The Local Business Awards are conducted over an eleven-week period.

When do Nominations Open?

The public will have the opportunity to nominate their favourite local businesses in a selected category. Customers are able to nominate a business by:

• Visiting the Local Business Awards website.
• Submitting coupons provided in one of our local Media Partner.
• Submitting coupons located at their favorite business' premises.

When do Nominations Close?

The Local Business Awards will announce when Nominations close for a specific region. Nominations will be accepted up until the Nominations closing date.

How are Finalists Selected?

Finalists are selected based on the number of online and printed nominations they receive in their specific category, the most popular businesses will be selected.

Finalist businesses will be notified of their selection by the Local Business Awards by email or telephone. Finalists will received a Finalist Pack that includes an Invitation to the Local Business Awards Gala Presentation Evening, a Certificate, the Judging Criteria and General Information about the Awards.

What is the Judging Process?

The finalists are judged based on a two stage process:

• Information received by each business (Qualifying).
• A visit by one of our anonymous judges (Judging).

Click here for more information on the judging process.

When are finalists announced?

The finalists of each category will be announced by one of our Media Partners.

When are Winners Announced?

The winners are announced at the prestigious Local Business Awards Gala Presentation Evening attended by local business people, sponsors and dignitaries. Tickets are only available to finalists and sponsors.

How are Finalists Selected?

Finalists are selected based on the number of nominations they receive from the public, the more nominations received, the better chance of being selected as a finalist.There is no arbitrary cut-off point, as the number of nominations received varies for each category.

Once finalists have been selected they will be judged based on a two stage process:

• a) Information provided by the business
• b) Anonymous visit by a judge

What information should be provided by the business?

The aim of this part of the judging criteria covers the behind-the-scenes elements of a successful business. This gives the business the opportunity to showcase their achievements to the judging panel and includes questions related to the following:

• Business History
• Business Marketing
• Staff Training
• Business and Environmental Sustainability
• Business Successes during the past 12 months
• Support to the community
• Business Plans for the future

What is finalist Qualifying Criteria?

In order to proceed to the final stage of the judging process five qualifying criteria need to be met.

• Is the business identified with clear signage?
• Is the overall appearance of the premises clean and well maintained?
• Are staff appropriately dressed?
• Is the customer acknowledged on entering?
• Are displays neatly presented?

A visit by a Local Business Awards anonymous judge

Our anonymous judges will visit the business premises of each finalist and evaluate them based on their ability to deliver on the fundamental principles of quality customer service. The principles of quality customer service include, but are not limited to, customer service, range and/or presentation of products/services, value for money and the overall business presentation, including the online presence of the company and the online experience provided to the customer.

If a visit to the business premises is not possible judges will evaluate the business' website and online presence (social media, advertising etc.) and may conduct impromptu telephone interviews.

The Local Business Awards is the most comprehensive business awards program covering a wide variety of industry categories. The categories in each region vary in order to recognise the industries in the specific business community. A selection of these categories include:

The Presentation Evening

The Gala Presentation Evening is one of the most exciting and anticipated events for the local business community, with the perfect amount of great food and entertainment and of course, the naming of the Local Business Award winners.

The evening is an ideal opportunity for business owners to share the accolade of becoming a finalist with their family, friends and staff. The evening acknowledges everyone's hard work and contribution to the business' success - a shared celebration of the business' achievements.

The Gala Evening promises to be a spectacle and a night you will never forget.

The Local Business Awards aim to pay tribute to and reward the local community's best businesses. It also aims to develop and strengthen the bonds between businesses and the community thereby improving the standards of local businesses.

The benefits to your business by participating

The Local Business Awards are based within the local community. The awards give local businesses the opportunity to:

• Promote their business and its strengths.
• Display their range of products and services.
• Provide in-store displays of their Local Business Awards success.

The Local Business Awards brings together businesses, the local community and Awards sponsors to celebrate excellence and quality.

How to register your business in the Awards

Create an online business profile using the Local Business Awards Website and customise your profile to highlight the strengths of your business. To register simply click here, type in your postcode and fill out the registration form.

Ensure that you provide an up to date email address and a password so that you can manage your business' profile, purchase tickets and purchase any photographs taken at your awards night.

By ensuring that your profile is updated you provide the public and our judges with the most up to date and relevant information about your business.

What are you waiting for? Get Registered!