For 30 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.

Celebrating 30 years of Business Excellence

In 2025, the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards celebrates an incredible milestone, 30 years of recognising business success in Greater Bendigo.

Founded in 1994 by the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst, the program began with just 6 award categories. Since then, the awards have evolved significantly. Be.Bendigo took over delivery of the program in 2015, building it into the largest and most prestigious business awards initiative in the region, now offering 20 award categories plus the coveted Business of the Year award.

Throughout the years, the program has celebrated the diversity, innovation, and resilience of local businesses. Even during the challenges of COVID-19, the spirit of recognition continued, with a virtual event and a temporary pause before returning stronger than ever.

At its core, the Business Excellence Awards provide a free, capacity-building opportunity for businesses to evaluate their practices, reflect on their achievements, and be recognised for their contribution to a vibrant and prosperous Greater Bendigo.

With the support of our Major Partner Bendigo Bank and our valued sponsors, Be.Bendigo is proud to deliver this 5-month program that connects with over 4,500 members of our business community each year.

Here’s to 30 years of excellence and to celebrating what’s next.

Program launch

Tuesday, April 1

Nomination period

April 1 - April 30

Nomination event and applications open

Thursday, May 1

Applications close

11.59pm Sunday, June 1

Judging period

Monday, June 9 - Monday, June 23

Finalists event celebration

Tuesday, July 1

Judging interviews

Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11

Gala event celebration

Thursday, August 14

2025 Winners Event

Thursday, September 4

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)

Become a Member of Be.Bendigo.

As the place for business, Be.Bendigo is working hard to ensure your business has every opportunity to succeed.

By joining Be.Bendigo as a member you will contribute to a vibrant business community, build your individual capability, make new connections, grow and develop new opportunities for yourself and your business.

(03) 5442 7816
admin@bebendigo.com.au
276 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo VIC 3550

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