THE Putting Hereford on the Map award goes to the HBID member that has brought attention to the county.

This could be a business exporting its products or services outside the county, a business that has drawn national coverage or a person within a business doing exceptional things.

The finalists are: The Creative Ageing Team at The Courtyard; Hereford Indie Food and Rural Concierge.

The Creative Ageing Team at The Courtyard in Edgar Street has become well-known across the country for the work which they do with older people, particularly those living with dementia.

Not only have they been able to set up networks and projects across Herefordshire which have enriched the lives of many people, they have also received national recognition from other arts venues and healthcare providers who want to learn from their projects.

The Creative Ageing Team has put Hereford on the map by promoting understanding and assisting with developing opportunities for people living with dementia nationwide.

They are changing attitudes and raising awareness by creating a positive and creative environment for people living with dementia, as well as their carers, friends and family.

Hereford Indie Food was set up by the team at the Rule of Tum and they held their first festival last year in a car park behind The Burger Shop and The Bookshop in Hereford.

Hereford Indie Food is a community-driven project celebrating the independent food scene, chefs, producers and makers in the county.

The basic idea of Hereford Indie Food was simple: it seemed to make sense that a county famed for its food and rural nature should have one, and instead of waiting for it to happen, the organisers thought they would do it themselves.

The purpose of the festival is to showcase and promote Herefordshire as a destination for good food, and to strengthen and grow the local community and economy.

Last year 4,000 people attended each day and this year it took place again over the August bank holiday weekend and attracted more than 8,000 visitors.

Since the closure of Hereford Tourist Information Centre in June 2015, Rural Concierge has developed a small area within the Butter Market to provide knowledge and information to tourists to the area, as well as selling local books, maps, cards and walk trails.

Due to the lack of promotion of the county's rural area, Rural Concierge has exhibited at a number of tourism shows over the past few years to promote tours, itineraries and the area in general.

Last year Liz Hill, who set up Rural Concierge, was also given the opportunity to present at the GTO Group Business Forum in London to discuss promoting niche experiences in a rural area and how to market them.