The 2025 Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards are proudly brought to you by the Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN).
The Business Excellence Awards are intended to showcase and celebrate the amazing diversity of business within the Greater Shepparton community by recognising and honouring outstanding contributions and encouraging future success.
Nominating is easy! Follow these simple steps to ensure your nominee has the best chance of being recognised:
Anyone can nominate – whether you’re a customer, colleague, business owner, or community member. Self-nominations are also welcome (and encouraged).
Nominations for the 2025 Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards open on 14 May 2025, and close on 22 August 2025.
With 14 award categories available – tell us what makes a business or individual in business stand out to you. We want to know who they are and why they stand out to you, and let’s face it, they probably wouldn’t mind hearing it too!
We encourage businesses in the Greater Shepparton region to promote the Business Excellence Awards by displayed the Nomination QR Code online and in-store or providing printed nomination forms for their customers or clients.
Our judges will assess nominations against pre-established criteria, and finalists will be contacted. Our final round judges will conduct site visits to all finalists between 29 September and 10 October, providing the final round judges the opportunity to see the individuals/businesses in action and discuss the category specific criteria.
All winners of this year’s Business Excellence Awards will be announced on stage at the Awards Presentation Gala Dinner on the evening of Friday 24 October, 2025.
Nominations Open: 14 May 2025
Nominations Close: 22 August 2025
Nominations Duration: 14 weeks with finalists announced from June to September 2025
Gala Dinner: Friday 24 October 2025
Gala Dinner Tickets: Tickets are available from July through Riverlinks ( T: 03 5832 9511 | W: 2025 Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards Gala Dinner — Presented by GSBN – Riverlinks )
Submitting a nomination for the 2025 Greater Shepparton SPC Business Excellence Awards is an excellent opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the local business community. To ensure your nomination stands out and meets the criteria, we’ve compiled a set of expert tips that will guide you through the process and help you craft a compelling, impactful submission.
Before submitting your nomination, it’s essential to carefully read through each award category and determine which one best aligns with the business you are nominating. Make sure their achievements, impact, and overall contributions fit the specific focus of the award. For example, a nomination for the Visitor Experience of the Year requires a different emphasis than one for Excellence in Business: Trade Services.
Tip: Be sure to match your nominee to the category that best highlights their strengths and achievements.
When filling out your nomination form, provide detailed examples of the business’s or individual’s impact. Highlight their key achievements, significant contributions, and any positive outcomes for the community, industry, or economy. The more specific and measurable the achievements, the better.
Tip: Think about milestones such as revenue growth, innovative products or services, outstanding customer service, or any recognition the business has received. Don’t be afraid to include numbers and statistics where relevant.
A powerful nomination often tells a story that showcases the business’s journey, challenges, and triumphs. It’s not just about listing facts; it’s about conveying the essence of what makes the business or individual exceptional. Share memorable moments or unique experiences that set them apart from the competition.
Tip: Consider the history of the business or individual – how did they overcome challenges, and what makes their approach or contribution stand out in the industry?
Provide comprehensive details to support your nomination. General or vague statements such as “They have excellent customer service” won’t resonate or stand out. Instead, include specific examples of how they’ve demonstrated exceptional customer service, and share tangible outcomes or testimonials from customers or clients.
Tip: Include quotes from customers or employees, if available, and detail the positive outcomes from their work, such as increased customer satisfaction or loyalty.
Each award category will have specific criteria that nominees need to meet. Make sure to read and understand these criteria carefully, then frame your responses accordingly. For example, if the Excellence in Innovation award values new approaches or technologies, highlight how the nominee has embraced innovation within their field.
Tip: Break down your nomination into sections that correspond with the award criteria. This will help ensure you don’t overlook any important elements.
The Greater Shepparton region places a strong emphasis on community impact. If the business or individual has contributed to the local community in any meaningful way, whether through charitable work, local sponsorships, or enhancing the local economy, make sure to highlight these efforts.
Tip: Mention any community programs, local sponsorships, or partnerships that demonstrate the nominee’s commitment to the region.
Don’t forget to include the nominee’s vision for the future. What are their goals for the next 1, 5, or 10 years? How do they plan to continue making a difference in their industry or community? This insight will provide the judges with a deeper understanding the nominee’s long-term potential.
Tip: If available, refer to any business plans or future projects the nominee is working on that show their dedication to growth and improvement.
While it’s important to provide detailed information, keep your nomination clear and easy to follow. Avoid unnecessary jargon and ensure that the key points are highlighted so it’s quick to understand why your nominee is deserving of the award. There are a lot of submissions to review, so clarity is key.
Tip: Use bullet points or subheadings where possible to break up large amounts of text and make the nomination more readable.
Before submitting your nomination, double-check all the information for accuracy. Ensure that all facts, dates, names, and figures are correct. A well-organised and error-free nomination reflects professionalism and increases the chances of success.
Tip: Have someone else read through your nomination before submitting it. A fresh pair of eyes can catch any mistakes or unclear points that you might have missed.
Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your nomination. Allow yourself plenty of time to gather the necessary materials, think through your responses, and ensure that your nomination is as strong as possible. This will also give you time to make any changes or revisions if needed.
Tip: Set a reminder to submit your nomination well before the deadline to avoid the stress of last-minute preparations.
Absolutely! There’s no limit to how many businesses or individuals you can nominate, but each nomination must be submitted separately.
Yes, you can nominate a business in more than one category if they meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, separate nomination forms must be completed for each category.
Yes, businesses and individuals can nomination themselves. However, you must provide a strong nomination with plenty of detail! All award categories allow for self-nominations except Excellence in Customer Service.
Once submitted, your nomination will be reviewed, and the nominees will be contacted to provide further information to support the nomination. Shortlisted finalists will be contacted and will receive an invitation to an upcoming finalist presentation.
No, submitting a nomination is free of charge.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday 22 August, 2025. Make sure to submit your nominations before the cutoff date!