Yorkshire’s big night out - stays in for Digital White Rose Awards

It’s been confirmed that the Welcome to Yorkshire 2020 White Rose Awards will be held online for the first time in the event’s history.

The UK’s biggest tourism awards ceremony usually sees a thousand people celebrating the very best of the county’s tourism industry at a top Yorkshire venue. This year, to make sure all nominees can enjoy the event, regardless of any COVID-19 restrictions which may be in place across the county, Welcome to Yorkshire has now revealed that the presentation will be fully digital.

Monday 23rd November at 7.00pm has been confirmed for the ceremony to take place, at what promises to be an event as exciting and immersive as technology allows, with people enjoying the experience from the comfort of their own homes.

The fantastic Natalie Anderson and Rich Williams will return as Welcome to Yorkshire’s wonderful White Rose Awards hosts for the evening. Both Yorkshire-born and bred presenters are thrilled to be hosting The White Rose Awards for a second time. Natalie Anderson is a proud Yorkshire woman, actress, presenter and an established lifestyle influencer with her online platform and brand The Capsule. She is best known for her prolific roles on ITV dramas Emmerdale and The Royal, plus guest presenting ITV’s This Morning, as well as appearing in musical theatre productions Wicked and Kay Mellors' Fat Friends - The Musical. Broadcaster Rich Williams is passionate about Yorkshire, presents on Virgin Radio and can be seen on LUTV, the official TV channel of Leeds United.

Everyone who attends the White Rose Awards online event is being encouraged to dress up to the nines and get fully in award show spirit, despite this year’s different format.

98 finalists are in the running to win one of the highly coveted trophies. All the nominees brilliantly showcase the wonderful variety of world-class offerings in the county with awards recognising the very best in food, drink, accommodation, attractions, arts and culture.

Head judge Elaine Lemm said: "There’s no keeping our fabulous Yorkshire tourism and hospitality businesses down. We may not be able to celebrate together in the usual way but celebrate we will, recognising and honouring the 2020 finalists and winners and the incredible work they all do in making Yorkshire amazing.”

Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive James Mason said: “2020 hasn’t been the year any of us expected, but we are completely committed to celebrating the vast tourism talent we have here in the county. This year’s awards relate to the 12-months between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020 which wasn’t affected by COVID-19. Since then however we know it’s been incredibly challenging for all our members but I’ve been blown away by the creativity and enthusiasm which has emerged with online events, shops and deliveries, virtual tours and performances. Every business who’s fought on through lockdown is a winner in my eyes and this year more than ever we’ll be celebrating them ALL.”

For more information and to register: https://wra.yorkshire.com/virtual-white-rose-awards