By CASEY NEILL
A NEW awards program will recognise and support Greater Dandenong businesses.
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce will introduce the Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Awards in coming weeks.
Chamber president Paul Broom said the program would replace the chamber’s Premier Regional Business Awards, which celebrated its 25th and final year at a gala dinner at Sandown Greyhounds in Springvale on Wednesday 13 April.
“It was a great night with 400 people there representing local businesses,” Mr Broom said.
“That’s a fantastic turnout for a grand gala night.
“That level of support is fantastic and we look forward to it being reflected in additional membership of the chamber.
“The stronger we get, the stronger local businesses are as a group.”
Mr Broom said he hoped the new awards would help to bolster chamber membership.
“We’re a soft entry for an organisation,” he said.
“We charge a couple of hundred dollars a year.
“We do provide terrific value and a great identity.”
The chamber will hold its first Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Awards breakfast in the coming weeks.
“One of the big changes is that we’ll be rebranding. We’ll be focusing on Greater Dandenong as opposed to regional,” Mr Broom said.
Each breakfast will feature nominated local businesses and a final award presentation will take place at the end of the year.
“We’ll run the awards process within a calendar year,” Mr Broom said.
The chamber has worked closely with the now-closed Dandenong Retail Traders Association (DRTA) to incorporate its former retail award into its new program.
A public vote will select retailers to be nominated for the award and to be profiled at a breakfast.
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce has been part of the Greater Dandenong business community for more than 65 years.
Its vision is to promote regional growth through leadership, support programs, networking and civic involvement.
To join the chamber or for more information, call Amanda Checken on 9794 8881 or email info@greaterdandenongchamber.com.au.
