This year’s Black Country Chamber Awards are celebrating and recognising the endeavours, resilience, adaptability and outstanding contribution of the Black Country business community and professionals – those who have gone the extra mile to help during the Coronavirus crisis.

Headline partnered by the University of Wolverhampton, they have taken on a different focus due to the current situation. They will also be taking place in a slightly different venue than usual.

The final takes place from 3.45pm to 5.00pm on Friday 13 November as a digital event that will be live streamed to the world! The Chamber is pulling out all the stops to make it a spectacular, high-energy celebration filled with a dazzling variety of live entertainment.

To enhance the online atmosphere, special ‘Bostin’ Bumper’ tickets are available priced at £30. These include a unique drinks and nibbles gift box to be delivered directly to your home or office. The ticket price also includes an automatic donation to Black Country Chamber President’s Charities – Teenage Cancer Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

The Awards can also be watched online for free, although tickets must be registered in advance through the website.

Many outstanding nominations were received for awards this year and the finalists in each of the 12 categories, who were announced by Chamber President, Jude Thompson on 15 October, are now in the running for the prestigious accolade of category winner.

Jude Thompson, president of the Black Country Chamber said, “Even though they are online, these Awards will deliver on their predecessors’ status as a highly anticipated, flagship event.

“Throughout 2020, the Chamber has been running its Black Country Business Heroes campaign and the Awards will reflect and celebrate the outstanding contributions of the Black Country people and businesses during the pandemic – which cannot be underestimated!

“The entertainment is going to be amazing and what a brilliant way to get the weekend started. These gift boxes are a perfect opportunity to say thank you to your teams, treat your staff or the finalists themselves and will really enhance the whole experience. And of course, a proportion of the ticket price goes towards two very worthy charities that the Chamber supports.”

Richard Nicklin, Deputy Director for Business Engagement at the University of Wolverhampton, added: “Throughout the pandemic the University has looked to provide support to Black Country businesses as they have adapted and innovated to develop resilience.

“We want to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by organisations, and to shine a light on those who have gone above and beyond to help colleagues, the community and the national efforts at such challenging times.”

Alongside the headline partner University of Wolverhampton, which has contributed three of the awards (Adaptability and Innovation, Kindness in the Community and Exceptional Employee/Team), other sponsors and partners include:

• MHA MacIntyre Hudson (Large Business Hero of the Year)
• Nant Ltd (Small Business Hero of the Year)
• CK Chartered Accountants (Family Business Hero of the Year)
• Forresters Patent and Trademark Attorneys (Start-up Business Hero of the Year)
• Black Country Living Museum (Venue Partner and associated with Retail Resilience Hero of the Year)
• FMS (Business Hero of the Year)
• Walsall College (Outstanding Collaboration and Partnership)
• Walsall Council (Business Hero – International Trade).

Tickets and more information can be found on the Black Country Chamber Awards website.