UMi created the event in 2016 to recognise the North’s top exporters and celebrate their achievements in international trade, while also giving inspiration to others to consider exporting as a realistic opportunity for growth.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are being encouraged to enter with a host of awards on offer — from micro exporter to e-commerce and most entrepreneurial exporter of the year.

Last year over 350 exporters, partners and intermediaries came together to see West Yorkshire’s headquartered Bluefin Trading crowned Exporter of the Year alongside nine other category winners from 118 nominations.

ACOLINK — Your partner for success in China, and LetsDoChina.org have officially partnered with UMi to promote trade with China and support the Awards and International Trade Campaign. Through the LetsDoChina.org initiative launched in 2018, ACOLINK have been supporting the International Trade Campaign that seeks to recognise and actively support the most entrepreneurial exporters from across the North of England.

Anita Zhang, ACOLINK CEO, said "We’re delighted to working together with businesses and organisations across the region and continue supporting the International Trade Campaign through our LetsDoChina.org initiative. The Northern Powerhouse Export Awards are a great way of celebrating the entrepreneurial success and encouraging more local businesses to make the leap and take their products and services to global markets such as China."

Last year, China was especially highlighted as a thriving market for current and potential exporting prosperity for Northern businesses; ACOLINK had the honour of arranging the attendance of distinguished guests from the Economic and Commercial office of the Chinese Embassy in London who joined the celebrations.

The 2020 awards, held in partnership with PD Ports and in association with HSBC, will take place on 19 March 2020 at Teesside International Airport in Tees Valley.

Award Categories

The award categories are:

• E-commerce Exporter of the Year
• Most Entrepreneurial Exporter of the Year
• Micro Exporter of the Year (turnover less than £2m)
• New to Export (business of any age exporting for less than three years)
• Small Exporter of the Year (turnover £2m – £10m)
• Large Exporter of the year (turnover +£10m)
• Export Team of the Year
• High Growth Market Exporter of the Year
• Emerging Markets Exporter of the Year
• Overall PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Exporter of the Year

For all the details on how to nominate your business, book tickets and sponsorship opportunities, check the official website: www.northernexportawards.co.uk