Award Categories

Outstanding Start-up

The Outstanding Start-up Award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success

Excellence in Micro Business

The Excellence in Micro Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience. 

​Excellence in Small Business

The Excellence in Small Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

​Excellence in Business 

The Excellence in Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.​

​​Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing business needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, an idea, method, technology, process or application.​

​Excellence in Sustainability 

The Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.​

Outstanding Community Organisation 

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental wellbeing of the community.

​​Outstanding Employer of Choice

The Employer of Choice Award recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and supportive workplace environments for their employees. ​

Outstanding Employee

The Outstanding Employee Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community.

​Outstanding Young Business Leader

The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership.

Outstanding Business Leader

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership, whilst providing mentorship to others.​

​​Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

This Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community, including older persons, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.​

​Retail Award

The Retail award showcases the highest achievement in customer service. Customer expectations are continuously rising and the wider business community are becoming aware of the value and role that customer service plays in achieving business success. This category is looking for best practice in merchandising, service and dedication to customer experience.

​Professional Services Award

The Professional Services award recognises businesses that provide specialist advice to their clients to manage and improve their business. Professional Services support businesses and clients of all sizes and in a wide range of industries. This could include tax advice, support for a company, business advice, technical or maintenance services, Apprenticeship Centres, Employment Agencies or services to individual clients.

Accommodation Award

A business engaged in the provision of short-term accommodation and associated services.  Businesses such as Hotels, Motels & Resorts, Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Self-contained Short Stay Apartments, Caravan and Camping.

Tourism, Experiences and Events Award

This category recognises natural or built attractions that people visit for pleasure and interest.

Entrants in this category attract significant visitor numbers and businesses may include: local and regional events, Park Attractions, Natural Attractions, Adventure tours, Film festivals, Music and / Cultural events.

​Marketing and Advertising Award

​The Marketing and Advertising award recognises businesses who have undertaken an effective and innovative marketing / advertising practice which has led to extraordinary success. Applicants should reflect the critical role marketing / advertising has as a vital source of value creation for the business.

Professional Development / Staff Training Award

​This award recognises businesses that provide ongoing training to their staff, both in house or through external training organisations

Hospitality Award

A business engaged in the preparation, distribution or provision of food and/or beverages, with an emphasis on the hospitality service sector. Businesses such as: Catering services, Food outlets, Bars, cafés and restaurants, Hotels.

NB: This award explores the operation of the business more than just the food and beverage service offering of your menu.

Business of the Year

Each year, one Category winner is also able to take home the much-coveted Business of the Year Award. This is awarded to the business that achieves the highest overall score across all categories. The Business of the Year Award acknowledges an enterprise that not only demonstrates exceptional business success, but also proudly showcases the unique qualities and essence of our fabulous Coffs Coast region.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Inductees are businesses who have won three years in a row​

Coffs coast business awards 2023

check out the winners

Explore the photo gallery