Awards showcase brilliance of business community

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is rolling out the red carpet and inviting the region’s businesses, visionary leaders and brightest young minds to step into the spotlight and share their incredible stories of success.

This year, the Geelong Business Excellence Awards will be presented across 20 categories, recognising the cleverness, creativity and innovation of Geelong’s best.

The award categories and their sponsors (in no particular order) are:

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by bay 93.9

Celebrates a business professional who has demonstrated successful leadership skills.

 

SMALL BUSINESS

Sponsored by Envisage HR Solutions

Recognises a business that operates with four to 20 full-time or equivalent employees.

 

BEST FIRST YEAR ENTRY

Sponsored by Harwood Andrews

Celebrates a business that has not previously entered the awards.

 

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

Sponsored by Kenstra

Recognises a business that demonstrates sustainable and circular economy initiatives that are good for the business, the community and the environment.

 

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY

Sponsored by Southern Star Windows & Doors

Celebrates a business in the manufacturing, engineering, building or trade industries.

 

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

Sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong

A new award category. This award recognises businesses who strive to create a workplace that maximises the full potential of their people by providing opportunities to grow and advance them both personally and professionally.

 

EMERGING BUSINESS

Sponsored by The Gordon

Celebrates businesses that have been operating for less than three years but have already made a significant impact.

 

SAFE & HEALTHY BUSINESS

Sponsored by WorkSafe Victoria

Recognises a business that has demonstrated an understanding of, and commitment to, protecting the health and safety of their employees and clients.

 

MEDIUM TO LARGE BUSINESS

Sponsored by EML

Recognises a business that operates with 21 or more full-time employees.

 

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Sponsored by Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine

Recognises a business that operates in the hospitality and tourism industry.

 

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

Sponsored by Web Force 5

Recognises a business that has demonstrated the effective use of digital tools and techniques to produce strategic, resourceful content to engage people, and create meaningful interactions.

 

 

INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE BUSINESS

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a high level of understanding towards inclusive and accessible workplace practices.

 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Sponsored by Geelong Galvanizing

Celebrates a business which has accepted their corporate social responsibility to conduct their activities ethically and which works to improve the quality of life in their local communities.

 

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Deakin University

Recognises entrepreneurial achievement among business professionals and business owners (aged between 16 and 40 years) who demonstrate leadership, vision and success.

 

HOME-BASED AND MICRO BUSINESS

Recognises a business that operates with one to three full-time or equivalent employees.

 

INNOVATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Sponsored by VIVA Energy Australia

Recognises leadership through the practical application of innovative solutions.

 

RETAIL BUSINESS

Sponsored by Roderick Insurance Brokers

Recognises a retail business that sells commodities directly to consumers.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Sponsored by Spirit Super

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a high standard of customer service using resources to maximum efficiency while consistently looking to improve.

 

HEALTH & WELLBEING PROMOTING WORKPLACE

Sponsored by Barwon Health

Celebrates a business that has demonstrated a recognition of, and commitment to, deliver health and wellbeing workplace initiatives.

 

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by LBW Business + Wealth Advisors

The region’s most prestigious business accolade. It recognises and celebrates the culmination of grit, hard work and outstanding achievements in business, and will be selected from the previous category winners.

 

Entries to the GBEA will remain open until 4pm on Friday, July 12. For more information, head to gbea.com.au