BIFA Freight Service Awards 2010 open for entries and offering online entry option

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) - www.bifa.org - is seeking entries for its annual Freight Service Awards competition, celebrating 22 years of recognising the best in the UK freight forwarding industry.

In a first for the competition, entries to any of the categories can now be made through the event’s dedicated microsite which is accessible via the trade Association’s website: www.bifa.org/awards (‘Enter Now’).

According to BIFA Director General, Peter Quantrill, the Awards represent an annual opportunity for UK forwarders to step up to the plate. He says: “If you think you are the best in the industry then make sure you shout about it by entering the BIFA Freight Service Awards 2010 competition which has now opened for entries. If you don’t, you can’t complain if your competition does.”

He adds: “While some are beginning to suggest we might have turned the corner in economic recovery, conditions remain tight and uncomfortable for many BIFA Members. I invite Members to take this opportunity to put themselves forward to be judged by the panel of independent experts. These are difficult times but I know many Members have gone above and beyond to deliver on their promises and make what the shippers require happen.

“It has become an increasingly competitive market as quantities of work available have fallen; I am convinced that entering the awards can serve to improve a forwarder’s business processes and operations.”

As well as encouraging and rewarding high standards and professionalism, these awards also represent the ultimate recognition of special achievement in different sectors of the freight forwarding and logistics industry. BIFA’s Freight Service Awards are open to all full and probationary trading Members of the trade Association.

Each of the nine award categories is recognised as very prestigious, and winning an award has become more coveted year-on-year. The deadline for receipt of the entry form or through the online registration, which confirms a company’s intention to enter, is Friday 17 September 2010 at 5.00pm. Actual submissions are due by Friday 1 October 2010 at 5.00pm.

Judging meetings will be held in late October to select four finalists in each category, at which stage finalists will be informed if they have made the final shortlist. Finalists will be announced at the end of October 2010, while winners will be announced at the awards ceremony early next year.

The ceremony luncheon continues to be a key annual event on the industry calendar. This event will take place on Thursday 20 January 2011 at London’s popular venue, the Chiswell Street Brewery.

The winner of the Young Freight Forwarder Award will receive a cheque for £1,000; and runners-up will each receive a cheque for £200, as well as a place on a BIFA training course. This winner will also be nominated as the UK candidate for the Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award 2010.

More than 400 people including BIFA members and their guests are expected to attend. The luncheon will provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to acknowledge the winners as well as networking with key figures from within the industry.

Comments Mr Quantrill: “Since we established these awards 22 years ago, we continue to observe that the standard of entries improves. We are always delighted at the quality of the entrants who are aspiring to be recognised as the best in the industry. This aspiration continues to drive standards to improve each year. That is why I am again looking forward to another successful competition with a large number of entries.”

The nine BIFA Freight Service Awards 2010 are as follows:

• Air Freight Award – sponsored by British Airways World Cargo

• Environment Award – sponsored by Maersk Line

• European Logistics Award – sponsored by TT Club

• Ocean Freight Award – sponsored by CargoWise

• Project Forwarding Award – sponsor to be confirmed

• Special Services Award – sponsored by Forward Computers

• Staff Development Award – sponsored by Albacore Systems

• Supply Chain Management Award – sponsored by BoxTop Technologies

• Young Freight Forwarder Award – sponsored by Johnson Stevens Agencies

Further information relating to entries and luncheon ceremony reservations can be obtained by visiting the BIFA Awards 2010 web pages at www.bifa.org/awards