ORGANISERS of this year\u2019s Bendigo Business Excellence Awards have bowed to the inevitable and, rather than postpone the gala awards evening for a second time, will now conduct it online.<\/p>\n
The qwards, which cover 15 categories – including the Regional Women\u2019s Business Award, the hugely competitive, much coveted Hospitality Excellence gong, the Social Change Maker prize, as well as the Business of the Year Award – were first earmarked for 6 August, postponed to 23 September, and will finally be delivered to people\u2019s screens and monitors on the evening of Wednesday, 6 October.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter much discussion, the awards committee believe that moving to a digital awards presentation is now the only option, and are assembling what we believe will be a dynamic, exciting and interactive on-screen awards experience,\u201d Be.Bendigo CEO Dennis Bice said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe announcement of category winners, and the 2021 Business of the Year is well overdue, and in respect to our finalists and our category sponsors, we believe our winners should be announced as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have assessed a number of digital delivery options, and will create an online event that is engaging, and provides access to a much broader audience to be part of the excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Bice said Be.Bendigo is currently working with \u201csome of the local industries that have been hardest hit during the pandemic\u201d, including catering, hospitality and musicians, to involve them in the event via \u201cat-home awards meal packs for pre-order and entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe awards committee and events team are working to release key information rapidly, however we do ask for patience and understanding as we navigate the new requirements and the third review of the awards format,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n