FULL LIST: All the finalists in the running for 2023 Business Excellence Awards

The impressive finalists for the 2023 Focus HR Business Excellence Awards can now be revealed after more than 700 Toowoomba businesses were nominated. Check out the full list here.

More than 700 nominations were submitted for the 2023 Focus HR Business Excellence Awards and with just over a week to go until winners are announced, we can officially reveal the impressive finalists.

Presented by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, the finalists were named at a function on October 4 and will be in the running to win awards in 19 categories.

The theme of the ceremony this year is for local businesses to “tell their story”.

Angie's Elite Cleaning Solutions owner Angela Brown has been named a finalist for the Employer of Choice and People’s Choice awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After a series of obstacles including Covid-19 lockdowns, restrictions, cost of living pressures and rising rates, the resilience of business owners has never been stronger.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce chief executive Todd Rohl said more than 70 impressive award finalists had been announced and ranged from sole traders to large, international exporters.

“The judges said the calibre of the applicants continues to increase each year,” he said.

“We’re really proud of the business owners who have been vulnerable with judges and the community, by sharing their triumphs as well as their hardships, with all the recent challenges they’ve faced.

“Research shows this leads to better relationships, connections and opportunities to support each other.”

Todd Rohl of Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Rohl said he was grateful for the support shown to businesses by the event sponsors, Chamber members and the Toowoomba community.

“Toowoomba is a regional city built on the back of small businesses and this city has really thrived in supporting small businesses,” he said.

“Whether it be a nomination, applicant or finalist, it’s wonderful to celebrate and recognise their contributions.”

Excavation Equipment general manager Catherine Ardi and Lachlan Hogan of Hogan's Family Jewellers. Excavation Equipment was named Business of the Year at the Focus HR Business Excellence Awards and Hogan's Family Jewellers was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. Picture: Andrew Coates / Salt Studios

While tickets are still available to purchase for the event, more than 90 per cent of the seats have already been booked.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Rumours International Convention Centre on Saturday, October 21.

Red carpet arrivals and canapes will commence at 5.30pm, while the official awards ceremony will kick off at 6.30pm.

Tickets are $299 for members or $349 for non-members and includes a three course meal, two hour drink package and live entertainment.

AWARD FINALISTS:

– Employer of Choice (presented by Focus HR):

• Angie’s Elite Cleaning Solutions

• Harness

– Community and Not for Profit (presented by Southern Cross Austereo):

• Breakaway Toowoomba

• Momentum Mental Health

• Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

• Tony’s Community Kitchen

– Future Leader of the Year (presented by Future Leader of the Year):

• Molly Bell

• Tom Haydock

• Sharne Lategan

• Christopher Winter

– People’s Choice (presented by The Chronicle):
• Angie’s Elite Cleaning Solutions

• Highlands Toowoomba

• KC Strategic Media Services & Toowoomba Darling Downs

• McAdam and Turnball Reality

• Semloh Support Services.

– Innovation and Technology (presented by Tilly’s Crawler Parts):

• Darling Downs Smoke Haus

• Milton and King

– Gerry Doumany Export (presented by Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise):

• Clayton’s Organic Beef

• Hogans Family Jewellers

• Milton and King

– Health and Wellbeing (presented by Bank of Queensland):

• Amcal Pharmacy Wilsonton

• Breakaway Toowoomba

• Hope Horizons

• Momentum Mental Health

• Sharne Consulting

– Tourism (presented by Excavation Equipment):

• Campbell & Waratah Women’s Boutique Guesthouse

• Crows Nest Tourist Park

• Globetrotters Travel and Cruise

• Quest Apartment Hotel Toowoomba

– Professional Services with 10 or less employees (presented by TAFE QLD):

• CDI Pest Management

• Co Bright

• Enterpirse Legal

• Hey Marketing

• Oh Tilly Brand Photography

• Strategic Planners

• VHD Studios

• Vigour graphics

– Professional Services with 11 or more employees (presented by FX Technologies Toowoomba):

• Feather & Lawry

• Hot Property

• MiQ Private Wealth

– Best Regional Business (presented by Toowoomba Regional Council):

• Enterprise Legal

• Harness

• KC Strategic Media Services & Toowoomba Darling Downs

• Power Tynan

• X Factor Plumbing

– Industry (presented by Russell Mineral Equipment):

• Darling Downs Smoke Haus

• Harness Energy

• Lavish Constructions

• X Factor Plumbing

– Micro Business of the Year (presented by DYJESBT):

• Darling Downs Smoke Haus

• ParisiAnn Patisserie

• Sharne Consulting

• Strategic Planners

• Vali Garage

• Vigour Graphics

• VHD Studio

– Hospitality (presented by Little Pig Consulting):

• Gelatissimo

• George Banks Bar and Bistro

• Crows Nest Tourist Park

• Quest Apartment Hotel Toowoomba

– Retail (presented by RSM Australia):

• Blooming Gorgeous

• Hogans Family Jewellers

• Milton and King

• National Tiles and Carpet Call Toowoomba

– Sole Trader of the Year (presented by Serengeti):

• Afghan Traditional Sweets

• Campbell and Waratah Women’s Boutique Guesthouse

• Carmen Collective

• Dose of Envy

• Oh Tilly Brand Photography

• KC Strategic Media Services & Toowoomba Darling Downs

– Property, Construction and Development (presented by Specialised Property Consulting):

• Carmen Collective

• Hot Property

• Lavish Constructions

• Precinct Urban Planning