The prestigious Sydney City Region Business Awards will be open to every city business for the first time, allowing more local companies to showcase their achievements and create new opportunities for growth.
The City of Sydney has boosted its sponsorship of the annual NSW Business Chamber Business Awards program, committing $80,000 a year for the next three years to create the expanded awards program that will be available to all local businesses from 2017 whether they are or not a member of a local chamber.
CEO Monica Barone said the City’s support for an expanded awards program and newly named City of Sydney category will help raise the profile and open up opportunities for more local businesses.
“We’re ensuring all city businesses have access to the market exposure and networking opportunities this awards program delivers, as well as our ongoing support through the City’s business programs, seminars and grants,” Ms Barone said.
“Small-to-medium sized businesses are the lifeblood of the city’s economy, representing 85 per cent of our businesses and contributing an estimated $20 billion to the local economy.
“The last census showed 40 per cent of all job growth in metropolitan Sydney took place in the City’s local government area. We want to create an environment where businesses can continue to prosper.
“The City has supported business awards programs since 2004 and sponsors the Excellence in Small Business award across the state. This is another great opportunity to further promote Sydney’s outstanding local businesses and see they receive well-deserved recognition at a state level and beyond.
“From restaurants and retailers to creative services, charities and tech startups, these awards have seen businesses from across the city use their award win as a springboard for even greater success.
“I encourage all organisations in our local government area to get on board and help us celebrate Sydney’s thriving business community and showcase their hard work to a broader audience.”
Under the The Sydney City Region Business Awards – In Partnership with the City of Sydney, businesses will now only need to become members of the NSW Business Chamber or a local chamber if they win a category at the Sydney City Region Awards and advance to the NSW Business Chamber State Awards.
“It’s great to further expand our partnership with the City of Sydney to encourage more Sydney businesses into our prestigious business awards,” Stephen Cartwright, NSW Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer, said.
“I encourage all businesses to get involved with the awards as they are not just a great chance to celebrate the success of our state’s innovators and entrepreneurs, but to build networks and grow business opportunities.”
Alex Riggs’ inner west company, Oobi Baby and Kids, took out the overall Business of the Year award in the City of Sydney Business Awards in 2011. She says the win helped drive the business to greater success.
“Winning the awards gave us a lot of kudos and now that we’re preparing for the trade shows in New York, it’s a point of difference that gives the business some gravitas,” Ms Riggs said.
“People are nervous about purchasing from an unknown quantity, but having that weight of an award win behind you gives people more confidence. It demonstrates that you’re a solid and successful business that has received the acknowledgement of its peers. It really adds credibility.”
The Sydney City Region Business Awards are held each year, with applications for the 2017 Awards opening in May and the finalists announced in July. Winners from all 10 categories, who are chamber members, progress to the state awards, which are staged in November.
Under the new three agreement with the NSW Business Chamber, the City will continue to sponsor the state-wide “Excellence in Small Business” category.
For more information on the Sydney City Region Business Awards program and how to enter, visit business-support/programs-and-seminars/business-awards or email citybusiness@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au