Six PR and marketing firms have been shortlisted in a new category for the TTG Travel Awards 2017.

The new category is aimed at representation companies working with the UK travel trade and/or UK travel media, to recognise the important role such agencies play in educating and inspiring both travel agents and consumers on behalf of their clients.

The new category is sponsored by Cision, parent company of Gorkana and PR Newswire.

The six companies which have made it to the next stage of judging for 2017 are: 3For, Brighter Group, Hills Balfour, Made, Lotus and SLC Representation.

To earn a place on the shortlist, agencies were asked to describe their activity over the last 12 months, to demonstrate their creative approach and results achieved for clients, and to outline their own business’s performance and growth.

Their written entries will now be assessed by a panel of judges, including marketing and media experts.

The winner of the new category will be announced at the TTG Travel Awards ceremony on September 18 at The Lyceum Theatre.

Pippa Jacks, TTG Media’s group editor, said: “PR and representation companies are vital to the travel industry, enabling destinations and travel brands to stay top-of-mind with travel sellers and holidaymakers alike. This exciting new category will recognise the field of PR and representation alongside all the other sectors which work together to make the UK travel industry tick."

A limited number of tickets are still available for the night, priced at £99+VAT for travel agents, or £245+VAT for other guests. Groups of 10 tickets at £2,195+VAT include a 10% discount.