Congratulations to the Geelong Business Excellence Awards Winners of 2020
The Geelong Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the 2020 winners and finalists of the Geelong Business Excellence Awards. The Awards program celebrated our clever and creative business community with a magnificent virtual event. Along with our major sponsors LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University, the Geelong Chamber recognises the outstanding achievements of our business community at a significant time for businesses.
Business of the Year Award goes to Sea all Dolphin Swims
The LBW Business + Wealth Advisors Business of the Year Award goes to Sea all Dolphin Swims. Sea all Dolphin Swims also took out the Tourism Geelong & the Bellarine Hospitality and Tourism Award and James Murphy was further awarded the Deakin University Young Entrepreneur Award. The judges thought that the business ticked all the boxes required for a business displaying business excellence. The business has shown exponential growth in the past 3 years in both numbers of sales as well as growth in services and products available through swims, tours, school programs, surf lessons, bay waves and education. Their use of current technology like virtual reality, apps, artificial intelligence, TV programs and aerial as well as submersible drones really takes this business into the next level for Tourism operators. Sea all Dolphin Swims marketing is clearly thought out and implemented at the highest level, with their customer service matching this. Their idea of “choosing to do more than just be in business” stacking up with all their activities. The judges thought that their culture was first class and they had great financial management practices with different sources of income and had covered off on all risks within their business. They certainly live up to the statement of being an ‘exceptional world class tourism provider”.
GBEA Category Winners and Sponsors
Category |
Sponsor |
Winner |
Business of the Year |
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Young Entrepreneur |
James Murphy |
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Corporate Social Responsibility |
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Innovation, Research & Development |
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Digital Engagement |
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Sustainable Business |
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Home Based/Micro Business |
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Health and Wellbeing Promoting Workplace |
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Safe and Healthy Business |
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Hospitality/Tourism |
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Small Business or Division/Department |
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Medium Business or Division/Department |
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Retail Business |
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Best First Year |
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Inclusive & Accessible |
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Business Leader of the Year |
Brian Cook |
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Emerging Business - Under 3 Years |
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Advanced Manufacturing & Industry |
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Regional Business |
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Customer Service |
GBEA Live Stream one of its kind in Regional Victoria’s Business Awards
For the first time in the history of the 1984 established business award celebration, the GBEA was streamed live via Facebook, Channel 31 and Vimeo for everyone to watch from the comfort of their homes. This exciting broadcast experience brought glitz and glam of the Geelong Business Excellence Awards into over 2,000 viewers’ lounge rooms and celebrated the success of our region’s businesses and business leaders. The live talk-show style event with Musical theatre star Natalie O’Donnell as MC acknowledged the GBEA finalists and included live interviews with winners direct from their homes. An extensive range of businesses and business leaders were recognised for their commitment, passion, resilience and determination.
The Geelong Business Excellence Awards are one of Victoria’s few regional business awards going ahead this year due to COVID-19 and may be the only regional awards program in Victorian to continue. We are most grateful for the incredible support of our sponsors, who have made this program possible. The achievements of our GBEA 2020 winners and finalists showcase the resilience of our entire business community.