Hosted by the Cowra Business Chamber, the awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of local business.

Cowra Business Chamber President Jordan Core said the committee had been overwhelmed by the response with 114 nominations made to the Chamber. 

“It’s really exciting, myself and the team went through 114 nominations the other night,” he said. 

“It was awesome to see the stuff the Cowra community was saying about these businesses.” 

Of the 114 nominations, 68 nominees have been picked across nine different categories, compared to just over 30 nominees in 2017 and 22 in 2016. 

In the Nominees for Excellence in Business 2018 category alone, 36 businesses have been nominated. 

Jordan said it was great to see a focus on smaller, local businesses this year. 

“Maybe the ones we don’t think about as much but they are kicking some serious goals. It will be pretty interesting,” he said. 

“It should be exciting and it will be very tough for our judges.” 

Jordan says it shows the increasing success of local business and the recognition from the Cowra community. 

“Each year it is just growing and growing and growing,” he said. 

“But I also think it means the calibre of businesses is seriously exceeding.

“Business owners are taking that extra step to make sure people are shopping locally and the people of Cowra are seeing that.”

The evening will also feature motivational speaker and job coach Ian Parker, entertainment, food and drink.  

Jordan says this is only the start of what is set to be the Chamber’s biggest year so far

“This is one of 16 events the Cowra Business Chamber are holding this year,” he said. 

“We held our Business After 5 event on Wednesday night and that is growing like we can’t believe. 

“It’s going to be a huge year for the Cowra Business Chamber, we are going to make it the best year ever.”

The awards will be held on Friday, February 16 at the Lachlan Valley Hotel. 

Tickets are available here.