Three cheers for the best of East Belfast as the third annual Eastside Awards launches in association with George Best Belfast City Airport, celebrating the achievements of the businesses and people of East Belfast.
 
Open for entry until 19 October, new categories have been added to this year’s accolades recognising the thriving beauty and foodie industries within East Belfast and members of the public are being encouraged to vote for their Favourite Hair Salon, Favourite Beauty Salon, Favourite Takeaway Outlet and Favourite Eatery.
 
Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport categories open for application or nomination are: Eastside Award for Tourism Experience, Eastside Award for Individual Contribution to Sport, Eastside Award for Contribution to the Arts, Eastside Award for Educator of the Year, Eastside Award for Best Community Project, Eastside Award for Employer of the Year, Titanic Eastside Award for Innovation, Eastside Award for Business Start-Up, Eastside Award for Business Growth, Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year, Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year.
 
Jonathan McAlpin of East Belfast Enterprise was behind the original Eastside Awards concept and is Chair of the organising committee. Launching this year’s awards Jonathan said: “It’s a real privilege to be launching the third annual Eastside Awards. And it gives me such pleasure to be involved in recognising everything that is the best about East Belfast. From celebrating the achievements of our young people to those who are contributing to the economic impact of the area, to inspirational residents who volunteer their time to helping others and those who entertain or who are committed to our next generation.”
 
Michelle Hatfield, Director of Corporate Services at George Best Belfast City Airport said: “East Belfast is a hotbed of cultural, sporting and economic success made possible by the amazing people that call this great place home, or come to work or play in its surrounds. For that reason Belfast City Airport is once again privileged to be the principal partner of the Eastside Awards, which look to recognise individuals and organisations that make East Belfast proud. Our continued association with the Eastside Awards is one small element of a significant community strategy at Belfast City Airport, which places our community, its education, environment and young people at the core of our business. I would encourage East Belfast to support the Eastside Awards so we can together celebrate our local success.”
 
East Belfast TV presenter Tara Mills will host the awards at an evening of celebration on Friday 25 January 2019 in Hastings Stormont Hotel.
 
The free to enter awards are being supported by George Best Belfast City Airport,
Belfast City Council, East Belfast Enterprise, Fleet Financial, Millar McCall Wylie, Phoenix Natural Gas, Solv, Titanic Belfast, Titanic Foundation, Titanic Quarter, Ulster Bank, Urban Villages, We’re Sure and Wolseley. The media partner is Belfast Telegraph.
 
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All media enquiries: Nicola Bothwell t 07590 606727 e nicola@nbcharteredcommunications.com
 
Eastside Awards social media channels:
www.facebook.com/eastsideawards; www.twitter.com/east_awards #eastawardsni

Eastside Awards Celebrating the Best of East Belfast
We caught up with some of the sponsors of the third annual Eastside Awards ahead of the launch to find out why they think it’s important to support these unique awards which celebrate the best of East Belfast.
For the third year, George Best Belfast City Airport has been named as principal sponsor of the awards and Michelle Hatfield, Director of Corporate Services at George Best Belfast City Airport, said: “East Belfast is a hotbed of cultural, sporting and economic success made possible by the amazing people that call this great place home, or come to work or play in its surrounds. For that reason Belfast City Airport is once again privileged to be the principal partner of the Eastside Awards, which look to recognise individuals and organisations that make East Belfast proud. 
“Our continued association with the Eastside Awards is one small element of a significant community strategy at Belfast City Airport, which places our community, its education, environment and young people at the core of our business.”
 
Michelle added: “I would encourage East Belfast to support the Eastside Awards so we can together celebrate our local success.”
 
Jonathan McAlpin is chair of the awards committee and Chief Executive of East Belfast Enterprise which has been sponsoring the awards since the beginning.  Jonathan said: “Eastside Awards has quickly become synonymous with recognising everything that is great about East Belfast and the first two awards ceremonies were a magnificent success so we are confident that we are progressing to another awesome celebration ceremony. As sponsor of the business start up category, East Belfast Enterprise is proud to be supporting those who are contributing to the economic impact of the area. These awards are such a positive celebration of our little corner of the city.”
 
Phoenix Natural Gas has been sponsoring the awards since the beginning as well and Communications Manager, Geri Wright, said: “Phoenix Natural Gas is delighted to continue to support the Eastside Awards to recognise and reward talent within the East Belfast Community in which we are based. Having been involved in supporting the awards from the beginning, it’s great to see that the awards have gone from strength to strength over the last three years. The success of the awards is testament to the talent of the local community and the contributions made through business, voluntary and community work. Phoenix Natural Gas is proud to be part of such a positive initiative that showcases the best of the East as a hub for creativity, culture and innovation and we look forward to another fantastic year for the awards in 2019.”
 
Ulster Bank sponsors the small business category and Keith Thompson, Business Development Manager, said: “Over the past few years East Belfast has seen significant development, contributing to the thriving economy in Northern Ireland with tourism, retail, food and drink as well as sport. At Ulster Bank we continue to serve local communities with a diverse range of ways to bank – face-to-face, over the phone, or online and through our digital app. We’re also supporting local enterprise through our Business Banking offering and our Ulster Bank Boost programme of events. We see the Eastside Awards as a perfect opportunity to further support local SMEs and celebrate all that is great about East Belfast.
Stephen Kane, Managing Director of Solv Group is a proud East Belfast native having lived and worked in East Belfast all his life. He got involved with Eastside Awards after being invited to the Aisling Awards in West Belfast. Stephen said: “I was very impressed by the professionalism of the event and when I was asked to assist in setting up the Eastside Awards I was honoured. It has been a delight to showcase East Belfast and its residents at their finest moments and the most interesting part of this journey has been learning about the many, many good things that are happening on your doorstep, what seems, every day that until now I was totally unaware off.”
 
Stephen added: “To all in East Belfast, keep up the good work and keep telling your stories!!”
 
Damian Campbell, Head of Corporate Sales at Fleet Financial, said that they are delighted to be involved with the Eastside Awards and their celebration of the best in East Belfast again. Damian said; “It’s truly inspiring to see how business, sport, education and other community groups come together to help build and develop a thriving, vibrant community which gives everyone the opportunity to participate in its success. The Eastside Awards provides the opportunity for people and organisations to highlight their endeavours and more importantly celebrate together”.
 
You can register your interest for the Eastside Awards 2019 at www.eastsideawards.org or by emailing info@eastsideawards.org.
 
www.facebook.com/eastsideawards, www.twitter.com/east_awards
 
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