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Videos

Videos

Past video highlights...

Testimonials

Take a look at what some of our finalists said about the events!

“We are extremely delighted to win Small Business of the Year and would like to thank all our hard working, committed and loyal employees who have played a significant role in the development and growth of Kent Construction Consultants. As a practice, this is the first awards we have applied and were extremely impressed with the organisation and delivery of the awards ceremony. Both judges were comforting, patient and came across engaging which helped deliver our pitch explaining why we deserved to be a finalist.

 

As an independent chartered surveyors who have significantly grown over the past 2 years, we are proud to be recognised and feel this award promotes our successes. We look forward to delivering continued professional services and hope our recent award provides our clients with the reassurance and confidence that Kent Construction Consultants are a trusted and reliable firm operating throughout Kent.” Charles Kenward, Managing Director, Kent Construction Consultants Limited 

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"The Kent Business Awards (Ashford) 2022, was our first experience and it was an incredible one. From the very first contact, we felt supported, seen and encouraged to get the very best out of the process. The team had expert knowledge and passion to see us thrive and guided us so well along the way. Being put through as finalists in 3 categories gave us a massive confidence boost, and the judging process (although marginally nerve wracking), pushed us to examine and question areas of our business that we hadn’t been asked about before- it was a fantastic learning experience for us and so rewarding. The event itself was so much fun, and we loved meeting other local businesses and making really intentional connections that we know will continue way past the isolated event. Winning the Innovation Award has been one of the greatest privileges of our business to date, it has pushed us and challenged us, but it has also inspired and encouraged us that what we’re doing is brilliant, and what’s to come will be even better. We are so excited for the future of our business, and are grateful to the Kent Business Awards and the judges, for championing us for what we’re doing and for our plans for the future. We can’t wait to see what’s next.”  Karen Thatcher, Comms & Marketing Manager; The Beehive Ashford.

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"It was a huge honour to be nominated for an Award at the Kent Business Awards, let alone to go on and win. The Awards evening was a wonderful opportunity to meet people from other businesses and get to know them and the work they do. We will hopefully be part of another event soon!"
Victoria Rowley, Owner, Puddle Ducks - Business Woman of the Year winner 2022 – Ashford

 

"We have taken part in several award applications over the years and we would like to say we do enjoy the process of the Kent awards. I find the application form very well detailed and asks the right questions I would imagine by being so detailed you only get the best businesses applying. The part that sticks out to me in the whole process is the fact the judges contact the businesses, we enjoyed all our chats with the judges we felt they had a good understanding of our business, and the work we do meaning we were not just repeating what is on our application. We have not been contacted by judges, in any of the other awards we have taken part in, so we feel this adds an element of extra detail and quality to the winner's decision.  The evening was lovely, the venue is great and the food has been very nice, and whilst the finalist videos do take a while they are a nice addition to the night and a great way to introduce the business to everyone.  

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We wanted to win a local award in the hope we could connect with more local businesses. We do hope to find a new client but more importantly, we want to grow our business network to share ideas, successes and failures. I believe Kent Businesses more than ever need to support each other, only by working together will we all get through these more difficult times." 

John Benfield, Marketing Officer, Horizonscan Ltd

"Applying for the Canterbury Business Awards was a unique experience for us, little did we know then that the outcome would be one of much joy for us here at Sweet Sol. Having been told about the Canterbury Business Awards, we decided to apply, going for 3 different awards, Start Up, Innovation and the Creative/Digital Awards (the latter of which we won). It was a friendly process and that was made better when we heard the news that we got through to the finals. It was great meeting the judges and sponsors throughout the process, as we got to see them experience what it is we do and to share in those truly special moments we create at the shop and through our brand.
 
The night of the Awards had an amazing atmosphere, we truly felt honoured to be seated with many great businesses and business owners. The dinner turned into a fun opportunity to meet the other finalists and to connect with them. Having heard all the testimonials from every business in their respective categories it really felt like this could have been anyone's game. We are proud to say we won the final award of the night with an amazing speech from Tina George from Agilis Mobile and then a mention from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, who officially opened Sweet Sol back in 2016, which was her first duty as Mayor. 

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We've really noticed the difference since winning the Award gaining new customers in Sweet Sol and a growth in our followers, to whom we have reached out too as we launch our new online shop and expand  Sweet Sol. It’s been wonderful to be recognised for something that we created from such a special moment, that gives people so much happiness."

Chris Welsh,

Founder, Sweet Sol

Creative/Digital award winner 2018 - Canterbury

"The Canterbury Business awards gave me the opportunity to celebrate not just my own success but the team I have around me, I found the whole process an absolute delight and really fun. The filming part was fantastic as it allowed me to best describe what my business does. The awards evening was lovely, and it was amazing to see how many new business’s Canterbury is producing, and it was clear that there was not a single person in that room who wasn’t extremely passionate about their own business. With regards to Winning the Business start-up award I feel that it will give me the recognition that my company deserves I also feel that it is a huge feather in my cap and one that I will be proud to show off. 


So, thank you Canterbury Business Awards for allowing me to take part in your fantastic competition, see you next year!"

Alastair Noel, Director, Citi Nests Ltd

Start-up award winner 2018 - Canterbury

 “We entered as we thought it is a nice way to recognise our carers and that how they interact with our customers in care, affects not only health and wellbeing but also a family’s memories.

 

Shortlisted for both the categories we entered, Innovation and Customer Service we were excited to go to the awards dinner.  The evening was great and our table was brilliant fun with everyone celebrating being shortlisted.  

 

We were delighted to win Customer Service and are enjoying telling all our carers in person that they won. We’ve also had letters from clients congratulating us. Canterbury is a great place to work and with the energy these awards create we look forward to them continuing to grow."

Christian Wilse,

Seniors Helping Seniors

Customer Service award winner 2018 - Canterbury

Entering the Maidstone Business Awards was a new experience for Higher Elevation Ltd. Completing the application for two categories; Small Business and Customer Service, could not have been smoother! Hearing we had been selected as finalists for both our categories was an amazing surprise. It was great to meet the judges and showcase what we can do and what we provide to our customers on a daily basis. Making it to the Finals enabled us to create a short video with Smugshot, a relaxing experience and a fabulous way of was getting our message across about our company! 


The evening itself was very well organised, fun and to top it off we Won our Customer Service category! A very over whelming evening. 


It was great to be beside so many other great Businesses in Kent and inspiring to hearing about their achievements and successes! 


Thank you, to all the Judges, Sponsors and Team, we will see you next year. 

Amy Hadlow,

Higher Elevation

Customer Service award winner 2018 - Maidstone

“It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of the Kent Business Awards and accept the 2018 award for Creative Digital. The event, judging and hosting was incredibly professional, seamless and enjoyable.

 
There were many local businesses that were excelling in their field, which was great to see and we made several new contacts as a result of entering. We would highly recommend the experience of the #MStoneAwards to anyone who may be considering it in future years. A fantastic event to be part of!”

Shelley Grierson

vidbuild

Creative / Digital award winner 2018 - Maidstone

“As Platinum Sponsor for the Maidstone Business Awards (and the previously held Ashford and Canterbury Awards) we have witnessed first-hand the positive effect that being part of this process can achieve for a business from the moment it is shortlisted for an award. The extensive publicity around the awards help to elevate the awareness of those businesses shortlisted and gives them a stage from which to share their story and engage with a wider audience. 
 
These awards not only put the businesses that enter on the map  but they are also great for Kent as they have provided a medium for us to discover truly amazing world class companies that are doing great things in Kent which is something we should all be proud of.”

Tina George,

AGILIS Mobile

Platinum Sponsor 2018

"The team at Dodgems and Floss had an evening to remember at The Canterbury Business Awards. The evening was expertly ran from start to finish and was an incredibly positive reminder of the strength of local business in our city. We were so pleased to share it with so many inspirational local businesses and walked away, not just with 2 fantastic awards, but with a number of excellent contacts for the future."

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Mike Backler, Client Relations Manager

Dodgems and Floss

We entered the Maidstone Business Awards as it seemed a great way to help celebrate local businesses and also gain recognition for the success we’d had over our first three years. We were over the moon to of won ‘Best Start-Up’ at the awards and we’re so proud of it. The evening was fantastic with a wonderful range of guests and finalists. I highly recommend all local businesses consider entering the Maidstone Business Awards.

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Chris Newberry, Managing Director

Wildwood Media

As a proud Maidstone firm, what a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that fact with like-minded business and entrepreneurs. It is a hard task that business owners face to grow and develop in the days of budget cuts and ever more demanding customer needs, this is one of the rare opportunities to relax in friendly surroundings, celebrate with the team and network with the Counties best.

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Neil Sampson, Managing Director 

Green Gate Access Systems

The Maidstone Business Awards was a fantastic event to network with other local companies and celebrate the achievements of Maidstones local businesses.
 
We were overwhelmed to have been awarded the Customer Service Award and to be invited to attend such a great Awards evening.
 
We would also like to congratulate all entrants and winners of the Maidstone Business Awards.

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Glenn Thompson, Managing Director 

Advance FM

The Maidstone Business Awards are a great opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs alike to gain recognition for their success and contributions to society. A Maidstone Business Award is a great accolade to boost morale, inspire  and generate future business. The networking opportunities alone are a great benefit, getting to know Maidstone’s best and brightest, all in a charming and friendly atmosphere.

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Jason Smith, Managing Director

Bedfont® Scientific Ltd

The Maidstone Business Awards was a very enjoyable, well organised evening.  In the run up to the event and after there have been a few extra touches to help businesses and the event itself feel more special, such as video interviews and radio interviews to promote winners and finalists. It is a great idea to have more localised awards as it builds support and connection within a tighter business community.

 

Lee Hollands, Director

OCD Media Ltd

The Awards was a great opportunity for J & J Systems to show off our services to the local business community and quickly formed part of our marketing around the Exhibition which was being held on the same day. The event was well organised and the meal well serviced and of a very good quality, the small detail of introductory drinks and wine on the tables was appreciated.  The awards themselves were well presented with the addition of a Twitter board in the corner adding some fun to the evening for those of us who tweet.

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This was the first occasion that we had considered entering an Award and proved that as an overall experience it was certainly positive, for the business and its marketing, incorporating brand awareness, but additionally for the whole team and the general feeling of excitement at being involved in the evening event.

 

Jacqui Offen, Director

J & J Systems

Gallery

Gallery

Canterbury Business Awards 2017 & 2018 

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