Knox Business Awards 2026 Nomination Form

KNOX COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

This award recognises businesses that make exceptional contributions to the Knox community through local employment, community partnerships, charitable support, and genuine investment in making Knox a better place to live and work.

Question 1: Community Contribution (300 words maximum)

Describe how your business contributes to the Knox community beyond your core business operations. Include specific examples from the past 12 months, such as:

- Support for local schools, sports clubs, or community organisations

- Charitable donations or in-kind support

- Community events you've sponsored or participated in

- Local employment and training opportunities you provide

- Volunteer programs or community initiatives

Question 2: People & Workplace Culture (250 words maximum)

How do you demonstrate care for your employees and create a positive workplace? Tell us about:

- Your approach to employee wellbeing and development

- How do you foster an inclusive and supportive workplace

- Training, mentoring, or advancement opportunities you provide

- How you handle customer feedback and complaints

Question 3: Values in Action (250 words maximum)

Tell us about a challenge your business faced in the past 12 months and how you addressed it in a way that reflected your values and commitment to doing the right thing. This could relate to customers, employees, suppliers, or the broader community.

Supporting Materials (Optional but strongly encouraged)

Upload up to 3 files that demonstrate your community contributions:

- Photos of community involvement or events

- Letters or certificates from organisations you've supported

- Customer or employee testimonials

- Media coverage or social media posts showing your impact

- Any other materials that showcase your achievements

*Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 5MB per file)

CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award recognises businesses that consistently deliver outstanding customer service and create exceptional experiences for their customers.

Question 1: Exceptional Customer Experience (300 words maximum)

What makes your customer experience exceptional? Provide specific examples of:
- How do you go above and beyond standard service expectations
- What distinguishes your customer service from competitors
- Systems or processes you have in place to ensure consistency
- How your team is trained and empowered to serve customers
- Specific initiatives you've implemented to improve customer experience

Question 2: Customer Feedback & Improvement (250 words maximum)

How do you gather and act on customer feedback? Describe:
- Your methods for collecting customer feedback
- How you respond to both positive feedback and complaints
- Specific improvements you've made based on customer input
- How you measure customer satisfaction

Question 3: Going Above & Beyond (250 words maximum)

Share a specific story that demonstrates how you or your team have gone above and beyond for a customer in the past year. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the outcome?

Supporting Materials (Optional but strongly encouraged)

Upload up to 3 files that demonstrate your customer excellence:

- Customer testimonials or reviews (screenshots acceptable)

- Photos showing customer interactions or experiences

- Awards or recognition you've received for customer service

- Examples of customer feedback and your responses

- Media coverage highlighting your customer service

*Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 5MB per file)*

INNOVATION & GROWTH AWARD

This award recognises businesses that demonstrate smart growth, creative problem-solving, and innovation in their approach to business.

Question 1: Innovation & Improvement (300 words maximum)

Describe a significant innovation or improvement your business has implemented in the past 12-18 months. This could be:

- A new product, service, or business model

- Process improvements that increased efficiency or quality

- Technology adoption that transformed your operations

- Creative solutions to industry challenges

- New approaches to sustainability or environmental impact

Explain what you did, why it was innovative, and what impact it has had.

Question 2: Growth & Adaptation (250 words maximum)

Address:

- Key milestones or achievements you've reached

- Challenges you've faced and how you overcame them

- How you've responded to changing market conditions or customer needs

- Measurable outcomes (revenue growth, new customers, market expansion, etc.)

Question 3: Future Vision (250 words maximum)

What are your plans for continued growth and innovation in Knox over the next 2-3 years? Describe:

- Your growth goals and strategies

- How you plan to contribute to Knox's economic development

- Investment you're planning in your business or the community

- Your vision for your business's future in Knox

Supporting Materials (Optional but strongly encouraged)

Upload up to 3 files that demonstrate your innovation and growth:

- Photos or documentation of innovations

- Before/after comparisons showing improvements

- Media coverage or industry recognition

- Customer testimonials about new offerings

- Data or metrics showing growth

*Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 5MB per file)*

YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER AWARD

This award recognises outstanding business leaders under the age of 35 who are making a significant impact in their business and the Knox community.*

Eligibility

- Applicant must be under 35 years of age as of July 31, 2026

- Must be in a leadership position (owner, director, senior manager, or similar)

- Business must operate within Knox LGA

Question 1: Leadership Profile (300 words maximum)

Provide a profile of your leadership role and responsibilities, including:

- Your current position and scope of responsibilities

- Your journey to this leadership role

- The size and nature of the business or team you lead

- Key achievements and milestones you've accomplished in this role

- Your leadership style and approach

Question 2: Impact & Innovation (300 words maximum)

Detail specific initiatives you have led that have made a positive impact. This could include:

- Business innovations or improvements you've championed

- How you've reshaped your workplace culture or operations

- Community initiatives you've led or participated in

- Mentoring or development of others

- Industry contributions or thought leadership

Provide concrete examples with measurable outcomes where possible.

Question 3: Overcoming Challenges (250 words maximum)

Describe key challenges you have faced as a young business leader and how you overcame them. What did you learn from these experiences?

Question 4: Future Goals (250 words maximum)

Outline your goals for the next 3-5 years, both professionally and in terms of contributing to the Knox business community. How are you working toward achieving these goals?

Supporting Materials (Optional but strongly encouraged)

Upload up to 3 files that demonstrate your leadership impact:

- Photos from business achievements or community involvement

- Media coverage or industry recognition

- Testimonials from colleagues, employees, or community partners

- Evidence of business growth or innovation under your leadership

- Awards or certifications

*Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 5MB per file)*