The annual awards, which recognise local business excellence, have taken on a new significance this year, with businesses facing unprecedented challenges in the form of COVID-19.
The awards, which are an ON Business Partner Program initiative, aim to increase patronage for businesses in the region and boost consumer spending, and are backed this year by the Go South Go Local campaign, which supports our local business community to recover and grow amid the pandemic.
More than 3,800 nominations for more than 340 local businesses were cast by the public last month across 16 award categories – including two new awards responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19 – and you can cast your vote for shortlisted businesses until Sunday 18 October.
One of the new awards is Cooperation during COVID-19, which is for businesses that have worked or acted with another business for common or mutual benefit during the pandemic.
Shortlisted businesses include video production companies that collaborated with and featured local charities and wineries; and food outlets that joined to offer supplies, low-cost groceries and donated meals to the community.
The other new award is Resilience during COVID-19, which recognises businesses that have displayed an ability to quickly adapt to disruptions while maintaining continuous business operations and safeguarding people, assets and overall brand equity during the pandemic.
Shortlisted businesses include a distiller that pivoted to producing hand sanitiser for local health services, a local clutch handbag producer that pivoted to making face masks, and a winery that offered online wine tasting and an augmented reality app.
Other awards up for grabs are Best Start-up Business, the Hall of Fame award, Best Eatery, Best Coffee, Best Pub/Bar/Live Music Venue, Best Food/Beverage Manufacturer/Producer, Best Professional Services/Inclusion Support Business, Best Manufacturing/Construction/Trade Business, Best Health/Beauty/Fitness/Wellbeing Business, Best Mobile Trader, Best Retailer, Best Eco-Friendly/Sustainable Business, Best Tourism Business, and Best Customer Experience.
Cast your vote now until Sunday 18 October and give your favourite businesses the recognition they deserve!
See who took out the inaugural 2019 ON Business Awards.