THERE are just seven days for businesses to complete and submit their entries for the 2011 Regional Business Awards.

The 20th awards, organised by the Liverpool Daily Post, will highlight and reward those companies which have prospered in the last year:

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award is for businesses employing up to 50 people that can demonstrate all-round business excellence.

MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Judges will be looking for specific business achievements and a strong financial performance from businesses employing between 51 and 250 people.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD

This award will be presented to the private sector business or individual judged to have the best history of taking into account the effect of its operations on the community and economy.

EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Judges are looking for the firm that can demonstrate a substantial and sustained increase in exports relative to the size of the company.

LIVERPOOL VISION INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR

Can your company demonstrate how investment – whether a new business or a fresh investment – since January, 2010, has had a beneficial impact on your business and local economy?

LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This category is open to any business engaged in the commercialisation of research and development of intellectual property, including pure sciences, technology, software or professional know-how, irrespective of size or stage of development.

GREEN AWARD

The winner of the Green Award will be the business that can show how changes it has made to its operations have made a positive contribution to the environment

O2 JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD

The winner may not be shortlisted in any of the categories, but in the eyes of the judges demonstrated commitment, determination and dedication to their business and entry into the awards.

KPMG BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award is for the region’s outstanding large business, employing more than 250 people.

DLA PIPER BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Do you or someone you work with truly stand out from the crowd? Do they help to grow the reputation of their organisation – and the region – showing the entrepreneurial spirit that typifies the region’s resilience?