The red carpet was rolled out at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on November 25th as Lancashire businesses donned their suits and gowns for the 2021 Red Rose Awards.
Following a somewhat tumultuous 18 months that has seen the day to day lives of families and businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, Lancashire businesses gathered to celebrate achievements that would see businesses awarded Employer of the Year, Innovation Business and Not-For-Profit Business Awards to name but a few.
The Fun Experts had been announced finalists of the Resilience Award. A new category introduced in response to the pandemic and to highlight the journey and perseverance a business has shown in the last 18 months.
Resilience Award 2021
"the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness"
Definition of 'Resilience' - Oxford Dictionary
With 22 awards to be handed out on the night, the Fun Experts were on tenterhooks throughout, and then...the pinch me moment happened...
“The Red Rose Awards, now in its eleventh year, are very hotly contested, so The Fun Experts should be very proud that they have seen off all the competition to win this award!"
Event founder Richard Slater, also the publisher of Lancashire Business View magazine
How to be resilient during a pandemic...
"The Fun Experts story was so inspirational & needs to be shared beyond ourselves as judges. What we heard was an example of mindset driving you much more than any theory could have. You fought against the advice you were given & won on your terms. We loved that."
Jason Kingston from Cube Thinking - sponsor of the Resilience Award
The journey from March 2020 (and before, as our industry began to see the affects of the inevitable pandemic as early as January that year) up until this night had seen months of hardship, followed by excitement as the tide began to turn and the horizon much clearer.
Having been told to 'shut up shop' and close in April 2020, to our survival and ability to continue doing what we do now, delivering Fun across the nation, this award is testament to everything we have been through these last 18 months.
The resilience shown has been through adapting our business to a sign of the times during the pandemic...
Director of Fun Sunny Sandwell pro-actively reached out to provide support and advice to other local businesses during the pandemic, playing an active role in the start of Wellbeing Lancashire and Funday Monday's.
The Fun Experts were able to introduce new ventures during the pandemic that saw Virtual Fun provided to our clients with virtual events. Fun Boxes became a smash hit through Fun Depot, enabling employers to show they care by having Fun delivered direct to teams working from home. And of course, our own team - though hard decisions had to be made in the early days of the pandemic and throughout, we were able to continue to keep in touch with The Fun Experts, providing advice and support as well as fun through Virtual Quiz Nights.
The business is now in a position where we see our industry BOOM! again and customers are ready to embrace fun with their events. From Exhibitions to University Events, Weddings to Corporate Functions and the upcoming Christmas Party season - it's a fantastic feeling to be attending events.
Proud to be The Fun Experts
"winning this award is incredible recognition to everyone of our Fun Experts who have pulled together and shown outstanding resilience and determination over the past two years."
Director of Fun, Sunny Sandwell
The journey from March 2020 (and before, as our industry began to see the affects of the inevitable pandemic as early as January that year) up until this night had seen months of hardship, followed by excitement as the tide began to turn and the horizon much clearer.
The journey wouldn't have been possible without having been surrounded by a team of people who were as passionate, hard-working, caring, dedicated...as resilient as The Fun Experts.
The Resilience Award is going to take pride of place amongst previous wins that have included the Lancashire Business View Award for business of the year at 2019's Red Rose Awards, as well as Employer of the Year and Service Business of the Year from the BIBAs.
We want to thank each and every one of you, our customers, our suppliers and our fellow Fun Experts for helping us achieve this award.
Keep up to date with The Fun Experts and follow us on Linked In.
