Nominations are now closed
Apply &/or Nominate YOUR Business or Self
Click on the Award below to apply &/or nominate YOUR business for the 2023 Business Awards.
So what are you waiting for, complete your application below to join us in embracing and celebrating your contribution to the incredible community that we live and work in.
About the Gala
Don't miss your chance to be part of this celebration. The Business Awards 2023 will be an incredible opportunity to come together to celebrate our businesses and their teams who work hard to build our region’s profile as a vibrant community full of opportunity. There will be fun, laughter, guest speaker, incredible food, connection and to end the night what celebration is it without music.
For the business community it is a chance to celebrate one another’s achievements. For the community it is an opportunity to acknowledge the courageous, creative and purpose-led business owners who collectively, continue to transform our city.
Mark your calendar, spread the word, book your table and get ready to join the PARTY!
Eligibility Criteria
Applicable to all award categories
- Your business must have an active ABN
- Your business must be located in the region
- Businesses that operate as part of a larger national organisation are eligible if they operate locally as a separate business entity or subsidiary
- Your business must maintain appropriate business ethics and standards and abide by all applicable laws
- Eligibility is at the sole discretion of the judging panel
Important dates to remember:
- Award nomination open 5 June 2023
- Award nominations close 14 July 2023
- Award Gala will be held Friday 18 August 2023 at The Barn in Mount Gambier
If you have any questions about the Awards, you can contact us here
2023 Award Categories
This award recognizes a large business (Over 20 employees) that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth.
Judging criteria
Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential
- Customer satisfaction
- Customer loyalty
- Business reputation
- Scalable
This award recognises a small business (6-20 employees) that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth.
Judging criteria
Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential
- Customer satisfaction
- Customer loyalty
- Business reputation
- Scalable
This award recognises a micro business (<5 employees including owner) that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth. Micro business also includes ‘side hustle’ businesses that you may not consider as a business
Judging criteria
Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential
- Customer satisfaction
- Customer loyalty
- Business reputation
- Scalable
This award goes to a business leader who champions other businesses and the local business community. This person puts a spotlight on the region and the industry that they work in, enhancing the profile of our community on the state/National stage.
Open to all business leaders and outward facing business leaders
Judging criteria
- Advocates for other businesses and the local business community
- Through their work, they put a spotlight not only on their business but other businesses and their industry.
- Acknowledge and celebrate other business success and seek out ways to acknowledge the hard work that business owners contribute to the local community.
- Have a significant and transformative impact on their business community by encouraging and modelling collaboration and collective success.
- Builds up colleagues and other business owners
This award recognises an organisation (not for profit, or social enterprise) that tackles social problems to improve their community or environment &/or makes positive change in our community. It celebrates the positive and life changing impact that this work can have on individual lives. A social enterprise must derive its income primarily from trade rather than grants/donations
Judging criteria
- Has identified a need within our community
- Makes a positive impact
- Focused on creating sustainable change.
- Has clear and measurable metrics that measure the impact of change.
This award recognises inspirational business owners who demonstrate exemplary business practices and achievements, and who demonstrates cultural leadership and a commitment to their staff, customers, and community. This individual is invested in people and their growth and puts this at the heart of their business. They work to develop a culture of courage in their business that empowers their staff to take risks and to have a voice.
Recognised as an owner, within a business
Judging criteria
- Inspires and influences employees, managers, and other business leaders to continuously grow and achieve. Invested in their people and their development.
- Demonstrates evidence of cultural leadership, Vulnerability, bravery, building trust and give everyone a voice
- Has a shared vision within their business, with a clear business plan and marketing strategy
- Has a commitment to their community and understands the transformative power of a business within their community.
- Willing to innovate, take risks, make changes
This award recognizes an employee within a business. It recognises an individual who has demonstrated leadership and creativity and who has impacted on the success of the business.
- Does not have to be a business owner, EG; someone within a business
- this is an operational focused award as opposed to strategic
- this person doesn’t have to have a leadership role
Judging criteria
- Understanding of their leadership style with a focus on strengths and areas for improvement
- Inspires and influences team members & drives operational change in line with business vision & values
- Can articulate the role that their leadership plays in the business and how it impacts on the outcomes
- Capacity to identify leadership challenges and wins
This award celebrates a purpose-led business. This business leader builds an organisational culture that values diversity and fosters employee wellbeing, engagement & empowerment.
Judging criteria
- Business is purpose driven and can clearly articulate its WHY – its reason for being.
- Vision and Mission are clearly communicated with staff.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of the business culture.
- Wellbeing initiatives have been developed and there exists an understanding of the connections between wellbeing, engagement, and retention.
- Demonstrates an understanding of how to build and develop culture
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
We have simplified the nomination process for you to apply for one of the eight Awards in 2023. Simply fill out the nomination form for the relevant award, providing your business information and answering a few simple questions. Once you’ve completed the form, just submit it. It’s as easy as that.
Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of your nomination and outlining the next steps. It’s worth noting that this year, we won’t be having award winners give acceptance speeches to the audience. Instead, you will be presented with your award on stage, celebrated, and then directed to our media corner for photographs. Additionally, we will record a 30-second thank you message with you. Prior to the evening, we will be in touch to provide you with tips, advice, and guidance on how to make the most of the celebration.
So don’t delay any further, complete your application NOW!
