Byron business awards celebrate innovation

BYRON Shire businesses are being called on to enter the inaugural Uniquely Byron Business Awards.

While last year Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce partnered with Business NSW for its annual awards, the organisation’s president Matt Williamson said this year it decided to go it alone.

“We wanted to do our own set of awards and make them uniquely Byron and have some fun with it,” he said.

“We have introduced a whole bunch of really interesting awards like Peace, Love & Mungbeans for Outstanding Community Organisation and The Golden Tote(bag) for Excellence in General Retail and E-commerce.”

There will also be a gong for Outstanding First Nations Business or Organisation called The Deadlys and one called Eco-Warriors for Excellence in Sustainability.

“We’re trying to reflect the ethos of Byron Bay and break away from that notion of awards being based on a business of one to five employees,” Williamson said.

“Some of the categories are really open, like one called The Pass for Excellence in Surf and Ocean Culture.

“That could be anything from dive operators through to surfwear manufacturers and environmental consultancies.”

Williamson said he hopes the awards give local businesses a bit of a boost in a challenging economic environment. “It’s pretty dire out there at the moment,” he said.

“I think it gives people something to work towards and it’s local recognition that they can display on their shop window or their website.”

As well as the big one – Byron Business of the Year – other awards include Bright Ideas for Excellence in Innovation, Standout Start-up for Excellence in New Business, Rise & Shine for Outstanding Cafe and Coffee experience, Exceptional Eats for Outstanding Dining Experience, After Dark for Outstanding Evening Economy Experience and Top Tradie for Excellence in Trade, Construction and Manufacturing.

Entries close September 30, with the winners announced at a ceremony on November 28. “The evening will be a combination of a Christmas party and awards,” Williamson said. “We’re trying to make that fun as well.”

To enter, visit byronbaychamber.com/business-awards-2024