What are the 2008 City of Sydney Business Awards?

The City of Sydney Business Awards commenced in 2004. The well-established 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 2008 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.

The Awards program will adhere to a monitored Green Event management plan and the Awards Gala Dinner will be produced as a carbon neutral event, a first for the City of Sydney Council. See Sustainable Business for more information.

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What geographic area is included the City of Sydney Business Awards?

The City of Sydney Local Government Area includes 32 communities represented by the City of Sydney Council. There are 20,000 Small to Medium Sized Enterprises employing 210,000 people and representing 98% of all City businesses.

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City of Sydney Local Government Area Suburbs The Central Business District  The Rocks Millers Point  Haymarket Ultimo  Pyrmont East Sydney  Darlinghurst Kings Cross  Potts Point Elizabeth Bay  Rushcutters Bay Woolloomooloo  Glebe Forest Lodge  Chippendale Camperdown  Paddington Surry Hills  Moore Park Centennial Park  Waterloo Zetland  Beaconsfield Rosebery  St Peters Alexandria  Erskineville Eveleigh  Redfern Darlington  Newtown

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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 city and state government
• Gain competitive advantage and valuable marketing tools
• Motivate your employees toward a goal
• Greater recognition in your industry
• Ongoing publicity on our website, and media for winners and finalists
• Learn more about the importance of environmental sustainability to your business.

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What are the key dates?

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How does it work

Nominations: Businesses meeting the criteria may nominate on the website.

Voting: Nominated business 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. The top four vote getters in each category will be a finalist.

Finalists: You will be notified if you are a finalist 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 category winners, who will be named at the Awards Dinner. All decisions by the judges are final.

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Who can be nominated for the City of Sydney Business Awards?

Nominees for all categories must:

• Be located in the Local Government Area of the City of Sydney.
• Have fewer than 200 employees
• Supply an ABN or ACN number
• Fill out an on line nomination form.

Only business owners, directors, principals or employees are permitted to submit a nomination.

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What are the Award categories?

There are 23 different Award categories, which can be found if you Click Here. 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 two special awards: The Lord Mayor's Sustainable Business Award presented by EnergyAustralia, and the Business of the Year Award presented. For more information about these awards Click Here.

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What if I don't know my category?

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

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What information will be needed for finalist questionnaires?

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

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How does voting work?

Once nominated, you will be encouraged to solicit votes from among customers and the public. Only one vote per business per person is permitted, and up to six votes in total across all categories. Votes can be made on-line on this website, or by SMS.

We will supply all nominees with a downloadable marketing kit including in-store posters, pdf flyers and other tips. We will also provide a unique SMS code for your business. Encourage patrons and customers to vote by SMS using the Business Awards phone number and your SMS code. (Voting by SMS is the normal cost of an SMS. There are no additional charges.)

The top four vote-getters in each category are finalists.

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How does judging work?

Finalists will be judged by a panel consisting of representatives from business, government and academia, who will review questionnaires and other materials. Your businesses may be visited by a Mystery Shopping program, and you may be contacted by a judge for additional information. All decisions by the judges are final. See terms and conditions of entry.

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How is my local Business Association or Chamber involved?

All nominees will be considered for special awards from the Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce in the City of Sydney.

These awards will be judged by officials of your local Business Association or Chamber and will be based on contribution to your community.

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What is the Gala Awards Dinner?

Awards will be announced and presented at a local business "night of nights" dinner attended by the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP and other members of the Sydney City Council, the media, government officials and your peers.

The awards dinner is a terrific opportunity to reward staff, customers, suppliers, friends, family and yourself with a three course dinner, entertainment and the chance to have your moment in the spotlight. All winners will receive an engraved trophy for display at your place of businesses. and finalists will receive a thank you letter from the Lord Mayor.

What should I do if my business isn't in the City of Sydney's Local Government Area?

There are some other great small business awards programs run in communities around the City of Sydney's Local Government Area. We suggest you check out True local business awards.