new category of Midlands Business University of the Year - reflecting the contribution that academia makes in supporting business in the region - and an accolade for the Midlands exporter of the year.

Harj Sandher, MD of UK Special Events, is confident that hundreds of businesses will be nominated . for the 2009 awards.

He said: “These awards have caught on very well because they particularly give smaller and medium-sized enterprises a chance to show off how well they do. “The feedback from this year’s event is that all of the winners have benefited from the greater exposure they have received.”

Entry forms and further information can be found at www.midlandsbusinessawards2009.co.uk