Close to 300 nominations have been received this year: for 230 businesses and 43 employees across the Bathurst business community. 

Bathurst Business Chamber president Stacey Whittaker said there had never been so many businesses and individuals recognised in the business awards.

“We have a record number of votes in this year, too,” she said. 

People embraced the opportunity to submit their votes online for the two newly added People’s Choice categories.

More than 4000 votes were received, while a further 500 paper votes were submitted. 

Ms Whittaker believes the increase in interest this year has come from the success of last year’s event and the growing reputation of the awards themselves as a fair way to recognise every business, not just the ones that advertise with the major local media outlets.

“I think people have finally realised it is an awards system that is genuine,” she said.

With public voting for the People’s Choice categories now closed, attention has turned to the submissions the Bathurst Business Chamber has received. 

An independent panel of judges from across the Central West will review the submissions of all the businesses in the other categories to determine who will walk away with the awards at the Gala Dinner on September 25.

The winners in each category will then be eligible for the highest honour on the night, the Crowe Horwath Carillon Business of the Year award, and will be judged separately. 

The Gala Dinner at the end of the month will be held at a new venue, St Stanislaus’ College, and will feature special guest Sylvia Jeffreys, the newsreader for the Today show.

Tickets are selling fast.

Visit www.carillonbusinessawards.com