By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
POWERCOR Geelong Business Excellence Awards have played a part in the growth and development of businesses throughout the region for almost 30 years.
And the 2014 awards are shaping up to be the biggest yet, says Geelong Chamber of Commerce executive officer Bernadette Uzelac.
“The awards play a vital role in recognising and encouraging business excellence and community participation within the Geelong region,” Ms Uzelac said.
“They offer an ideal opportunity for business operators to conduct a free self-health check for their business – to review and analyse strengths and weaknesses and to check their processes and strategies for improvement.
“Every business needs to spend time at least once a year in reviewing their business plan and sharpening their focus.
“The awards provide a structured process that enables business operators to check in on what is working for their business, what isn’t working and to develop future plans and strategies to improve their business performance and enhance their business profile.”
The awards have 21 categories, with the outright winner crowned Geelong’s Business of the Year.
Established in 1986, the awards are the oldest continuously running and most prestigious business award programs in Australia, providing significant recognition of achievement and performance.
The awards officially launched this week with the help of the Independent.
Managing editor Tony Galpin says the Independent is proud to help promote the awards to the wider comunity.
“Local businesses are the lifeblood of any good community newspaper. We’re thrilled to support an event that rewards the businesses who support our community with jobs and investment.”
This edition’s special four-page business awards wrap is also available as it appears in print on the Independent’s E-paper, available at geelongindependent.com.au.
The awards program will culminate with one of the biggest gala dinner ceremony nights on the local events calendar when category winers and the overall Geelong Business of the Year are announced on 17 July.
Entries for the 2014 Geelong Business Awards close 5 May.
More information, including registrations and entry process details, are available at gbea.com.au.
Businesses and Independent readers can also follow the awards on Facebook and Twitter.
