The event in Battersea on Thursday is the biggest ever. I realise I say this every year. But this is simply because of how great an achievement this is. Every year the event has received such amazing channel support that it has simply grown bigger and better.

This year the standard of the Awards entries was insurmountable. Not only that, but it was refreshing to see some channel behemoths made the effort to put an entry in, and also the massive increase in the numbers of VARs and integrators who demonstrated their excellence in supplying end-users with real solutions through their entries.

Almost every single company who entered made the utmost effort in their attempts to prove why they were worthy of winning at the channel’s equivalent to the Oscars.

The number of entries was validated by the sheer number of votes we received through our web site this year. More than 10,000 channel players saw reason to vote for the partners or suppliers that have helped them to achieve the most this year.

On the night, there will be the usual networking time before the dinner and ceremony begin. After the awards are presented, by our, as yet secret celebrity, the entertainment begins, and this year we have an entire entertainment area for you to enjoy – with more bars than ever before!

The ever-popular casino and disco will be back once again, but this year you can try your hand at some of the other games we’ve laid on for your enjoyment.

And don’t forget to take a glance through the CRN A-List 2006, which will be on your tables, to see who made it into this year’s channel elite.

Win or lose, the night is sure to be spectacular. Good luck to everybody who has been nominated. We hope that you all have a great night.