Launch guests (L-R): Cllr Michael Weeks, Cllr Anthony Dodd, Cllr Roger T Taylor, Cllr Quazi Latif, Cllr Carol Latif, Cllr Howard Morgan, Cllr Beric Read.

The entry process has now begun for the 14th annual Hertfordshire Business Awards. From all over the county, businesses will be vying for the titles of Small Business of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Business Person, Company of the Year and many more.

Last year's awards saw some tremendous achievements in what are very uncertain times. Companies such as Soccertastic, who took the New Business Award, and Turners Cleaning and Support Services, who scooped not only the Large Business Award but also the over all Company of the Year, shone in 2009.

It was encouraging to see the amount of businesses taking the time to enter these prestigious awards. Not only are the awards an opportunity to profile your company to a wider audience within Hertfordshire, it is also an opportunity for companies to profile themselves internally.

So with 2009's event out of the way the preparations have begun for what I hope will be another fantastic Business Awards. I look forward to the entries rolling in and seeing the inspirational business stories that we know are out there in Hertfordshire.

We have a region to be proud of and I look forward to celebrating it again with you at the 2010 Business Awards.

Are you "doing it right" or just starting out as a business in Hertfordshire, I am keen to hear from businesses who have a "Secret to success" or a story to tell.