Entering the Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards is more than a chance to win—it is an opportunity to:
- Recognise and reward your team’s achievements.
- Reflect on your business’s growth, strengths, and goals.
- Build brand awareness and gain regional exposure.
- Participate in business development opportunities, including workshops and professional photography sessions.
- Be featured through Scenic Rim Regional Council marketing channels.
- Celebrate local business success and connect with like-minded leaders across the region.
How to Enter
To submit your entry, complete the application via the Smarty Grants platform: scenicrim.smartygrants.com.au.
HELPFUL TIPS before you begin:
Submit your award submission before 5:00 PM on Friday 14 November 2025.
START your sign in and award entry at scenicrim.smartygrants.com.au.
Eligibility
To be eligible to enter the Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards 2025/26, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Steps to Enter
Prepare your submission > Enter your submission via SmartyGrants > Lodge Your Submission by the 14 November 2025
Dates to Remember
Submissions
Open 1 September >Workshops October >Submissions Close 14 November>Gala Awards 20 March 2026
Choose Your Award Category
In 2025, the award categories have been refreshed to reflect the growing diversity of entries and the evolving strengths of the Scenic Rim business community.
Select the category that best represents your business. Choosing the right category is important—it should showcase your core strengths, achievements, and impact.
As part of your 2025 award submission, you will be required to provide images, examples, and evidence to support your responses.
We strongly encourage you to review the questions and judging criteria for the category you are considering before you begin your application.
1. Excellence in Tourism
This award recognises a tourism business, event, or experience that actively promotes the Scenic Rim, attracts and engages visitors, and enhances the region’s reputation as a premier tourism destination.
Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to):
Entrants must demonstrate measurable outcomes in innovation, visitor satisfaction, and regional impact.
2. Excellence in Accommodation
Honouring providers of exceptional guest experiences that reflect the warmth, quality, and distinctiveness of Scenic Rim hospitality.
Submissions should highlight service excellence, innovation, sustainability practices, and regional contribution.
Click on the link to see questions and criteria for this category.
Categories(PDF, 469KB)
3. Excellence in Hospitality - Food, Beverage, and Dining
Recognises hospitality venues that contribute to the Scenic Rim’s growing culinary reputation, showcasing local flavours and exceptional service.
Entrants should demonstrate a commitment to local produce, community, and memorable customer experiences.
Click on the link to see questions and criteria for this category.
Categories(PDF, 469KB)
4. Excellence in Retail
Celebrates outstanding retail businesses that deliver exceptional customer service, product quality, presentation, and connection to the local community.
Entrants should demonstrate innovation, and their contribution to the vibrancy and economic vitality of the Scenic Rim.
5. Excellence in Agriculture, Trade & Construction
Recognises outstanding businesses in agriculture, trade, construction, and logistics that contribute to economic growth and operational excellence.
Eligible businesses include:
Note: This is a combined category for the 2025 Awards. Council reserves the right to combine, cancel or withhold categories at its discretion. However, if a high volume of submissions are received, Council may consider creating separate ‘break-out’ categories to ensure fair and relevant recognition.
6. Excellence in Health and Wellbeing (New Category)
Honours businesses that improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or the Scenic Rim community—through services, workplace culture, or community impact.
Submissions should show leadership in creating healthy workplaces, delivering wellness-focused services, or championing initiatives that enhance the quality of life for employees, customers, or the broader Scenic Rim community. This category aligns with Scenic Rim Regional Council’s vision of fostering a resilient, connected, and thriving community.
7. Excellence in Education (New Category)
Celebrates contributions to education, training, and lifelong learning across the region.
Eligible entrants include:
Submissions should highlight new or innovative approaches, specific programs, measurable outcomes, and commitment to learning—whether through formal education, vocational training, workplace learning, or community-based programs.
8. Sustainability and Innovation Award (New Category)
Recognises a project, or business that is driving innovation or leading the way in sustainable practices that benefit the Scenic Rim. It celebrates forward-thinking approaches that reduce environmental impact, solve problems creatively, and/or support a more sustainable future for the region.
Relevant sectors may include:
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Environmental services, tourism, agriculture, education, technology, design, or retail
Entrants may be innovating through products, services, technologies, systems, or business models—or creating meaningful environmental or social outcomes through sustainability leadership and community impact.
9. Most Outstanding New Business
Celebrates new businesses that have launched between July 2023 and June 2025, showing promise, innovation, and a sturdy foundation for long-term success.
This category highlights businesses that are making a bold start, showing resilience, creativity, and a solid foundation for long-term success.
10. Trainee/Apprentice of the Year
Recognises an outstanding individual currently undertaking formal training who shows exceptional promise, skill development, and commitment.
Eligible industries include but are not limited to:
The award honours those who show initiative, resilience, and a positive contribution to their workplace, reflecting the values of the Scenic Rim business community.
Click on the link to see questions and criteria for this category.
Nominate employee(PDF, 426KB)
Nominate yourself(PDF, 405KB)
11. Business of the Year Award
Awarded to the most outstanding overall winner across all categories. This prestigious accolade honours a business that demonstrates all-round excellence, visionary leadership, and significant contribution to the region’s economic and community wellbeing.
No separate application is required—all category winners are automatically considered.