We mean business! Voting on City of Sydney Business Awards smashes record

25 August 2009

Despite the global economic downturn, the 2009 annual City of Sydney Business Awards has smashed all the records with nearly 600 businesses nominated (double the number from 2008) and 34,900 votes from the public (triple the number last year).

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the huge turnout in voting, which closed on 16 August, showed that small and medium businesses are the vital heartbeat of economic activity in Sydney.

"Small and medium sized business in the City of Sydney local government area accounts for a staggering 12.5% of State GDP and nearly 5% of Australian national GDP," Ms Moore said.

"We have more than 20,000 small and medium businesses operating and the City's Business Awards show our commitment to supporting them on their road to becoming successful and sustainable enterprises," said Ms Moore.

"Importantly, the awards also acknowledge business leadership in sustainability, fair trade and social responsibility, and encourage good corporate citizenship and corporate responsibility."

"I'm very pleased to see that in the Best Environmental Business category, so many cycling-related businesses were nominated and received so many votes. This reflects the City's allocation of over $70 million over the next four years to build an effective cycleway network across the local government area."

"Additionally, the interest in this year's new  Fair Trade Award category reflects a growing commitment to the fair trade principles of tackling poverty through trade as evidenced through relationships with suppliers, promotion and marketing of fair trade ideals and business practice ethics", Ms Moore said.

"The Awards are also a great way for business to market themselves and do some valuable networking in these difficult financial times."

Nominations and voting opened July 3. Votes were cast on-line or via SMS. The top five vote-getters in each category now qualify as finalists. Winners will be announced at the City of Sydney Business Awards Gala Dinner on October 20. 

[please see list of finalists in each category below]

Media contact: Duncan Fine 0410 335 258

City of Sydney Business Awards 2009 - Finalists

 Accommodation - Luxury, Deluxe & Boutique

Quality Hotel Cambridge

Quest Potts Point

The Atlas Serviced Apartments

Vulcan Hotel

Wyndham Vacation Resort Asia Pacific Sydney

Accommodation - Standard & Budget

BIG hostel

Glebe Point YHA

Ibis Sydney King Street Wharf

Pensione Hotel Sydney

Westend Backpackers

Cafes (casual dining)

CREMA 55

MISSCHU

Salad Bar

SizeMatters Eatstation

The Gusstop

Charity

Birrung Gallery World Vision Australia

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation

COCOS - Coptic Orthodox Community Outreach Service

CREATE Foundation

South Sydney Community Aid Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre

Cultural & Creative Services

CarriageWorks

Museum of Contemporary Art

Queen Street Studio

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir

The Laugh Garage Comedy Club

Disability Inclusiveness Award

Australian Employers' Network on Disability

Best Buddies Australia

IDEAS NSW - Information on Disability & Education Awareness Services

Education & Training

Australian Institute of Commerce and Language

Barista Basics Coffee Academy

Real Corporate Partners

Sydney Photographic Workshops

Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School

Bicycle NSW

Big Switch Projects

BikeSydney Inc

Jackgreen

Love Recycled

Fair Trade

Bholu Pty Ltd

Cocolo Chocolate

My Ecofriend

Oxfam Shop Broadway

Republica Coffee

Financial Services

AAA Commercial Mortgages

Holistic Home Loans

Investor Capital

The Mortgage Professionals

WLM Financial Services Pty Ltd

Food & Beverage Retail

7-Eleven Store

Bakerman Patisserie

bistroteque

The Deli Erskineville

Thomas Dux Grocer Surry Hills

Healthcare & Fitness

Bio Compatible Dentistry

City Clinic

Jensen's Tennis Centre

Pyrmont Dental Health

V Club

Household & General Retail

Afficionados of the Nod

buds&bowers

Gallery at the Wentworth

Kitcheners Kitchens

Silhouette Smash Repairs

Information & Communication Technology

IT Smart Solutions

Logicall Communications

MyNetFone

Sentia Australia Pty Ltd

ziller

Ag's Carpentry & Joinery

Bragg Printing

Brazil Clean

Melbourne Perfume Company

South Sydney Pest Control

Marketing & Communications

BrandQuest Pty Ltd

Cohort Digital

holla advertising

RANDEM Media

unimail

Professional & Business Services

ARW Chartered Accountants

Lucky You Found Me

POLYGLOT GROUP

Raine & Horne Chinatown

Space Commercial Property

Pubs, Hotels, Nightclubs & Venues

Bowlers' Club

Doltone House

NSW Leagues' Club

Slip Inn

The White Horse

Restaurants

Almond Bar

Emperor's Garden Restaurant

Five Stars Thaitanic Restaurant

Komachi Japanese Restaurant

Mulligan's Restaurant

Retail Beauty

Desmond & Molly Jones Hairdressing

Sas&Lou

Spabar

Stevie English Hair

Suki Hairdressing

Retail Fashion

Blue Spinach

CAPITAL-L

DFS Australia Pty Ltd

Kruvell

The Fabric Store

Hobbyco

Iced Affair

Mama Kaz

RedBalloon

SleeveMasters Tattoo Studio

Takeaway Food & Catering Services

Chop Chop Your Sandwich Shop

D.A.R.E Delicious And Responsible Eating

freshcatering

Luneburger German Bakery

Summerrolls

Tourism

Australian National Maritime Museum

ecruising.travel

Great Race

Sydney Showboats

Ultimately Sydney

Related Resources

Atlassian, 2008 Business of the Year & Information and Communication Award winner

Moi Moi Fine Jewellery, Retail Fashion Award winner

Crema 55, Cafe Award winner