Today we unveil the shortlist for Insider’s third annual Business Tourism Awards ahead of next month’s gala dinner in Leeds. This year, we received a record number of entries in each of our categories ranging from large, small, new and unique venue of the year through to best business event and best business hotel of the year. Insider editor Jim Pendrill said the industry had continued to shine despite a challenging year, evidenced by the quality of submissions: “The industry has continued to invest during the downturn and put itself in an excellent position ahead of the upturn. It is clear that the perception of Yorkshire among companies nationwide is changing very fast.” For a full rundown on our shortlist, click here.

The Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASBGI) will sign up Harrogate International Centre (HIC) as one of its preferred venues for its International Surgical Congress for the next 12 years. HIC won the bid from a shortlist of eight venues. Approximately 1,200 medically qualified delegates from across the globe attend the three-day annual congress during the first week of May, bringing in some £1.6m to the host city.

The Variety Club is now seeking nominations for the Yorkshire Property Awards 2010, which is to take place on 6 May at Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate. The event is the 13th Yorkshire Property Awards to demonstrate its strength, depth and quality of the Yorkshire property industry. The closing date for nominations for the nine awards, for achievements between March 2009 and March 2010, is 26 February 2010. The award categories are: Best Contractor; Best Architect; Best Agency Team – Retail; Best Agency Team – Office; Best Agency Team – Industrial; Best Agency Team – Investment; Best Development; Social Responsibility Award and Property Personality. To make a nomination, click here.