The Adventure Service started 2019 off with a bang, as we were shortlisted as nominees for two awards at the East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards. Our Head of Marketing, Lauren, was shortlisted out of 1500 others that applied for Female Apprentice of the Year. Our Director, Helen, was up for Small Business of the Year too. We were invited to the awards ceremony and gala dinner at Derbyshire County Cricket Club on Friday 8th March.
Posh frocks and high shoes had to be bought for the occasion, as much as the staff would have like to have gone in woolly hats and walking boots. It turns out The Adventure Service don’t scrub up too bad for outdoor enthusiasts.
Helen, Terry, Lauren and Lauren’s mother, Belinda, attended the awards and it was a fabulous night. We arrived at 6:30pm to have some drinks and socialise with other professionals. Guests were then seated at 7:30pm. We sat with a lovely lady called Zinthiya from Zinthiya Trust (A charity supporting disadvantaged women and families.) and the band performing that night, First Order. (How rock ‘n’ roll!) The host, Sameena Ali-Khan, welcomed all attendees to the awards. Co-Chairs of Enterprising Women, Eileen Richards and Jean Mountain also spoke on behalf of the chamber. They referred to themselves as the Ant and Dec of East Midlands Chamber!
At 7:45pm, dinner was severed. The starter was leek and potato soup with chives, it was really yummy! Then the main was pan fried supreme of chicken, served with forest mushrooms, fondant potato, thyme glazed carrots, savoy cabbage and a tarragon sauce. (How posh!)
After this, the first four awards were presented. Zinthiya won the Social Commitment Award and Lauren narrowly missed out on the Apprentice of the Year Award. The other two awards were Female Employee of the Year and Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
Dessert and coffee were then severed. The dessert was Baileys cheesecake with toffee sauce, it was so nice! Sameena then went on to present the final three awards. The Team of the Year award was first, followed by Small Business of the Year. Helen was very nervous. The Adventure Service were up against companies that had won awards here previously and that had already won awards that night! A representative from The Belmont Hotel (The sponsors of Small Business of the Year!) was presenting this award.
“The winner is… The Adventure Service!”
A massive roar from the table! We were absolutely thrilled!
Helen took to the stage to speak, she came across fabulously. She was ever so modest and thankful for the award. Lots of noise was coming from Terry, Lauren and Belinda back at the table.
The final award was presented, Business Women of the Year and then the formal event closed. The band then took stage and sung several covers. Helen, Terry and Lauren had a little boogie.
We are honestly over the moon with this success, but it would not be possible without all of you, our Adventurers and service users. Everything we do is for you guys. Here’s to more awards in the future!
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