2026 Whitsunday Business Awards
It’s time to celebrate the best of Whitsunday business!
Join us for the 2026 Whitsunday Business Awards, as 46 outstanding nominees from across the region take centre stage for an evening celebrating business excellence, leadership, innovation, emerging talent and community impact.
This year’s nominees are competing across seven award categories:
- Best of the Whitsundays: Business of the Year – Micro to Small Business and Medium to Large Business divisions
- Business Leader of the Year – Micro to Small Business and Medium to Large Business divisions
- Rising Star – Employee, Apprentice or Trainee
- Customer Service Excellence – Micro to Small Business and Medium to Large Business divisions
- Community Champion
- Think Big
- Business Legends of the Whitsundays
With judging undertaken by respected regional and external experts, the winners will be revealed live at the 2026 Whitsunday Business Awards Ceremony on Friday 9 October.
Delivered through a partnership between the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bowen Chamber of Commerce and Whitsunday Regional Council, the Awards recognise the businesses and people making an outstanding contribution to the Whitsundays.
James Cook University is the 2026 Principal Partner, supporting the celebration of regional business excellence and the future of business across the Whitsundays.
Come together with businesses, industry and community leaders from across the region to celebrate our nominees and discover who will take home the 2026 Awards.
Tickets
Early Bird tickets (available until Friday 18 September) $89 per person
Standard tickets (from Saturday 19 September) $109 per person
Your ticket includes:
Arrival Grazing & Networking — Start the evening with grazing bites and time to catch up, connect, and celebrate with businesses from across the region.
Two Drink Vouchers — Enjoy two drinks on us, with a cash bar available throughout the evening serving a selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Sit-Down Main Course — Take your seat for an alternate-drop main course as we celebrate the 2026 nominees and announce this year’s Award winners.
The Luxe Dessert Bar — Finish the evening with something a little different. Everyone receives their own individual cake to decorate, with a selection of icings and toppings to create your dessert your way.
Getting There — Return bus transfers will be available from Bowen, Airlie Beach, and Cannonvale, making it easy to enjoy the evening and get home safely.
Event Details
What: 2026 Whitsunday Business Awards Event
When: 5pm-9:30pm Friday 9 October
Where: Proserpine Entertainment Centre
Ticket Terms & Conditions
- Tickets are refundable for cancellations received 7 days or more before the event.
- Cancellations received within 7 days of the event are non-refundable.
- Tickets may be transferred to another attendee at no additional cost. Please advise us of any name changes prior to the event.
- No refunds will be provided for non-attendance.
- If the event is cancelled by the organisers, ticket holders will be offered a refund of the ticket price.
- Any approved refunds will exclude applicable booking or transaction fees.
