Award Categories & Sponsors

Major Sponsors

LBW aim to provide a complete range of quality business solutions and specialist knowledge by a team of approachable professional in a timely manner.

LBW has been in business for over 30 years and provides services to clients ranging from individual tax returns to subsidiaries of multinational companies with the majority of clients being family businesses and high wealth individuals.

Services include tax advice, business advisory, audit, valuation services, estate planning superannuation and financial planning.

Deakin University prepares graduates for careers of the future.

Harnessing emerging technologies to facilitate innovative, borderless, and personalised education, Deakin University's research informs their practice and impacts the communities whom they engage.

Deakin University provide opportunities for students to grow through real world experiences, such as business internships, international study tours and in leadership positions as student mentors. They operate across three campuses in Victoria – Geelong Waterfront, Melbourne Burwood and Warrnambool, enabling a unique connectivity to metropolitan and regional students.

CATEGORIES AND SPONSORS 2020

The LBW Business + Wealth Advisors Business of the Year, the most prestigious award of them all, will be selected from the category winners.

LBW aim to provide a complete range of quality business solutions and specialist knowledge by a team of approachable professional in a timely manner.

LBW has been in business for over 30 years and provides services to clients ranging from individual tax returns to subsidiaries of multinational companies with the majority of clients being family businesses and high wealth individuals.

Services include tax advice, business advisory, audit, valuation services, estate planning superannuation and financial planning.

Open to all business professionals who can demonstrate successful management skills

Bay 93.9 is a proud GBEA partner and leader in our business community!

In 2019 bay 93.9 will celebrate 30 years of broadcasting, providing multi-platform advertising opportunities for business across Radio, Digital, Digital Super Screen and Print. 

Part of the wholly Australian owned and operated Grant Broadcasters group. Geelong Broadcasters is unashamedly local and proudly services the Geelong region taking in the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula, The Surfcoast and the City of Greater Geelong.

In business, being Geelong’s “Best kept secret” is NOT a good thing. We can help!

Recognises entrepreneurial achievement among business professionals and business owners (aged 18 and 40 years) who demonstrate vision, leadership and success.

Deakin University prepares graduates for careers of the future.

Harnessing emerging technologies to facilitate innovative, borderless, and personalised education, Deakin University's research informs their practice and impacts the communities whom they engage.

Deakin University provide opportunities for students to grow through real world experiences, such as business internships, international study tours and in leadership positions as student mentors. They operate across three campuses in Victoria – Geelong Waterfront, Melbourne Burwood and Warrnambool, enabling a unique connectivity to metropolitan and regional students.

Open to all businesses operating in the manufacturing, engineering, building or trade industries

The Geelong Manufacturing Council (GMC) is a member-based not for profit organisation that promotes regional manufacturing and assists members in achieving business growth by providing programs, events and pathways to funding, innovation, collaboration, networking and skills development.

The GMC provides manufacturers and their supply chain partners a line-up of highly successful programs such as the Leadership for Manufacturing Excellence Program, the Entrepreneurs' Programme, the Regional Industry Collaboration Program, the Women in Manufacturing Network Program, Geelong Future Leaders of Industry and Girls Leading Advanced Manufacturing Program. GMC members meet on a regular basis to gain networking opportunities, to collaborate and learn.

Open to all businesses that have not previously entered the Awards

Harwood Andrews is one of Victoria’s leading law firms, with a long-standing record of providing specialised legal services to business and individuals.

Harwood Andrews are proud and active supporters of the communities in which we operate and, as a firm, believe in the benefits of building strong and meaningful community partnerships

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate eco-efficient initiatives that are good for the business and the environment.

At Barwon South West Waste & Resource Recovery Group (BSWWRRG), they find innovative ways to reduce and recycle waste and plan for the future waste and recycling needs of the Barwon South West.

They work closely with nine local councils, businesses and the community to achieve their vision of being a leader in waste minimisation and resource recovery.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate an recognition of, and commitment to protect the health and safety of their employees and clients.

                                                               WorkSafe Victoria plays a critical role in the lives of Victorian employers and workers - as the state’s health and safety regulator as the    manager of Victoria’s workers compensation scheme. In both capacities, employers and workers are at the heart of our service.

Our aim is to keep all workplaces healthy and safe, and to deliver high quality care and treatment when workers are injured.

WorkSafe are proud to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards which provides significant recognition and celebration of business achievement and performance across the region.

Celebrates a business who has accepted their corporate social responsibility and promoted inclusion in the workplace, community or other area which has lead towards the enrichment of the lives of those who have a disability or are disadvantaged

GenU (formerly Karingal St Laurence) has been helping people with a disability and those experiencing disadvantage to realise their dreams for over 65 years.

As a community based not-for-profit they are committed to delivering programs that make a difference and although they now have over 200 sites across the country,

GenU will always call Geelong home. Corporate Social Responsibility is fundamental to growing our community and GenU congratulate all of this year’s nominations.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a high standard of customer service using resources to the maximum efficiency while consistently looking to improve

Harding commitment to stocking the "Best Brands at the Lowest Prices" is renowned throughout the trade and matched by the Hardings' family commitment to providing exemplary customer service and product advice in everything they do.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate the effective use of digital tools and techniques to produce strategic, resourceful content to engage people, and create meaningful interactions

Web Force 5 provide a range of impressive digital products and services, and aim to take the pain out of any project. As part of their commitment to legendary service, each client is assigned an Account Manager, who provides dedicated, personalised support (without the jargon) whenever it's needed.

Web Force 5’s main offering is their flexible and intuitive web platform that allows even self-professed ‘technophobes’ to have full control. Whether updating website content, sending out newsletters or keeping detailed customer records, users find all the power at their fingertips, without the usual hoop-jumping or bill shock.

Alongside their ground-breaking website platform, Web Force 5 also work on many bespoke development projects (such as mobile apps), and pride themselves on finding creative & innovative solutions to any challenge.

This is for the newcomers (operating less than 3 years operation) that are just starting out but already make a significant impact.

A Geelong icon and one of the largest regional TAFEs in Victoria, The Gordon has been helping people gain real skills for real jobs for more than 130 years. We pride ourselves on delivering progressive and innovative training in Geelong, and around Australia.

Students can choose from hundreds of accredited courses across apprenticeships, traineeships, certificates and diplomas, as well as industry skill sets.

The Gordon embraces the partnership model; working closely with secondary schools, employers, and the community in programs that deliver real benefits.

The Gordon are delighted to support the Geelong Business Excellence Awards which foster improvement and recognise excellence in our business community. Together we can ensure our workforces and our workplaces are achieving best practice.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a recognition of, and commitment to deliver health and wellbeing workplace initiatives.

Barwon Health is the region’s leading health service and it aims to work together with the community to build healthier  lives   inspired by world-class standards. With our consumers at the forefront, Barwon Health excels in delivering efficient, integrated care, education and research to advance health and wellbeing for all.

Working across five pillars, Barwon Health is committed to respecting the people we work with, showing compassion always, the highest quality in everything we do, being accountable and driving innovation or better care.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 1 to 3 full time or equivalent employees.

The City of Greater Geelong's Economic Development team has proudly sponsored the Geelong Business Excellence Awards for 11 years.

We're here to connect you with services to start, run and grow your business.

We lead Geelong's commitment to use creatively to build sustainable, inclusive, resilient communities as Australia's first and only UNESCO City of Design.

We're thrilled to support Geelong's clever, creative, thriving business community again in 2020.

Open to all businesses that can demonstrate a high level of understanding towards inclusive and accessible workplace practices

As a major employer in the Geelong region, the Transport Accident Commission is committed to influencing and supporting the communities in which their staff live and work. The TAC’s mission is to be the world’s leading social insurer. They offer financial support to people injured in transport accidents, educate the community about road safety and improve Victoria’s road network.

At the TAC they value life, make every conversation count, find a better way, today, and make the complicated simple. These values guide their behaviour,  thinking and the support they provide.

Recognises leadership through the practical application of innovative solutions

Viva Energy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies and supplies approximately a quarter of the country’s liquid fuel requirements. It is the exclusive supplier of high quality Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia through an extensive network of more than 1,266 service stations across the country.

Viva Energy owns and operates the Geelong Refinery, which converts imported and locally sourced crude oil into petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, gas, solvents, bitumen and other specialty products.

Built in 1954, the Geelong Refinery has been an integral part of the Geelong community for more than 65 years. It is a key driver of Victoria’s economy, supplying more than half of the State’s fuel requirements, employing about 700 people and spending more than $200 million each year in wages and procurement of services.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 21 or more full time employees. Automatic entry by number of employees

Lyons Construction is Geelong's largest and oldest commercial construction company specialising in medium to large scale building projects.

A third generation family business Lyons Construction’s enviable reputation has been earned over many years, built on performance, integrity and experience.

Lyons Construction’s project base currently takes in Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surfcoast Shire, Werribee and the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.

Open to all Geelong based businesses that operate 10 kilometres or more from Geelong CBD

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest and most influential organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients across the state. Founded in 1851 with the aim to make Melbourne one of the world's great free ports, today VCCI continue leading business into the future through advocacy, leadership and business services focused on innovation and growth.

VCCI help Victorian businesses succeed in two ways:

1. Their policy and advocacy activities ensure the political, regulatory and business environment in Victoria is conducive to attracting investment and establishing, operating and growing a business.

2. They support individual businesses daily through a range of services across workplace relations, health, safety and environment, training and apprenticeships, career development and exporting services.

Open to all retail businesses that sell commodities directly to consumers

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) is a locally owned, family business operating from offices in Geelong and Werribee.

Led by Managing Director, Keith Roderick, who has been operating the business since 1986, the business began as a small family business and over 30 years it has grown into one of the largest regional brokerages in Victoria. RIB employ a team of more than 30 highly experienced and qualified staff who are on hand to provide advice on all of your insurance needs.

Roderick Insurance Brokers (RIB) strive for excellence in every aspect of their business.

Open to all businesses that are operating with 4 to 20 full time or equivalent employees. Automatic entry by number of employees.

Bendigo Bank is Australia’s fifth biggest retail Bank and is committed to providing a personalised and considered approach to business banking.

Consistently rating high in satisfaction and trust, the team works hard to ensure that their 1.7 million customers are provided with the right financial solution and ongoing support across 500 Australian communities.  

Bendigo Bank understands the important role that they play in making small businesses a success and with access to 200 experienced staff across Geelong, your business can keep stimulating economic growth, strengthening communities and providing opportunities for employment knowing that there is a trusted business taking care of your banking.

Open to all businesses that operate in the hospitality and tourism industry

There’s never been a more exciting time to be in Tourism.

Our regions reputation as a short break for Melburnians is growing, driven by our coastal assets, events and the personality of the region as a smart but comfortable destination. The breadth and quality of our gastronomic experiences and some incredible key attractions are driving more and more visitors to our region.

In fact, just last year tourism was worth over $937m to the local economy supporting over 5900 jobs.

PARTNERS