CHDC 2023 Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards Nomination & Entries Guide

Welcome

On behalf of the Central Highlands Development Corporation, I invite your participation in the sixth Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards.

The 2023 Business Excellence Awards are designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our diverse and dedicated business community, as well as:

• Showcase the diversity and dedication of the Central Highlands business community

• Promote best practice in strategic business planning and delivery

• Recognise the contribution of local businesses, not only to economic vitality, but to creating our strong, healthy and vibrant regional community

The Central Highlands has a resilient economy based on an enviable global coal mining industry, robust agricultural and horticultural industries, a growing tourism market supported by natural attractions, major health and education services and a vast array of dynamic small-medium enterprises. Whilst all add to the region’s business profile, they also help weave the fabric of our communities.

Our previous Awards in 2021 attracted 119 nominations, from which 59 entries were submitted. A further 79 local businesses were nominated in the People's Choice category, with more than 4,200 votes cast. Winners were announced in front of a 300-strong audience at the Awards Gala Dinner.

I am excited to work with you to showcase and celebrate your business' achievements within the Central Highlands.

Ashleigh Kavanagh Business Facilitator CHDC

2021 Agribusiness Award winners & Manufacturing Award finalists

Andrew & Jocie Bate, SwarmFarm Robotics

2021 Retail Award winner & CHDC Business of the Year winner

Angela Taylor, Country Allure

Testimonials

Our team was honoured to be inducted into the CH Business Excellence Awards Hall of Fame in 2019. The awards process is comprehensive and is a prompt for us to continually examine our business. Being an award winner is a very powerful marketing statement as well. Now, as a Hall of Fame inductee, our company can demonstrate that our commitment to excellence has been recognised through the awards process. We thoroughly recommend participating in the CH Business Excellence Awards as a powerful business improvement tool.”

Bronwyn Reid, 4T Consultants

The Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards have been incredibly valuable to our company. The comprehensive entry process was an opportunity for us to look deeper into our business and consider where we are going and how we're going to get there. We are very honoured to have won several categories including 2013, 2015 and 2017 Business of the Year and this has helped us to further raise our profile and cement our reputation in our industry. Thank you CHDC for the opportunity.

Kym Hellmuth, H.E.M.E.

GeoRadar cannot speak highly enough of the CHDC Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards. We are very humbled to have won the Professional Services category 3 years in a row, resulting in us being inducted into the CHBEA Hall of Fame. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s the exciting and valuable journey – from the application drafting to the fantastic finale night – that makes it an experience not to be missed.”

Ian Payne, GeoRadar

Partnering with CHDC for the business awards is a way for Kestrel to show that we are part of the community, that we love being part of the community and supporting local business. We see a lot of value in partnering with organisations like CHDC because they are strong advocates for sustainability and growth in our region which aligns with Kestrel's goals for progressing and advancing the Central Highlands. Many of our suppliers and contractors are based in the region and this is a really good way for us to recognise those businesses who excel, and celebrate their hard work and contribution to the local economy.

Shane Hansen, Kestrel Coal Resources

Award Categories

1 Agribusiness Award - Includes but is not limited to crop, soil and livestock production, agrichemical and rural supplies, livestock agencies, veterinarian services, distribution, machinery, processing and commodity marketing.

2 Manufacturing, Construction & Trades Award - Includes but is not limited to electrical, mechanical, landscaping, lawn care, plumbing, fabrication, construction, engineering, textiles, suppliers and contractors.

3 Emerging Business Award - This category is restricted to businesses trading for a maximum of three years; with a focus on a product, idea or technology that is in the early stages of development without an established customer base.

4 Beauty, Health & Lifestyle Award - Includes but is not limited to personal trainers, gyms, outdoor fitness, beauty products and/or services, health and wellbeing providers and other related businesses.

5 Hospitality Award - Includes but is not limited to restaurants, catering services, hotels and motels, caravan and holiday parks or stand-alone restaurants, caterers, pubs and cafés.

6 Not-for-Profit Award - Includes but is not limited to community, industry and sporting organisations.

7 Professional & Business Services Award - Includes but is not limited to legal, accounting and finance, mortgage and insurance brokers, real estate, creative industries, information technology, veterinary, administrative and human resources, photography and training organisations.

8 Retail Award - Includes but is not limited to businesses that provide the sale of goods to a consumer for their own use.

9 Tourism Award - Businesses that provide a unique regional tourism experience including but not limited to tour operators, events and accommodation providers.

10 Mining, Equipment, Technology & Services Award - Businesses that provide support to the local mining industry including but limited to engineering, metal fabrication, sandblasting, consultancy services and equipment supply.

2023 People's Choice Award

Nominations open 2 June 2023 and close 7 July 2023

Voting opens 10 July 2023 and close 10 August 2023

This is a public nomination award, recognising and celebrating businesses whose outstanding service capabilities have contributed significantly to business excellence. This category involves an online public nomination process. Businesses cannot self-nominate or vote for their own businesses.

Central Highlands Development Corporation Business of the Year Award - Recognises the very best business from across our region. This business will be selected by the judging panel from the winners of the Category Awards.

Central Highlands Development Corporation Hall of Fame Award - This award carries true prestige recognising businesses who have excelled in their field and have received an award in one of the categories over three separate Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards. This award carries true prestige

Benefits of Entering

The Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards has several benefits for all entrants, regardless of whether you progress as a finalist or a winner.

These awards will provide business opportunities for personal growth and/or development.

• Establish or build your company profile in the region

• Revisit your organisation's strategy, business plan and operating model

• Increase staff motivation and morale

• Build a community database

• Participate in networking opportunities

• Give your team a reason to celebrate their workplace

• Professional development in workshop suite covering award entry criteria

• Celebrate businesses in our region

• Obtain judging panel feedback on your business

• Conduct a PR campaign for your business

• Promote your workplace and boost your staff retention capabilities

How do I enter?

1 Scan the QR Code below to nominate the business of your choice. Business of your choice can be nominated or businesses can self-nominate by 2 April 2023.

2 Upon receiving your nomination, CHDC will make contact and provide you with the links to the entry form.

3 Nominees to complete the Entry Form and submit by midnight 2 June 2023.

4 Finalists will be announced 7 July 2023.

5 People's Choice nominations open 2 June and close 7 July 2023.

6 People's Choice voting opens 10 July 2023 and close 10 August 2023

7 Judges will conduct site visits 24-26 July 2023

8 Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner 9 September 2023

2021 Professional & Business Services Award winner

Dr. Angela Sutherland, Maraboon Vet Surgery & Maraboon Pet Resort

Eligibility and Conditions

Businesses will be eligible to enter the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards providing the following criteria are met:

• Your business has been nominated by completing and submitting the nomination form by 2 April 2023.

• Your business is registered and/or operates (as the primary place of business) in at least one of the towns within the Central Highlands Region

• Your business has a registered Australian Business Number

• As part of your Entry submission, you agree to submit a letter from your accountant stating that your business is in a financially viable position

• You agree to notify organisers of any potential conflict of interest with judges

• You agree to undergo the entire selection and entry process

• You agree to notify organisers in your individual capacity or in your capacity as director, trustee or representative of the entity nominated and entering of any:

Judgements, writs from a court tribunal or other similar body in Australia (whether or not a conviction or judgement was recorded against the relevant entity)

Claims, applications or other proceedings which have commenced (regardless of whether it was prior to or after execution of this agreement) within Australia that may compromise the integrity of the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards

• You agree to your business being included in any promotion associated with the Awards where necessary. This includes images which may be used on CHDC’s websites, publications, social media or by other media and marketing channels

• You agree that the judges reserve the right not to present an award if the circumstances do not warrant such an award

• You agree that the judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes