Category: Awards

We’re heading swiftly into the heart of events season, with a number of deadlines approaching in the upcoming weeks. Don’t miss the chance to show off your greatest achievements at one of our awards dedicated to your industry.

Interested? Here are all of the deadlines that aren’t to be missed:

UK App Awards Extended entry deadline: 21 September 2018 The UK App Awards celebrates excellence in apps developed in the UK or for the UK market, rewarding exceptional design and UX in a range of verticals and awards for agencies, individuals and in-house teams.

UK Business Tech Awards Extended entry deadline: 21 September 2018 The UK Business Tech Awards celebrates the UK’s finest tech businesses and rewards innovative and exceptional application of technology to transform and grow businesses.

UK Search Awards Extended entry deadline: 21 September 2018 The UK Search Awards have been celebrating the expertise, talent and achievements of the search industry for over half a decade and are regarded as the premiere celebration of SEO, PPC and content marketing in the UK.

Northern Digital Awards Entry deadline: 26 October 2018 The Northern Digital Awards will once again recognise the very best in digital marketing campaigns and talent across the North, as well as rewarding websites, apps and software to reflect the online world that public, private and third sector organisations now inhabit, trade and communicate in.

UK eCommerce Awards  Entry deadline: 7 December 2018 The UK eCommerce Awards reward the very best in eCommerce and online retailing from across the UK – celebrating exceptional websites, platforms, suppliers, and marketing from in-house teams and agencies.

For any further help with events this Autumn or Winter, please don’t hesitate to give Nicky Wake a call on 01706 828855 or email nicky@dontpanicprojects.com.

Welcome to our weekly Don’t Panic blog – if you’ve been keeping up with our fantastic events and innovative developments, you will know that we aim is to inspire, inform and celebrate through the fantastic events we are privileged to be involved in. Here’s what we’ve been up to…

Announcements

This week we’ve had a few awards announcements…

US Search Awards
The search for the shortlist is over… the 2017 US Search Awards finalists have been announced! The US Search Awards, in association with our headline sponsor Bing and now in their fifth year, is the premier celebration of the very best in SEO, PPC, Digital and Content Marketing in the US.

Each year the awards attract hundreds of entries from some of the leading search and digital agencies and professionals from across North America and beyond – and this year was no exception. We had a record breaking number of entries from some of the biggest names in search from across the US and beyond, as well as entries from the smaller but just as impressive start-ups & growing businesses. The winners will be announced at a lavish awards ceremony and gala dinner at one of Las Vegas finest hotels, Treasure Island, on Wednesday November 8 during Pubcon Las Vegas. Join us on the night and secure your ticket to the event here.

Pride of Tameside Business Awards
This week we also released the Pride of Tameside Business Awards Shortlist! The quality of entries was extremely high so we’d like to thank to our judges who had the unenviable task of choosing our shortlisted entrants.

The awards will be presented at Dukinfield Town Hall, and include a welcome drinks reception, followed by a three course dinner with wine and entertainment. So join us for a night of sumptuous food and great entertainment to celebrate and reward exceptional businesses from across the region. Book your tickets here.

Hot off the press

Here’s our top three events you need to know about this week…

UK Social Media Communications Awards 2017
The UK Social Media Communications Awards, hosted by Connor Phillips, celebrate the very best in social media communications and reward the individuals, companies and organisations who are using online platforms to communicate in fresh and innovative ways. The shortlist for the 2017 awards can be seen here.

eCommerce Show North
eCommerce Show North is the only exhibition outside of London dedicated to eCommerce and reflects the huge commercial marketplace that is the North. Taking place on the 11 & 12th October 2017 at EventCity, Manchester, eCSN will be the biggest ever gathering of eCommerce companies, vendors and suppliers held in the North.

Free registration is now open – confirm your place here.

Search Camp 2017
Take a little summer into winter by attending Search Camp 2017, a brand new venture from the creators of the Search Awards Series. Search Camp is a two-day residential search marketing conference, taking place on 13 & 14 December at one of the UK’s best loved holiday parks; Butlin’s in Bognor Regis. The event will explore cutting edge thinking, innovation, best practice and futurism in SEO & PPC. Featuring 17 keynote standard speakers in a solo track format across two days, it will attract over 200 senior level search marketing practitioners from across Europe. Book your place here.

Don’t press the panic button yet!

The UK App Awards entry deadline is today! But don’t panic, we’re extending the entry deadline for a further two weeks. However, entries submitted after the first closing date of 22 September 2017 at 23:59 will be charged a late submission fee. The cost per entry after 22 September and up until 6 October will be £150 + VAT.

The UK App Awards will celebrate and reward excellence in apps developed in the UK. Submit your entries before it’s too late – enter here.

About Don’t Panic

Don’t Panic is a full service events agency that specialise in seamlessly delivering all aspects of awards, conferences and more! We pride ourselves in producing innovative and profitable events, based on our strong relationships, attention to detail and unique approach.

From awards dinners to annual conferences, international exhibitions to experiential projects, we are the cool, calm events collective.

About the Speaker Bureau

The calibre of a presenter is critical to the welfare of an event. A funny, enlightening, or motivating after-dinner speech will make an award ceremony live long in the mind. A credible DJ will get an audience jiving into the wee small hours. Matching the wrong personality to the wrong audience is a tragedy. Don’t Panic.

If you need a peer-approved keynote speaker, a conference or panel chair, an MC, a host, even a Voice of God, we manage a diverse roster of regional and national personalities, public speakers, and thought leaders from business, technology, politics, academia, and the arts, to help you with your event planning. Contact Sarah Power, Speaker Bureau Manager on sarah.power@dontpanicprojects.com for more information.

Over the past week we’ve been beavering away getting ready for our next events in September. As we’re returning to the awards entry deadline season, we thought we’d give you the lowdown on the best practices when entering awards…

Our Guide to Entering Awards

When entering an awards competition there are a few things to consider when planning and completing your entry that will give you the best chance of winning. Here are some of our thoughts, which you may find useful:

Follow the entry instructions
Each awards website includes full instructions on the ‘How to Enter’ page and you should also read the ‘Terms & Conditions’ of entry. Take note of the format your entry needs to be in, the time limits for work entered, how to make payment for your entry, the deadline date, the word count etc. Judges don’t take kindly to incorrect or late entries!

Pick the right category
You won’t have a chance of winning if you enter your work into the wrong category – read the description and if you are still unsure, give us a ring as we’re happy to offer advice. Remember that you aren’t restricted to entering one category. If your campaign fits into more than one category you can enter as many as you wish but do ensure you tailor each entry form to the specific category criteria.

Read the judging criteria
Ensure your entry covers the judging criteria for the category you are entering, and answers all questions for your category. Judges can only mark you on what is included in your entry form so make sure all important information is included and all criteria adhered to. This leads on to the next point…

Stick within the word limit
Judges may mark entries down, or even disqualify them, if they exceed the stated word limit. Please ensure your answers are clear and succinct – don’t waffle! Judges love clear, concise entries – use bullet points or infographics to effectively illustrate points.

Link your results to your objectives
If there is one thing that judges hate, it’s when outcomes don’t bear any relation to the objectives.

Evidence Your Results
Judges love quantified results and want to see some proof of what you’ve achieved – include facts and figures, quotes from clients or the media, pictures and graphs.

Get the judges attention
Remember that judges will be reading a large number of entries, so you need to make your entry memorable. Make sure your entry is passionate, tells an interesting story and is backed up with statistics and evidence.

Watch your language!
Always write in clear, concise English, avoid jargon and never copy and paste from existing materials. Do ask someone to check your entry reads well and is free of typos.

Take your time
Winning award entries take time and effort to perfect. Again we’d highly recommend you get someone to proofread your entry before you submit it.

Get approval
If you are submitting work on behalf of a client, make sure they are happy for you to do so. It would be devastating to spend days writing an entry and then have to withdraw it.

Provide supporting materials
Use a selection of documents and URLs to provide context and background to your entry. These can be in Word, PDF or JPEG format and must be below 2MB each.

Picture perfect
Attach an image or logo to your entry form. This will be used in the event brochure and presentations should you be shortlisted. Ensure this represents your organisation, the campaign or product you are entering.

Hot off the press

Here’s our top three events you need to know about this week…

UK App Awards 2017
A new awards for 2017 that celebrate and reward excellence in apps developed in the UK. There are 29 categories rewarding exceptional design and UX in a range of verticals and awards for agencies, individuals and in-house teams. You can find out how you can get involved and enter here. Entries close on 22 September 2017.

UK Agency Awards 2017
The UK Agency Awards celebrate and reward all creative, design, digital, marketing, advertising, media and public relations agencies that are based in the UK. The event will take place on Wednesday 13 September 2017 at the prestigious Montcalm Marble Arch, London. Tickets for the event are now available, and can be purchased here or by contacting Elle Kersh on 01706 828 855.

Northern Finance Director Awards 2017
The Northern Finance Director Awards are all about recognising and celebrating the exceptional talent of finance directors and their teams across the North of England. The awards will be presented at a black tie gala dinner on Thursday 5 October at the Radisson Blu Edwardian in Manchester. You can request tickets to the event by emailing Sarah Belcher on sarah.belcher@dontpanicprojects.com.

Don’t press the panic button yet!

You’ve still got time!

Tickets for the UK Public Sector Communications Awards & Conference are still available, but we are selling out fast. Be sure to book today to secure your team’s place at the conference & awards.

About Don’t Panic

Don’t Panic is a full service events agency that specialise in seamlessly delivering all aspects of awards, conferences and more! We pride ourselves in producing innovative and profitable events, based on our strong relationships, attention to detail and unique approach.

From awards dinners to annual conferences, international exhibitions to experiential projects, we are the cool, calm events collective.

Contrary to fears that the economic instability unleashed by the EU Referendum would have a severe impact on UK construction – particularly the housing industry, the falling pound has actually boosted construction companies.

Far from signifying worse things to come, the reduced exchange rate has buoyed British exports – with manufacturers reporting the strongest exports in 2 years in a recent industry report.

Kier saw an increase of almost 5% in share prices following new contract wins totalling more than £5bn, and so far the figures across the board are positive indicators of unimpeded growth in construction. The resilience and importance of the UK construction industry is a significant reason to celebrate the individuals and companies who contribute to the trade.

The On the Tools Awards, sponsored by Jewson, is doing just that!

From multi-nationals to family firms, the On the Tools Awards will celebrate the best that the UK has to offer across the board, from contractors to training bodies, and companies who provide specialist services such as insurance or PR to those working in construction.

On the Tools is the largest online construction community in the country – making them the centre of networking for professionals in the trade. Their unique voice has positioned them as an influential hub for anyone wanting to network and communicate with their construction peers.

The awards will be a unique opportunity for every element of the construction community to come together to embrace their successes at a sumptuous celebratory dinner, as well as drinks, entertainment, and the presentation ceremony, where the winners will be announced at the Emirates Stadium, London. The scope of the sectors represented in the categories will make the On the Tools awards an ideal business networking occasion – bringing together service providers with service users, as well as being an opportunity for great press exposure.

The awards are free to enter, and both companies and individuals can enter – you are free to nominate your favourite brands, tools and people (and yourself!) as many times as you like – as long as all nominations are submitted by 16 September. Don’t delay – enter to join us in raising a glass to the best in construction!

For any further information regarding the awards, or to begin your nominations, head to the awards site – if you have any questions, please get in touch with the event manager Alex on 01706 828855 or by emailing alex.rimmer@dontpanicprojects.com. We can’t wait to see your entries!

It may be the multinationals that grab most of the headlines and hashtags, but small business has never been bigger.

Though many may have had their money on large corporations to weather the financial turbulence of the recession and the latest shakeup of Brexit, it is small business that seems to be proving itself the more resilient.

The evidence appears to point to SME success and durability being largely due to their greater flexibility and adaptability. Small businesses also seem to inspire greater loyalty in their customers, something which, in this highly competitive digital landscape has become ever more highly prized.

Last year’s figures are a clear tell of the environment – in 2015, small businesses accounted for 99.3% of all private sector businesses, and for 60% of all private sector employment in the UK. 47% of all private sector turnover in the UK was generated by SMEs, with a staggering £1.8 trillion.

This is fantastic news for the nation’s economy – SMEs, much more so than larger enterprises, generate wealth and improve the local economy, by feeding profits back into the region in taxes, rent and supplies, as well as local workers’ wage spend. This has a knock on effect for public services and schools, as well as tourism.

The Federation of Small Businesses champions the inception and growth of SMEs across the nation with regional offices to support entrepreneurs and business owners wherever they exist.

To this end, FSB Merseyside are bringing the FSB Awards to the region – celebrating and rewarding the best small businesses operating today. The awards are the ideal opportunity, not only to raise your profile in local press, but also to significantly drive new business and a great way to meet and connect with other leaders of industry. The awards are open to all small businesses in the region, across 24 vibrant and varied categories. From construction to creative media – and all manner of industries between – there is a place for your business to garner the recognition that you deserve at the awards.

The deadline for entries is 30 September – so you have just over a month to craft a winning entry and take the awards by storm!

For any further info, you can head to the site or get in touch with the event organiser becky.mellor@dontpanicprojects.com.

We can’t wait to see your entries!