The deadline for entering the 2016 East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards is now fast approaching.

Entries for this year’s awards will now close on Monday, April 25 – and, with the online entry process designed to be quick and easy to use, that means there is still plenty of time to put in your submission.

For the fifth year running the awards are being supported by EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce as joint main sponsors, and this year involve a total of 14 trophies including the overall Business of the Year title.

Now in their 19th year in all, the awards regularly attract hundreds of entries and the black-tie gala presentation evening – taking place this year at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Thursday, July 7 – has become an important fixture in the region’s business calendar,

Last year’s winners and finalists reflected the diversity of the region’s economy, covering a broad range of businesses from the services and manufacturing sectors and with food and agriculture well to the fore, including the overall Business of the Year, Stowmarket-based malt and malted ingredients firm Muntons.

Former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Terry Baxter, who is now chief executive of Inspire Suffolk and chairman of Ipswich Central, will again be hosting the awards ceremony this year. Three selected finalists in each category will receive tickets to the event, with the winners being announced on the night.

The EADT would like to extend its thanks to EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber for their continued support, and also to all our other category sponsors, many of which have also been supporting the awards for many years.

The awards are free to enter and the application process has been designed to be as quick and easy as possible, so why not check out which categories could suit your business?

After all, you have nothing to lose but potentially a great deal to gain, with success in the awards not only providing recognition with the region’s business community but also, as previous winners testify, a boost to morale in the workplace and a useful tool for marketing.

You are welcome to enter as many categories as you wish, provided you meet the relevant criteria. Please note, however, that the overall Business of the Year award and the Outstanding Achievement award are both made at the discretion of the judges and are not open to direct entries.

The deadline for entries has been extended to midnight on Monday, April 25. For full details of this year’s categories and sponsors, and to enter, visit www.eadtbusinessawards.co.uk. In addition to completing the online entry form, supporting material can sent as hard copy to: EADT Business Awards, Archant, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

The line-up of finalists is due to be announced in late June.