SCOTTISH Wholesale Achievers, the much-lauded industry initiative created by the Scottish Wholesale Association, is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2012.

Plans for the sell-out awards gala dinner and ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday, 9 February, to be attended by over 450 people, are nearing completion with the high-profile event - this year being staged in the prestigious Corn Exchange in the capital - once again rewarding professionalism and excellence within the Scottish wholesale industry.

Achievers, one of the longest-established events on the industry calendar and a benchmark for professionalism within Scottish wholesaling, encourages standards to be raised and rewards outstanding performances across the trade in Scotland.

Categories for wholesalers include: Best Cash & Carry Depot; Best Licensed Wholesaler (Off-Trade); Best Licensed Wholesaler (On-Trade); Best Retailer Development Programme; Best Retail Wholesaler (Delivered); Best Foodservice Wholesaler (Delivered); Best Marketing Initiative; Employee of the Year; Corporate Responsibility Award; and Champion of Champions.

For suppliers, there are four categories: Best Overall Services, voted for by SWA members and entrants; Best Advertising Campaign, also voted for by SWA members and competition entrants; Project Scotland, voted for by SWA members; and, new for 2012, Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, sponsored by The Today's Group.

The Champion of Champions award will be presented to the wholesaler displaying excellence across all aspects of its business while an outstanding individual who deserves special recognition will be rewarded with the Employee of the Year accolade.

First and second-phase judging has been carried out by the suppliers sponsoring each of the categories with the results then scrutinised by a panel of respected independent judges and, where necessary, further interviews with entrants.

Kate Salmon, executive director of the SWA, said: "This is a milestone year for Achievers and we are delighted to be staging the event - for the first time - at the Corn Exchange, a world-class venue in Edinburgh.

"Sadly, our preferred the venue, the Sheraton Grand Hotel which has hosted Achievers since the event's inception 10 years ago, is not available this year due to refurbishment works. This change of venue will not affect guests who are staying in the Sheraton and other nearby hotels as the hotel management are providing a shuttle bus service to and from the Corn Exchange, which is less than 10 minutes away.

"The Corn Exchange is a unique venue, full of character and perfectly suited to a premier event like Scottish Wholesale Achievers - we look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh on 9 February."