Anticipation is building for the announcement of the Canberra Region Local Business Awards winners, to be revealed at a gala presentation evening on Wednesday, November 19, at the Hellenic Club. The competition is close, according to Steve Loe, managing director of Precedent Productions and Awards founder.
Mr Loe said that judges have been impressed by the high standard of finalists this year, making it challenging to determine winners in each category. He noted that the quality of businesses in the region comes as no surprise, given their adaptability and hard work over more than 30 years of the awards.
Thousands of businesses registered for this year's awards. Finalists are selected based on public nominations, with anonymous judges then assessing customer service, product knowledge, and value for money. Finalists can also submit information about their history, staff training, community work, sustainability efforts, and future prospects.
The awards cover 25 categories, including Pharmacy, Service and Trade, Restaurant, and Sole Operator. Major awards include Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and the Youth Award. In 2024, Bentleys Hair of Canberra won Business of the Year, Sarah Bateman from In-Depth Landscape Construction won Business Person of the Year, and Korey Nicola from Capital Veterinary Hospital received the Youth Award.
Mr Loe thanked presenting partner Commonwealth Bank, major partners NOVA Employment and Bx Networking, and support partner White Key Marketing. He also expressed gratitude to the Canberra Region community for their continued support of local businesses through the awards.
The gala event provides finalists with an opportunity to dress up, enjoy entertainment and good food, and celebrate with colleagues. Mr Loe emphasised that while there can only be one winner per category, every finalist is a winner.
