2026 Awards and Sponsors
Business of the Year
This is the pinnacle award, recognising a business that demonstrates excellence across all areas of operation. Outstanding entrants show consistent performance, strong leadership, innovation, and a commitment to people, customers, and community. If your business is setting the standard, achieving sustained success, and making a meaningful impact, this is the category that defines overall excellence and celebrates the very best in business.
Business Leader of the Year
Sponsored by bay 939
This award recognises an outstanding leader who inspires others and drives meaningful business success. Excellence is demonstrated through vision, integrity, resilience, and the ability to influence positive outcomes. If you are leading with purpose, empowering your team, and making a lasting impact on your organisation and community, this category celebrates your leadership journey..
bay 93.9 is an independent, family-owned radio station and proud partner of the GBEA.
bay 939 is passionate about local business and fuelling our client’s success. With an all-local live on-air team and what we believe may be the best resourced newsroom in the state, we work hard to deliver Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast entertaining, informative, relatable radio; the best feel-good music from the 80’s; unbiased, ethical news; and client messaging that delivers effective, measurable results. bay 93.9 is the #1 station 40+ in this region.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Deakin University
This category celebrates entrepreneurial achievement, recognising individuals aged up to 40 years old who turn ideas into successful and impactful businesses. Excellence is shown through creativity, innovation, resilience, and the ability to seize opportunity. If you are building, growing, and shaping a business through bold thinking and determination, this award recognises your entrepreneurial success and ambition.
Deakin University prepares graduates for careers of the future.
As one of Australia’s most progressive universities, Deakin leads in the innovative use of digital technologies and online learning, blending this capability across distinctive campus precincts in Geelong, Melbourne and Warrnambool to provide inclusive education.
We balance excellence in research and innovation with an overall education experience that is consistently rated number one in Victoria across undergraduate and postgraduate learning.*
Deakin’s enduring partnerships provide opportunities for students to develop through real-world experiences including business internships. The achievements of more than 370,000 Deakin alumni across the globe are the best measure of our success.
*Student Experience Survey 2023-2024
Commercial & Operational
Sponsored by Harwood Andrews
The Recognising business that demonstrates strong financial performance, operational efficiency, and smart decision making. Excellence in this category is defined by Sustainable growth, effective systems, and the ability to adapt while maintaining stability.
If your business shows disciplined management, clear strategy, and consistent results that underpin long-term success, this category highlights the strength behind your performance.
Harwood Andrews is one of Victoria’s leading law firms, with a long-standing record of providing specialised legal services to businesses and individuals.
With offices in both Geelong and Melbourne, we believe that making the right connections – with each other, our clients and the broader community – will create a future in which individuals, business and government thrive when connected with our judgment and expertise.
Harwood Andrews – Connecting you to a better future.
Marketing & Brand Impact
Sponsored by Furphy
Celebrating businesses that stand out through powerful branding, creative marketing, and meaningful audience engagement.
Excellence is shown through clarity of message, strong positioning, and the ability to connect authentically with customers. If your business is building recognition, driving engagement, and creating a brand that people remember and trust, this category is designed for you. The Recognising business that demonstrates strong financial performance, operational efficiency, and smart decision making. Excellence in this category is defined by Sustainable growth, effective systems, and the ability to adapt while maintaining stability.
J Furphy & Sons has been manufacturing in Geelong since 1991 and in regional Victoria since 1864. What began with John Furphy’s ubiquitous World War One water carts has expanded to include the engineering, design, and construction of Australia’s best stainless-steel tanks and vessels, stainless and carbon steel fabrication, hot dip galvanizing and industrial surface abrasion and painting.
The Furphy name has long been associated with telling a good story and bringing people together. J Furphy and Sons Geelong are proud to sponsor the Marketing and Brand Impact Award.
Customer Experience & Service
Sponsored by Care Super
This category celebrates businesses that consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences at every touchpoint. Excellence is shown through responsiveness, personalisation, and a genuine commitment to exceeding expectations. Strong entrants turn customers into loyal advocates by creating seamless, memorable, and meaningful interactions. If your business is known for putting customers at the heart of everything you do, this is your opportunity to be recognised.
Environment & Sustainability
Recognising businesses that take meaningful action to protect the environment while embedding sustainability into everyday operations. Excellence includes measurable impact, responsible practices, and strong governance that supports long-term environmental outcomes.
If your business is embracing change, challenging convention, and using innovation to stay ahead, this category recognises your forward-thinking approach Environment & Sustainability
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Sponsored by TAC
This category celebrates businesses creating inclusive workplaces where diversity is valued and equity is embedded in practice. Excellence is demonstrated through meaningful opportunities, inclusive leadership, and a culture where people feel safe, respected, and empowered. If your business actively champions fairness, representation, and belonging, this is your opportunity to showcase the impact of your commitment.
Outstanding Growth
Sponsored by Roderick Insurance Brokers
Recognising businesses achieving strong and sustainable growth through vision, strategy, and adaptability. Excellence is demonstrated through measurable expansion, resilience, and consistent performance over time. If your business is scaling successfully, navigating change with confidence, and turning ambition into results, this category celebrates your growth journey and momentum.
Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) is a locally owned, family business operating from offices in Geelong and Werribee.
Led by Managing Director, Keith Roderick, who has been operating the business since 1986, the business began as a small family business and over 35 years it has grown into one of the largest regional brokerages in Victoria. RIB employ a team of highly experienced and qualified staff who are on hand to provide advice on all of your insurance needs.
Healthy, Safe & Well
Sponsored by WorkSafe Victoria
Recognising businesses that prioritise the health, safety, and wellbeing of their people. Excellence is shown through proactive practices, strong systems, and a culture of care that goes beyond compliance.
If your business actively supports physical and mental wellbeing, ensures safe environments, and values people as its greatest asset, this category acknowledges your leadership in workplace wellbeing.
As Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe‘s primary role is to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities, while supporting employers and employees in managing risks and incidents. WorkSafe is also responsible for improving outcomes for injured workers, assisting the return to work process, and managing claims and policies for WorkCover insurance and compensation.
Emerging Business
Sponsored by The Gordon
Recognising emerging businesses that are building strong foundations and demonstrating early success. Excellence is shown through clear vision, innovation, and the ability to establish a presence in the market. Outstanding entrants show momentum, resilience, and a strong pathway for future growth. If your business is in its early stages and already making an impact, this category celebrates your journey and potential.
The Gordon is one of Australia’s largest regional providers of vocational education and training, delivering industry-relevant qualifications and workforce solutions across Geelong and the broader region. With a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning, The Gordon partners closely with local business and industry to develop skilled, job-ready graduates who contribute to economic growth and innovation.
As a long-standing contributor within the Geelong community, The Gordon is committed to supporting emerging talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening pathways between education and employment. Through its sponsorship of the Emerging Business category, The Gordon recognises and celebrates the next generation of local businesses driving the region forward.
Employer of Choice
Sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong
The Employer of Choice award recognises a business who strives to create a workplace that maximises the full potential of their people by providing opportunities to grow and advance them both personally and professionally
The City of Greater Geelong has proudly sponsored the Geelong Business Excellence Awards for 16 consecutive years and returns in 2026 as the sponsor of the Employer of Choice category.
The City is deeply committed to helping local businesses grow and thrive, offering a wide range of services. From training programs and networking events to economic insights and planning support.
It also assists in identifying grants and attracting investment to strengthen the region’s business landscape.
With 22,875 businesses contributing to a $20.5 billion economy and driving the fastest job creation in Australia, the City recognises their vital role in shaping Greater Geelong’s clever and creative future.
Congratulations to all the outstanding finalists in this year’s Awards. To learn more, visit: geelongaustralia.com.au/business.
Technology & Digital
This category celebrates businesses using technology and digital capability to evolve and lead. Excellence is shown through creative problem-solving, adoption of new technologies, and improved outcomes for customers or operations. If your business is embracing change, challenging convention, and using technology to stay ahead, this category recognises your forward-thinking approach
Innovation Excellence
Sponsored by LBW Business + Wealth Advisors
The Innovation Excellence award recognises businesses that are embracing creativity, forward-thinking and continuous improvement to drive meaningful impact.
Excellence is demonstrated through innovative products, services, systems, processes, or approaches that solve problems, create opportunities, or deliver outstanding value.
Community & Social Impact
Celebrates businesses that create meaningful, positive change within their communities. Excellence is demonstrated through genuine commitment, purposeful initiatives, and partnerships that make a real difference.
Strong entrants go beyond business goals to support people, strengthen communities, and contribute to lasting social impact.
If your business is driven by purpose and making a difference where it matters most, this is your opportunity to be recognised.
Partners
Major Venue Partner
Theatre shows, comedy and live music one night. Parties, fundraisers and functions the next!
Geelong Arts Centre has a 40+ year legacy as a leader, connector and creator of extraordinary cultural experiences, and as a gathering place for the community. The iconic Geelong Arts Centre is a fitting stage to celebrate local business excellence, and to recognise the spirit of creativity and resilience that drives our region.
We can’t wait to welcome our local business community for an unforgettable night of celebrations.
Times News Group
The locally-owned Times News Group publishes free local news across regions including the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong, the Bellarine, Ballarat and Bendigo.
Through weekly newspapers, online, and social media, Times News Group keeps its extensive print and digital audience informed about news and hyper-local content.
Free across print and digital platforms, Times News Group’s channels are the perfect way for businesses to reach and engage with a large audience.
When local is the new global, we deliver what’s good about where we live.
Major Media Partner
Each week over 175,000 people listen to Geelong radio! At Geelong Broadcasters we employ over 60 “locals” and proudly offer the region’s only local newsroom to operate seven days a week. bay 93.9 is a bright, fun & proudly local adult contemporary radio station targeting the 35-54 demographic. We are the number one station in Geelong for people aged 25+ … so, thanks for listening.
Event Partner
At ReCreate 
, we’re more than content creators, we’re brand storytellers. While anyone can shoot video, we craft authentic narratives that reflect your identity and connect with your audience. We don’t just deliver moments; we build long-term partnerships that align with your vision and values.
The result? A stronger brand image, increased visibility, and a loyal community that believes in what you do.
Award Organiser
The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing a range of new and dynamic support for our members. Our connection events, webinars,
podcasts and masterclasses give members the opportunity to learn new skills and connect with other businesses.
Raise your business profile, stay connected and keep up to date with all the latest business news & events.