Oh, Did We Mention We Were Finalists in October?

Written by Kim Cordell  |  Product Development Administrator, European Medical Journal   |  @EMJ_Kim

So, if you are reading this blog, you may or may not be aware that our social media is quite a fabulous place to find yourself… and that’s not just our opinion! EMJ was recently invited to the Essex Countywide Business Awards 2017 and nominated for the Best Use of Social Media award. As finalists, we tore ourselves away from Twitter, put on our glad rags, and headed to the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, UK for the awards evening, held on Friday 6^th October 2017.

With Product Development Administrator Louise Chick driving, and myself giving poor directions in the passenger seat, we were filled with both excitement at being asked to attend the event as representatives of EMJ and concern that if we were announced as winners, we would have to walk a fairly long distance in heels and try to avoid falling fall flat on our faces in front of around 500 people.

We made a few wrong turns on the journey, sang along to some Taylor Swift in the car, and found ourselves walking into the champagne reception right on time, welcomed by a hallway buzzing with >500 expectant finalists, friends, families, gorgeous gowns, and terrific tuxedos. As we made our way to the hall where the awards evening would take place, both of us were amazed at the sheer size of the event. Once we found our table, we tucked into a delicious three-course meal. After indulging in some conversation with other members of our table, one of whom was nominated for the Business Woman of the Year award, we were treated to entertainment provided by magician, Paul Martin. With Louise running from our table at the back of the room to the stage where she took part in a game of heads or tails, it certainly was an evening full of laughter to get the crowd ready for the awards ceremony. Sadly, we did not return with the bottle of champagne that was on offer for the champion!

The awards ceremony proved a great opportunity to showcase the incredible talent Essex has to offer across the board when it comes to business, and although EMJ were pipped at the post for the Best Use of Social Media award, Louise and I had a fantastic night of networking. Congratulations to all of those who were both finalists and winners on the night!