The Hunter Business Awards will return in 2022 with 17 categories to be contested and winners to be announced at a gala ceremony for more than 500 people.
Entries are open for the Awards, which offer businesses recognition and celebration throughout the Hunter region.
Following the past two years of COVID-modified programs and events, the Awards will return to their gala dinner format this year, with winners in 14 of the 17 categories having the opportunity to progress to the Business NSW State Awards.
Business Hunter CEO, Bob Hawes said returning to the full-format Award program is a great way to recognise excellence in business in the Hunter region.
“So many businesses in the Hunter have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility to continue thriving through the pandemic period and we look forward to highlighting their stories and rewarding their hard work and commitment,” Bob said.
Among the categories is a new Award for Business of the Year which will be selected from the winners across all the business award categories.
“We expect the new Business of the Year category to attract a lot of attention as it will be identifying the best of the best of business in the Hunter.
“Alongside this, we anticipate the individual awards will also remain popular and as in other years, some stirring stories of achievement are bound to be unearthed,” Bob said.
Business Hunter is partnering with the University of Newcastle to present the Hunter Business Awards. The program and event will also be supported by more than 10 category sponsors from the regional business community.
“It is wonderful to have this level of support from the business community and we are delighted to again have the University on board as our major partner,” Bob said.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor, Alex Zelinsky said the University was proud to be co-presenting the Hunter Business Awards.
“We are fortunate to have a community of businesses in this region that actively engage with the University, as employers, supporters and collaborators,” Alex said.
“Being a major partner of the Awards heightens our engagement with the business community and allows the university to celebrate and connect with the best in business.”
Entries for the Hunter Business Awards will remain open until 16 July 2022, with the finalists to be announced on 9 August.
Tickets for the gala presentation ceremony at NEX on Friday 27 August will go on sale after finalists are announced.
IMAGE | Hunter Business Awards 2021, Business Person of the Year Award recipient, Stephen Hunt.
