The winners were overjoyed, and were generally stunned when their names were read out, with some – such as Medaro Medical's Liz Paul – reduced to tears of happiness at the prospect of recognition from the local business community.
For Mrs Paul the Innovation of the Year award meant more than the numerous prizes the company had won for its Menitest, a home-testing kit parents can use to screen their children for meningitis.
The accolade also came with Lloyds pharmacy about to start promoting the Menitest and with Medaro Medical in talks with Boots and Tesco to stock the device. So things are looking good for the Petersfield-based development outfit.
Meanwhile David Jones, of Small Business winner Triton Scuba, of Highland Road, Southsea, was unusually lost for words when the company was announced as the best in its category.
Others came to network and gain future business, or just to enjoy the food, wine and general ambience.
Andy Scott, of the Ascott Group, which runs hotels and developments across the area, was a guest of one of the award sponsors, NatWest Bank. Mr Scott, who now lives in London, had been down earlier in the day for various meetings.
Loudest cheers went to the former West Ham and England centre-forward Sir Geoff Hurst, who showed he still had a quick turn by leaving discreetly as soon as the night had ended.
Sir Geoff's memories of 1966 went down a treat with fans who have been starved of success from the present national side.