MiHaven, Skypark Cairns, Wholelife Pharmacy among 2023 Business Excellence Awards finalists

More than 60 finalists have been announced for the 2023 Cairns Business Excellence Awards. See who’s made the list.

Finalists have been announced for Cairns Chamber of Commerce’s Business Execllence Awards 2023.

More than 60 businesses and entrepreneurs across ten categories have emerged as finalists in the running to win a Cairns Business Excellence Award this year after the first round of judging.

The Business Excellence Awards is an annual event by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by James Cook University to recognise achievements of businesses in the region, and acknowledge their hard work, business acumen and commitment to the community.

Chamber chief executive Patricia O’Neill was all praise for this year’s “high calibre” entries, and the quality of their submissions.

“A lot of time and effort goes into writing a submission,” Ms O’Neill said.

“I would like to thank everyone who entered and especially congratulate this year’s finalists.”

Photos: Glamour and fun at 2022 BEX Awards

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Finalists will be honoured at the VIP Finalist Evening on October 4 at Crystalbrook Flynn’s Whiskey and Wine Bar.

Winners will be announced at the Gala Ball on October 20 at the Cairns Convention Centre, Ms O’Neill said this year’s event would be held at Cairns Convention Centre’s new Trinity Terrace and Trinity Room, which boasted beautiful views of the Trinity Inlet.

“Our only challenge is that the room has a maximum capacity of 450 people, 50 less than our sellout crowd of 500 at last year’s event, so we highly encourage people to get in quick to avoid missing out,” she said.

The black tie event includes live entertainment, a three course meal, spirits and more at $239 per person or $2350 per table.

2023 Business Excellence Awards: Full list of Finalists

1. BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY sponsored by CQUniversity

- Cairns Dental Boutique

- Wholelife Pharmacy & Healthfoods Pease Street

Pharmacist Vince Pappalardo at WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

2. COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION sponsored by Maxima Group Australia

- Centacare FNQ

- Endeavour Foundation

- Kinetic - Cairns

- MiHaven

- The Mindset Academy

- Worklink Group

MiHaven founder Sarah Mort with one of their tenants Ann.

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE (PROFESSIONAL SERVICES) sponsored by Danae Jones Consulting

- Alive Pharmacy Warehouse

- ARO Industries

- Cairns Trauma & Clinical Psychology

- Eagle Accounting

- Harding Property Law

- Miller Harris Lawyers

- O’Connor Law

- Reaston Drummond Law

- Senior Helpers Far North Queensland

- Smart Biz HQ

- Spinal Life Australia

- Volantair Air Charter

O'Connor Law's company director Tammy Williams. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

4. CUSTOMER SERVICE (TRADE, RETAIL & SERVICES)

- Balance Chiropractic

- East Coast Paint & Panel

- FNQ Vending Pty Ltd

- Mini Car Rentals

- NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park

- Quickdig

- Savvy

- Scout Avenue

- Snap Cairns

- Sunlover Reef Cruises

- The Conservatory Bar

Conservatory Bar owner Ross Stevens. Picture: Brendan Radke

Pip Buhler of Cairns Property Clearances. Picture: Supplied.

5. EMERGING LEADER sponsored by James Cook University: College of Business, Law and Governance

- Cameron Agius

- Christopher Pitcher

- Claire Simmons

- Daijah Martens

- David Dall’Alba

- Luke Hare

- Orianne Shepherd

- Pip Buhler

6. INDIGENOUS BUSINESS sponsored by Endeavour Foundation

- Australian Training Works

- Dee’s Deportment, Grooming and Self Care

- Harbrow Mentoring

Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care founder Donna Corrie.

7. INNOVATION sponsored by Cairns Regional Council

- AirBridge Networks

- Cairns Central

- Cairns Property Clearances

- Colleen Holmes Learning & Development

- eMotion Video Training & Production

- Every Moment Photography

- Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation

- The Soul Shack - FNQ Occupational Therapy

6-month-old Edward Campbell-Frias, photographed by finalist Every Moment Photography

8. MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS sponsored by Cairns Post

- Bang Media

- Crystalbrook Collection Cairns

- Mel Murphy Digital Marketing

- Spread the Word Marketing

Angelo Saliba, Bang Media. Picture: Supplied

9. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT sponsored by CBC Staff Selection

- Freedom Planning

- Precruitment

10. SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL sponsored by Star 102.7

- Cairns Airport

- City Terraces Apartments

- Green Island Resort

- Seville Mercy Conference Centre

- Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett

Originally published as MiHaven, Skypark Cairns, Wholelife Pharmacy among 2023 Business Excellence Awards finalists