Dandy’s night of nights

By Lia Bichel
HUNDREDS of people from across the region will congregate at Crown Casino for Dandenong businesses’ night of nights.
For 20 years, the Premier Regional Business Awards have celebrated Greater Dandenong businesses for their excellence.
This year, the best of the best in businesses will be honoured at the Premier Regional Business Awards glamorous event at Crown Casino on 17 March.
The awards began in 1990, when a group of five businessmen loosely involved in the Dandenong Rotary Club joined forces to set up an awards program.
In 1991, the City of Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce took over the running of the annual event.
The chairman of the awards sub-committee Jamie Sturgess said about 800 people would attend this year’s glamourous event, which he called “Dandenong businesses’ big night”.
“It’s a huge reason to celebrate what Dandenong has going for it,” he said. “It is a fantastic place to do business.”
Mr Sturgess said the awards played a significant part in maintaining a high standard of excellence in the business community.
“Recognition for businesses is key, but the really important aspect of the awards is that other businesses see the success other businesses have had and become inspired to be like them,” he said.
“The combination of recognising and inspiring businesses improves the overall business environment in the City of Greater Dandenong.”
Mr Sturgess said business people looked forward to the annual event.
“There are sensational businesses in Dandenong, and without these awards they would have nowhere to tell their stories,” Mr Sturgess said.
“It would be a tragedy if the awards didn’t give them a chance to tell the great stories that they are.”
City of Greater Dandenong Chamber President Rob Downing said the awards not only recognised thriving businesses in the region, but they provided a great networking opportunity for employers and employees.
“One of the ways the chamber has created an opportunity for businesspeople to network with others is through the awards process,” he said.
“This year will be different to previous years. It is the 20th year and we are holding a gala dinner like we have never had before to highlight the achievements of local businesses.”