THIS year's Leatherhead and District Business Awards will kick off at a new annual business conference.
The Leatherhead and District Chamber of Commerce will launch the awards scheme at the first ever Leatherhead Business Exchange on January 22, a new event to help local businesses network and question experts.
Bookham-based mobile phone software developer Multizone was named business of the year in 2012 and director Angus Fox said the award has made a big difference.
"Getting any kind of publicity for a small business is really difficult because it's hard to get people's attention unless you've got something really knock out," he said.
"From that point of view it was a little media PR campaign that didn't cost us anything.
"It gave us a lift and extra confidence in what we are doing and you can't actually put a value on that.
"It gave us the confidence to enter a few more awards and get more involved in that sort of thing and we actually won another later in the year which we were delighted about.
"It was a mobile innovation award at a conference for mobile app developers in America called Codestrong and we were delighted to be recognised there because that was among a group of our peers."
Mr Fox will speak at the new Exchange event held at the Police Federation headquarters in Leatherhead.
Other speakers will include Tim Wates, director of Leatherhead construction firm Wates, and Mark Pearson, chief executive of Surrey Connects, the new economic development partnership for the county.
Attendees will also be able to ask an expert panel advice on legal issues, taking on apprentices and international trade.
Joanne Rogers of Prowse and Co, which is helping to organise the event, said: "This free event has been designed to bring together local companies, retailers, entrepreneurs, policy makers and charities, all of whom play a vital role in creating a vibrant local business community."
To book an exhibition stand or for tickets, call Julia Owen on 01372 363386 or e-mail julia@prowse.co.uk
Visit www.leatherhead-business-exchange.eventbrite.co.uk
