Virtual 'tables' will bring home the glamour of the SCDI Highlands and Islands Awards
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One of the highlights of the north business calendar may have been forced online by the Covid crisis, but with the help of technology, organisers hope to recreate the live experience as closely as possible for those watching from home.
The SCDI (Scottish Council for Development and Industry) Highlands and Islands Dinner and Business Excellence Awards is a sell out success each year as members and guests gather in Inverness to celebrate business success in the region with good food, good company and a celebrity host.
Carol Anne Grady, SCDI's events executive, revealed the organisation had been working hard to translate the best of the physical event into a virtual format.
"We have been running the awards for at least 15 years and last year we had to miss it, but we were determined that wouldn't happen again. We wanted to give our members the chance to catch up as well as recognise the great achievements in business in the Highlands and Islands," she said.
"People really miss being able to see each other and chat in a way that's a bit more informal and that's why we have chosen the platform we have."
The platform – known as Remo – places guests in tables of eight where they can interact with each other, but also allows them to break away from their table to chat to other gusts elsewhere.
It has also allowed the creation of an informal "bar" area where people can meet on a one-to-one basis for a virtual drink.
The evening will begin with a chance to mingle at a virtual drinks reception, before the official part of the evening begins with a welcome from SCDI Highlands and Islands chairwoman Jane Cumming and entertainment from impressionist and comedian Alistair McGowan.
The awards will then be announced with the 10 prize winners having a chance to step up to the virtual podium to make their acceptance speeches.
The formal element will be brought to an end with a vote of thanks from recently appointed SCDI Highlands and Islands manager Grant Campbell and incoming regional chairwoman Fiona Larg, before a final chance for some informal networking.
"We've tried to make it special with a nod to the feel of the awards, which is about socialising and raising a glass together and acknowledging the hard work that all the businesses of the Highlands and Islands have been putting in," Carol Anne added.
"Our members tend to be really forward thinking people, but I think they have been pleasantly surprised by the platform. There has been a positive response and we have had a lot of really good feedback about the ability it gives people to catch up with folk they have not been able to see for over a year now."
Attendees will even be able to enjoy some non-virtual food and drink while the watch the event, she added.
"Through the kindness of our food and drink sponsors, we are providing some snacks and little miniature drinks for people to enjoy and recreate that social buzz," she said.
There are 10 categories in this year's awards: excellence in marine innovation and growing the blue economy; outstanding supporter of coastal communities; Highland spirit and resilience; excellence in upskilling, reskilling and emerging leaders; SME enterprise of the year; excellence in international business; excellence in natural capital, climate change and sustainable communities; outstanding business leader; excellence in people development; and the SCDI Highlands and Islands chair’s award for outstanding business achievement.
The 2021 SCDI Highlands and Islands Dinner and Business Excellence Awards take place online from 6pm on Thursday, June 24, and tickets are still available via the SCDI website,
www.scdi.org.uk/events/highlands-islands-annual-business-excellence-awards-2021
