Award Details 2026
The 2026 Granite Belt Business Excellence Awards are designed to celebrate the outstanding businesses, organisations and individuals who contribute to the strength and vibrancy of our region. Entering the awards is a valuable opportunity to reflect on your achievements, profile your business and acknowledge your team.
Businesses can self nominate or be nominated by someone who knows their work.
Entry Fee
- $100 – Members (includes one ticket to the Awards Gala)
- $125 – Non-members (includes one ticket to the Awards Gala)
Upon receipt of a completed nomination, an invoice will be issued. Nominations are considered fully accepted once payment of the invoice has been received.
Nomination Categories
There are 8 Award categories and 2 Special Awards.
Cat 1 – Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality
Recognises outstanding operators who deliver exceptional visitor experiences
through quality, service, and innovation. Includes: accommodation, eateries & cafés, wineries & breweries, tours, & attractions.
Cat 2 – Excellence in Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Celebrates the region’s growers, producers, and agribusinesses who demonstrate
innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the agricultural sector. Includes: growers, livestock producers, value-added producers, ag technology & supply chain partners.
Cat 3 – Excellence in Retail
For businesses that stand out through exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and contribution to the local economy. Includes: Retailers and direct to customer producers.
Cat 4 – Excellence in Industry
For businesses that stand out through exceptional product quality, operational excellence, and contribution to the local economy. Includes: trades, transport services, manufacturers, construction, development.
Cat 5 – Excellence in Professional Services
Acknowledges exceptional organisations and individuals in professional services, including solicitors, accountants, brokers, financial services etc.
Cat 6 – Excellence in Community Wellbeing
Acknowledges exceptional organisations and individuals in the Health, Education and Training, Wellbeing and Not-for-Profit Organisations.
Cat 7 – New Business
For enterprises operating less than 2 years (based on ABN registration date) that demonstrate innovation, strong market potential, and community connection.
Cat 8 – Emerging Leader Award
Honours individuals under 25 demonstrating leadership potential, initiative, and commitment to excellence within their workplace or industry.
Special Award – People’s Choice Award
A public-voted award recognising the business or individual most admired by customers and the community for exceptional service, reputation, or impact.
Special Award – Outstanding Business Award
The pinnacle award selected from among the category winners, celebrating overall excellence, innovation, and contribution to the Granite Belt’s business community.
This guidance document is designed to make the process as straightforward as possible, especially for small businesses entering for the first time. The guidance document will break the questions down into plain language and include examples of the types of evidence you might already have on hand.
