Ararat Rural City Council is pleased to be hosting the East Grampians Business Awards this year, and I am encouraging all our businesses to consider entering.
There are many benefits to entering the business awards, not the least of which is the chance to win the category you enter.
The process of entering itself gives business owners and operators a chance to stand back and take an objective look at their operations, judge what they are doing well and think about what they could improve on.
The business awards recognise our business operators for their hard work, whether they win or not, and gives their organisation great brand exposure that helps with marketing going into the future.
The council is holding the awards to recognise excellence in a sector that brings much economic activity and growth to the region.
There are five award categories businesses can enter: agribusiness, retail, professional services, tourism and hospitality, and innovation and technology.
The council is encouraging all businesses to enter, whether they are big or small, based in the central business district in regional areas of the municipality.
The East Grampians Business Awards follow on from the now-defunct Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards that date back to 1999.
This year, for the first time, the award application process has been simplified.
Ararat Rural City Council will also be working with the Greater Ararat Business Network to encourage entries and participation from outlying organisations.
All awards will be judged by an independent panel of judges, who will visit entrants' businesses to gain a better understanding of their processes and operations within the region.
The awards program will culminate in the presentation of awards to winners at a special gala dinner function on Thursday 5 December at the Ararat Town Hall.
For all the details, entry guidelines and an entry form, visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au and click on the link on the home page.
