Categories
You may only apply to enter only one category – with the exception of Export* & Sustainability*. Read the descriptions below and select the category that most accurately depicts your business activities and the area in which you have had the most success in your business over the past 12 months.
Ask yourself:
- What category would my customers think I am in?
- Who are my competitors – and which category are they in?
Within each category there will be a winner for**:
- Small Business – 0-10 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees including principal(s).
- Large Business – 11 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees including principal(s).
- Based on ‘How many people do you employ, including contractors’
* If you export internationally and those activities generate more than 30% of your business revenue, then you may enter the Export category in addition to your main business category.
** The SCBA committee reserves the right to only award one winner in an overall category if there are fewer than 5 finalists in both the large and small categories.
Accommodation (Tourism)
A business engaged in the provision of short-term accommodation and associated services.
- Hotels, Motels & Resorts
- Bed & Breakfast Accommodation
- Self-contained Short Stay Apartments
- Private Accommodation (short-term rentals typically booked via online platforms Airbnb, Stays, Bookings.com etc)
- Caravan and Camping
Advanced Technology
A business that develops proprietary intellectual property with advanced technologies that are either commercialised as a direct offering to customers or
used in-house in a substantive manner that is critical to their commercialisation through the production of novel goods and/or services by that company.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Autonomous systems
- Robotics
- Bioengineering
- Nanotechnology
- Software as a Service
- Quantum Computing
- IOT
- Augmented/Virtual Reality
- Web3
- Cybersecurity
- Edge computing
- Blockchain
Building, Construction & Engineering
A business engaged in the preparation of land, and construction, alteration and repair of buildings and structures and other real property including permanent, mobile and temporary housing, and other permanent structures and construction.
Engineering businesses offering and range of services including consulting, design, development, prototyping, and testing across a range of industries.
- Building Services
- Construction
- Engineering – Construction, civil and environmental
- Suppliers and Contractors
- Town Planning and Surveying
Business Services
A business providing services to other businesses, service providers, vendors, buyers and/or contractors. May include services such as lead generation, sales, customer service support, property management, inventory management, recruitment, HR, design, advertising, marketing, IT, bookkeeping, insurance, PR, administration, communications and business development.
- Recruitment, employment and HR consultants
- Graphic, web and interior design
- Real estate sales and property management
- Advertising, marketing & PR companies
- Bookkeepers and tax accountants
- Insurance providers and underwriters
- Administration services
- Event planning and management
- IT and communications providers
- Commercial research and business development
Creative Industries
A business engaged in the generation and commercialisation of individual intellectual property, creativity, talent, ideas, knowledge and information as products or services.
- Craft and Visual Arts
- Film and Screen Services and Production
- Staging and Set Design
- Fashion design
- Make-up Artists
- Videography, Film, Television and Radio
- Music and performing arts
- Writing and Publishing
- Software, Smartphone applications and Video games
Education & Training
A business or organisation providing courses, programs, products or services to facilitate learning, education and training, or corporate, professional, vocation or community development (primary and secondary schools are NOT permitted to enter).
- Education
- Training
- Tutoring
- Skills-based programs
- Professional development
- Coaching
- Online courses
- Community education
- Educational resources (books, toys, games)
Experiences
A business providing access to a place of interest that people visit for its natural, cultural or historical value, its inherent beauty, or for leisure, adventure or amusement, including natural and built attractions, festivals, events and exhibitions, or guided tours and transfer activities in, around or to places of interest.
- Theme Parks, Rides and Similar Tourism Activities
- Natural, Cultural, Built and Historical Attractions
- Scenic Tours and Transfers
- Adventure, Food and Beverage and Leisure Tours and Experiences
- Travel and Booking Agents
Festival & Events
A business delivering and managing a broad spectrum of gatherings, encompassing trade shows and exhibitions, corporate events, conferences and
meetings, entertainment events and sporting, local, community events; attracting large audiences and creating economic, cultural and recreational benefits and providing platforms for producers, artists and performers.
- Music, Cultural and Arts Festivals
- Community Events That Showcase and Profile Key Aspects and Assets Of The SC
- Trade, Expos and Industry Conferences
- Sporting, Local and Regional Events
- Fairs, Carnivals and Themed Markets
- Farmers Markets
*Export
A business, in any industry, that exports goods/services internationally. This applies to businesses that are exporting directly or through a third party. At least 30% of business revenue must be derived from export activities to be eligible for this category.
The Export category is not standalone. You may only apply for the Export award if you submit an application for another category.
Food & Agribusiness
A business engaged in substantially earning its revenue from agriculture. This includes, but is not limited to, farming, processing and manufacturing and/or distribution of agricultural products.
- Regionally Grown produce (supply, sales, value adding)
- Beverage Producers
- Confectionery / Bakery Producers
- Dairy Producers
- Livestock Producers
- Seafood / Aquaculture Producers
- Wholesale Food Suppliers
- Craft Brewers
- Food Manufacturing
Health & Medical Services
A business providing health and medical services or otherwise facilitating the provision of healthcare to patients or clients
- Medical Specialists
- General Practitioners
- Allied Health and Physical Therapies
- Psychology and Mental Health
- Dental
- Optical
- Hospitals and Day Surgery Facilities
- Pathology and Radiology
Hospitality
A business engaged in the preparation, distribution or provision of food and/or beverages, with an emphasis on the hospitality service sector.
- Catering services
- Food outlets
- Bars, cafés and restaurants
- Hotels
Manufacturing
A business engaged in the use of innovative technologies, tools, processes and techniques to transform materials or components into new products, by power-driven machines or by hand, involving stitching, weaving, casting, bending, joining, heating, freezing and a host of other activities. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking.
- Textile, clothing, footwear and leather manufacturing
- Wood and paper product manufacturing
- Printing, publishing and recorded media
- Petroleum, coal, chemical and associated product manufacturing
- Non-metallic mineral products
- Metal product manufacturing
- Machinery and equipment manufacturing
- Other manufacturing
Personal Fitness & Wellbeing
A business engaged in the provision of fitness and/or wellbeing services to individuals and organisations, other than professional medical and dental services.
- Fitness Centres and Personal Trainers
- Health Retreats and Spas
- Gyms, Yoga and Pilates Studios
- Martial Arts, Boxing and Sports Trainers
- Natural Therapies
- Life Coaches
Professional Services
A business, person or organisation providing services that require high level tertiary qualifications, specialised skills, expertise and knowledge, and accredited professional certification. Usually required to hold current membership of a professional body with a prescribed code of conduct, ethical rules, and education and licensing requirements.
- Architects
- Accountants, CAs and CPAs
- Civil and civic engineers
- Lawyers, Barristers and Legal Services
- Human Resource and Workplace Relations Services
Retail
A business engaged in the sale of goods, products, commodities, wares, merchandise, etc. to end users for use, consumption, or resale through multiple channels of distribution – from a physical or virtual location including e-Commerce.
- Retailing – Business-to-Consumer
- Retailing – Business-to-Business
- Retailing – Online and E-commerce
Social Impact
A business entity that exists to intentionally address social, cultural, community and/or environmental needs and invest the majority of their revenue and profits to achieve their mission. Includes any enterprise that delivers products or services designed to be a catalyst for positive social change.
- Social Enterprises
- Not for Profits (NFPs)
- Registered Charities
- Social Entrepreneurs
- Community Organisations
Sustainability
Sustainability in business means implementing strategies, policies, and practices that minimize environmental and social impacts while maintaining ethical governance for business operations. Sustainability practices are often measured using Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
The sustainability category is not standalone. You may only apply for the sustainability award within your application for another category.
Trades & Services
A business engaged in the sale and delivery of a service to an end-user.
- Trade services
- Mechanics, builders, painters, plumbers, etc.
- Dry Cleaners
- Pest Control
- Home and Commercial Cleaners
- Car Detailers
- Mending and Repair Services
- Storage, transport and logistics
- Wedding Planners
Business of the Year
Each year, one Category winner is also able to take home the much-coveted Business of the Year Award. This is awarded to the business that achieves the highest overall score across all categories. The Business of the Year Award acknowledges an enterprise that not only demonstrates exceptional business success but also proudly showcases the unique qualities and essence of our fabulous Sunshine Coast region.
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Inductees are businesses that have won three years in a row.
