About - Business Excellence Awards

For 29 years, the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards continue to recognise the outstanding achievements of the Greater Bendigo business community through the delivery of the awards program.

Is this year the year your business wins Business of the Year?

We understand that the journey of excellence is different for each business, employee and community organisation. The Business Excellence Awards is a free, capacity building program that allows participants to highlight their business achievements. It provides businesses with the opportunity to evaluate their business on all levels, by completing an application.

Connect your business to new opportunities as a Be.Bendigo Member.

Contact Be.Bendigo during office hours on (03) 5442 7816.

Program Launch

March 26, 2024

Nomination period

March 27-April 30, 2024

Nomination celebration

Thursday, May 2

Applicant's workshops

To be advised

Submit your application

11.59pm, Sunday June 2

Judging your business

June 2023

Finalists event

Tuesday, July 2

Finalist workshop

To be advised

In-Person Judging

July 9-14

Gala awards event

Thursday, August 15

2024 Winner's Cocktail Party

Celebrate your business winning in the 2024 program with other winners and award partners at this exclusive event.
This is invitation only.

Key Dates

The Business Excellence Awards program is an opportunity for our local businesses to reflect on their current practices, achievements and receive recognition for their contribution to a vibrant and prosperous Greater Bendigo.

Improved and developed by Be.Bendigo, the Business Excellence Awards is the only awards program of its kind in Greater Bendigo and directly engages with over 4,500 people in our business community.

With our Major Partner Bendigo Bank and through the support of other Business Excellence Partners, Be.Bendigo is able to deliver the five month awards program with 20 award categories available for businesses to apply in.

Contact Be.Bendigo

The Business Excellence Awards offer entrants, finalists and winners a range of experiences and opportunities that extend far beyond that incredible winning moment. Just ask one of the many businesses that have entered to date.

While a Business Excellence Award recognises the current achievements of a business, it also opens up the possibility of many more in the future.

The thoroughness of the application process focuses on every key part of your business, providing you with the opportunity to take the time to work on your business, rather than in your business.

The Business Excellence Awards aim to inspire business. From a grass-roots level where a customer may nominate you, encouraging our wider community to buy local or as an initiative you undertake to recognise your team, all interactions with the awards program are designed to support Greater Bendigo businesses.

By taking the time to detail how your business operates and your achievements within the application, it is easy to recognise the opportunity the Business Excellence Awards program provides for reflection and self-assessment.

You will make new connections and uncover new opportunities. As an applicant you are invited to our events and updated with regular news that will support and inspire growth in your business.

Each applicant has the chance to become a finalist and meet our experienced judges.

Finalists will receive detailed support to be Awards Gala ready through our Finalist Workshop, feature on our social media and in our communications, as well as receive exclusive invitations and opportunities that extend further than the Business Excellence Awards program.

It’s more than winning an award. The recognition of you and your team builds positive culture and pride, whilst presenting your business to the broader community. Our winners have also reported increased business connections, exposure, and brand awareness.

Showcase your award with a commemorative certificate and trophy that your entire business can enjoy.

Winners will be invited to celebrate together at an exclusive, invitation-only, Winner’s Cocktail Party event, attended by all winners, sponsors and partners of the Business Excellence Awards program.

As a winner, become a member of Be.Bendigo and you will be invited to partake in future interactions and events where you can highlight your achievement and promote your business.

Category winners receive:

An award and formal recognition at the Awards Gala event
Opportunity to be seen in the Winner’s Feature, print edition of the Bendigo Advertiser
Winners digital logo that can be displayed in your businesses marketing and communications
Promotion as a winner through various marketing and communications undertaken by Be.Bendigo
An invitation for 2 to attend the Winner’s Cocktail Party

Assessed in the context of the organisations overall success, business and financial management, strategy and plan for sustained growth, judges will look for evidence of exceptional delivery, staff engagement, customer service, innovation, ethical practice and business growth.

To be eligible for the Business of the Year Award an applicant must first be a category winner. The winner of the Business of the Year Award will receive:

All-inclusive and additional business excellence category winner benefits as previously listed
An award and formal recognition at the Awards Gala event
Complimentary 12-month membership of Be.Bendigo
Opportunity to partake in future Be.Bendigo events as a speaker or presenter
Opportunity to host the following year’s awards launch event
A complimentary place at an upcoming Be.Bendigo Professional Development Program (valued at $3,000.00)