Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2023: Full list of finalists in all 16 categories

After a record number of entrants and hundreds of hours of judging the 137 finalists for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards for 2023 can be revealed. See all the finalists.

Michael and Roz White of White's IGA are among the 137 finalists named in the Sunshine Coast Business Awards for 2023. Photo: Patrick Woods.

After hundreds of hours of judging, the finalists’ results are in for the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said this year saw more entries submitted than ever before.

“We are very excited to announce this year’s finalists. Overall we have 137 across 16 different categories,” Mrs Swaine said.

Mrs Swaine said this year’s entries were again of a very high calibre.

“Year on year, we see higher and higher quality entries, and it is very clear entrants are working hard on their applications, so I would like to congratulate this year’s finalists and also thank everyone who entered,” Mrs Swaine said.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine.

Mrs Swaine said now the finalists would enter the next stage of the judging process, with interviews taking place over the coming weeks.

“In addition to the interviews, Finalists will also have the opportunity to participate in the Masterclass to assist them to make the most of being a finalist, ahead of the much-anticipated Awards Gala in November.”

Mrs Swaine said the Sunshine Coast Business Awards were only possible thanks to the volunteer Awards committee and the panel of judges as well as the financial support of sponsors.

2022 SCBA Accommodation Small winner Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS FROM 2022

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Judging Chair Bruce Williams said all the judges for the awards were highly successful businesspeople who all volunteered their time to read through the entries and now would participate in the interview process for finalists.

“Each judge has read over 20 applications, which means the judges have read about 110,000 words each. Combined, that is more than 2.8 million words read, or like reading all seven Harry Potter novels 2.6 times, so it is a lot of work.

GreaseBoss co-founders L-R: Peter Condoleon, Steve Barnett, Tim Hall.

Mrs Swaine said the awards and gala event in November were reliant on the support from sponsorships.

“We are delighted to have a record level of support from our sponsors this year, including naming rights sponsor, LPE,” she said.

“We now look forward to working with our Finalists as we complete the judging process and are excited as we head towards our celebration gala event that will be held on November 11 at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.

“I would also like to acknowledge the committee members who are also volunteers and who contribute around 100 volunteer hours a month to deliver the awards year after year.”