Q. How do l enter the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards 2024?
A. The first step is to create a profile via the nomination portal available at https://brisbane.awardsplatform.com/ then select a category or categories and complete your nomination via the nomination form fields. It's important to note that each category requires a separate nomination form. Within the portal, entrants will be able to submit images and documents to support the nomination. Only nomination forms with completed answers will be accepted.
Nominations are subject to a word limit. Entries that exceed the word limit will not be able to be submitted.
The judging panel will judge your entry on each of the criteria questions.
Judges sign a confidentiality agreement and all information provided to the judges must be treated as confidential by them.
If data is not provided, please note that it may result in lower scores from the panel.
You must submit your nomination form electronically and it must be signed with a digital signature.
Nominations for 2024 will be open from 8 May at 12 noon AEST and close on Friday, 5 July 2024 at 5pm AEST.
If you are having issues with submitting your nomination form through the online portal, please feel free to reach out to the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards office on (07) 3006 6200.
Q. Is my business eligible for nomination?
A. Most businesses operating in the Brisbane Local Government Area(LGA) are eligible to enter the Awards. This includes:
- businesses with their registered office in Brisbane;
- businesses that are operating in Brisbane through a physical office but do not have a registered office in Brisbane;
- non-for-profit organisations operating in Brisbane that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission and:
- a company; or
- an incorporated association; or
- constituted by a trust endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a charity and has an Australian Business Number.
The following businesses or individuals are not eligible to enter the Awards:
- government agencies, statutory bodies or wholly or partly owned businesses and subsidiaries of the State Government, (with the exception of education institutions);
- official award sponsors in their own sponsored Award category and their employees, however they can enter other categories;
- subsidiary companies of Brisbane City Council;
- employees of Brisbane City Council and its subsidiary companies including Brisbane Economic Development Agency ; and
- any applicant that does not meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the terms and conditions available at: lmba.com.au
Businesses can confirm their eligibility via the enquiry form on this website prior to submitting their nomination form.
Q. How do I know which category to enter?
A. Please refer to the Categories section of the website for category outlines. Category criteria can be found in the nomination portal.
Q. Can my business enter in more than one category?
A. Yes, businesses may enter more than one category if they choose, provided they meet the criteria for each category they enter.
The only category that is not open for direct nomination is the Optus Platinum Award. This is awarded to the most outstanding winner across all the business categories.
Q. How do l nominate another business/person?
A. The Lord Mayor's Business Awards accept entries from third parties. Please submit the nomination form as per the above instructions, and we will contact the relevant nominee for acceptance of the nomination.
We do suggest that any third-party nominations be made as early as possible so that the nominee has time to review, add to, and accept the nomination.
Q. Who should I involve in helping to develop my entry?
A. Enlist the help of people involved in your business. Your independent accountant may provide the required financial data in the most relevant form. You can also get a second opinion. Once you believe you have completed your entry, seek an opinion from someone impartial to provide feedback.
Please note, that whilst Lord Mayor’s Business Awards staff can answer technical questions relating to the program, they cannot assist you with your entry.
Q. Can I only nominate for achievements during the 2023/2024 Financial Year?
A. Entry in all categories is open to achievements from a variety of financial years. Each category is different and applies over various financial years, please refer to the relevant category criteria.
Q. Can I provide supporting material?
A. Attachments are a must have for both the Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories. Both a business and personal written reference must be included. Please note that judges will be looking at references.
Attachments other than those mentioned above are not required, but can be submitted to enhance your nomination. Attachments may include photos, logo, video link, brochures, presentations or the like. Please be aware that judges may not look at attachments.
Supporting material cannot be used to provide attachments which seek to extend responses beyond the word limit allowed in the nomination form.
Q. How will I know if my entry is received?
A. An email will be sent to all entrants, within three business days of the time they submitted their entry, confirming entries have been received.
Q. What if something changes in my contact details after I submit my entry?
A. Use the enquiry form on the website to inform us of your change of details, and we will confirm these within two business days from the time the enquiry form is received.
Q. What happens to my entry at the conclusion of the Awards?
A. Brisbane Economic Development Agency will retain electronic copies of all entries for probity reasons. All information on these entries will be kept in accordance with the terms and conditions.
Q. How secure is my entry in terms of confidentiality?
A. Throughout the judging process the information contained in your submission will only be accessible to Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Brisbane City Council and the Award judges. However, any business and personal information including any digital images and records provided in your nomination form and/or during the judging process and awards ceremony (other than financial data, personal information of employees other than the applicant and referee details which will remain confidential) may be used in marketing and promotional material. Information will be retained by BEDA for seven (7) years.
The Award judges are required to sign a strict confidentiality agreement.
Q. Who judges my entry?
A. The judges are local and national experts drawn from relevant business disciplines.
Q. How will I know if I'm selected as a finalist?
A. All finalists will receive a phone call between 19 and 23 August 2024 (dependent upon when each category is judged). An email will be sent to all entrants after the finalists have been announced.
Q. What is the next step if I'm selected as a finalist?
A. You will be required to submit a letter from an independent accountant stating the business is trading solvent. This will be reviewed by our appointed accountant to ensure finalists are financially stable and trading solvent. All financial information will be kept strictly confidential.
If you are selected as a finalist in any category, you will be required to proceed with a presentation to the judging panel. Presentations will take place in between 28 August and 13 September 2024 and last no longer than 25 minutes. Finalists will be notified of the time and date for their presentation at least one week before they are required to present.
Q. How do I purchase tickets to the awards event?
A. All tickets will be purchased from the Awards website through our secure online payment system. Tickets are $200 inclusive of GST, and available for purchase individually, or in tables of 10 ($2,000 inclusive of GST).
Q. How have past winners used the Awards' logo?
A. The logo has been used on company stationery, websites and advertising material.
Q. Who are some of the past winners and finalists of the Awards?
A. Please refer to the Award Winners section of the site.
Q. Can I enter the Awards next year?
A. Yes. However, if you are the winner for a category and wish to enter that same category next year, your new entry must be for new or different achievements save for winners of Lifetime Achievement Award who are ineligible to enter the Business Person of the Year Award.
Q. Do I get feedback on my application?
A. All applicants are offered the opportunity to receive feedback. If requested feedback will be distributed following the end of the Awards.
Q. If I have more questions, who can I contact?
A. All questions relating to the Awards must be submitted via the enquiry form on the Awards website. All questions will be answered via return email within two business days from the time the enquiry form is received.
