The 2011 City of Sydney Business Awards are now open to nominations and votes across 22 business categories.
The awards include restaurants, small bars and cafes, retail fashion and retail beauty, tourism, health and fitness, online business, the new ANZ Fast Starter Award, which recognises fast-growing businesses with a turnover greater than $5 million, the Small Business of the Year and the Business of the Year awards, among others.
Nominations can be made by completing a form on the website and anyone can vote online or by sms until 22 July.
The eight most voted businesses in each category will advance to the Finalist stage and the winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner, which will take place on 13 September.
“Small businesses play a crucial role in enlivening communities, driving growth and providing jobs for hundreds of people,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.
“It’s the reason why we established our Awards, so that we could offer tangible support to the many small to medium businesses in the Sydney area.”
The 2010 edition saw more than 600 nominations and 41,000 votes from the public.
“The Awards are a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to increase their brand exposure, expand their customer network and take their business ideas to the next level,” said the Lord Mayor.
The winners will share $60,000 worth of prizes, including a scholarship to Chris Witt’s CEO School for the winner of the ANZ Fast Starter Award. Voters can also win $1500 in cash.
“I encourage emerging businesses to follow the lead of past winners and get involved in this year’s Sydney Business Awards,” said the Lord Mayor. “Who knows where the competition might take you?”
