By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong’s best businesses will be in the spotlight at a cocktail awards event.
The 11 nominees for the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Business Awards were announced at breakfasts throughout the year.
Beletti is in the running for the small business, retail and employment awards.
Biofuel Innovations is up for the small business and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and innovation categories.
Cabrini Linen Service is also up for the large business award, as well as the CSR and innovation and employment awards.
Greencare Developments is also eyeing the large business and CSR and innovation titles, as well as the retail award.
India at Home is up for the large business and retail awards, and Murray Agricultural Equipment the small business and retail awards.
No Fuss Event Hire and Quantum Recycling Solutions are both up for the small business and CSR and innovation awards.
RJ Sanderson and TanGold Pastry are both vying for the large business and CSR and innovation awards, with RJ Sanderson also in the running for the employment honour.
All of the businesses are also in with a chance to take home the top prize, the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Business Award.
SEBN manager Sandra George will select winners for the six awards, and the Chisholm Institute will present a Youth Enterprise Award to one of three nominees – Kyle Hillbrich, Brooke Fernandez and Charly Scott.
A gala dinner in April marked the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce’s Premier Regional Business Awards’ (PRBA) 25th and final year.
The chamber unveiled a fresh awards system at its first breakfast of the new era in May.
At the event, NAB’s Paul Wood said there were more than 12,500 businesses in Dandenong and the PRBA highlighted about 400 over its 25 years.
“There’s a lot more good stories to tell,” he said.
Chamber executive officer Tiffany Murray and events and marketing officer Amanda Checken are working on building membership and helping businesses to succeed.
They both want to work more closely with fellow Greater Dandenong business groups South East Business Networks (SEBN) and South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA).
Women’s events are also on the cards following requests, as are small seminars, and training courses for businesses too small to host their own.
Ms Checken said facilitating business networking was a big focus, and acknowledged participants’ aims could vary from furthering their client base to sharing ideas with like-minded businesses.
Ms Murray said there’d be a focus on finding informative speakers for events, so workers could take something back to the office and implement it post-breakfast.
All will be revealed at a cocktail event at Greyhounds Entertainment in Springvale.
It will run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Wednesday 30 November, and has changed from a sit-down dinner to facilitate more networking.
Visit www.greaterdandenongchamber.com.au for more information or to book a ticket or table.
