AN all-time record entry in 20 categories, and all of exemplary quality...
That was the daunting workload faced yesterday by the seven-strong judging panel when it met to choose winners and those highly-commended in this year's Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards.
And what a short-list they arrived at, featuring one organisation with a workforce of more than 4,000, down to a tiny micro-business - and the whole gambit in between.
Entries smashed through the 125-mark this year for the first time, and 76 companies and organisations have made the short-list (which is revealed in full on page 25).
And a significant feature this year is that more than 40 companies/organisations were new to the Irish News awards, having not been involved in any of our previous eight initiatives going back to 2007.
Irish News business editor Gary McDonald chaired yesterday's marathon judging session, where he was joined by representatives of our business partners, including Mark Regan (3fivetwo Healthcare), Anna Beggan (Tughans Solicitors), Professor Deirdre Heenan (Ulster University), Cathy Donnelly and Tony Marron (Liberty IT) and Susan Stranaghan (Department for Employment & Learning).
The judges commented favourable on the high quality of the award submissions, for despite the still uncertain economic environment, applicants remain unerringly determined to stand out and benchmark themselves against their peers.
This year's entries included a raft of new names to the competition, which continues to go from strength to strength, and the short list reflects a mix of blue chip companies, innovative small firms, public sector organisations and education.
Among just a few of the 70-plus on the short list (in no particular order) are the Henderson Group, NI Science Park, Beannchor Group, Core Systems, First Derivatives, George Best Belfast City Airport,
Total Mobile, Belfast Metropolitan College,Keystone Group, CDE Global, The Fun House, Action Cancer, Belfast City Council . . . and a raft of others.
"We were overwhelmed again not just by the sheer numbers, but by the exceptional quality of the entries this year," Gary McDonald said.
"The standard was impeccable, and every single winner will have thoroughly earned the right to step up to the podium in five weeks' time," he added.
Irish News marketing manager John Brolly added: "We are delighted with the record number of entries this year.
"Our Workplace & Employment Awards go from strength to strength, and thankfully it is based on the positive benefits that our winners experience from their association with these awards.
"This year the competition has been intense, but we've managed to create a short list of truly outstanding entrants, and June 17 will be a special and truly exciting night."
The glittering black-tie dinner in Titanic Belfast on June 17 will be compered by BBC journalist Karen Patterson.
* For a complete A-Z of those on this year's short list go to page 25.
* For full awards details visit www.irishnews.com/wea
n JUDGING PANEL: From left, Cathy Donnelly of Liberty IT, Professor Deirdre Heenan of Ulster University, Gary McDonald of The Irish News, Anna Beggan of Tughans Solicitors, Mark Regan of 3fivetwo Healthcare and Susan Stranaghan from the Department for Employment and Learning
PICTURE: Hugh Russell