IT HAS been more than four months since we launched the 20th Press Business Awards.

It has also been a month since the exciting finale when 70 entries poured in on deadline day alone.

Judges have spent that time poring over the hundreds of entries and they have now chosen the 36 finalists they considered to be the crème de la crème in the 12 categories.

The finalists will gather at the Knavesmire Stand at York Racecourse on November 18 to learn who are the category victors and to applaud the overall winner of the coveted John Guy Memorial Award.

The finalists for The Press Business Awards 2010 are:

Business Personality of the Year

Lewis Hull, of Noverre Ltd, Bishopthorpe

Kevin Hollinrake, managing director, Hunters Property Group Ltd, York

Carolyn Van Outersterp of Jollydays Luxury Camping Ltd, Scrayingham, York

Women In Enterprise

Mrs Louise Smith, The Jug & Bottle, Bubwith

Sharon Cain, managing director Quest PR, Harrogate

Angela Langton, director of Bellezza Academy Ltd, Bridlington

New Business Of The Year

Scoot Cycling Holidays Ltd, Stillingfleet, York

Snapshot Media, York

Synergy Cleaning Ltd, York

Family Business Of The Year

Nature's Laboratory, Whitby

Tech Tyres Ltd, Osbaldwick, York

Mr Moo’s, Driffield

Small Business Of The Year

Wold Top Brewery,Wold Newton

RJB Couriers Ltd, Clifton Moor, York

Renovo, York

Best Employer & Education Link

Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate

Electric Angel Design, Scarborough

Firmenich UK Ltd, Thirsk

Tourism & Hospitality Business Of The Year

Superbreak Mini Holidays Ltd, York

The Grange Hotel, York

York Racecourse Hospitality, York

Science & Technology Business Of The Year

Extreme Creations, Harrogate

PureNet, York Science Park

Waverun, York

Young Business Entrepreneur Of The Year

Adam Thorpe, managing director Superior Stay, Harrogate

Ashley Mason of Yormed, York

Dario Grandich, of Snapshot Media, York

Best Business & Higher Education Link

Nature's Laboratory, Whitby

Northern Rail Ltd, York

Apollo Creative, Knaresborough

Large Business Of The Year

Benenden Healthcare Society, York

York Racecourse Hospitality, York

Gear4music.com, York

Think Green Business Of The Year

Best Western Monkbar Hotel, York

The Hawk Creative Business Park, Easingwold

Scoot Cycling Holidays Ltd, Stillingfleet, York