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Awards Ceremony Friday 2 November The Beach House HotelScarness, Hervey Bay

EntrantSubmissionGuide

Proudly Presents

Fraser Coast Business & Tourism Awards 2018 2

Invitation to Participate

From Fraser Coast Tourism & Events From the combined Chambers of Commerce

This submission guide has been prepared to assist all those business-es wishing to nominate for the sixth annual Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards to be presented on Friday 2 November 2018.

Following the huge success of the event last year, the 2018 awards presentation night will again be held at

The Beach House Hotel, Hervey Bay.

Weather permitting we will repeat last year’s format of starting the evening with drinks and canapés on our magnificent foreshore, followed by a move across the road to the more formal part of the evening.

This is your opportunity to be recognised as one of our region’s premier business operators, acknowledged by your industry, business peers and customers for doing exceptionally well.

This year we have added a number of new categories to keep the awards fresh and relevant.

Business and tourism operators and the region’s marketing bodies work side-by-side to drive the regional economy, create jobs and enhance the holiday experience of all people who visit our area.

These awards recognise the efforts of the thousands of people in business who strive daily to deliver an excellent product and provide extraordinary service to our customers.

Again this year we have partnered with the Chambers of Commerce of Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Tiaro, along with our business sponsors, to present an evening that will not only recognise excellence but will also present an opportunity to relax and socialise with like-minded leaders in the community.

As in past years, an independent panel will judge this year’s nominations, bringing their experience, expertise and impartiality to the process.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and sponsors and all those who will participate in 2018. Sharing success and celebrating excellence are two essential elements to drive our region forward.

Greig BolderrowChairman,FCTE Board of Directors

It is a privilege for the Chambers of Commerce of the Fraser Coast to again partner with our region’s tourism body to host the 2018 Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards.

This is the sixth year of the combined awards and the partnership is working well. Several new categories have been added this year and we have again simplified the selection criteria to ensure the application process is as simple as possible. The Awards recognise significant achievement and celebrate those who contribute to the social, economic and sustainable benefit of our region.

By participating, you will be taking part in a robust process that will raise your business profile, gain recognition for your achievements from industry peers and provide recognition and reward for your employees.

The Awards presentation night has become a significant corporate occasion, now the largest event on the Fraser Coast business calendar, drawing on the history of the previous individual awards celebrations hosted by each of the Chambers, into one contemporary gala event.

The combined Chambers encourage you to complete a submission for the chance to be honoured among your peers and the wider community as a leader of excellence. It is a wonderful opportunity to share your great success story and inspire others to aim high.

We look forward to sharing this journey with you and helping to recognise your contribution in growing the region’s incredible economic diversity and vibrant business community.

We wish you every success with your submission.

SANDRA HOLEBROOK - President,Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce

LANCE STONE - President,Maryborough Chamber of Commerce

DARRYL STEWART - President,Tiaro & Surrounds Chamber of Commerce


Conditions of EntryFraser Coast Business & Tourism Awards 2018

The 2018 Fraser Coast Business & Tourism Awards for Excellence will be judged in 25 categories.

Entrants are eligible to nominate for a maximum of two categories, from the 22 categories listed. The Best Fraser Coast Business, the John Craig-Gardiner Memorial Award winner and Hall of Fame inductees are at the judges’ discretion.

CONFIDENTIALITY:• The information supplied by entrants in relation to business performance and market

share is treated as confidential.JUDGING:

• Each entrant is judged on the contents of their Award submission.

• TripAdvisor ratings are part of the judging criteria for Tourism categories.

• Entrants must agree to abide by the decision of the judging panel and the judges’decision is final.

• The judges may reassign an entry to its most appropriate category.

• The judges reserve the right not to make an award in a particular category.

• Only entries received by the submission deadline will be eligible for judging.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

• Entrants agree to be profiled in the media and participate in post-award publicity.

• Entries must be typed and submitted only on the online submission form with allquestions answered per category requirements. Completed entries should be emailed,posted or delivered in person.

• Entries close at 5pm on Friday 31 August, 2018


CategoriesBusiness & Tourism Awards 2018

1. TRADE AND MANUFACTURING This category is suitable for both large and small trade and manufacturing businesses which provide quality services within the Fraser Coast, for both locals and export. Trade and manufacturing businesses cover those enterprises which make, produce, build, construct, assemble or add a secondary manufactured element to raw primary produce.

2. PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND AGRIBUSINESSThis category is suitable for Primary Industry businesses which provide quality primary industry services within the Fraser Coast or for export. Primary Industries may include agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, agribusiness and mining.

3. RETAILINGThis award is designed to encourage the development of higher standards in retailing, general services and support providers. A genuine effort to sell Australian-made goods is desirable. This category is open to all Fraser Coast operators with a retail shopfront.

4. ONLINE RETAILING (NEW CATEGORY)This is a new category in 2018 and applies to for-profit Fraser Coast businesses which use digital channels exclusively to market and sell goods.

5. PROFESSIONAL AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICESThis category is suitable for professional service providers which provide quality services within the Fraser Coast region. Professional services may include accountants, marketing agencies, legal firms and small service businesses.

6. BAR AND CLUB DINING (NEW CATEGORY)This award is open to all bar and club dining establishments on the Fraser Coast. Special attention will be placed on food and beverage variety and value, member services, club atmosphere, entertainment and the contribution made to the local community. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

7. RESTAURANT OR CAFÉ (REDEFINED CATEGORY)This award seeks nominations from restaurants, cafés and similar hospitality providers and recognises food quality, value, service and atmosphere. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

8. BEST DINING EXPERIENCE (NEW CATEGORY)This award recognises the quality of an establishment across the areas of food, service, innovative use of local produce and dining ambience. Demonstrated contribution to advancing the Fraser Coast’s cuisine and quality of dining experience will be highly regarded. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

NOMINATION CATEGORIES (1-22)

CategoriesBusiness & Tourism Awards 2018

This category recognises excellence in caravan parks, camping grounds and RV facilities that offer parking,cabin or tenting accommodation that enhance the visitor experience to the destination, and contribute to tourism and local business through the direct provision of services. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.


10. GENERAL ACCOMMODATION (REDEFINED CATEGORY)This category is open to motels, hotels, self-contained, cabins, backpackers and pubs offering tourism or general accommodation. The focus of the award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

11. RESORT AND DELUXE ACCOMODATION (NEW CATEGORY)This category is open to properties which achieve a deluxe guest experience, which includes the provision of a wide range of facilities and superior design qualities, typically complemented by service standards that reflect the varied and discerning needs of the guest. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

12. TOURISM – LAND BASEDOpen to all land-based tour operators providing services to the tourism Industry exhibiting excellencein product, marketing or customer service and enhancing the visitor experience to the region. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

13. TOURISM – MARINE BASEDOpen to all marine-based tour operators providing services to the tourism Industry exhibiting excellence in product, marketing or customer service and enhancing the visitor experience to the region. Scoring: TripAdvisor Ranking 20%; written submission 80%.

14. EVENTS AND EVENTS MANAGEMENTOpen to regional events that increased visitation to the Fraser Coast in the year to June 2018, exhibiting excellence in participation, innovation, organisation, product marketing and event experience that created additional economic impact for the destination.

15. EDUCATION PROVIDERThis category is suitable for education and training providers delivering quality education services within the Fraser Coast. Education providers may include schools, universities and registered training organisations. Entrants should comment on academic, sporting and cultural excellence; contribution to community, volunteering and making a difference; research or special projects undertaken, and the ratio of graduates to work placement where applicable.

9. CAMPING, CARAVAN AND RV PARKS (REDEFINED CATEGORY)


This category is suitable for providers of quality health and medical services within the Fraser Coast healthsector. This may include primary and tertiary health care, aged care and allied health services. Entrantsshould comment on client satisfaction ratings on the quality of care provided, wait list times, breadth andreach of services available, including post-procedure ancillary services such as rehabilitation, pastoral care,etc; the proximity of specialists and support services offered and any other relevant matters.

This category is suitable for not-for-profit organisations and charities which improve the life of residentsby providing community services within the Fraser Coast. This may include providers of job search,community welfare, health care, special education, access to technology and access to spaces andinformation for people with a disability.

This award recognises organisations that have developed innovative solutions to meet new and existingcustomer needs. Innovation could be the introduction of new, streamlined processes that have reducedcosts (improving business sustainability) or ground-breaking initiatives that have grown revenue andmarket share. Entrants should outline the key elements of an initiative, including goals and objectives;the planning, research and development process; methods used to achieve staff buy-in and the mostimportant factors that contributed to the initiative’s success, including and the performance indicators andmeasures used.

This award is presented to the Fraser Coast business that has achieved outstanding results through thedevelopment and execution of innovative marketing strategies. Those businesses demonstrating successin developing new markets will be favourably considered. Entrants should outline the key elements of aninitiative, including goals and objectives; the planning, research and development process; methods usedto achieve staff buy-in and the most important factors that contributed to the initiative’s success, includingand the performance indicators and measures used.

This award recognises initiatives that demonstrate excellence in customer service and is available to thosein direct customer contact on a continuous basis. Entrants will be able to demonstrate a high level ofinterpersonal skills applied, providing examples of systems and processes used in identifying andmeeting/exceeding customer expectations.

This award recognises the success of small regional businesses and enterprises with six or fewer full-timeequivalent employees, which have been in business for a maximum of 24 months at the date of entering.Entrants should comment on the planning and development of new infrastructures and/or servicesprovided, the most important factors that contributed to the business’s success and the performanceindicators and measures used to show outstanding or best performance in the category.

Categories ContinuedBusiness & Tourism Awards 2018

20. CUSTOMER SERVICE

21. BEST FRASER COAST NEW BUSINESS

17. NOT-FOR-PROFITS AND CHARITIES (NEW CATEGORY)

19. MARKETING

18. INNOVATION

16. HEALTH PROVIDER

Categories ContinuedBusiness & Tourism Awards 2018


22. FRASER COAST YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEARThis award acknowledges the achievements of a young individual (aged under 35) engaged in business on the Fraser Coast. It is open to all industry sectors. Judges consider an individual’s career progression and in particular, the activities and contributions the nominee has made outside the expectations of their normal job role and the steps taken to develop their own career path in their chosen industry.

23. BEST FRASER COAST BUSINESS – CHAMBER PRESIDENTS’ AWARDThis award is presented to the business determined by the judges to be the overall best business from the 2018 winners in each of the previous categories, based on their submission and scores.

24. JOHN CRAIG-GARDINER MEMORIAL AWARDThis award recognises the long-term achievements, by an individual, to the Fraser Coast’s business and tourism industry. Judges consider in particular, the activities and contribution the nominee has made outside the expectations of normal employment

25. HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE/SA business or tourism operator who wins a category three years in a row will be entered into the Fraser Coast Business & Tourism “Hall of Fame”. This recognition will preclude the business from entering this particular category for the following two years.

RECOGNITION AWARDS (NOT FOR NOMINATION)

2018 Business and Tourism Awards Submission FormBusiness & Tourism Awards 2018

CATEGORY DETAILS:

Award Category: ___________________________________________________________________

ENTRANT DETAILS:

Name of Organisation: ______________________________________________________________

Name of contact person: _____________________________________________________________

Person/s to accept award: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________ Email: ______________________________________



PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING AWARDS SUBMISSION CRITERIA:

1. INTRODUCTION Describe your business / enterprise / organisation (max 100 words).

2. BUSINESS OVERVIEW Please complete the following template to provide award judges with an overview of the nature and history of your business/enterprise:

a. How long has your business / enterprise / organisation been in existence?

b. What year did you acquire or become involved in the business?

c. How many full time equivalent (FTE) staff do you employ?

d. Have you increased / decreased number of employees in the past 12 months?

o Increased by how many

o Decreased by how many

e. Has revenue from operating activities increased / decreased in past 12 months?

o Increased by %

o Decreased by %



3. DESCRIBE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 12 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2018 You must answer question a) below and then one of the other four categories – either (b) Product Development; (c) Operational Excellence; (d) Marketing or (e) Financial Management. Maximum 200 words per category.

a. 2017-2018 Business performance: Describe your business performance in the past year (max 200 words): i. Net profit performance (+/- percentage) on prior year ii. Improved employee contribution as a result of training programs; mentoring support; performance management systems; restructuring; other iii. The key drivers of your business performance in the past 12 months, commenting on increased sales, reduced costs, more efficient stock controls, improved market share; other initiatives

b. Product development (max 200 words): i. The outstanding nature of your product or service ii. Any product innovation you have introduced in the past 12 months and how it has affected profitability or market share iii. Explain how you measure / maintain a high level of customer service

c. Operational excellence (max 200 words): i. Processes you have developed that make you a leader in your field ii. Describe any new technology and / or business innovation you have introduced in the past 12 months and how it has affected your bottom line iii. Efficiencies you have implemented in the past year



d. Marketing (max 200 words): i. A description of your target markets ii. How your business has changed / improved its marketing approach in the past 12 months iii. How your marketing strategies have increased market share, customer numbers and sales in the past 12 months

e. Financial management (max 200 words): i. Examples of new or innovative financial management tools used ii. How you measure return on new initiatives or investment iii. Changes made to provide more clarity about return on capital

4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE REGION, YOUR INDUSTRY OR PROFESSIONAL FIELD. Please tell us how your business / enterprise / organisation has contributed to the region, the industry or professional field in which you are engaged (maximum 200 words).

For example: a. Describe your business / organisation’s contribution to the regional community and / or economy

b. List any contributions made in business, industry organisations or community orientated groups, events or projects



5. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE GOALS FOR THE COMING YEAR? (max 200 words)



6. WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE IN COMPARISON TO YOUR COMPETITION?For example, what special experiences, quality of products or services are distinctive and make yourapplication the outstanding entry in your category? (max 200 words).

7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONYou may include additional information with this submission but no more than 10 A4 pages.

8. SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRYEntries close at 5pm on Friday 31 August 2018

Entrant Declaration:• I declare that all information submitted in this application is true and accurate• I have read and understood the terms including participation in media publicity• Signature of authorised contact:

____________________________

Print name: ____________________________

Entry checklist:• I have answered section a) and one other from question 3• I have answered questions 4 to 7• I have attached 5 to 10 high resolution images of my business or provided a USB of images




1. By email to [email protected]

2. By post to: The Awards CoordinatorFraser Coast Tourism & EventsPO Box 488, Hervey Bay 4655

3. In person: Fraser Coast Tourism & Events 166 Old Maryborough Road Pialba, Hervey Bay 4655

Where to submit your entry:

proudly presents - businessandtourismawards.com.au · the awards presentation night has become a...

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