Business Awards Launch

Twenty years on and rolling strong, the Suncorp Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence were launched by the Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon David Borger at the marvellous, Bavarian Bier Cafe in Phillip St. Parramatta.

120 people attended including Minister Borger and former Premier, The Hon Nathan Rees, from State Govt., Federal Member for Reid, Mr Ray Williams, member for Hawkesbury, representing State Opposition Leader Mr Barry O'Farrell; and Deputy Lord Mayor Chiang Lim,  representing major sponsors, Parramatta Council.

Jon Gillingham from major sponsor Suncorp, Mr. Michael Hilliard, President of The Asia Business Connection Western Sydney, Cmdr. Robert Redfern, Local Area Commander Parramatta Police and Dr Robert Lang, CEO of Parramatta Council and Terrie Gardner, Principal, The Parramatta College were among the business and community leaders joining the Chamber's board members at the colourful launch.

As usual, Awards Committee Chairman, Roman Dechnicz, had surprises in store; attendees were greeted by a top-hatted stilt man and entertained by clowns, all courtesy of Circus Solarus before the official launch was greeted by the sound of explosions and glitter paper showered the room.

This is the second year since the expansion from the Parramatta Regional Awards to the Western Sydney awards with now even more businesses from all over Western Sydney nominating for these high profile awards.

Of great significance in the evolution of these awards has been the unflagging support of long term naming rights sponsor Suncorp Business Banking in 2003 who are once again generously providing the $10,000 prize for the 2010 Suncorp Business of the Year. What better way for any organisation to face current economic times than with a $10,000 windfall plus the prestigious public recognition gained by being crowned business of the year?

Over 20 years this prestigious awards program has given many great businesses significant exposure and recognition. Not only is the flagship Suncorp Business of the Year Award up for grabs, but 11 other category awards will be contested, including Excellence in Developing an Export Market, Excellence in Sales and Marketing and Excellence in Starting a New Business.

2009 saw the biggest and best awards program and Gala Presentation Night ever with 2010 already promising to top that spectacular success. Anyone who experienced last year's awards ceremony will attest that it was a fantastic evening of recognition and entertainment. Students from the Australian international Performing Arts High School dazzled with their performances and have been booked for a return appearance.

Entry into these awards is by nomination; organisations either self-nominate or are put forward by people who know how excellent they are. The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce is again calling on you, the people of Western Sydney, to nominate a business or not for profit organisation with whom you have had dealings and has impressed you.

For any entrants or prospective entrants, category sponsor, the Parramatta College will again be running free workshops to assist businesses in putting their entry together.

Without sponsors the awards would simply not happen and the Chamber has been fortunate to have loyal sponsors who see the value of this sponsorship and continue to be involved; Sponsorships at the moment are;

Major Sponsors

• NSW Government
• Snap Printing of Phillip St Parramatta
• STC Function Centre, Rosehill Gardens

Category Sponsors

• Australian Football League
• Moore Stephens
• Shell
• The Parramatta College

Other Sponsors

• Australian Institute of Export
• Australian International Performing Arts High School
• Business with Blooms
• Celebrating
• Go Interactive
• Parramatta RSL Club
• Waterview Convention Centre
• Wave AV
• Wholesale Trophies

There is still room for more sponsors, especially in the category sponsorships, which provide great publicity for the sponsor throughout the term of the competition and at the gala presentation night.

The Chamber calls on businesses and social enterprises throughout western Sydney to enter these prestigious awards and demonstrate what a truly magnificent region for business excellence this is. As an alternative to entering, you can nominate businesses which you feel are excellent. To enter the awards or to nominate a business you feel needs recognition, visit www.parramattachamber.com.au