The Open 4 Business festival is an ideal place to raise the profile of any business.  The events programme which will be held across the South and West of Dorset provides a wide variety of subjects and a perfect opportunity to learn new skills, share experience and meet new business contacts. 

The Open 4 Business Awards are a perfect opportunity to really show off business achievements to date, share plans for the future, create new business opportunities and celebrate current business relationships.  This year there will be three Award ceremonies in Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Bridport.

Following the unprecedented success of the 2008 0pen 4 Business Events and Awards the 2009 O4B Business Steering Group have pleasure announcing the brand new awards and sponsors for this years festival.

SOUTH & WEST OPEN 4 BUSINESS - 8 Awards - 4 new Awards & 3 new Sponsors

∑ Small Business of the Year            :    Federation of Small Businesses
∑ First Time in Business                :    Enterprise Connection
∑ Apprentice of the Year (new)            :    Weymouth College
∑ Excellence in Customer Service        :    Champagne Video and Film
∑ Exporter of the Year  (new)            :    D J Property ( new)
∑ Tourism Business of the Year  (new)        :    Getaway Digital (new)
∑ Technology in Business  (new)        :    Universal Engineering (new )
∑ Business of the Year                :    Business Link - MAIN SPONSOR

NEW for 2009 the  SOUTH & WEST OPEN 4 BUSINESS Awards for WEST DORSET
3 new bespoke local Awards in both Lyme Regis and Bridport.

∑ Business of the Year        -    View from publishing
∑ Apprentice of the Year        -    Weymouth College
∑ Jurassic Coast  Sustainability Award     -    Jurassic Coast Team

Each of the 10 sponsors has a special reason for becoming a sponsor of Open 4 Business 2009

The Closing Date for all Award Entries is Friday 11 September at 5pm

The Open 4 Business fortnight will commence on 5th October 2009 and will run until 16th October.  

The final event will be a Closing Lunch sponsored by the Weymouth Chamber.  

You can book any of the events now -  Free of Charge on www.o4business.co.uk

Gareth Jones of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council said 'Open 4 Business 2009 will be focusing on getting all businesses 'fit 4 business" in readiness for 2012.  Open 4 Business offers outstanding opportunities for local businesses to be recognised for their achievements and be inspired by one of the many networking and education events taking place during the Festival.  The biggest prize of all is the chance to celebrate business success in these tough trading times.'

For more information please call 01305 838476

Full details can be found on the Open 4 Business Website www.o4business.co.uk

Award Ceremony Dinner on 7th October 2009 - tickets now on sale Karenlee Knott Tel : 07776 304154