Entries have opened for the 2026 Media Isle of Man Awards for Excellence as the event prepares to mark its 21st year.

And this year’s awards will place a particular focus on the island’s achievements over the past two decades, celebrating the businesses, organisations, charities and individuals behind them.

The ceremony will take place at the Royal Hall, Villa Marina, Douglas, on Thursday, November 19, with entries closing at noon on Wednesday, September 9.

The event is organised by Media Isle of Man, publisher of the Isle of Man Examiner, Manx Independent and Isle of Man Courier newspapers, as well as the Isle of Man Today and Gef.im online brands.

Awards organiser Trudi Williamson said: ‘We want to mark things that have happened in the last 21 years. We want to look at the island’s success stories.’

There are 16 categories covering areas including business, education, sustainability, customer service, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, and community initiatives.

Businesses can enter as many categories as they wish, while individuals and organisations can also be put forward for recognition.

The awards were established in 2006 to provide a platform for businesses, organisations, charities and individuals to showcase their achievements and celebrate success across the island.

Now entering their 21st year, organisers are hoping this year’s event will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how the Isle of Man has developed since the awards began.

Over the years, the event has provided recognition for achievements across a wide range of sectors, as well as the work of people making a difference within their communities.

Trudi said: ‘It’s a celebration of us all pulling together. Look what a small island can actually do, and look what successes we’ve had.’

Entries will be assessed by an independent panel of local businesspeople representing a range of sectors.

At least three finalists will be selected in each category, with those shortlisted announced ahead of the ceremony.

Finalists will also be invited to take part in a professional video shoot, with the films shown during the awards night before the winners are revealed.

Trudi said the awards are intended to recognise achievement from across the Manx community rather than any single industry or sector.

She said: ‘What an extraordinary island we are. A small nation and the strength and the support, and that’s all down to the people.

‘So whether you’re working in finance, whether you are working in tourism, whether you’re in digital, whatever you’re doing, it’s because we’re all very strong together that it works.’

Organisers are encouraging businesses and organisations to consider their achievements over the past year and submit entries before the September deadline.

They are also urging people who know an individual, organisation or business they believe deserves recognition to put them forward.

The black-tie awards ceremony will bring finalists and guests together at the Villa Marina in November to announce the winners across all 16 categories.

Entries close at noon on Wednesday, September 9, with further information about the categories and how to enter available on the Awards for Excellence website: https://afe.im/.

For more information, email [email protected].