Geelong, 19th of October 2021 - The Geelong Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the 2021 winners and finalists of the Geelong Business Excellence Awards (GBEA). The awards program celebrated our clever, creative and resilient business community with an extravagant virtual event for the second year in succession. You can find all GBEA category winners and sponsors on our 2021 winners page.

Along with our major sponsors LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University, the Geelong Chamber recognises the accomplishments of our business community at a challenging time for businesses. The awards show acknowledged the hard work of the GBEA finalists and awarded those that have shown excellence in their endeavours. All winners used their resilience, creative and technical skills in a formidable way to navigate through a strenuous business environment.

Business of the Year Award goes to Home Instead Geelong
The LBW Business + Wealth Advisors Business of the Year Award goes to Home Instead Geelong. Home Instead Geelong also took out The Gordon’s Emerging Business - Under 3 Years Award and Giovanni Siano was further awarded the Deakin University Young Entrepreneur Award. 
The judges thought Home Instead Geelong truly emerged as an excellent business within the Geelong community, with customer service and outstanding care giving at the core of every business decision made. With a solid foundation across the board, from internal processes, recruitment, staff training and sound financial management, Home Instead Geelong have rapidly grown their business. The judges commented that every aspect of the application was substantiated with examples, case studies, testimonials and figures and congratulate Home Instead Geelong on creating such a fabulous business.

Resilience across the board
For the second time in 35 years, the Geelong Business Excellence Awards shifted to an online format to adhere to government restrictions. The result: A spectacular virtual awards night celebrating the Geelong business community. Not only were the awards available to be watched live on Facebook, but also on Youtube, Vimeo as well as being televised on Channel 31. To ensure that the event was inclusive for everyone, the GBEA had an Auslan interpreter throughout the night. 
The awards celebration started with a Welcome to Country by Jordon Edwards from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative followed by a warm welcome by Geelong Chamber President Dr. John Stekelenburg, who introduced Nathalie O’Donnell as the award show’s MC. 
Special entertainment was provided by chart-topping artist and Geelong local, Taylor Henderson who performed his song Brighter Days and his number 1 single Borrow My Heart.
The awards put a strong focus on audience engagement with viewers being asked to dress up and share their photos on Facebook with the chance to win one of two hospitality vouchers. The shared photos showed creativity and excitement while celebrating our local businesses’ efforts. 
The GBEA recognises organisations that have achieved business excellence in the Geelong region. These outstanding businesses have inspired with their passion, commitment, resilience, and their incredible ability to improve and innovate. The awards showcased some of Geelong’s best business talent, with over 70 businesses entering the awards each year.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our Major Sponsors LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University as well as all category sponsors and GBEA partners, who have made this program possible. The Geelong Chamber would like to thank everyone involved with this year’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards for their support. The achievements of our GBEA 2021 winners and finalists showcase the resilience of our entire business community.
 

Virtual Awards Night  - 19 October 2021

The Geelong Business of Excellence Awards Evening is fast approaching! Tune into this fun-filled virtual evening today, 19th of October at 7pm!

For 35 years, the Awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate our clever, creative and thriving businesses.

Managed by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the GBEA recognises organisations that have achieved business excellence in the Geelong region. These outstanding businesses have inspired us all with their passion, commitment, resilience, and their incredible ability to improve and innovate. 

The theme of the night is ‘Clever. Creative. Resilient.’ 2021 proved to be a challenging year. Businesses forced to jump challenging hurdles, and adjust to the changing of rules and to the new normal. All business finalists have used their resilience, creative and technical skills to move through the year gracefully. We applaud all Geelong businesses and are excited to celebrate your hard work!

We would like you to join us for our Virtual Presentation Event celebrating our 2021 Finalists and Winners on Tuesday 19 October at 7pm. Special entertainment provided by chart-topping artist and Geelong local, Taylor Henderson! He will prove his phenomenal talent by performing some of his latest tunes on the night as we roll out the Award winners. Prizes are to be won throughout the night for best dressed, get clever and creative!

We hope you can join us in celebrating 2021 business Finalists and Winners in our Virtual Presentation Event on Tuesday 19 October at 7pm. Tune in to Channel 31 or the GBEA website or Facebook page. This is a can’t-miss event!

From all of us here at the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, good luck!

12th August 2021

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with major sponsors, LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University are delighted to announce that this year’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards received an outstanding 22% increase on entries compared to last year. This is a huge testament to our incredible clever, creative and resilient Geelong business community.   

Whilst not all entrants can proceed as finalists, the process allows all businesses to review and reflect on their business operations and potentially gain valuable insights and identify new key business improvements.

Please congratulate the following Businesses, Business Leaders and Young Entrepreneurs on becoming a Finalist in the 2021 Geelong Business Excellence Awards!

Business Award Finalists

Accessible Accommodation

Active Feet Ocean Grove

Adventure Park

AMD Hairdressing

Anther Experimental Distillation (Anther Distillery)

Australian Tyre Traders

Avalon Airport

Barwon Health Foundation

BOOMPower

Botanicals by Luxe

Braille Sign Supplies

C6 Group

Cabinets by Computer

CentreStage Pty Ltd

Coastyle Building Solutions

Crew Faced Makeup Artistry

Custom Neon

Drive Safe Service Centre

Elderberry Event Hire

FormFlow

Fresh Creative Entertainment

Geelong Gallery

Geelong Wart Clinic

Gone Fishing Charters

Hanlon Industries

Higher Mark – Geelong Cats

Home Instead Geelong

Jibber Jabber Allied Health Pty Ltd 

Kardinia International College

Kenrik Constructions

McGrath Geelong

Memphis Hire

MoPA: Museum of Play and Art

MultiSkills Training

Murrell Group

Myers Street Dental

Natural Supply Co

Oh Crap

Pawtastic Dog Training

Pearls & Roses

Plan Group Geelong

Real Core Properties

Ruck Agency

Sketch & Etch

SMARTIn Safety

South Western Alliance

Sproutwell

Sugar Images

Surf Coast Physiotherapy & Pilates

Telstra Business Technology Centre Victoria West

The 18^th Amendment Bar

The Resident Barber

The Rock Adventure Centre

The Salary Packaging People

The Skin Hub

Viewpoint Digital Marketing

Walker Safety Services

WildlifeXposure Pty Ltd

You’re Gorgeous Hair and Beauty

Business Leader of the Year Finalists

David Greenwood

Frances Diver

Gina Popowicz 

Dr Rashi Gupta

Sarah Albon

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Ash Bent

Giovanni Siano

Jye Bohm

Zoe Waters

Place Tuesday 19 October 7pm in your diaries to watch the announcement of the winners at the Virtual Awards event!  To register to attend the event, click here:

8th July 2021

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Geelong Business Excellence Awards presentation evening will be another exciting virtual experience in 2021 with an even larger audience tuning in and participating.

The Geelong Business Excellence Awards 2021 are recognising and celebrating our clever, creative and resilient businesses and business leaders.

The prestigious presentation evening will be live-streamed on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 at 7pm. The night promises to be a highly produced, glamorous virtual event which celebrates the way the Geelong business community has adapted, survived and thrived over the last year.

Geelong Chamber CEO Ben Flynn said “last year’s virtual awards attracted over 10,000 people. It was amazing to see the business community celebrate those at the top of their game in front of their families, friends and colleagues. We can’t wait to replicate another incredible event this year”.

It’s more important than ever to recognise those businesses and leaders who are driving our city forward and an event like this plays an important part in rebuilding everyone’s confidence.

The support of our major sponsors, Deakin University, LBW Business + Wealth Advisors together with our category sponsors and program partners makes this night possible and it’s a testament to the resilience of the Geelong Business Community to adapt and enjoy our night together despite the challenges.

Entries for the Geelong Business Excellence Awards close on Friday, the 16 July 2021. 

Entries are free and you do not need to be nominated to enter into the program.

To learn more information or enter, visit gbea.com.au/enter-2021 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Photo above is of Manse Group winner of the Home-based and Micro Business Award sponsored by City of Greater Geelong.

06 May 2021

Entries now open!

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce calls on all businesses, business leaders and young entrepreneurs to enter the Geelong Business Excellence Awards. The Geelong Business Excellence Awards in 2021 are all about recognising and celebrating our clever, creative and resilient business community. It’s important to celebrate those businesses who have pivoted during extraordinary circumstances and now move forward with confidence. 

Ben Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, said “Geelong businesses are agile and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements of adapting, surviving or thriving in one of the most challenging business and economic environments in history.”

Enter now

Proudly supported by major sponsors, LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University and managed by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate business excellence across 20 categories targeting small, medium and large businesses from all industries including the manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, not for profit, health, financial services and more.

The awards offer entrants, finalists and winners a range of opportunities and experiences far beyond simply ‘winning’.  Tennille McInnes, Business Awards Manager said "The entry process helps you articulate what your business does, how you do it and why you are unique. Here is a great opportunity to celebrate everything your team has contributed over the last year.”

Information Sessions will be conducted online from the 11^th of May where you learn more about entering and how to write a successful submission. Past winners and judges will be available to give you advice and answer any burning questions.

Bookings open now

Session 1: Tuesday 11 May 12.00 - 1.30pm

Session 2: Friday 14 May 12.00 - 1.30pm

Session 3: Tuesday 18 May 5.00 - 6.30pm

Session 4: Wednesday 26 May 5.00 - 6.30pm

Entries are open through the Geelong Business Excellence Awards website here and can be submitted up until the 16^th of July 2021.  Businesses, Business Leaders and Young Entrepreneurs do not need to be nominated to enter the program.  To learn more and register for an online information session click here.

Geelong Business Excellence Awards 12 page feature in the Geelong Independent.

Click here to read the 12 page feature in the Geelong Independent on May 07

04 March 2021

Nominate or register a resilient business, young entrepreneur or business leader today!

Registrations and nominations for the 2021 Geelong Business Excellence Awards are NOW OPEN. 

This is a great chance to stop and reflect on your success, especially after such a challenging year.
 
In 2021 we celebrate clever, creative and resilient businesses, business leaders and young entrepreneurs in our region who were able to successfully adapt, survive or thrive during an unprecedented global pandemic.
 
Previous entrants have acknowledged what it takes to enter into the GBEA: the rewards, the recognition and to gain a fresh insight into their business operations. Please consider nominating another business or business leader you are inspired by, or even your own business!
 
Click here to register yourself  as a leader or young entrepreneur, your own business or nominate another.
 
Entries open 6 May and we will be hosting Information Sessions via Zoom to update you with changes, give you tips on how to write a successful submission and answer any burning questions.
 
Bookings are now open:
Session 1: Tuesday 11 May 12.00 - 1.30pm
Session 2: Friday 14 May 12.00 - 1.30pm
Session 3: Tuesday 18 May 5.00 - 6.30pm
Session 4: Wednesday 26 May 5.00 - 6.30pm
  
The GBEA Team are available to answer any questions at gbea@geelongchamber.com.au or call us on 5222 2234

15 October 2020

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce, with major sponsors LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University are proud to deliver the Geelong Business Excellence Awards program celebrating our clever and creative business community. 

Congratulations to the 2020 Finalists and Winners. 

It was inspiring to recognise a range of significant achievements at a difficult time for businesses. These achievements showcased the resilience of our entire business community to an extensive online audience. Far more than previous years.

 An extensive range of businesses and business leaders were acknowledged for their commitment, passion, resilience and determination.  Entering the awards program requires the completion of a 2500 word submission and a virtual site visit/interview. It is a comprehensive program that provides unparrelled opportunities to benchmark your business and be recognised as one of Geelong’s best businesses or leaders.  

The 2020 Geelong Business Excellence Awards program may be the only regional awards program in Victorian to continue. We are most grateful for the incredible support of our sponsors, who have made this program possible.

Click here for a full list of Winners and Category Sponsors

Ben Flynn

CEO

Geelong Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to our 2020 Finalists!

Whilst 2020 marks a difficult year for business, we are pleased to receive a similar amount of entries to previous years. This is a huge testament to the incredible resilience of our business community.

Please congratulate the following Businesses, Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders on becoming a Finalist in the 2020 Geelong Business Excellence Awards!

Place October 15 in your diaries to watch the 'Nights of Nights' and celebrate our finalists at our Virtual Event!

Register Here
 

Geelong Business Excellence Awards to go virtual for Awards night 2020!

Published 2 June 2020 

The Geelong Business Excellence Awards has announced its awards presentation evening will transform into an exciting virtual experience in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Geelong Business Excellence Awards is designed to recognise and celebrate our clever, creative and thriving business and business leaders. 

The prestigious presentation evening will take place online on Thursday, 15 October 2020, 7pm.   The night promises a highly produced, glamorous virtual event that celebrates the success of the Geelong business community. 

The new format aims to engage viewers with entertainment, an in studio MC and home competition prizes. The night will allow guests to engage, communicate and connect with fellow business colleagues, peers and the wider Geelong community while dressing up in the comfort of their own home or workplace. 
Geelong Chamber CEO Ben Flynn said “the event will deliver a much-needed boost of positivity for the Geelong Business community amid the COVID-19 crisis.”

“In the face of the current health pandemic, the purpose of the awards remains the same. We are creating a platform to shine the spotlight on our clever and creative Geelong businesses and business leaders.”
Whilst mass gathering restrictions may ease by October, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce believes it is important to continue with a virtual event in-case of another potential out-break. The safety of our guests is of most importance.  Most of our counterparts in other local regional towns have cancelled their awards night.  We are committed to bringing our community together this year virtually, to offer positivity in these challenging times and have been encouraged to do so. 

The support of our partners makes this new format possible and it’s a testament to the resilience of the Geelong Business Community that we can adapt and enjoy our night together despite the challenges. 
The Geelong Chamber of Commerce has run many successful online events and they are confident in delivering a memorable event to a much larger online audience.

This will allow the event to be more inclusive of families and colleagues so that more people can share in the excitement of the finalists on the night.   

The awards team have spent weeks individually calling businesses who have been nominated or expressed interested in the program. It has been incredibly inspiring to hear despite the hardship, the Geelong business community are committed to adapt and forge ahead.  During this period, many of the entrants are using the awards entry process to reflect on their business and plan for the future.

Entries for the Geelong Business Excellence Awards close on the 24 July 2020.  You do not need to be nominated to enter the program. To learn more information or enter, visit www.gbea.com.au and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
 

Changes to the Geelong Business Excellence Awards 

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Published March 2020