Bathurst Business Chamber president Stacey Whittaker said she was very excited about the awards.

There are some great new categories and there will also be a new venue for the big gala dinner on September 25.

Ms Whittaker said this year’s  dinner would be held in St Stanislaus’ College’s function centre.

“It should be a great night,” she said. “It’s always great to raise money for local charities.”

In the meantime people are being encouraged to nominate those businesses that go above and beyond in serving the local community.

This year there will be a slight change to voting requirements.

Members of the public will be voting for the People’s Choice Award Best Business and the People’s Choice Award for Employee of the Year. All other categories will be judged on the submissions made by the businesses. 

Judging will be carried out by an external panel. The closing date for nominations is June 29.

Bathurst business Appiworks has built a new user-friendly website to make nominating and voting easier. 

Ms Whittaker said one of the changes this year is that there will now be an award for Excellence in Business for businesses with more than 20 employees, as well as an award for Excellence in Small Business for those businesses that have less than 20 staff.

An Excellence in Export award makes an appearance for the first time in 2015, and the Excellence in Tourism Award has been expanded to become Excellence in Tourism, Events, or Promoting Bathurst. 

“I’d encourage everyone to nominate a business,” Ms Whittaker said. “They don’t need to be a member of the Business Chamber to enter.”

Dean Porter, from major sponsor Crowe Horwath, said the annual awards provide an opportunity to showcase Bathurst businesses and their employees.

“I am really looking forward to it. It’s a great celebration,” he said.

“I believe it is a great way of supporting our businesses here in Bathurst and showcasing their excellent service.”

Western Advocate advertising manager Erin Peacock said people could nominate from today at www.carillonbusinessawards.com

While people are encouraged to nominate and vote on line, they can still pick up the traditional form in the Western Advocate starting today.

“I encourage everyone to get in and nominate a business they feel has given exceptional service and goes that extra mile for their customers,” Ms Peacock said.

All entrants to the 2015 Crowe Horwath Business Awards must complete a nomination form. Nominations close midnight 30 June 2015. Click here to visit the nomination page.

Businesses must also accept their nominations and start their submissions by 30 June 2015.