Excitement is reaching fever pitch in the nation's capital as the Canberra Region prepares to crown its business champions. The prestigious Canberra Region Local Business Awards will unveil its winners at a glittering gala presentation evening on Wednesday, November 19, at the Hellenic Club.
With only days remaining, the competition is described as intensely close, reflecting the exceptional calibre of enterprises vying for top honours this year.
Judges Face a Tough Decision
Steve Loe, the Managing Director of Precedent Productions and founder of the Awards, confirmed the high standard has made the judges' task particularly challenging. "Our judges are always impressed by the high standard of the Canberra Region Local Business Awards finalists," Mr Loe stated. "This year is no exception, and our judges have said it has been a challenging task to separate this year's awards finalists and determine the winners."
This level of quality, however, comes as no surprise. With over three decades of experience running the Local Business Awards, Mr Loe has deep insight into the local commercial landscape. "After more than 30 years... I know that businesses in the Canberra Region are adaptable and hard-working," he said. "They always put their best foot forward and ensure that their customers receive outstanding products and service."
The Rigorous Path to Victory
The journey to becoming an award winner is both democratic and demanding. It begins with thousands of businesses registering for the awards. Finalists are initially selected based on the volume of public nominations they receive, giving a significant voice to the community they serve.
Once shortlisted, each finalist undergoes a meticulous, anonymous judging process. Incognito judges visit the businesses to assess critical aspects of customer interaction, including:
- Customer greeting and acknowledgement
- Detailed product knowledge
- Overall value for money
Judges also evaluate other business facets such as the company's website and social media presence. Furthermore, finalists have the opportunity to submit a comprehensive portfolio detailing their business history, staff training programmes, community involvement, environmental sustainability initiatives, and future growth prospects.
Mr Loe emphasised that being a finalist is an enormous achievement in itself, and the collective quality of all nominees powerfully showcases the strength of the Canberra Region's business community.
Celebrating Business Excellence Across the Region
The Canberra Region Local Business Awards are the most comprehensive of their kind in the area, spanning 25 diverse categories. These include:
- Pharmacy
- Service and Trade
- Restaurant
- Sole Operator
- Health Improvement Services
- Specialised Business
The night also features three major awards: the coveted Business of the Year, selected from all category winners and presented with a gold trophy; the Business Person of the Year, honouring an outstanding leader; and the Youth Award, designed to inspire young professionals aged 25 or under.
Looking back at the 2024 winners provides a glimpse of the excellence the region fosters. Bentleys Hair of Canberra secured the top honour as Business of the Year. Sarah Bateman from In-Depth Landscape Construction was named Business Person of the Year, and Korey Nicola from Capital Veterinary Hospital received the Youth Award.
Mr Loe extended his gratitude to the awards' partners, whose support is vital to the programme's success. He specifically thanked the Presenting Partner, Commonwealth Bank, Major Partners NOVA Employment and Bx Networking, and Support Partner White Key Marketing.
He also paid tribute to the Canberra Region community, whose ongoing support for local businesses through the awards is invaluable. "Without them, these outstanding businesses wouldn't receive the recognition they deserve," he noted.
The upcoming gala is more than just an awards ceremony; it is a premier networking and celebration event for the local business community. "It's a glittering event that gives finalists a chance to dress up and take a break," Mr Loe described. It's an evening of entertainment, fine food, and relaxed conversation, allowing business owners and their teams to reflect on their successes and celebrate with peers from across the district.
The recognition of every finalist is a highlight, with each having their picture displayed on the big screen to roaring applause from the audience. As Steve Loe perfectly summarised, "While there can only be one winner in each category, as far as I am concerned, every finalist is a winner."
