2023 Business Hunter Awards

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership, whilst providing mentorship to others.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding mentor and business leader.  To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held senior management or executive level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding business leader.  To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held a management position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

The Contribution to the Region award recognises an organisation that has made a significant contribution to the ongoing prosperity and growth of the Hunter Region outside its core business activity. Entrants will be asked to provide evidence of how this contribution has benefited people and/or organisations outside the core business activities of their client/customer base.

The President’s Award is selected by the Hunter Business Chamber President and recognises an organisation or individual that has added substantial value to business efforts in the Hunter Region.

This Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community, including seniors, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers. 

Entry Criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to address the needs of a diverse community. This category is open to businesses that have been trading for a continuous period of two or more years. 

The Outstanding Employee Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to their workplace, the community and to being an outstanding employee. To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 18 months. 

The Outstanding Local Chamber Award recognises the achievements of a Local Chamber of Commerce in supporting its members to maximise their business potential.  

Entry criteria 
To be eligible to enter this category, Local Chambers must be a part of the Business NSW Chamber Local Chamber Alliance program. 

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural, or environmental wellbeing of the community.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation.  This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Employer of Choice Award – Under 20 Employees, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment. 

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.  Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

The Employer of Choice Award – Over 20 Employees, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment. 

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.  Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

The Excellence in International Business Award recognises a business that exports its products or services internationally, in order to build a positive reputation for Australian products and services and to deliver opportunities for business growth and success.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of export. 

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, technology, or application that impacts the wider community.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of innovation.

The Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of environmental sustainability.  Category criteria are based on initiatives and projects executed within the business not related to its core offering.

The Excellence in Micro Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience. 

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with less than 5 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Excellence in Small Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with 5 to 20 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Excellence in Large Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with 21 or more employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Outstanding Start-up Award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding start-up.  This category is open to new businesses trading for a period of less than 24 months. 

Proudly sponsored by Hunter Water

The Love Water Love Business Award (Hunter Water Savers) is an initiative between Business Hunter and Hunter Water. Entrants for this award are Business Hunter members that have undergone water audits and as a result employed water efficiency retrofits. The business that has saved the largest amount of water will be announced as the winner.

Business of the Year is open to all winners of the following categories: 

·         Excellence in International Business

·         Employer of Choice Under 20 Employees

·         Employer of Choice Over 20 Employees

·         Excellence in Innovation 

·         Excellence in Innovation

·         Outstanding Sustainability

·         Outstanding Community Organisation 

·         Outstanding Start-up  

·         Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

·         Excellence in Micro Business  

·         Excellence in Small Business  

·         Excellence in Large Business 

This award is awarded to a Business that has been judged to be an outstanding business, that has provided an entry that demonstrates achievements and excellence over and above all other entrants. This award will be judged by a panel of three judges that have not judged any other entries in the awards.