The Judging
Judging is carried out by an independent panel of past winners, industry leaders and experts in their field, selected for their impartiality, experience and suitability for each category.
For most categories, initial short-listing will be based on the information provided within the application form along with a look at your website and any third party sites.
Three to five businesses will normally be short-listed in this first stage of judging for each category, though this number will fluctate depending on category and number of entries. All entrants will receive feedback.
Short listed businesses will be visited (mystery shopped where appropriate) between June and October, normally by two independent mystery shoppers. Please note that it is a requirement of entry that entrants agree to waive or refund the direct costs of a mystery visit should the entry be successful in being short listed and should a mystery visit be arranged. The visit will result in a full report being given to the entrant. Receipt of your entry is taken as agreement to this requirement.
Short listed businesses will be notified in October if they have been selected for the final.
The winners, normally a combination of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards per category, will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.
And, remember, all winners will be 'fast-tracked' into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
(The new 'Taste of Devon' and 'Producer of the Year' award will be judged as outlined on the entry form, with all eligible entries mystery shopped or sampled. Winners from The Producer category will not go forward to the South West awards, as there is currently no corresponding category).
