The search is on for Perthshire’s brightest business stars of the year as the countdown begins to the county’s most prestigious business awards.

The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards 2016 are set to recognise and reward the cream of local companies – both large and small – whose impact and performance have helped to keep Perthshire at the forefront of Scottish business in the 21st century.

Celebrating all aspects of the local business world, the area’s premier Awards will highlight the real “stars” across our leading sectors including tourism and leisure, food and drink, retail, innovation, customer service, commitment to the community and also in exporting.

In addition, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce recognises the value of emerging talent and individuals who have proved outstanding in their particular sector will have a chance to shine in the Apprentice and Employee of the Year categories.

Entries are now being invited for 13 category awards and the search is on for the best in the business with the area’s most prestigious title – Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Of The Year 2016 – up for grabs.

So businesses are being asked to “reach for the Stars” before entries close on Friday, September 30.

Industry leaders, Chamber directors and sponsors from the business world will then help unearth the shiniest Stars in one of the country’s most robust judging procedures.

Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite is looking forward to another outstanding event.

She told the PA: “Every year we are extremely impressed by the standard of entry right across the board.

“Perthshire has an abundance of outstanding businesses ranging from established internationally renowned organisations through to emerging one man operations.

“As the definitive local business awards, the Star Awards continues to attract, showcase, applaud and reward those companies and individuals who are making a difference.

“Over the years, the PCC Business Star trophies have become much-sought-after targets for companies to achieve,” she added.

“And we have rolled out hundreds of examples of business excellence in the form of our winners.”

The chamber is delighted to welcome leading Scottish waste management company – Binn Group – on board as their main Star Awards event sponsor for the next three years.

Glenfarg-based Binn Group’s commercial director Jim Brown said the company was “honoured and delighted” to be associated with what he considered to be one of the best events of its type in the country.

“The Star Awards is not just a great night out but one of the most robust and ultimately rewarding business competitions,” he said.

“I have been a judge myself for these awards and was genuinely taken aback by the calibre of shortlisted entrants.

“I was also pleasantly surprised by how thorough the judging process is.

“These awards are not just a paper exercise – it’s a very rigorous judging process and that showed me that to actually win a Star Award really means something.

“Binn Group wants to support that professionalism, success and enthusiasm going forward and we’re happy to sponsor a night which brings together so many elements of the local business community in an outstanding celebration of the wealth of business success in Perth and Kinross.

Chamber president-elect Ross Graham said he hoped 2016 would again produce “a platform of outstanding performers” from Perthshire’s business community.

“To be judged the best at what you do is a real accolade for businesses,” he said. “To take home a Chamber Business Star is a true sign of quality and excellence – something that abounds in the companies operating at all levels in this area.

“Each year we see some truly remarkable contenders and I hope we can showcase some real Stars at this year’s awards dinner.

“My own company was honoured to be a previous winner of the Business Of The Year title and the accolade carries a real punch in the business world. Anyone taking home a Chamber Star really has something to be proud of and a useful promotional tool for their business.”

The awards will come to a glittering climax at a black tie dinner at Crieff Hydro on Friday, November 25.

The spectacular event will be hosted this year by Star Awards favourite, journalist Maureen Young, and new stage partner, former President of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Crieff Hydro, Stephen Leckie.

Your business could be a real Star in 2016!

And it couldn’t be easier to enter.

A simple ‘one question’ online form with a maximum 750-words answer can be submitted.

Either log-in and submit your entry today, or take a note of the question and compose your 750 words in your own time. Then simply copy and paste into the answer box at your convenience.

Find out more about each category and apply directly by visiting the Chamber website at www.perthshirechamber.co.uk.

Entries close on Friday, September 30.