Countdown is on for Geelong Business Excellence Awards

THE culmination of this year’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards is less than a fortnight away, and the shortlist of contenders has been set.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce announced the 59 finalists and six individuals contesting for one of 20 awards at the 2023 edition of the prestigious event, which is Australia’s oldest continuously running business awards program.

The chamber, in partnership with major sponsor, LBW Business + Wealth Advisors, says it is thrilled to soon announce this year’s clever, creative and innovative Geelong Business Excellence Awards winners, and one of these businesses will be crowned the 2023 Business of the Year.

The 20 categories target small, medium and large businesses from all industries including manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, not for profit, health, and financial services.

Renowned television personality Nicky Buckley will host the evening, which will be presented across three stages and feature entertainment provided by local talent Kate Daley and Good Faces for Radio.

For the second year running, the awards will be certified as carbon neutral.

In partnership with Climate Society, the awards team have estimated the carbon footprint of the presentation event, and will recalculate this figure after the event.
Guests have made pledges to offset the event, and the offsetting of the emissions will be contributed to a carbon offset project.

This year’s project is to support improved cook stoves in Malawi, certified by the United Nations.

The funds will assist in replacing traditional three-stone fires with a fuel-efficient cook stove, which will improve health in the local communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This year’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards celebrates the incredible diversity of our region’s business community,” Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Jeremy Crawford said.

“The number and quality of entrants in 2023 is to be commended, with finalists and winners deserving of their success.

“We are also very proud to highlight its carbon neutrality, an important result to achieve in reducing the environmental footprint of a large-scale event.”

The 2023 Geelong Business Excellence Awards presentation event will be held at GMHBA Stadium on October 19 from 6.30pm.

Tickets are on sale until Wednesday, October 11. For more information or to book, head to gbea.com.au