Midlothian and East Lothian Business Awards are on the horizon and George Archibald, one of the leading members in the organisation, urged SMEs out there to become involved in the organisation to boost their trade potential.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Eskmills, Musselburgh, on Thursday, March 7 and Archibald said: “It is our biggest event of the year and, we are a little bit biased, but we believe they are the premier business awards in the South-East of Scotland.
“There will be around 300 people attending, it is not a black tie event, but there are scores of nominations and the judges whittle that down to a winner in each category. It is a really big event.”
Archibald was speaking at the annual meeting of the chamber at Bush House in Edinburgh’s Technopole and he said businesses need to get involved.
He added: “They need to get involved with us and each other. We are a membership organisation, no members, no chamber, and we can help business and businesses can help each other. Networking is big, events are big, and, again I am biased, but I think it is the best value anywhere.
“It is not expensive and the benefits are extensive, if you get involved.”
Archibald added: “The chamber can introduce you to other companies, we can give you a host of advice on a whole variety of business topics, and we can give guidance and mentoring, to name a few of the things where we can help.
“This assistance is especially helpful for start-ups and the chamber is filled with good businessmen and businesswomen who have huge knowledge and experience and education.”
The chamber, he stressed, also lobby at local and national government level and he said: “The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have the ear of government and we tell them what we think and what we need.”
For the record, the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce (MELCC) phone number is 0131 603 5040 and he added: “Call any time, day or night, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.”
PICTURE: Karen Ritchie, chief executive officer of the MELCC, speaking at the annual meeting. Picture by Nigel Duncan
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