PRESS RELEASE

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and organisers Brilliant Marketing Solutions today announced that the annual Education Resources Awards (ERAs) are open for entries.

With the support of, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), the SSAT and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the awards highlight outstanding educational products and resources, excellent educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession and supplies industry.

Now in their sixteenth year, the awards continue to grow in popularity due to the fact that they focus on identifying the resources, services and people that make a notable impact on learning. The awards are judged by an independent panel of education experts, many of whom are teaching professionals.

Caroline Wright, director of BESA, comments: “Every year the awards provide our industry, including teachers, suppliers and institutions, with the opportunity to show the effectiveness of what it does and in return receive the industry’s highest accolade. This past year has been tough, but it is this passion for success that continues to result in an improvement in standards. It will be a particular pleasure this year to reward those who have worked so hard to bring the sector back to its exciting, thriving status.”

The 2014 award categories are:

• Best Special Education Resource or Equipment – non ICT
• Best Special Education Resource or Equipment – involving ICT
• Best Early Years Resource or Equipment – non ICT
• Best Early Years Resource or Equipment – involving ICT
• Best Primary Resource or Equipment – non ICT
• Best Primary Resource or Equipment – involving ICT
• Best Secondary Resource or Equipment – non ICT
• Best Secondary Resource or Equipment – involving ICT
• Education Book Award
• Leadership in Education – in association with NAHT
• Educational Establishment of the Year – in association with NAHT
• Education Exporter of the Year – in association with UK Trade and Investment
• Supplier of the Year: less than £1 million annual turnover
• Supplier of the Year: between £1 million and £10 million annual turnover
• Supplier of the Year: over £10 million annual turnover
• Innovation Award
• Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
• Outstanding Achievement Award

Chris Milton, events director, Brilliant Marketing Solutions adds: “Over the past year there has been a revised sense of life within the sector, which is exciting to witness. Whether a supplier, a teacher, or anyone involved in education, each year we welcome the opportunity to reward hard work and a commitment to excellence.”

Award entries, along with any products, must be submitted to BESA by Monday 3 February 2014.

The combined entry form and information pack is available from BESA’s website at

www.besa.org.uk and at www.educationresourcesawards.co.uk. The winners will be announced at the annual gala event at The National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on the second evening of the Education Show 2014: Friday 21 March 2014.

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About BESA

BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market.

With 77 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry.  BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools.

BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service.

For more information, please visit www.besa.org.uk.

About Brilliant Marketing Solutions

Brilliant Marketing Solutions is an events management and marketing company who specialise in organising awards, conferences, seminars, and educational learning days for the education industry. Brilliant has passionately been involved with the education sector and is proud to have developed links with the key associations and companies who supported the inaugural ERAs (Education Resources Awards).

For further press information contact:

Sue Murray
Mango Marketing
T: 01932 829 077
E: sue.murray@mangomarketing.com

For information from BESA contact:

Caroline Wright
BESA

T: 020 7537 4997
E: caroline@besa.org.uk

For information from Brilliant contact:

Chris Milton
Brilliant Marketing Solutions Ltd
T: 01622  623164
E: chris@brilliantmarketingsolutions.net