Finalists announced in competitive Business Awards

SCBA Hospitality Small winner Kaali Gourmet Indian Restaurant. Photo: Barry Alsop Eyes Wide Open

After hundreds of hours of judging, the finalists’ results are in for the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said this year saw more entries submitted than ever before.

“We are very excited to announce this year’s finalists. Overall we have 137 across 16 different categories,” Mrs Swaine said.

Mrs Swaine said this year’s entries were again of a very high calibre.

“Year on year, we see higher and higher quality entries, and it is very clear entrants are working hard on their applications, so I would like to congratulate this year’s finalists and also thank everyone who entered,” Mrs Swaine said.

Finalists in the Noosa region include; Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort, Team BnB, Cérge, Sell Securely, Absolute Plastering, Admins The Answer, Social Tap, Nikki Fogden-Moore The Mojo Maker, NOOSA alive!, Sunshine Coast Ballooning, Noosa Black Garlic, Integrated Rehab Centre, Kaali Gourmet Indian Restaurant, Sunshine Beach Surf Club, Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast, BOQ Noosa, The Branding Office, Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, Youturn, Bespoke Noosa Car Rentals, Laguna Pest Control, Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages and Crisp Communications Co.

Mrs Swaine said now the finalists would enter the next stage of the judging process, with interviews taking place over the coming weeks.

“In addition to the interviews, Finalists will also have the opportunity to participate in the Masterclass to assist them to make the most of being a finalist, ahead of the much- anticipated Awards Gala in November.”

Mrs Swaine said the Sunshine Coast Business Awards were only possible thanks to the volunteer Awards committee and the panel of judges as well as the financial support of sponsors.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Judging Chair Bruce Williams said all the judges for the awards were highly successful businesspeople who all volunteered their time to read through the entries and now would participate in the interview process for finalists.

“Each judge has read over 20 applications, which means the judges have read about 110,000 words each. Combined, that is more than 2.8 million words read, or like reading all seven Harry Potter novels 2.6 times, so it is a lot of work.

Mrs Swaine said 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 a record level of support from our sponsors this year, including naming rights sponsor, LPE.”

“We now look forward to working with our Finalists as we complete the judging process and are excited as we head towards our celebration gala event that will be held on 11 November at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.

“I would also like to acknowledge the committee members who are also volunteers and who contribute around 100 volunteer hours a month to deliver the awards year after year.”

The Business of the Year winner is chosen from the winners of the categories. Hall of Fame Awards are awarded to those who have won their category three years in a row.

To find out more about the Awards visit sunshinecoastbusinessawards.com.au