The 2009 Powercor 95 3SR FM Business & Service Excellence Awards are now open for entry. These awards are open to any business operating throughout the Goulburn Valley.
From May to September we are inviting businesses to nominate themselves for the Business Excellence Awards, Apprentice / Trainee Award, and a new award, the Exporter Excellence Award.

We are encouraging businesses to promote the customer nominated awards by displaying posters, flyers and signs in their business in an effort to make their customers aware of the consumer nominated awards of Excellent Service Award, Apprentice / Trainee Award and another new award this year, the Tourism Excellence Award.

Weekly or monthly awards depending on the category will be judged and awarded throughout the awards period, with each winner moving to the finalists stage, where they will be judged against the set criteria for each award and a final winner awarded and announced at the Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation evening.

The Gala Dinner and Awards evening will be held on Friday, 23rd October 2009, and will this year be held at the GV Hotel in Shepparton.

• Service Excellence Award (Section 1)
• Business Excellence Award (Section 2)
• Apprentice / Trainee Award (Section 3)
• Hall of Fame Award (Section 6)

• Tourism Excellence Award (Section 4)
• Exporter Excellence Award (Section 5)

This is your opportunity to shine in the area of Customer Service Excellence. Nomination forms to be handed out to your customers who may nominate you or an employee. Your customers should then be encouraged to return the nominations to The Chamber.

Prize is a Travel and Accommodation prize to the value of $4000 courtesy of RACV Business Insurance. Nominations run for 20 weeks, with weekly winners announced every Friday on 95 3SR FM.

This section is where you can nominate your business or your peers can nominate your business in the area of Business Excellence. Attached is the Nomination Form to be completed and returned to the Chamber. The Business Excellence Award is represented by three categories.
• WIN Television – Best business with 1 to 5 employees
• The Adviser – Best business with 6 to 15 employees
• 95 3SR FM – Best business with over 15 employees
Each Business Excellence Award Category Winner will win a $3000 media package courtesy of 95 3SR FM, WIN Television and The Adviser (Conditions Apply).

You can nominate an apprentice or trainee from your business who has shown excellent progress in their training, approach to the job and performance. This is the second year for this award recognising the individual’s overall performance. Attached is a nomination form to be completed and returned to the Chamber. Prize $4000 investment account provided by The Factory - Building Your Future. Nominations run for 20 weeks with 10 fortnightly winners announced every second Friday on 95 3SR FM from May to September 2009.

A new award in 2009, the Tourism Excellence Award has been included to recognise and develop the tourism businesses throughout the region. This award is to reward the tourism operators for their outstanding service, knowledge of their product and other attractions in the area, along with the overall experience and service provided to their guests.
Attached is a nomination form to be completed and returned to the Chamber. The prize for this award is a Marketing Plan and Consultation package to the value of $4000 courtesy of Synergy Advertising. Nominations run for 20 weeks with 10 finalists announced fortnightly every second fortnight on 95 3SR FM from May to September 2009.

Another new award in 2009, this award has been included to showcase and develop the exporters within the region. This award recognises current, future and aspiring exporters for their training and development, market research, export strategy and business results.
A $4000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner courtesy of the Economic Development Department, Greater Shepparton City Council.

A business will be selected by the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry in recognition of outstanding Customer Service and Business Excellence, from membership over a period of time. A perpetual trophy and certificate will be awarded

• Nominations Open - 29th April 2009
• Nominations Close - 25th September 2009
• Gala Presentation Evening with entertainment - Friday 23rd October 2009
• Nominations run for 20 weeks with winners announced from May through to September 2009.

To get applicants started, we have put together a simple list of frequently asked questions to help them on their way.

Am I eligible to enter?
All businesses in the Goulburn Valley are eligible to enter.

Does my business need to be a Chamber of Commerce Member?
No, any businesses operating within the Goulburn Valley are eligible to enter or be nominated by their customers.

Is there a criteria I need to address?
Yes, each award category has a set of criteria for that specific award. This criteria is outlined on each of the individual award nomination forms and is also available from the Chamber of Commerce website www.sheppartonchamber.com.au

What facets of our business should I highlight?
Through addressing your criteria you should be able to give the judges a very good overview of your business.

Who are the judges?
The judges of the awards are drawn from the business community and selected according to their expertise. In all cases the judges utilised ensure that the awards process is completely confidential to ensure impartiality, objectivity and independence to the judging process.

Is anyone excluded from the awards?
Only the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce Board Members’ businesses are excluded from the awards with the exception of the “Hall of Fame Award”, in a move of good faith to show the impartiality of the awards and the awards process.

Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact: Morry McKellar - Chamber Manager
Telephone: (03) 5821 9186
Facsimile: (03) 5821 9274
Email: sheppchamber@mcmedia.com.au