Northern Ireland's leading business awards are now in their fifth year and have been launched for 2011, with a brand new lead sponsor on board.
The UTV Business Eye Awards, in association with easyJet, have become an integral part of the business calendar in Northern Ireland.
Heading the bill are the Business Personality of the Year and Company of the Year Awards, won last time around by Brian Brown of Brown's Coachworks and Andor Technology Plc respectively.
Further categories recognise corporate and personal achievement in areas such as the environment, international business, the public sector and tourism.
"We're very pleased to be coming on board as lead sponsors this year," says Paul Simmons, UK Director at easyJet. "We've been involved in the Awards as category sponsors for the past number of years, and have seen them grow into a major part of the business community in Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland is a very important and growing market for us, and we're delighted to be able to support the local business community in this way."
Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television, added that the Awards will grow even further in stature in their fifth year.
"The UTV Business Eye Awards are the premier awards for Northern Ireland's leading companies and we've watched them grow through what has been a difficult time, in terms of the economic environment. The Awards are a chance to recognise the companies that are being innovative and those that are creating and growing new markets and revenue streams."
Brenda Buckley, Publisher of Business Eye, has urged companies and individuals to enter the Awards for 2011.
"The Awards will be open for entries very shortly, and the entry process will be entirely internet-driven and very user-friendly. Now that the worst of the downturn is over, it's time we celebrated business success here in Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland companies and individuals will have until Friday 23 September to enter online.
This year's awards ceremony will take place at the Culloden Estate & Spa on Thursday 13 October.
For details of how to enter the UTV Business Eye Awards in association with easyJet for 2011, log onto www.businesseye.co.uk/utvawards