The Sunshine Coast Business of the Year 2021 winner is Advanced Aquarium Technologies, which was announced along with 29 other category winners, and two Hall of Fame recipients at the gala event of the year on Saturday 13 November.
Noosa businesses taking home a 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Award included RACV Noosa Resort, IN Publishing, Kaali Gourmet Indian Restaurant, and Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment.
Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine said the celebration attended by more than 850 of the Coast’s business community was very special and showcased world-class local talent both in terms of business and entertainment.
Hosted by 7 Sunshine Coast’s Rob Brough, the evening kicked off with a performance by Cirque Bon Bon, followed by a moving digeridoo solo by Chris Williams, with a performance later in the night from Burlesque L’Amour and music from Amplify.
“We are super excited to have secured these performers who call the Sunshine Coast home, but whom, pre-Covid-19, would be wowing audiences around the world,” Mrs Swaine said.
Overall, there were 29 category winners including large and small businesses announced across 16 categories, two Hall of Fame inductees as well as the overall business of the year.
Mrs Swaine said the application and judging process was rigorous with judges reading more than one million words as part of the applications, prior to panel interviews, before all applications were scored, and winners awarded.
“We couldn’t provide such a high-calibre of awards without our cohort of experienced judges, so we are very grateful to all of them,” Mrs Swaine said.
“We would also like to thank the 187 businesses who entered this year and our 131 finalists. This year’s entries were again of a very high calibre which reflects the diversity, depth, and strength of the Sunshine Coast business community, particularly given the effects of Covid-19 over the past two years.
“We would also like to thank our sponsors for their strong support. Without them the awards would not be as strong as they are, and we would not be able to acknowledge and celebrate our region’s successes.
“In a first for the awards, this year we have a naming sponsor on board – LPE.
“The awards are reliant on sponsorships to ensure we can deliver the program throughout the year, leading to our gala awards celebration in November, and we are delighted to have so much support from our sponsors this year, including the addition of naming sponsor, LPE.
“This is the first time in our 26-year history we have had a major cash sponsor from the private sector, so this is a massive achievement for the awards and recognition of the importance of them to the business community.
“And of course, the awards wouldn’t be possible without the tireless work of our volunteer committee who give of themselves for the good of the community, contributing around 100 hours a month to deliver the awards year after year.
“Most of all we are excited to get together for a great celebration – the 26th year of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards – particularly after the cancellation of last year’s awards program due to Covid-19.”
This year’s Sunshine Coast Business of the Year – Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums.
