Abergavenny Food Festival is one of two Monmouthshire businesses shortlisted for a coveted Welsh Business Award at the South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce Awards next month.

The shortlist for the 2016 awards features 35 businesses in total, new and established, representing a variety of sectors in Wales. The food festival, a firm favourite among Welsh foodies, has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Environmental Management category.

Caldicot-based Pro Steel Engineering – a specialist steel firm that has been involved in a number of landmark UK projects, including work on the Olympic Park – is hoping to win Growth Business of the Year.

The 2016 awards, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and sponsored by the University of South Wales, will take place on Thursday, February 23 at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. The event will be hosted by TV presenter Gethin Jones for the second time.

Heather Myers, director of the South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Chamber’s Welsh Business Awards has become an important date in the nation’s business calendar – not only for celebrating our members’ success but also for recognising the qualities that have enabled these businesses to succeed.”

“It has been a challenging year for our businesses. No one really knows what Brexit will mean for them. Despite this uncertainty, Welsh companies continued to excite and innovate, and we’re pleased to be able to celebrate that spirit.”

The Welsh Business Awards were launched to recognise the achievements of new and established businesses across a variety of sectors in Wales. Finalists range from well-known charity Tenovus Cancer Care to innovative agricultural technology start-up, Phytoponics.

Siwan Rees, director of USW Exchange at the University of South Wales, said: “Through our partnership with the South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce, we hope to help support their members by providing expert advice and encouraging business development and growth.

“USW Exchange aims to make it even easier for SMEs to access expertise within the University as well as future talent and the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. These awards help to celebrate the very best in business, innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The winners of each category have the opportunity to progress to the British Chamber Awards when entries open in the spring.

The full shortlist of the South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Welsh Business Awards:

Start-up Business of the Year: Mid Wales Holiday Lets, Rhayader; Phytoponics, Cardiff; TOTM, Cardiff; UniGreenScheme, Pontypool.

Success through Innovation, sponsored by Port of Milford Haven: Dawn Meats, Llanelli; Guide Dogs Cymru, Cardiff; Select Security & Maintenance Services Ltd, Abergavenny; Thermal Compaction Group, Cardiff.

Success through Overseas Trade, sponsored by Atradius: CPR Global Tech Ltd, Swansea; Invertek Drives Ltd, Welshpool; SPTS Technologies, Newport; Welsh Hills Bakery, Aberdare.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Western Power Distribution: Boss Brewing Company, Swansea; CanDo Laundry Services, Neath; Illustrate Media, Cardiff; Wales Interactive, Bridgend.

Commitment to Customer Service: Guide Dogs Cymru, Cardiff; Quantum Advisory, Cardiff; St Joseph’s Hospital, Newport; The Maltings, Cardiff.

Commitment to Skills & People Development, sponsored by Investors in People UK: LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, Llandeilo; SPTS Technologies Ltd, Newport; TB Davies (Cardiff) Ltd, Cardiff; Wolfestone, Swansea.

Excellence in Community Relations, sponsored by Abellio: Burns Pet Nutrition, Kidwelly; Dragon LNG, Milford Haven; Parker Plant Hire Ltd, Llanelli; Right At Home Cardiff & Newport, Cardiff.

Excellence in Environmental Management, sponsored by Freshwater: Abergavenny Food Festival, Abergavenny; Quality Floorcare Limited, Newport; Thermal Compaction Group, Cardiff; Winning Blend T/A The Welsh Pantry, Pontyclun.

Excellence in Marketing & Communications, sponsored by Heart: Celtic Quest Coasteering Ltd, Haverfordwest; Equinox Communications, Cardiff; Marketing Clarity, Cardiff; Tenovus Cancer Care, Cardiff.

Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by Vodafone: LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, Llandeilo; Pro-Steel Engineering, Caldicot; RockIT, Pencoed; SPTS Technologies, Newport.