Gold Coast business leaders celebrate 20 years of awards

Written on the 19 May 2015

A Who's Who list of the Gold Coast business and political elite turned out in force to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.

More than 70 of the Coast's leading power broker turned up for the launch of the 2015 awards at the home of Burleigh Brewing, the winner of the 2014 Gold Coast Business of the Year title.

The attendees included Les Green and Paul Cox, two of the men who started the honours scheme, and Matthew Whitton, the owner of Fast Proof Press, the first company to be named as the best business in the city.

Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards president Ian Cousins said the awards had grown significantly in size and importance during the past 20 years.

"The awards have grown to become the region's most comprehensive and prestigious awards scheme,'' said Mr Cousins.

"Each year between the months of May and November we give the owner and mangers of Gold Coast businesses more than 70 awards.

"And each year the competition gets tougher and the quality of the entrants becomes even more impressive. These days our winners and our sponsors are household names in the Queensland business sector."

Mr Cousins paid tribute to Mr Green, Mr Cox and the other foundation members of the organising committee.

"The awards have become an important part of the business calendar, so much so that they are now tied to the Gold Coast City Council's procurement policy, and we would not be here tonight without the foresight of the original committee members."

The awards' sponsors include City of Gold Coast, Suncorp Bank, AusIndustry, OntheNet, Griffith University, Regional Development Australia Gold Coast and Gold Coast Airport.

The major supporters are SMART McCann Worldgroup, Document Solutions Australia, Consulting Hall, Jupiter's Gold Coast, Regina King Photography, Bruce Lynton BMW, Bond University, KPMG, Dreamweavers and CGC Premiums and Merchandise.

The awards' media sponsors include the Gold Coast Bulletin, NBN Television, 92.5 Gold FM and 90.9 Sea FM.