THE Family Business Of The Year at last year’s Press Business Awards, Joe Manby, has won new contracts and been praised by the Prime Minister.

The exhibition and conference service providers, whose clients include the Conservative Party, has won a contract to provide “shell scheme” modular exhibition stands and electrical services for Ocean Media Group for three years.

It will service the twice-yearly British Bridal Exhibitions from September 2010 to March 2013, and the Chartered Institute Of Housing’s annual conference and exhibition, both at the Harrogate International Centre. Andrew Manby, son of Joe Manby who founded the Harrogate business in 1974, runs the company with his brother Richard.

He said: “Being awarded these major contracts from Ocean Media reinforces the strength of our ability and approach along with our commitment to nurturing long-standing relationships with our clients, many of whom have commissioned us for over two decades.”

Joe Manby boasts an annual show portfolio comprising 80 events, and was recently praised for its work on the 2009 Conservative conference by Prime Minister David Cameron.

“I really do appreciate all the effort you put in on our behalf. The 2009 conference was a real success but I am well aware of the hard work and many hours of preparation that will have gone on behind the scenes to ensure that everything ran so smoothly,” he said.