If you think you’ve got what it takes to write for Northern Ireland’s Number One glossy lifestyle and entertainment magazine, we want to hear from you.

Interested parties should email a selection of writing samples and five feature ideas to GO Belfast’s editor, Sinead Doyle at sinead.doyle@pentonpublications.co.uk

Neighbourhood Retailer is delighted to welcome the MS Society Northern Ireland as charity partner for the 2010 Awards. Over the past 12 years, Neighbourhood Retailer has raised in excess of £100,000 for various charities and this year the Awards will aim to help to raise much needed funds and awareness for the MS Society NI.

NR editor Mark White, model Julie Doherty and Frank Boyle, senior commercial manager, Bank of Ireland, Newry, launching the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards 2010

Tom Mallon Fundraising Manager at MS Society Northern Ireland said: “I am absolutely delighted that the MS Society Northern Ireland has been chosen as the partner charity for the 2010 Neighbourhood Retailer Awards and I look forward to working with the event team.

“Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system. It is the most common disabling neurological disease among young adults and affects more than 4,000 people in Northern Ireland. Once diagnosed, MS stays with the person for life. There is no cure. Few people will be aware that in Northern Ireland we actually have the highest incidence of MS per head of population in the world.”

Tom continued: “Increasing awareness about MS is an important part of the work that we at MSSNI and this partnership not only enable us to increase awareness and understanding of ms but obviously the funds we raise will be invaluable.

“We provide services and support for individuals and families affected by MS across Northern Ireland and the funds raised as a result of this partnership will be used to help fund a number of projects in 2011 focussed primarily on or work with families.

“We offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in the 2010 Neighbourhood Retailer Awards – here’s to a very successful evening.”

To book your place/table at the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards 2010, simply contact Michelle Morgan on 028 90 457 457 or email michelle.morgan@pentonpublications.co.uk.  Alternatively, visit www.neighbourhoodretailerawards.com

The autumn issue of Ireland’s Wedding Journal is on sale now and is packed with inspiration and ideas for your wedding day and honeymoon, including getting into shape with our exclusive Drop a Dress Size in a Month diet and exercise plan, stunning couture dresses, elegant groomswear, autumn make-up, celebrity weddings, designer interviews and fantastic competitions such as the chance to win a £7,000 wedding and £1,500 of wedding cars…

If there’s one thing that every bride-to-be wants, it’s to look fantastic on her wedding day. Whether it’s losing a few inches or just toning up, getting into shape is a major priority. Wedding Journal has teamed up with nutrition guru, Suzanne Chalkley and fitness expert, Lynne Hanna to devise an exclusive 28-day eating and exercise plan to have you trim and toned in time for your big day.

Starting on page 189, Drop a Dress Size in a Month is based on simple healthy meals and exercises you can do at home. It’s tough, but so worth it.

And once you’ve achieved your ideal shape, what better way to show it off than in a stunning couture dress. Our twelve-page photoshoot on page 74, features some of the most inspiring and gorgeous gowns around at the moment. We haven’t forgotten the boys either – starting on page 139 are twelve-pages of gorgeous groomswear, shot exclusively for WJ inside Crumlin Road Jail.

We’ve also got the cutest children’s wedding wear on pages 124 & 125 and the latest autumn bridal accessories starting on page 108.

Model and former Miss UK Lucy Evangelista tied the knot with Ulster Rugby star Matt McCullough in a stunning ceremony at the Culloden Hotel. Starting on page 24. She talks to Sarah-Jayne Cassells about her dream day in the first of our celebrity wedding features.

Another well-known newly-wed is Fair City actress, Sarah McDowell. Sarah married fiancé Laurence Flood during a three-day celebration at Kilronan Castle, Co Roscommon. Read all about it on page 100.

Also, RTE’s Morning Show host Sybil Mulcahy recalls her hilarious wedding night capers in Wedding Memories on page 132.

We’ve also got a host of exclusive interviews for you to enjoy. On page 36, one of Ireland’s favourite bridal designers, Ian Stuart, tells WJ about Revolution Rocks, his latest amazing collection. Fashion stars of the future, Grainne Maher (millinery) and Nina Divito (shoes) chat about their work and latest designs and John Charles Design Director, Regine Ellis reminisces about her exotic life and gives advice on choosing a mother of the bride outfit.

Celebrity marriage break-ups happen every day, but some stars do actually stay together – check out the A-list couples who’ve lasted the distance on page 95.

If you are having trouble choosing a venue for your reception, Wedding Journal has four of the most spectacular locations in Ireland for you to choose from on page 220 and we’ve asked three of our top chefs to each create an exclusive dessert recipe suitable for a wedding or family get together. See page 234.

Our regular real-life wedding section is a bit special this issue as bridal designer Lizzie Agnew has given WJ exclusive access to pictures of her unusual urban wedding and don’t forget to log on to: www.weddingjournalonline.com and register to win some amazing prizes including, a £7,000 wedding and wedding cars worth £1,500.

Updated daily, www.weddingjournalonline.com is also the place to keep up-to-date with celebrity wedding news, find out about the latest bridal offers and chat and get advice from other brides-to-be in our popular forum.

The company, which owns a diverse portfolio of beer brands including Carling, Coors Light and Grolsch, and is the world’s fifth largest brewer, will take centre stage at this year’s LCN Awards, which take place on Friday 8th October 2010.

Having established its own direct sales and marketing operations in Northern Ireland in March 2010, Molson Coors is now putting its considerable weight behind the search for Northern Ireland’s true hospitality stars, with its guaranteed two-year headline sponsorship of the LCN Awards.

Commenting on the announcement, Bill Penton, publisher of Licensed & Catering News said: “We are delighted to welcome Molson Coors on board as the headline sponsor of the LCN Awards.

“Licensed and Catering News has been championing the industry for 70 years, and the launch of the LCN Awards last year was highly welcomed by the trade, who recognised and applauded our endeavour to provide a positive focal point for the industry, in what is an exceptionally challenging time.

“Molson Coors share our vision to celebrate and reward those businesses and individuals that continue to strive for excellence, and their significant investment in the LCN Awards is testament to their commitment to the Northern Ireland licensed trade.”

The most prestigious Awards for the licensed, catering, tourism and hospitality industry, the Licensed & Catering News Awards in Association with Molson Coors remain the only comprehensive awards for Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry. Independently judged by industry watchdog Spotcheck NI, the Awards will continue to help raise industry standards, rewarding innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and professionalism across all sectors.

Niall Phelan, country manager Ireland, Molson Coors said “We are delighted to be the title sponsors of the Molson Coors Licensed & Catering News Awards 2010. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of people and businesses within the licensed, catering, hospitality and tourism industry and celebrating the industry is something Molson Coors believes is very important.

“We have enjoyed continued success of our flagship brands – Coors Light, Northern Ireland’s fastest growing bottled beer and Carling which has exceeded all initial sales targets. Having set up our own direct sales and marketing operations in Northern Ireland in March, we are dedicated to supporting the trade and recognising the successes of the industry especially, during such difficult trading conditions, through the Licensed & Catering News Awards in association with Molson Coors 2010.”

Alongside its headline sponsorship of the LCN Awards, Molson Coors’ will also sponsor the Pub of the Year and Publican of the Year Awards, which seek to uncover Northern Ireland’s most successful Pub and Publican, respectively.

Entries have been flooding in since the launch of the 2010 Awards in March. Over 350 entries were received for the LCN Awards in 2009, and with the industry backing the Awards once again, it is anticipated that over 450 entries will be submitted for the LCN Awards 2010.

To enter the LCN Awards 2010, complete and return the entry form in the centre of LCN magazine, or enter online on the dedicated Awards website at www.lcnawards.com Deadline for entries is Wednesday 30th June 2010.

The Molson Coors Licensed & Catering News Awards 2010 will take place on Friday 8th October 2010 at the Ramada Hotel Belfast.

For more information, call Pamela Beers on 028 90 457 457 or log on to www.lcnawards.com

The most prestigious Awards for the licensed, catering, tourism and hospitality industry, the Molson Coors Licensed & Catering News remain the only comprehensive Awards for Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry. Independently judged by industry watchdog Spotcheck NI, the Awards will continue to help raise industry standards, rewarding innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and professionalism across all sectors.

In 2010, Licensed & Catering News celebrates its 70th year in publication. To mark this massive milestone, the LCN Awards 2010 will be adopt a 1940s theme. In keeping with the retro mood, festivities will be hosted by none other than Belfast born comedian and former presenter of Catchphrase Roy Walker – who also celebrates his 70th birthday in 2010.

To enter the LCN Awards 2010, complete and return the entry form in the centre of LCN magazine, or enter online on the dedicated Awards website at www.lcnawards.com Deadline for entries is Wednesday 30th June 2010.

The Molson Coors Licensed & Catering News Awards 2010 will take place on Friday 8th October 2010 at the Ramada Hotel Belfast.

For more information, call Pamela Beers on 028 90 457 457 or log on to www.lcnawards.com

For the fifth year running, platinum sponsor Bank of Ireland will support what is one of the most anticipated events in the local retailing calendar.

Neighbourhood Retailer Editor Mark White, Frank Boyle, Regional Manager - Commercial Banking, Central South, Bank of Ireland and Model Julie Doherty.

At the awards launch, Mark White, Editor, Neighbourhood Retailer magazine, said: “The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards were conceived in 1999 to recognise and reward retailers who are at the top of their game and are making an outstanding contribution to the sector.

“Over the past 12 years, the Awards have also helped build confidence at key times during the longstanding fight against the multiples and have reinforced the important role that these traditionally family-owned independent retailers play in each of the communities they serve.”

Frank Boyle, Regional Manager – Commercial Banking, Central South, Bank of Ireland added: “Bank of Ireland’s continued support of these awards reflects our commitment to helping the retail grocery sector strengthen and develop its appeal.

Over the past 12 years, the Awards have also helped build confidence at key times during the longstanding fight against the multiples and have reinforced the important role that these traditionally family-owned
independent retailers play in each of the communities they serve.

“This award scheme provides the opportunity for stores to demonstrate their competitive edge and their contribution to communities right across Northern Ireland.

“As a market leader in providing financial and advisory services to this sector, we have been impressed by the very high standards of service evident in local grocery retailing, and they have got better year after year. Store owners and operators who hope to score a victory in the 2010 awards will have to be on the ball.”

GO Belfast is delighted to announce that Coors Light has come on board as the headline sponsor of the GO Belfast Awards.

The leading bear brand, which is owned by global family brewer Molson Coors – the fifth largest brewer in the world, will assume the title sponsorship of the Awards for at least the next two years.

Rock chicks Margaret Fuk and Julie Martin join Gavin Bleakley, field sales executive Coors Light to launch the GO Belfast Awards with Coors Light 2010.

Speaking at the announcement of the exciting partnership, GO Belfast publisher Bill Penton said: “We are thrilled to welcome Coors Light on board as our headline sponsor for the GO Belfast Awards.

“Now in their fourth year, the GO Belfast Awards have grown from strength to strength, and are now firmly established as Northern Ireland’s leading lifestyle and entertainment Awards. This significant investment from Coors Light and its parent company Molson Coors – the world’s fifth largest brewer – affirms the GO Belfast Awards’ position as a cutting edge event that puts Northern Ireland on the map.

“The GO Belfast Awards with Coors Light 2010 aim to uncover the true stars of the city’s lifestyle and entertainment scene – those businesses and individuals that have made Belfast the thriving, cosmopolitan city it is today. Having received over 22,000 public votes last year, we are confident that we’ll smash that figure in 2010, as the public come out in force to have their say.”

Commenting at the announcement, Seamus Daly, marketing manager Ireland, Molson Coors said: “Having recently established our independent Northern Irish operation in March, we are delighted that Coors Light, one of our flagship brands, will take centre stage at this year’s GO Belfast Awards.

“Our company ethos is centred around being a global brewer, with a local presence, and Coors Light’s headline sponsorship of Northern Ireland’s leading lifestyle and entertainment Awards is a clear sign of our commitment to Northern Irish businesses and consumers.

“Providing an excellent opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge those businesses and individuals that make Belfast one of the leading European destinations for retail, hospitality and entertainment, the fourth annual GO Belfast Awards with Coors Light are set to be a highlight of the city’s social calendar.

Voting for the GO Belfast Awards with Coors Light opened in March and the votes have been flooding in by the bucket-load. To have your say about who you feel deserves to win this year’s coveted GONGS, log on to the new funky website -www.gobelfastawards.com and place your votes.

Following the runaway success of the 7Up GO Belfast Awards in November, GO Belfast picked up its very own gong, walking away with the coveted ‘Front Cover of the Year’ Award at the Irish Magazine Awards in Dublin in December.

The winning cover, pictured here, featured on the April/May 2009 issue and certainly got tongues wagging at the time of its release, reaffirming GO Belfast’s status as an edgy, fun and funky lifestyle and entertainment magazine.

Commenting on the winning design, the judges said: “”In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the impact of a front cover on a free circulation magazine is paramount. Whilst GO Belfast benefits from a growing, loyal readership, it is imperative that the cover has a real and instantaneous impact on the reader, as it can often be what motivated the reader to pick up GO Belfast over competing free titles.

“The judges loved the April/May 2009 issue of GO Belfast and felt it was a perfect reflection of the edgy, funky content of the title. This provocative cover paints a positive picture of Belfast reflecting the inherent optimism of GO Belfast as an advocate and ambassador of the city and all it has to offer.”

Speaking after the Awards ceremony, GO Belfast editor Sinead Doyle said: “We would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our highly talented and creative design team, whose vision, dedication and tireless creativity is key to the magazine’s continued
success.

“Since its launch in May 2006, GO Belfast has established itself as Northern Ireland’s leading lifestyle and entertainment magazine, and its original, cutting-edge design has played a huge part in making GO the magazine of choice amongst visitors and residents alike.

“It is a true honour to have received a national award of this calibre and to have beaten off competition from more established Irish magazines. We believe this is a sign of more great things to come for GO Belfast.”

We are delighted to announce that Penton Publications and a selection of its leading magazine titles have been shortlisted for a number of high profile national Awards.

Singled out from over 100 entries from publishing companies across the UK, Penton Publications will compete against four other leading companies for the coveted title of UK Independent Publishing Company of the Year at the prestigious PPA Independent Publisher Awards in London and will also battle it out for the Publishing Company of the Year Award at the Irish Magazine Awards in Dublin.

Penton’s GO Belfast magazine, which has firmly established itself as Northern Ireland’s leading glossy lifestyle and entertainment magazine, has also been shortlisted for the prestigious title of ‘UK Consumer Magazine of the Year” the Independent Publisher Awards and as well as Consumer Magazine of the Year (over 15,0000) and Front Cover of the Year at the Irish Magazine Awards.

Ireland’s Wedding Journal, the leading Irish bridal Magazine has been shortlisted for Consumer Magazine of the Year (over 15,000), whilst, Licensed & Catering News, Northern Ireland’s leading trade title for the licensed, catering, tourism and hospitality industry has been selected as a finalist for the Business to Business Magazine of the Year title at the Irish Magazine Awards.

Both the PPA Independent Publisher Awards and the Irish Magazine Awards are the ultimate accolade for the achievements of magazine publishers in the UK and Ireland respectively. They celebrate the dynamic contribution made to the publishing industry and the entrepreneurial spirit of today’s publishers.

Speaking at the announcement of the shortlists, Bill Penton, managing director of Penton Publications said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be have been shortlisted for a total of six awards at these two prestigious national publishing awards.

“These nominations clearly demonstrate that Penton Publications is leading the way, producing first class publications that are being recognised on a national level.

“It is a significant achievement for us to be the only Northern Ireland publishing company to have been shortlisted for the UK Independent Publishing Awards and to have received a further four nominations for the Irish Magazine Awards. We are truly honoured that the judges have deemed our company to be in the top echelon of publishing companies in the U.K and Ireland.

The winners of the Independent Publisher Awards will be revealed at an exclusive Awards Ceremony presented by James Caan of BBC’s Dragons’ Den at Vinopolis, one of London’s most exclusive venues, on Tuesday 1st December and the winners of the Irish Magazine Awards will be announced at a black tie ceremony in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin on Thursday 3rd December 2009.