The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade has announced that nominations are now open for this year’s International Trade Awards.
The awards are back for their second year having been launched in the summer of 2023. The initiative recognises excellence among businesses and individuals engaged with overseas business and supply chains.
Entries close for this year’s awards on Friday 23 August 2024 and nominations can be submitted for yourself, your business, your peers or colleagues.
Import Export Show
A panel of high-profile experts from across the international trade sector has been selected to judge each of the eight award categories.
The winners will be given their awards as part of the Chartered Institute’s annual industry conference, the Import Export Show.
The conference is taking place on 3 December 2024 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in the City of London and will see industry-leading thought leaders and decisionmakers share insights into the challenges and opportunities that international trade will present for businesses in 2025 and beyond.
Recognition
The Chartered Institute’s director general, Marco Forgione, has said that the awards are an important recognition of the vital role that individuals and businesses involved in international trade have to play in the global economy.
“The Chartered Institute’s mission is to empower global trade, doing so in the belief that trade fuels economic growth, delivers prosperity and fosters international peace.
“The International Trade Awards are an important recognition of the businesses and individuals who drive this mission, and also an opportunity to celebrate their hard work, talent and achievements.
“The eight categories also reflect that this mission requires excellence from all sizes of businesses and individuals at various ages and levels of experience.”
‘Definitely enter’
Bob Gokani, the owner of Ezi Drops – a Watford-based firm offering a device to assist in the application of eyedrops, which won last year’s Micro Business of the Year Award – urged exporters to apply for the awards.
“Definitely enter the awards like I did,” he said.
“You just don't realise what a surprise it is when you actually win it, and it's a great way to get more recognition for all the work that you're doing and all the products and services that you're developing.”
Elsie Etienne, an export control and customs specialist at Vattenfall Wind Power who took the home the Young Trade of the Year Award last year, has also recommended her fellow trade professionals to enter the awards.
“It’s an amazing competition and journey. I really enjoyed the process of entering and absolutely loved the questions.”
Eight categories
The award categories are unchanged from last year’s inaugural edition and include:
· Innovation in Trade Award
· Investment in Trade Award
· Micro Business of the Year Award
· Rising International Trader
· SME of the Year Award
· Sustainable Trade Award
· Trading for Good Award
· Young Trader of the Year Award
For more information about the awards and how to submit your nominations, you can visit https://internationaltrade.awardsplatform.com/.
