Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence (BEX) Awards, proudly sponsored by James Cook University (JCU), are our region’s most prestigious and celebrated annual business event.

The Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses in our region, acknowledging them for their hard work, exceptional business acumen and remarkable contributions to the economic, social, cultural and environmental prosperity of Far North Queensland.

There are 10 categories open for nomination. These include: Business Resilience, Community Contribution, Customer Service (Professional Services), Customer Service (Trade, Retail & Services), Indigenous Business, Innovation, Marketing and Communications, People Management, Sustainability and Environmental, and Emerging Leader.

Let's Get Started!

Nominate an Exceptional Business - Even Your Own!

Nominate Now

Know a local business (it could even be your own!) that deserves to be recognised with a business award?

Perhaps you’ve experienced amazing customer service, been inspired their community spirit or impressed by their innovative approaches? Whatever makes a business stand out to you, we want to know who they are – and let’s face it, they probably wouldn’t mind hearing it too!

Multiple Nominations
Please note, the number of nominations a business receives is not considered as part of the judging process. Entrants still have to complete a submission if they wish to enter the awards program. Nominating a business multiple times simply means they will receive multiple emails encouraging them to apply – but they will really know how much you love them!

Emerging Leaders Category
All nominations are a business nomination except for the Emerging Leaders Excellence Award which is an individual nomination.

Key Dates

Benefits of Entering

Whether you progress to the finalist stage or go on to win an award, there are so many benefits from simply entering.

Review - Our Awards provide an opportunity for you to reflect on how far you’ve come, celebrate your wins, identify areas for improvement and plan for the future.

Team Building - Invite your staff to contribute their ideas and perspectives to your submission and work on your application as a collaborative project. It’s a wonderful way to foster engagement, a positive and inclusive culture, and the enthusiasm it creates is contagious!

Build your profile - Our Awards provide a platform to share your passion and showcase your business.

Recognise your team - You and your team work hard every day, and the Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate.

Networking - Connect with likeminded individuals and network with other successful business leaders.

The Entry Process

Step 1 - Nominate an exceptional business - even your own!

Nominate Now

Step 2 – Register to attend an information session

In these sessions, we will take you step-by-step through the entry process, discussing the key dates, eligibility criteria, submission questions and judges tips for writing a competitive application.

You will have the opportunity to ask the awards committee questions and hear from past winners about the benefits of entering.

Session Times Available:
Session 1 – Thursday 25 July 2024, 1.15pm – 2.30pm – REGISTER HERE
Session 2 – Friday 16 August 2024, 8.45am – 10.00am – REGISTER HERE

Step 3 - Confirm that you are eligible to apply

• Businesses are required to have a valid ABN and must have a registered business/physical address within the Cairns Regional Council boundaries.
• Businesses must have a minimum trading history of 12 months within the region as at 1 July 2023.
• Businesses can only enter one (1) award category, with the exception being that if the owner or an employee of the business is also eligible for the Emerging Leader Excellence Award, they may enter both.
• The applicant must disclose to the awards committee any litigation or insolvency proceedings that may foreseeably affect the reputation of the applicant or through association, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
• The Cairns Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to declare any submission ineligible if, in the reasonable opinion of the judges, the entrant is unable to represent or promote the awards in a satisfactory manner. The applicant must not, to their knowledge, be involved in any unlawful or illegal conduct.  
• Applicants must provide honest and accurate answers to all questions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Past winners are not allowed to enter the same category in which they won the previous year. They can however enter another category or re-enter the same category if more than 12 months has past since they won.
• You do not have to be a Cairns Chamber of Commerce member to enter the Business Excellence Awards. 
• Emerging Leaders must work or live in the Cairns LGA and be born in, or between, the years 1989 and 2006.

Step 4 - Download the Microsoft Word version of the 2024 Submission Kit. Decide on the category you are going to enter and use this document to start drafting your responses.

Categories open for nomination include:

• Business Resilience (proudly sponsored by CQUniversity Australia) - recognises a business that has demonstrated strong leadership, tenacity and a solutions-focused vision when faced with adversity.
• Community Contribution - recognises a business that has gone above and beyond to give back to the Cairns community.
• Customer Service: Professional Services (proudly sponsored by Danae Jones Consulting) - recognises a professional services business that has achieved outstanding results through the implementation of exceptional customer service initiatives.
• Customer Service: Trade, Retail & Services (proudly sponsored by Crystalbrook Collection) - recognises a trade, retail or services business that has achieved outstanding results through the implementation of exceptional customer service initiatives.
• Indigenous Business (proudly sponsored by RDA Tropical North) - recognises a majority Indigenous owned and/or operated business (51% or more) that has made a significant and sustainable impact or contribution to the indigenous community.
• Innovation (proudly sponsored by Cairns Regional Council) - recognises a business that has successfully implemented an innovative new product, service, strategy or business model, that delivers economic, social and/or environmental benefits.
• Marketing and Communications (proudly sponsored by the Cairns Post) - recognises a business that achieved outstanding results for their business and/or their client’s business, through exceptional marketing and communications strategies or campaigns.
• People Management (proudly sponsored by CBC Staff Selection) - recognises a business that has achieved outstanding success through effective people management initiatives.
• Sustainability and Environmental (proudly sponsored by Star 102.7) - recognises a business who is actively working to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment and/or provides products or services that have a positive environmental impact.  
• Emerging Leader (proudly sponsored by James Cook University: College of Business, Law and Governance) - acknowledges an outstanding individual, aged 18 – 35, who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, is committed to personal and professional development, and has made a positive contribution to the Cairns community.

PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER THE CATEGORY YOU WERE ORIGINALLY NOMINATED FOR. If you feel you are more suited to another category, we recommend you proceed with that category.

Step 5 – Upload Your Submission into the Online Portal (known as Award Force)

To be considered for the 2024 Business Excellence Awards, you must submit your entry via the online portal known as Award Force. The portal will open at 9am on Friday 2 August 2024 and close at 11.59pm on Friday 30 August 2024. Link to online portal: https://bexawards.awardsplatform.com/

Once a submission is started, you can complete it over a number of sessions. You can edit, save and exit your submission up until the closing date on Friday 30 August 2024. 

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION.

When you cut-and-paste your responses into the online portal, all formatting is cleared and inserted pictures removed, so it may take some time to re-format it.

Award Force uses a system called ‘Markdown’ for content formatting. CLICK HERE for instructions about how to create Headings, Bold, Italics, Bullet Points, Lists and Line Space using Markdown text. If you wish to include supporting documents, images or videos in your submission, you will have to embed them as URL links or upload them as attachments.

Once you are satisfied with your submission, click the SUBMIT button.

Step 6 - Finalists Announced

Finalists will be announced via social and digital media on Friday 13 September 2024. Finalists will be celebrated at the VIP Cocktail Evening on Wednesday 2 October 2024 at Crystalbrook Flynn’s Whiskey and Wine Bar.

Each finalist will receive one (1) complimentary ticket to this event. Details on how to redeem your complimentary ticket will be advised once all finalists have been announced. Additional tickets are available for purchase HERE.

Step 7 - Purchase Tickets to the Gala Ball

Winners will be announced at the Gala Ball on Friday 18 October 2024 at the Cairns Convnetion Centre. Tickets are on sale now, so get in early to secure your seats! Ticket sales close Thursday 3 October 2024.

Contact Us

For more information or enquiries about the 2024 Business Excellence Awards, please contact the Awards Committee on:

Phone: 07 4031 1838
Email: email/bexawards)(cairnschamber.com.au
Facebook: Keep up to date with the latest news and follow our Facebook Page

FAQs - Past Winners - Judges