This year the BAHBAs are set to be bigger and better than before with eight new sponsors and sixteen categories overall. Chairman of the judges, Tony Mernagh (Executive Director of the Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership) said how much he was looking forward to reviewing the entries and meeting the potential winners. He encouraged all those at the reception to get busy and enter!

The judges are looking for companies and organisations that really capture the spirit of Brighton & Hove, and innovation and leadership are considered more important than size or revenue.

The new categories for this year include The Award for Innovation in Business, Best Place to Visit in Brighton and Hove and Entrepreneur of the Year, and new sponsors are RedSeven, Kelta HR, Wired Sussex, Veolia Environmental Services, QED, Nido Marketing, Neilson Active Holidays and Absolute Brighton.They join The Argus, University of Brighton, Hilton Brighton Metropole, MDhub, Brighton Primary Care Trust, Royal Mail and Nixon McInnes.

Entering the awards could not be easier. It costs £50 (plus vat) for one entry and £75 (plus vat) to enter as many times as you like, and you can book online at: www.BAHBA.co.uk. Closing date for entries is 30 July 2009.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 9 October 2009 at the Brighton Hilton Metropole and all finalists will receive a free place to attend.

For more information or press ready images, please contact: Fiona Graves Midnight Communications Tel: 01273 666 200 Email: surrey@midnight.co.uk