Professionals, entrepreneurs and business executives will be among dozens of people celebrated at this year's Nottinghamshire Live Women in Business Awards.
The nomination period for the event, which is in its seventh year, is now open with entries invited for categories including sole trader of the year, women in construction and public service.
A total of 13 categories - which includes two editor's choice awards - will be up for grabs this year and entries will be accepted for the next seven weeks.
Winners in previous years have spoken about how the awards gave them a boost to drive forward in their chosen industries and businesses.
Among the winners in 2018 was former The Apprentice contestant Fran Bishop, owner of The Pud Store, who took away the Entrepreneur of the Year gong.
Mrs Bishop launched the Pud Store, which sells discount children's wear, in Mansfield after appearing on the BBC show in 2016 and decided to invest in bricks and mortar, rather than an e-commerce website.
Since launching, the brand has expanded with new shops in Nottinghamshire and south Yorkshire.
Mrs Bishop said: "I got told on the Apprentice that (the business) wasn’t scaleable and my confidence got knocked. When you get torn down on national TV, you think, should I carry on? So it was really nice to be recognised on my own merits as opposed to being on the back of that.
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"I had never really won anything. The business does, but not me personally, so that was really nice. It gives you a kick on.
"We have got the four stores now. We opened a really big one in Sheffield and we are just in talks with a private equity firm to obtain some of the shares to go forward again."
Mrs Bishop added the awards are a great opportunity to network with like-minded women, as well as enjoying a social occasion.
"From every aspect it is a win-win, whether you win or lose," she said.
Mike Sassi, Nottinghamshire Live editor, said: "Women in Business is now into its seventh year and has become one of Nottinghamshire Live's most popular events.
"The awards have attracted high-quality entries every year - some of the finest businesswomen in our region have been honoured. We anticipate more of the same in 2019.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the success of the businesswomen, executives and entrepreneurs who drive our local economy. We're very much looking forward to turning the spotlight on their outstanding work."
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Susan White, marketing director at headline sponsor Hillarys, added: "Hillarys is delighted to be the headline sponsor for these awards for the second year running.
"They’re a great way to shine a spotlight on women in business in general, unearth brilliant go-getters, exceptional hard-workers and give them a platform to celebrate their achievements and inspire others.
"Championing women in the workplace is a subject that’s massively close to our hearts. Over 60 percent of our colleagues are female, with many of them working part-time or family-friendly hours and we’re committed to creating a supportive culture with fantastic career opportunities.
"The majority of our customers are women and we collaborate with influential female interior designers. We’ve worked hard to have raised thousands of pounds for women’s charities such as Nottingham Breast Institute.
"Awards specifically for women are not an alternative to entering more general initiatives but an additional opportunity. Women can demonstrate and celebrate their successes, gain beneficial insights from their peers and make new relationships with possible partners and even potential investors.
"Winning or being nominated for an award can be a real boost to both individual and business and I’d really encourage women who are pushing the boundaries to put themselves forward."
There are now seven weeks to send in your nominations for the awards. The winners will then be selected by a judging panel made up of Nottingham's business community.
The awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday, November 26, at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham.
How to nominate
To nominate someone for the awards please visit .
Here you will be able to access the relevant information on the awards and the individual categories.
Simply click the "enter now" button on the website where you will find a nomination form which you can fill in and submit.
The categories
Apprentice of the Year
Rising Star
Sole Trader of the Year
Women in Construction
Inspirational Woman of the Year
Women in Public Service
New Business of the Year
Digital Ambassador
Entrepreneur of the Year
Female Executive of the Year
Small Business of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Businesswoman of the Year