This year’s Operator Excellence Awards is on 7 November at the Hilton Hotel adjacent to the NEC, Birmingham. The event coincides with this year’s show, Euro Bus Expo at the NEC 6-8 November.

Excellence is the by-word and the aim as always is to identify and reward the best operators and people in the coach, bus and minibus sectors.

    However, the road to success starts now with nominations invited from manufacturers, dealers and suppliers.

    Launched in 2005 and now in its eighth year, the Awards are firmly established as the number one event in the coach and bus industry calendar.

    Among the 16 categories there are 11 for operators and five for people, while the Green Award acknowledges environmental initiatives taken by an operator working in partnership with the supply side of the industry.

    Shortlisting of the finalists follows in June/July, and the final judging takes place in August.

    It’s only through nomination that an operator stands any chance of being a finalist. However, nominations for the ‘people’ categories – i.e Coach Manager, Bus Manager, Coach Engineer, Bus Engineer and Special Award – are welcome either from third party recommendation by manufacturers/dealers/suppliers, or direct from their employer.

    All nominees will be asked in May to complete an entry form with information that will enable the panel of judges to determine the shortlists. These finalists will then be invited to submit detailed supplementary information before the final decisions on the winners are made.

    In the event of the judges needing further evidence, they will arrange to either visit or interview finalists.

The categories:

Operator Training Award
Coach Manager of the Year
Bus Manager of the Year
Coach Engineer of the Year
Bus Engineer of the Year
Coach Operator Innovation of the Year
Bus Operator Innovation of the Year
Green Award
Excellence in Minibus Operation
Small Coach Operator of the Year, 1-10 vehicles
Small Bus Operator of the Year, 1-30 vehicles
Medium Coach Operator of the Year, 11-30 vehicles
Medium Bus Operator of the Year, 31-100 vehicles
Large Coach Operator of the Year, 31-plus vehicles
Large Bus Operator of the Year, 101-plus vehicles
Special Award