Excitement is building to the 2018 Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards with judges today announcing the finalists in each of the 22 categories.

The number of entries is up 34% this year with very strong competition in each category.

This year’s winners, culminating with the announcement of the Fraser Coast’s Best Business and the John Craig-Gardiner Memorial Award, will be named at the Beach House Hotel in Hervey Bay on Friday 2 November.

A bumper crowd of almost 400 business and civic leaders is expected to attend the awards evening which has become the Fraser Coast's premier business and tourism event.

Celebrations will start with beach-side cocktails in Scarness Park at 6.30pm.

The judging panel of the three local Chamber of Commerce presidents, two Fraser Coast Tourism & Events board members and a senior lecturer in business at Sunshine Coast University have spent the past week poring over entries to select the 66 finalists.

Four new categories have been added this year including Online Retailing, Not-for-profit, Resort and Deluxe Accommodation and Best Dining Experience.

Fraser Coast Tourism & Events general manger Martin Simons said the Business and Tourism Awards was an annual event presented by FCTE in partnership with the local Chambers of Commerce. Platinum sponsor Hyne Timber leads a long list of business category, entertainment and table sponsors of the event.

 “We are delighted with the record number of submissions – 98 – with many business entering for the first time,” Mr Simons said.

“The categories of Best New Business, Young Achiever, Health and the new Not-for-Profit attracted the largest number of submissions.”

He said the awards were an opportunity for companies, institutions and tourist operators to be recognised as one of the region’s premier organisations, acknowledged by your industry, business peers and customers for doing well.

"From a judging perspective, the standard of submissions was very high and it was great to see a diversity of businesses entering," Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce president Sandra Holebrook said. 

Mr Simons said the top award, Best Fraser Coast Business, was chosen from category winners and there were special awards for long term achievement and a hall of fame
inductee – achieved by a business winning their category three years in succession.

Partying is expected to go into the night with band Playing Vegas to entertain the crowd.

2018 Business & Tourism Award judges: FCTE chairman Greig Bolderrow, Board member Jill Perry; Hervey Bay Chamber President Sandra Holebrook; Maryborough Chamber President Lance Stone; Tiaro Chamber President Darryl Stewart; USC Senior Lecturer in Business, Lisa Daniel.

 

2018 FRASER COAST BUSINESS AND TOURISM FINALISTS

Bar and Club Dining (new category)

Beach House Hotel

Hervey Bay RSL

Maryborough RSL
 

Best Dining Experience (new category)

Bayswater Bar & Grill

The Vinyard
 

Best Fraser Coast New Business

Alowishus Delicious

Bay Osteropathy and Injury Rehabilitation

Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours
 

Charity & Not for Profit (new category)

Hervey Bay Historical Museum

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre

Rally for a Cause Inc
 

Customer Service

Australian Hearing

Coastal Wastewater Specialists

Hervey Bay RSL

 

Deluxe and Resort Accommodation

Aqua Aqua Luxury Penthouse

Kingfisher Bay Resort

Mantra Hervey Bay
 

Education Provider

Condy Park Kindergarten

Maryborough State High School

St James Lutheran College
 

Events and Events Management

Diner en Blanc

Dunga Derby

FraserPop Pop Culture Festival

Mary Poppins Festival
 

General Accommodation

Comfort Inn

Main Street Motel

The Beach Motel
 

Health Provider

Bay Osteropathy and Injury Rehabilitation

River Heads Pharmacy

Southern Cross Support Services
 

Innovation

Climate Control Systems

Hyne Timber

Southern Cross Support Services
 

Marketing

JR Marketing Group

Kingfisher Bay Resort Group

Maryborough State High School
 

Online Retailing (new category)

BDM Academy

Emj’s Healthy Food

Gould Social Media

Blooms and Petals

Primary Industries and Agri-Business

Barenuts

Bamboo Land Nursery & Parklands
 

Professional and Small Business Services

Bespoke Building Design

Jessica Gunn Photography

First Class Accounts
 

Restaurants or Cafe

Alowishus Delicious

Hervey Bay RSL

Su Jus Bar
 

Retailing

Comic n Pop

Fisho’s Tackle World Hervey Bay

Serenity Skin Spa
 

Tourism - Land Based

BreakOut the Room

Hervey Bay Historical Museum

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum
 

Tourism - Marine Based

Pacific Whale Foundation

Tasman Venture

Whalesong Cruises
 

Trade and Manufacturing

Climate Control Systems

Coastal Wastewater

Hyne Timber

Stroud Homes
 

Fraser Coast Young Achiever of the Year

Abbey Blanke - Serenity Skin Spa

Andrew Spence - Climate Control Systems

Genna Lesmond - Beach House Hotel
 

Hall of Fame inductee

AATEC Office Technology