One of the most prestigious events in the Scottish housebuilding calendar, The Herald Property Awards for Scotland, were first launched to industry acclaim in 2007. For the past two years, these awards have brought together the cream of Scotland's new build industry, to celebrate and honour innovation, quality and success.

Over the past year, however, the property industry has experienced a unique and complex set of challenges, as a result of the significant slowdown in the housing market and the wider economy.

To reflect this, The Herald has developed a new formula for the awards, one which will still recognise and reward Scotland's success stories, but will also address the issues currently affecting builders, developers and suppliers.

The Herald Property Forum and Awards 2009 will take place on Friday, September 18, at the Radisson SAS Hotel, in Glasgow from 10am to 3.45pm.

The Property Forum will take place in the morning, to be followed by lunch, and then the eagerly awaited presentation of eight awards in the afternoon.

This is an exciting event, bringing together senior political figures with other key stakeholders to debate the way forward for Scotland's housebuilding industry and to explore what can be done to stimulate the market.

Ian Clarke, Sales and Marketing Director, Herald and Times Group:
"I am delighted to announce the launch of The Herald Property Forum and Awards 2009. Since the inception of these awards in 2007, The Herald has succeeded in recognising and rewarding the continued excellence within Scotland's home build industry.

As publisher of Scotland's most comprehensive property guide, Scotland's Homes, our aim is to create a dynamic environment for discussion and debate that will enable the industry to move forward with confidence into 2010 and beyond, while celebrating the achievements of Scotland's builders and developers in 2008/2009.

To that end, and in recognition of the constant and unprecedented rate of change within the market, this year's event will focus around a newly introduced Property Forum at which delegates will have the opportunity to fully discuss the challenges and solutions we face together."

Already confirmed as keynote speakers for this important event are Alex Neil, Scotland's Minister for Housing and Communities, Dave Anderson, Director of City Development of The City of Edinburgh Council, Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland (HFS), and Steve Inch, Executive Director of Glasgow City Council's Department of Development and Regeneration Services (DRS).

The event on September 18 will provide an important forum in which the housebuilding industry can join with the policymakers in helping to shape a dynamic property strategy for Scotland.

Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to what promises to be a lively debate, awards will be presented in eight key categories in recognition of the most successful work of the past year.

Despite the challenges faced by the new build industry in the 12 months since then, Scotland's home builders have responded in a positive style, demonstrating innovation and creativity. Competition in this year's categories should be every bit as tough - if not tougher.

The Best Show Home Award, sponsored by Sidey, will focus on the design and style of an interior that is particularly appropriate for a property and its potential purchasers. Judges will not only consider the overall style and colours used, but will be looking for attractive use of space and any unusual features.

The Best Family Home Award, sponsored by Clyde Waterfront, puts the emphasis on affordability, good value for money and an ability to comfortably meet the needs of a growing family. Judges will assess adaptability, space-saving ideas, safety and convenience in properties that will have been designed and built with the family in mind.

The Best Luxury Home Award, sponsored by Lifetime Planning Ltd, spotlights the top end of the market, where no expense will have been spared in the design, quality of finish, landscaping, fixtures and fittings that will have gone in to creating this home. Here, the judges will be looking for attention to detail in an outstanding property that will offer an extra edge over its rivals in an ideal location.

The Best Apartment Award, sponsored by Ross & Liddell Ltd, covers all sizes of these properties, from one-bedroom starter flats to larger apartments aimed at couples or families. In this category, the judges will not only be considering the site layout, design and presentation, but also key elements such as storage, communal areas, useability and value for money.

The Best Conversion Award, sponsored by Home Reports Direct, will recognise the enterprising redevelopment of a dated or derelict property.

The criteria demands that the basic, original structure must be retained and utilised, and that conservation techniques used should be appropriate to the building. Judges will be looking at both the exterior and interior appearance, in addition to an interesting adaptation of original features.

There will also be two exciting new categories honoured this year: The Best Communications Campaign Award, sponsored by Avia Signs, and Residential Development of the Year (Social Housing) Award, sponsored by Mactaggart & Mickel.

The first will reward an innovative communications campaign for a particular property, development or initiative, with judges considering digital marketing, printed materials, on-site branding, promotional gifts and all other forms of media.

The second, aimed at registered social landlords (RSLs) throughout Scotland, will reward a social housing development which has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and also contributed towards the regeneration of their area. Judges will also be looking at the use of sustainable materials and building techniques, and the development's impact on the local environment.

Finally, the overall award to be made is to The Home builder of the Year, presented by The Herald. This award will go to the Scottish home builder whose portfolio has done the most to help people buy top-quality homes in the past year. Judges will look at every aspect of performance, from architectural design and landscaping, product range, and build quality, including innovative construction methods. The location, value for money, marketing, after-sales service and customer care will also be assessed.

The awards are supported by s1homes.com

For more information, entry forms (closing date for entries is July 1), or to book delegation and lunch tickets for the Forum and Awards (cost per table: £700 + VAT), telephone 0141 302 7407 or email clare.walshe@heraldandtimes.co.uk