Endless opportunities for Geelong businesses

Entries have opened for the 2023 Geelong Business Excellence Awards (GBEA), with businesses big and small encouraged to showcase their achievements to their industry peers.

The GBEA, which is run by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, celebrate the region’s clever, creative and innovative business community.

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and for all industries including manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, not for profit, health, financial services and more.

The event features 20 categories, which invite a range of submissions, including from individual business leaders and young entrepreneurs.

LBW Business + Wealth Advisors has sponsored the award for 6 years and is entering its third year as major sponsor.

Associate Principal Cathryn Walley said the awards helped develop the strength of the Geelong business community.

“We want to recognise, support and ensure the continuing success for those businesses and leaders that make Geelong better,” she said.

“We also love having fun celebrating their successes.”

Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Jeremy Crawford said the awards were a valuable experience for participating businesses.

“The Geelong Business Excellence Awards celebrate creativity and innovation, showcasing your achievements to our vibrant business community.

Entering the GBEA is a rewarding experience. It provides your business with valuable insights, expert independent feedback, and recognition of your hard work and success.

“We sincerely appreciate all our incredible category sponsors and award partners. We are continually amazed by their generosity and commitment to supporting the Geelong business community.”

Last year’s Business of the Year winner Jake Munday from Custom Neon said the submission and presentation process was worthwhile for businesses to reflect on their achievements, and encouraged others to apply.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to showcase your business and what you do.

“The presentation to the judges in person stretches you, but it also helps you refine and dig in a little bit deeper in your business and what you’ve actually been achieved over the past 12 months.

“We’re all so busy. It’s so easy to keep going forward and moving forward.

“But it kind of makes you stop and pause and think ‘Oh yeah, we did achieve that. That was really good’. And the impact of that little change has meant that this has happened in your business.

“So stopping, pausing and reflecting is something that we all need to do.”

Free information sessions are available to provide businesses with the information they need to make a winning entry, covering the process, providing insights from judges and past winners, awards criteria and other tips.

The sessions are an hour long and kick off with an in-person session at Geelong Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 9 (which is already booked out), then online sessions on May 12, 16 and 18.

Entries to the awards are open until July 14. Head to gbea.com.au for more information.