While Parramatta Chamber of Commerce remains the host for the Greater Western Sydney awards, JCME Marketing and Events have been called in to run the event, which will culminate in a gala awards night at Waterview Bicentennial Park on August 14.
The awards have been extended to include the north-western and south-western areas.
Launch MC Dwayne Jeffries from Hope Media said that when small businesses did well, the country did well.
Awards patron Alan Cadman said the west was “a dynamic area” he was passionate about, and said the awards process gave businesses the chance to “work together to share their joys, achievements and disappointments”.
Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee, representing Premier Mike Baird, said running his own business - a nursery before entering academia - was the most difficult job he had.
Dr Lee said the rapid growth of the west presented “an exciting time for businesses and government”. “But businesses should remember to celebrate their successes with staff,” he said.
And Skye Blackburn is proof that all types of businesses are in the running,
An entomologist and food technologist, Skye’s business Edible Bug Shop won the Innovation section of last year’s awards and best new business in 2008.
‘“As a niche business, winning the award helped in the marketplace by giving me credibility when people found me online,” Skye said.
One of Skye’s specialty dishes of garlic chilli crickets was served up to brave business people at the launch.
All businesses across Western Sydney are eligible to enter the awards and the 11 category winners of the aligned NSW Business Chamber categories qualify as State finalists in the NSW Business Chamber awards.
Entrants are recognised for their excellence in innovation, marketing, sustainability, business ethics, customer service and education among others.
Judging process remains confidential and takes place online. Multiple judges are assigned to the same category after which scores are collated and averaged to produce the final score.
Once a final score is awarded, entrants who do not meet the minimum standard score are eliminated. Entrants who meet the standard score are announced as finalists.
The entrant with the highest score becomes the winner of the category. If scores are tied for first place, then the award is given to all those who scored the highest.
To enter and for more information go to www.wsabe.com.au
