Regional Game Changer

The 2025 Whitsunday Business Award – Regional Game Changer – celebrates businesses in the Whitsunday region that are driving transformative change through economic leadership, innovation, and lasting contributions to community prosperity. This award recognises enterprises that shape the region’s future through bold initiatives, strategic growth, and meaningful regional impact.

This award category is proudly presented by nbn Co.

Who Can Enter

This category is open to Whitsunday-based businesses of any size or sector that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving regional economic growth, innovation, or community advancement.

Entrants should show how their activities have delivered measurable benefits beyond their own business—contributing to the prosperity, resilience, or profile of the broader Whitsunday region. Both long-standing enterprises and emerging businesses creating significant local impact are encouraged to apply.

Key Dates

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 7 September 2025
Nominations may be announced week commencing Monday 29 September 2025
Whitsunday Business Awards announcement and event will be from 5:30pm Friday 21 November 2025

Need help?

Guide to completing your Regional Game Changer award entry »

Please contact the Whitsunday Business Awards administration team with any questions via admin@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au

Eligibility, Terms & Conditions

Eligibility

Entrants must work in or operate a registered business within the Whitsunday Regional Council area.
Businesses must have been operational for at least 12 months as of Monday 4 August 2025, unless entering a category that permits new or emerging businesses.
Employees, apprentices or trainees must have been working in the business for at least 12 months as of Monday 4 August 2025.
Entrants must demonstrate ethical business practices and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Sole traders, not-for-profits, and social enterprises are eligible to apply where relevant to category criteria.

Entry Requirements

All entries must be submitted via the official online nomination form by the published closing time and date of 11:59pm Sunday 7 September 2025. Entries submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
Entrants can apply to a maximum two award categories but must submit a separate application for each.
All responses must be truthful and accurate to the best of the entrant’s knowledge.

Judging

Entries will be assessed by an independent panel of judges appointed by the award program partners.
Entries that are incomplete, off-topic, or fail to sufficiently address the award criteria may be deemed ineligible and will not be forwarded to judges.
Judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes.
The Judging Panel reserves the right to withdraw any entry if the business or nominee is found to have brought the Awards or award program partners into disrepute.
The Judging Panel reserves the right to move entries between categories if deemed more appropriate.

Confidentiality

All information submitted will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of judging.
Judges and award program administrators are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Promotion & Media

By entering, finalists and winners agree to have their business name, logo, and images used for promotional purposes related to the Awards.
Event photography and videography may be used for marketing and reporting purposes by the award program partners.

Costs

There is no cost to enter the Awards. Finalists are responsible for their own attendance and any associated costs to attend the Awards Event.

I have read, understood, and agree to the terms and conditions of the Whitsunday Business Awards and this award category. *YesNo

I am willing and able to provide evidence, if requested, demonstrating ethical business practices and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. *YesNo

I grant permission for my contact details to be shared with regional media for potential interviews and publicity opportunities. *YesNo

Business Information

Your First and Last Name *

Name of the business or individual you want to nominate: *

Australian Business Number (ABN) *

Email Address *

Phone *

Street Address/Business Location *

Suburb

State

Post code

Business Website

PART 1 - What do you do?

This section is worth 10 points.

1.1 Describe your business (max. 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

PART 2 - Regional Impact & Innovation

This section is worth 40 points.

2.1 How has your business driven innovation and regional economic growth? (Maximum 600 words, 20 points) *0 / 600

2.2 How has your business strengthened community prosperity? (Maximum 600 words, 20 points) *0 / 600

PART 3 - Business Practices & Impact

This section is worth 30 points.

3.1 How do you build strong relationships and lead your team? (Maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

3.2 How do you drive environmental and community impact? (Maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

3.3 What are your measurable outcomes? (Maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

PART 4 - Why You Stand Out

This section is worth 20 points.

4.1 What sets your business apart in the Whitsundays? (Maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

4.2 Why should your business be named the Regional Game Changer? (Maximum 300 words, 10 points) *0 / 300

Supporting Material

To support your application, you can upload up to three (3) supporting files (such as testimonials, reports, visuals, media coverage) and an optional video on why you should win.

Supporting document #1Maximum 20MB

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Supporting document #2Maximum 20MB

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Supporting document #3Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

90-second video explaining why you deserve to win (optional)Maximum 20MB

No file chosen

High-resolution image of your business logo. *Maximum 20MB

No file chosen