This award will recognise an apprentice or trainee who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their trainer or mentor. The judges will be looking for inspirational stories of learners with exceptional achievement. In particular they will be looking for entrants to demonstrate commitment to their personal development and progression through learning and overcoming obstacles.

To recognise a company demonstrating a commitment to supporting their local community. Judges will be looking for clear proof and evidence to demonstrate the advantages and gains while adopting policies embedded in the company's culture to supporting the local community. This could be through a variety of ways e.g. fundraising, volunteeering. This is for businesses who set aside time/money/resource to help their local communities as part of their CSR. This category is not open to businesses or organisations which undertake community activities as a core business.

To celebrate a business in the cultural/leisure sector which is enhancing the quality of life in the Portsmouth area

Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace, a strategy for the future and how it is beating its competition in terms of achievements and best practice.

An award for the best company to work for. The judges will look for a business that has great staff relations, good staff retention, excellent training and which goes the extra mile to care for its employees. The winner will have demonstrated a real commitment to developing and motivating the workforce.

This award recognises an imaginative and creative manager or employee. The judges will look for someone whose individual contribution to the success of a business has been outstanding or who has demonstrated inspired leadership. Entrants should provide evidence of improvement to the company directly attributable to you as well as any testimonials from colleagues.

This award aims to recognise a business which can demonstrate the importance of exporting and developing a global presence to the success of the business. Judges will seek evidence that the business has achieved significant sustainable growth by opening and/or exploiting new markets outside of the UK. Nominees must show the impact exporting has on growth and profitability, the markets they are operating in and a clear strategy for the countries they have chosen. Judges will also require proof of your past two financial years performance. Please upload as separate documents to your submission.

This category recognises outstanding performance by a company having a workforce of 50 or more. Judging will be looking for details of business success including examples such as outstanding achievements in growth, turnover and profitability; clear vision and plans for the future; consideration of international markets; innovation and creativity; overcoming challenges. Judges will require proof of your past 2 financial years performance, innovativeness and the firm's recent past to determine the quality of the entrants.

To recognise a business that upholds the manufacturing/engineering traditions of the Portsmouth area while continuing to strengthen the regional economy. Winning characteristics could be: how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace; its strategy for the future; sustainability; investment in people and equipment; innovation; sales performance and growth prospects.

This award will recognise outstanding performance by a company having a workforce of 49 or fewer. The winning business will be able to show examples of a successful turnaround of a struggling or slow-moving company; successful exploitation of innovation; excellence in setting up a major new operation; pioneering new markets; remarkable growth in size or profits; innovation and creativity; or overcoming challenges. Entrants will need to provide financial evidence from the last 2 years.

To celebrate someone who has made a real difference to business and the economy in the Portsmouth area. Judges will be considering personal success, success within the person's business (if applicable) as well as success and influence within the wider economy. The winner of this award is picked by the core judging panel but nominations are welcome

Recognising a retailer - whether online, 'bricks and mortar' or a mix of both - that is standing apart from its competition. Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace, a strategy for the future and how it is beating its competition in terms of achievements and best practice. Entrants will need to provide evidence of financial perfomacne for the past 2 years.

This award recognises outstanding performance by a company which has a workforce of nine or fewer and been operating for two years or more. Judges will be looking for evidence of sustained success throughout time of trading; growth in profits, overcoming challenges with clear plans for the future; commitment to great client/customer service; innovation; marketing acumen. Entrants will need to provide financial evidence from the last 2 years.

An award for those businesses which have been trading for under two years and have gone from 0 to 100mph. The successes should speak for themselves and the judges will be looking for evidence of rapid expansion, niche-filling, excellent turnover or job creation – or all of the above.

This award aims to recognise a company demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices or pushing the boundaries within the environmental sector. Judges will be looking for clear proof and evidence to demonstrate the advantages and gains while adopting policies embedded in the company's culture, from supply chain to end user.

This award celebrates the outstanding contribution of a local attraction or event in drawing visitors to the area

The judges will be looking for evidence of attracting new visitors to the area, delivering excellence in customer service and enhancing the profile of the Portsmouth area as a great place to live and visit. This award covers any business that provides a truly memorable visitor experience.

Recognising the success of a young entrepreneur, aged between 16 and 24. The business can be in any sector but entrants must demonstrate that they have made a difference. This could be within their sector, for the community, for the environment or any other relevant area of business.