And the winner is… cushion the impact
I never thought I’d be at an Awards Dinner with my heart in my mouth waiting to hear if we’d won.
cushion the impact has been working steadily for the past decade towards being the best at what we do and now I’m minutes away from finding out if the CIBA committee think so to.
Of course the run up to the evening was helter skelter. What to wear? Should I write an acceptance speech or was that tempting fate? Practicing my… “oh well done for beating us” face especially as I was sharing a table with Busworks who were up for the same award!
The Venue at Arsenal Emirates Stadium was spectacular (my sister, a Chelsea fan, hasn’t forgiven me for stepping foot on opposition’s turf) and the champagne reception and dinner lead up to the main event was great.
Andy Lopata http://www.lopata.co.uk/ gave an inspiring and challenging speech and then the awards were being announced. Along with each one the butterfly numbers in my tummy increased and I kept my nerves under control by Tweeting updates on the winners. I had one all ready for the next award, just the name to add..
“…and the award for business service provider…”
It’s us!
After that it’s all a bit of a blur. My carefully worded thank you note (of course I prepared, I’m a lifestyle manager after all) were forgotten as I went on stage but I think (hope?) I managed to sound coherent and even remembered to thank my other half Doug for his support and for escorting me on his birthday no less. Everyone said Happy Birthday to him. How cool was that?
Jules, Diane and Helena weren’t able to attend which was a huge shame but the award is for all of us and cushion the impact wouldn’t be cushion the impact without them for which I am very grateful.
There will be pictures to follow but my other thank you is to everyone who sent us words of support before and after the event. We’re so grateful that you took the time and whether new or old friends, thank you and we look forward to bigger and better things going forward.
Thank you
Andrea Osborne
Director of cushion the impact
Business Services Provider – CIBA 2011 Award Winner
