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	s	Dec 2004 A Level Playing Field For Smaller Businesses The Sign Industry Awards are intended to reach and reward excellence in every section of the sign industry – and that includes the smaller signmakers. “We are particularly interested in receiving entries from smaller businesses because they represent by far the largest section of the industry,” said Ray Stewart, one of the organisers. “And we have taken steps to encourage smaller businesses to enter.” These have included the introduction last year of a specific category which is open only to businesses with annual turnovers of less than £2 million and this year the introduction of the Spandex Business of the Year Award which is designed to recognise the achievements of, primarily, small and medium-sized enterprises. Ray Stewart also pointed out that it is the work that is judged – not the entrants – and smaller signmakers have as good a chance as any to win an award. “Judging panels do not know who has submitted an entry until after their decision is made. We remove all clues to the identities of the entrants before the judges see the entries. This means that there is an even playing field for all entrants and if the work is good enough it should be in line for an award.” The comments were made following recent debate on an online chat room for sign makers where the webmaster made the comment that “we have been pushed aside by some suits not really interested in any company with less than 30 employees.” Ray Stewart said that the comment was patent nonsense. “I suggest that instead of sitting around complaining about how badly the world treats them, they put some effort into getting an entry together. We would be delighted to receive their entries and if they are as good as they think they are, they could well end up as a winner.” NEW SPONSORS We are also delighted to welcome two additional sponsors for the 2005 awards. Roland DG have stepped into the breach to sponsor The Digital Sign of the Year and Repsol has agreed to sponsor The Sign Design Award for 2005. For information on all the awards, the awards event and to find out how to enter go to www.bsga.co.uk and click on the Sign Industry Awards link.
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