Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence (BEX) Awards, proudly sponsored by James Cook University (JCU), recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses in our region, acknowledging them for their hard work, exceptional business acumen and remarkable contributions to the Cairns community.

 Key Dates

The Entry Process

Step 1 - Nominate an exceptional business or emerging leader

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 or been inspired by their community spirit. 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!

Nominate A Business

And what about emerging talent? Do you know an outstanding individual aged 18–35 who shows strong leadership, is committed to personal and professional growth, and contributes positively to the Cairns community? Then nominate them for the Emerging Leader Excellence Award!

Nominate an Emerging Leader

Notes:
- Emerging Leader Category: All nominations are a business nomination except for the Emerging Leader Award which is an individual nomination.
- Multiple Nominations: The number of nominations a business or individual receives is not considered part of the judging process. Entrants still have to complete a submission if they wish to enter the awards program. Nominating a business or individual multiple times simply means they will receive multiple emails encouraging them to apply – but they will really know how much you love them!

Step 2 – Register to attend an information session

Nomination is just the beginning! To officially enter the Business Excellence Awards, you must complete an online application.

We highly recommend attending one of our free Business Awards Information Sessions, where we’ll guide you step-by-step through the entry process, covering key dates, eligibility criteria, submission questions, and tips on how to craft a standout application.

You'll also have the opportunity to ask the awards committee any questions you may have.

Session Times Available:
Session 1 – Thursday 14 July, 9am - 10am - REGISTER HERE
Session 2 - Thursday 31 July, 9am - 10am - REGISTER HERE
Session 3 – Friday 15 August, 9am - 10am - REGISTER HERE

Notes:
- The content of both sessions will be very similar, so there’s no need to attend more than one.
- Even if you haven’t nominated or been nominated yet, you’re still very welcome to come along – this is a great opportunity to learn more about the awards process.

Step 3 - Confirm that you are eligible to apply

In order to be eligible to enter the Business Excellence Awards, entrants must meet the following eligibly criteria:

Businesses must:
- Have a valid ABN.
- Have a registered business / physical address within the Cairns Regional Council Local Government Area (LGA) boundaries.
- Have a minimum trading history of 12 months within the region as of 1 July 2025.
- Can only enter one (1) award category.

Businesses and Emerging Leaders:
- 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.
- Must provide honest and accurate answers to all questions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
- Past winners are not permitted 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 have passed since they won.
- You do not have to be a Cairns Chamber of Commerce member to enter the Business Excellence Awards.
- 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.

Emerging Leaders must:
- Work in the Cairns LGA.
- Be born in, or between, the years 1990 and 2007.

Step 4 - Start drafting your submission

Download the 2025 Microsoft Word version of the How-To-Enter Guide.

Decide on the category you are going to enter and use this document to start drafting your responses. The category you enter does not have to be the category that you were originally nominated, or self-nominated for. If after reading the submission questions, you feel you are more suited to another category, we recommend you proceed with that.

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 (proudly sponsored by Halpin Partners) - 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 Cape York Partnership) - recognises a majority Indigenous owned and/or operated business (51% or more) that has made a significant and sustainable impact to the indigenous community through its operations.
- 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 an exceptional marketing and communications strategy or campaign.
- 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 Kinetic) - 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.

Notes:
- Do not spend time formatting your responses during the draft phase. To be eligible for the awards program, all applications must be submitted through an online platform known as Award Force. When you copy and paste your responses into Award Force, all formatting is cleared. This includes the removal of inserted pictures, videos, hyperlinks, and font/text formatting.

Step 5 – Upload your submission into the online portal

Once you are satisfied with your drafted responses, you are ready to start uploading your submission into the online portal.

Portal Link: CLICK HERE
Portal Opens: 9.00am AEST Friday 1 August 2025
Portal Closes: 11.59pm AEST Friday 29 August 2025

If you’ve previously participated in the Business Excellence Awards, you can log in using your existing account.

Once you begin your submission, you can save your progress and return to complete it at any time, up until the closing date.

Don’t leave it to the last minute—your submission will require formatting after you upload it, which can take additional time.

Award Force uses a system called Markdown for formatting your content. CLICK HERE for a simple guide on how to create headings, bold or italic text, bullet points, lists, and line breaks using Markdown.

If you wish to include supporting documents, images, or videos, you’ll need to either upload them as attachments or embed them as URL links.

Once you’re happy with your entry, be sure to click the SUBMIT button to finalise your submission.

Step 6 - Finalists announced

Finalists will be announced via social and digital media on Friday 12 September 2025. Finalists will be celebrated at the VIP Finalist Evening on Wednesday 1 October 2025 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 17 October 2025 at the Cairns Convnetion Centre. 

Tickets are on sale now, so get in early to secure your seats! Tables will be allocated on a first-in, first served basis, so the earlier you book, the better seats you will get!

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 on 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.

Contact Us

For more information or enquiries about the 2025 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