The Bendigo Business Excellence Awards have fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2020 awards, slated for August 7, have been postponed until 2021, due to the current restrictions on crowds gathering.
The awards present an opportunity for businesses to reflect on current practices and achievements and receive recognition for their contribution to the community.
The event's rich 27-year history is highlighted by more than 600 guests attending its gala dinner in 2019.
Livestock and real estate agency McKean McGregor won the 2019 Business of the Year award.
Award winners in 2019 included Fusion Physiotherapy, Tiny Sprout and the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
Be.Bendigo chief executive Dennis Bice said consideration was given to the awards being presented remotely and celebrated online.
"We consulted all of our partners in the awards process and the general consensus was to run the awards in the same fashion as previously," Mr Bice said.
"Given the position of some businesses at the moment, to get them to nominate and go through an application phase and judging was another reason we thought postponement was best."
Mr Bice said there plans for the 2021 awards to take place earlier in the year.
"We are looking at earlier options than normal in 2021," he said.
"We are also hoping to celebrate businesses at the end of this financial year in some way, but we are working through the detail of that at the moment."
Mr Bice said the awards major partner, Bendigo Bank, and all category partners have been fully supportive of the decision to postpone.
"Everyone involved are committed to a relaunch of the awards in 2021 with more than 15 categories available for businesses to apply for," he said.
A new online platform, Localised Central Victoria, is one way for the community to discover new local businesses opportunities and support local business, according to Mr Bice.
"Registration is free, with businesses able to spruik their expertise, projects, services and business news," he said.
The directory, which launched in May, aims to make it easy for people to purchase goods and services from local businesses.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
