Food and drink firms are being urged to apply for the 2009 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise - the Royal standard of excellence for outstanding business success. The deadline for next year’s awards is on October 31, 2008.

The official launch of the 2009 Queen’s Awards coincides with a special reception at Buckingham Palace on July 14, for this year’s 136 winning companies - eight of which are part of the food and drink industry - who were announced on April 21, 2008.

Companies can apply for a Queen’s award in up to three categories - international trade, innovation and sustainable development. Any number of firms can win an award in each category, provided they can demonstrate outstanding or continuous business achievement in their field. Benefits of winning include extensive publicity and use of the Queen’s Award Emblem in all marketing for five years.

Steve Brice, secretary of The Queens’ Awards Office said: “A Queen’s Award is a quality standard to which any business, in any sector, can and should aspire. Winners consistently tell us how valuable their award has been to their business. It costs nothing to apply for a Queen’s award, and detailed feedback is given to unsuccessful applicants to help them work towards a successful award application in a future year. So whether or not they win, a small investment of time in a Queen’s award application now can prove to be a very major investment in future business success.”

Alongside the business awards, organisers are also calling for nominations for The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP) - an award for individuals. This prestigious honour recognises outstanding people who are working to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs.

Applications for the awards can be made on-line at www.queensawards.org.uk