Entries open for The Blend Awards 2024
Date: Thursday 16 May 2024
Entries for The Blend Awards 2024 have opened ahead of the highly anticipated annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, which takes place at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Saturday 28th September.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch The Blend Awards 2024 as we once again showcase the incredible talent and dedication within the independent garage community,” said Ray Dilsons, Managing Director of Garage Hive. “With the introduction of new award categories and a commitment to inclusivity, we aim to highlight the diverse achievements of garages across the UK and Ireland.”
For the first time, The Blend’s Garage of the Year Award will be divided into three subcategories, ensuring a level playing field for all garage businesses, no matter their size. These categories cater to garages with one to four staff members, those with five or more staff, and multi-site garage operations.
Recognising the hard work and expertise of individuals in the UK independent garage sector is the Staff Recognition Award. This award, along with the Garage of the Year Award, is open to any independent garage in the UK and Ireland. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of industry judges including Hayley Pells, Policy and Public Affairs Lead at the Institute of the Motor Industry, Andy Crook of Atomic Success, and The Blend Podcast host, Mike Ruff.
Completing the award categories are Community’s Garage of the Year, determined by a Garage Hive community poll, while Community Member of the Year and the Garage Hive Innovator Award will be selected by Garage Hive.
“We’ll be honouring the very best of the independent garage sector, surrounded by friends and colleagues while exchanging ideas over food and drinks,” said Ray. “We encourage all garages to seize this opportunity to showcase their achievements and elevate their business to new heights.”
The submission deadline for award applications is 28th July, with the winners being named at The Blend 2024. The evening dinner and awards ceremony will follow an impressive daytime line-up of insightful talks, including tips and advice on how to boost workshop efficiency and performance, tackle industry challenges and tap into new and emerging opportunities.
Last year, Laura Guild from Lawson AutoTech received the Staff Recognition Award, while Cleevely Motors was named The Blend Garage of the Year 2023. Fife AutoTech was recognised as the Community’s Garage of the Year, Mark Kettle of EAC Telford won the Community’s Member of the Year, and Kirsty Watson of Autocentre Chorley received the esteemed Garage Hive Innovator Award.
Tickets for The Blend 2024 are available to book now at: https://www.theblend.events/tickets. For further information about The Blend Awards, and to enter, go to: https://www.theblend.events/awards.
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