Fri Nov 23 2007
Story and photo by Aldwyn Altuney
Published in Queensland's Business Acumen magazine
FOR the first time in the 12-year history of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards, a business person will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Black Tie Gala Ball at Conrad Jupiters on November 24.
The Business Person Hall of Fame Inductee announcement was made at the last of six monthly rounds of judging for the year at Zarraffa's Coffee in Oxenford on October 24.
Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards president Ian Cousins said the award would go to someone who had contributed over many years to the Gold Coast's growth.
"There are many, many great people to choose from," Mr Cousins said.
There has been an increase in the number of businesses which entered this year with many being first time entrants to the Awards and some taking out multiple categories, including Simptel Communications and CaraData.
Entrants and winners come from a broad range of industries including golf courses, distilleries and coffee roasters to boat builders and insurance agencies.
"Everyone is welcome and all industries participate," he said.
The new award adds to eight monthly awards and two other annual awards – the Gold Coast City Council's Environmental Management and Bob Scott Encouragement Awards.
"The committee reviews the awards each year and looks to see if there are any categories to add or change," he said.
"We're always looking to improve the awards to suit the Gold Coast's ever-changing ways of doing business. We're prepared to change as the Gold Coast changes."
The October winners were: Simptel Communications Limited (Emerging Business); Open System Consultants (Family Business), P&M Plastics (Manufacturing & Construction); Poly Optics Australia (Mayor's Innovation GC); Zarraffa's Coffee (Retail, Wholesale & Distribution); Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (Tourism Hospitality & Recreation); Magic Millions (Trades, Professions & Services) and CaraData (Information Technology & Multimedia).
"This year, the Gold Coast has had a very buoyant business economy and the award winners are reflective of the growth of the Gold Coast. In general, businesses feel here that most businesses are on the same growth pattern and that's very positive for the future," Mr Cousins said.
"Of course, we don't know if a change of government will have any effect on that. We'll just have to wait and see."
With the Federal Election being held on the same night as the gala, Mr Cousins assures the 600 plus guests expected that they will be kept up to date with the latest election news on the night via two large screens and a live broadcast by media supporter NBN.
The highly-anticipated event, featuring a Frank Sinatra tribute by Max Miller and his 14-piece All Star Swing Band, will see 48 of the Gold Coast 's top businesses vying for the title of 2007 Gold Coast Businesses of the Year.
Tickets cost $125 or $1200 for a table of 10 and are available by calling 5592 8303. Everyone is welcome.
The awards are the Gold Coast's premiere non-profit incorporated association recognising significant achievement in Gold Coast business and industry.
They could not exist without the ongoing support of sponsors, which this year are Suncorp, Gold Coast City Council, Department of Tourism, Regional Development & Industry, Griffith University, Infolink, Michael Sing Lawyers, AusIndustry and Telstra Gold Coast.
Major supporters include Smart Sands, KPMG, Bond university, Conrad Jupiters, AA Xposé Media, Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers, Surfers Inkspot, Staging Connections and KPMG while media supporters are The Gold Coast Bulletin, 92.5 Gold Fm, NBN Television and Graphics Online.
For more details on the awards, visit www.goldcoastbusinessawards.com.au
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