July 16, 2008

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS 2009
OPEN FOR ENTRIES

Progressive companies seeking to capitalise on business downturn.

The European Business Awards 2009 is experiencing a significant increase in applications from companies keen to receive a ‘Ruban d’Honneur’ – a rare accolade handed to the crème de la crème of Europe’s business community. Entries are up by 30% year on year in the opening month of the programme.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, says: “We opened next year’s Awards for entries just a few weeks ago and have already seen an impressive number of entries.

“We had expected a slowdown or somewhat lower level of entries due to the current economic conditions. But this early evidence shows that most progressive companies are seeing this downturn as an opportunity to shine above the competition and gain market share by raising the profile of their business across Europe.”

Ten ‘Ruban d’Honneur’ trophies are handed to winners in each of the Awards’ eleven categories. The European Business Awards is a showcase of Europe’s skills, achievements and innovations in the field of business. It provides a benchmark, inspiration and example for others.

Deadline for entries is noon (GMT) on October 31, 2008. The names of the winners will be revealed on Tuesday 7th April, 2009 at an Awards ceremony held in Munich before 400 of Europe’s top politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, business commentators and media.

The European Business Awards is supported by forward thinking organisations, Atradius, RSM International and The Wall Street Journal Europe.

If you want to join the crème de la crème of European business and would like to register your interest in the awards, please contact our entries team on + 44 (0)20 7234 3535, or email info@businessawardseurope.com

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About the European Business Awards 2009:

The European Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence, best practice and innovation in companies across the European Union. Extensive research and high standards of judging have established the European Business Awards as the showcase of Europe’s skills, achievements and innovations in the field of business. The competition is free to enter and open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector.

The European Business Awards programme serves three purposes for the European business community:
• It provides examples for the business community to aspire to
• It celebrates and endorses individual’s and organisation’s success
• It provides case studies and content for learning from these exceptional organizations

An innovative, strong and thriving business community makes a successful and prosperous Europe.

There are eleven categories:

The Business of the Year Award
The Business Leader of the Year Award (by nomination only)
The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Business Innovation of the Year Award
The Atradius Growth Strategy of the Year Award
The Award for Customer Focus
The Award for Corporate Sustainability
The Marketing Strategy of the Year
The Environmental Awareness Award
The Employer of the Year Award
The Award for ICT Effectiveness

The European Business Awards is a self funding venture set up and run with the support of forward thinking organisations including: Atradius; RSM International and The Wall Street Journal Europe. Our supporters understand the importance of promoting and endorsing business success across the European Union for our long term prosperity.

*Images available upon request

For further information please contact:

Giorgio Pirazzini, Project Manager – Public Relations and Marketing, European Business Awards
Mobile : +33 (0) 632 623 624 Dir: +33 (0) 870 408 927
Email: giorgio.pirazzini@businessawardseurope.com or pressoffice@businessawardseurope.com
Visit: www.businessawardseurope.com