City of sydney business awards 09 - Supporting better business

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the 2011 City of Sydney Business Awards?
2. What geographic area is included the City of Sydney Business Awards?
3. Why enter the Awards?
4. What are the key dates?
5. How does it work?
6. Who can be nominated for the City of Sydney Business Awards?
7. What are the Award categories?
8. What if I don’t know my category?
9. What information will be needed for finalist questionnaires?
10. How does judging work?
11. What is the Awards Dinner?

What are the Sydney Business Awards?

This annual awards program for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is designed to embrace the wide range of outstanding businesses operating in the City’s Local Government Area and provide unique networking opportunities for all participants, including sponsors, local businesses, state and local government, Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, media and the general public.

The 2011 Business Awards will celebrate the contribution businesses and business people make to the community, and acknowledge the Council’s vision for the future of a Green, Global and Connected City.

What geographic area is included the Sydney Business Awards?

Nominees must be located in the City of Sydney Local Government Area of 32 suburbs. Suburbs and postcodes are below. Note that a few postcodes include addresses outside the Local Government Area (Paddington and Newtown, for example). If in doubt, find out to which council your rates are paid, check the map below or contact us.

Why enter the Awards?

There are many benefits of entering the awards:

• Recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements of yourself and your staff;
• Build relationships with business peers and customers;
• Gain competitive advantage and valuable marketing tools;
• Motivate your employees toward a goal;
• Build your databases and benchmark your marketing ability;
• Develop your social media presence and build a following;
• Greater recognition in your industry; and
• Receive ongoing publicity through the Business Awards website, and media for winners and finalists.

What are the key dates?

• Tuesday 14 June: Nominations and voting open
• Friday 22 July: Nominations and voting close
• Tuesday 26 July: Finalists announced
• Wednesday 3 August: Finalist Reception
• Friday 12 August: Finalist questionnaires due
• Tuesday 13 September: Awards Celebration Dinner

How does it work?

Nominations: Independently owned businesses in the City of Sydney Local Government Area with fewer than 200 employees and in operation at least six months may nominate themselves via this website. The public may also nominate a business that meets the above criteria.

Voting: Nominated businesses will receive promotional materials to assist with the voting campaign. As in previous years, the public will be invited to vote for their favourite businesses in individual categories either online or via SMS. The finalists are the top vote getters in each category. Voting and Nominations run concurrently. One vote per person per business. Duplicates will be eliminated in our auditing system. You may vote for more than one business.

Finalists: Finalists will be notified by phone and email and sent a questionnaire to fill out for the judges. Finalists in certain categories will also receive a visit from a mystery shopper.

Judging: A panel of judges will determine the winner in each category and the announcement will take place at the Awards Ceremony. All decisions by the judges are final.

Who can be nominated for the Sydney Business Awards?

Nominees for all categories must:

• Be located in the Local Government Area of the City of Sydney;
• Be in continuious operation for six months;
• Be independently owned
• Have fewer than 200 employees; and
• Complete the online nomination form.

Business owners, principals, employees and the general public are permitted to submit a nomination.

What are the Award categories?

See the categories listing on this website. The categories were chosen with the assistance of the City of Sydney Economic Development Unit, using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classifications (2006).

There are several special awards of high distinction: Business of the Year, The Lord Mayor’s Sustainable Business Award and the Small Businesses of the Year Award. For more information about these awards click here.

What if I don’t know my category?

Choose the category that best represents your main business activity. Judges and the organisers will review submissions and make final determinations about category selections. You will be notified if your category changes.

What information will be needed for Finalist questionnaires?

You will be asked to complete a business questionnaire to assist the judges. It should not take more than eight hours to complete. You will be asked basic questions about the success of your business including financial records, contributions to your community and industry, leadership, business planning and a statement outlining environmental planning and initiatives.

How does judging work?

Finalists will be judged by a panel consisting of representatives from business, government and academia, who will review questionnaires, mystery shopping reports and other materials. Your businesses may be visited by a mystery shopper, and you may be contacted by a judge for additional information. All decisions by the judges are final. For more information on terms and conditions click here.

What is The Awards Ceremony?

The Awards Ceremony is the ‘night of nights’, celebrating the best businesses in the City of Sydney with friends, clients, family members and Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP and Councillors. Lisa Wilkinson, Nine's TODAYco-host is the Master of Ceremonies, and the Ceremony is held at The Westin, Sydney.

The Awards Ceremony is where winners in each of the award categories are announced.

Attendees will enjoy a three course gourmet meal including beer, wine and soft drinks and entertainment at one of the Sydney’s premier five-star hotels, located in the heart of the city.