The awards are being independently judged by Stakeholder Communications.

The judging process will commence on Thursday 2nd October and run until Thursday 23rd October. All entries will be judged to include Mystery Shopping categories. The judging panel will include senior executives and professionals from Northern Ireland with expertise relevant to the particular award category.

The judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Entries must be sent to the correct address shown on the application form and website.

The judging process will be conducted in two stages. At the end of the first stage entries will be graded and applicants will be shortlisted and will be advised that they have been shortlisted.

A shortlist will usually comprise of not more than 7 companies per category. The judges will then select winners and runners up from the shortlisted entries. All information and materials received will remain strictly confidential to the judges and event organisers.

Finalists for the awards will be notified between the Monday 27th October – Tuesday 28th October 2008.