132 businesses from 32 European countries are hoping to be named a winner in Europe’s biggest and toughest business competition, the European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM, at its Gala Event Final on 17 June in Milan, Italy.

Businesses will be celebrating success following a 16-month journey, which began when the competition engaged with over 32,000 businesses at its entry stage in spring last year, from which it named 678 National Champions in September 2015.

After a series of video presentations, face to face interviews and a public vote, the finalists in Milan are the ten shortlisted companies for each of the competition’s 11 categories and the ‘National Public Champions’; the companies whose video achieved the highest number of votes in their country. The public vote this year generated over 227,000 votes from across the globe.

The Event at the Milan Marriott Hotel will have two parts; a 100% Growth Conference during the day where businesses leaders will get together to debate and identify ways to double the size of their businesses, and a Gala Dinner in the evening when the final winners will be announced.

Alongside the successful finalists in attendance there will also be VIPs including leading academics, politicians, ambassadors, and business leaders from the most successful organisations in Europe, many of whom acted as judges for the Awards.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: “The Gala Event Final is the result of enormous effort and achievement. It also presents a powerful opportunity for businesses to meet peers, discover new solutions, do business and celebrate phenomenal success. I wish all our finalists the best of luck.”

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, the sixth largest global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms said: “The European Business Awards are an ideal platform to celebrate the innovation, strength of leadership and depth of business acumen of the finalists. But more than that, they provide a forum for leaders to discuss the evolving landscape, learnings and insights and how these can be utilised to drive business initiatives and growth across the continent.”

In the 2015/16 competition, all EU member markets were represented plus Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Their combined revenue exceeded €1.2 trillion employing over 2.5 million people.

The European Business Awards’ primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Additional sponsors and partners of the Awards include UK Trade and Investment, ELITE and PR Newswire.

For further information about the European Business Awards and RSM please go to www.businessawardseurope.com or www.rsm.global and follow us on twitter at @rsmEBA and @rsm_global

ENDS