Entries have opened for the 2026 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, providing a platform for local enterprises to benchmark their performance and gain regional recognition. The awards program, which spans 16 categories, is designed to celebrate the diverse economic contributions of the more than 13,000 businesses operating within the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area.
The awards serve as a pathway to higher-level recognition, with most category winners progressing as finalists to the 2026 Business Hunter Awards held in September. This alignment with the regional peak body allows Lake Macquarie businesses to showcase their innovation and resilience to a broader Hunter-wide audience.
Lake Macquarie Mayor, Adam Shultz said the awards provide a unique opportunity for businesses to reflect on their achievements and recognise the efforts of their staff.
“The Business Excellence Awards celebrate the best of our local business community, but they also help businesses large and small build their profile across the region,” Adam said.
“Year after year, we see finalists and winners capitalise on the awards to grow and flourish.”
The 2026 program includes categories for individual achievement, such as Outstanding Employee and Outstanding Young Business Leader, alongside organisational awards for Excellence in Sustainability and Excellence in Innovation. Specialist categories also recognise the Outstanding Visitor Experience and Outstanding Community Organisations.
To ensure a level playing field, excellence awards are handed out for enterprises of all sizes. These range from the Excellence in Micro Business category for those with fewer than five staff, up to Excellence in Large Business for organisations with more than 100 employees. The program culminates in the announcement of the People’s Choice Award and the city’s top prize, Business of the Year.
Dantia, the city’s economic development company, will support applicants through the process by hosting an information session on Monday, 20 April 2026. The session, held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, is designed to offer advice on creating applications that effectively document business resilience and strategic growth.
The 2026 awards are supported by major sponsor Dantia, alongside partners including Origin, the University of Newcastle, Charlestown Square by the GPT Group, Ramsay Health and Lake Mac Holiday Parks.
Businesses must be located within the Lake Macquarie LGA to be eligible for entry. Applications are processed through the council’s digital portal, with the program highlighting the city’s commitment to fostering a competitive and sustainable local economy.
IMAGE | Mayor Adam Shultz, Katie Gold and Matt Hall from Business of the Year winner, Matt Hall Racing and Dantia CEO Tim Browne.
