Next year’s awards to have more categories and later deadline
Plans for the 2017 competition for the UK Coach Awards include an expanded list of categories and a new later entry deadline among other changes.
The revised approach follows completion of three months of research and consultation which concluded with the second annual UK Coach Awards Stakeholders’ Meeting in June.
UK Coach Awards Chairman Allan Edmondson said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm the go-ahead for the 2017 scheme.
“We’ve been working hard since April to get everybody’s views, using surveys, one-to-one discussions and the stakeholders’ meeting. Whilst there are always aspects upon which we can improve, the overwhelming endorsement for the work we’re trying to do was very welcome.
“Our unique approach, focusing on coach operators and their staff, our independent judging process and the benefits of the scheme to the industry as a whole were all warmly endorsed.”
The awards will remain dedicated to coach operators and their staff in 2017, with expanded and enhanced categories for people – particularly for those ‘at the sharp end of the industry.’
Nominations will open at the end of July and the closing date will be at the end of January. Judging will take place during February, with the announcement of the finalists expected in early March.
“We’ll be seeking nominations from operators and their customers throughout the autumn,” explained Allan.
“Being involved in the awards is rewarding for staff and for the business as a whole. Winning is about more than just a trophy: taking part helps companies – both large and small – to recognise the hard work that their staff put in.
“At the same time, completing one of our entry forms helps people to understand their own journey to success.
“We need everybody’s help to achieve all these benefits – operators need to tell us about all the good things they and their staff are doing to make coaches better, and customers need to tell us about the drivers and operators that have impressed them.
“With a bumper crop of nominations, we can really prove that the coach industry offers exceptional service delivered by great people.”
The Annual Presentation Ceremony will once again be held in Manchester, taking place on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, the scene of five previous events.
