PEOPLE’S CHOICE NOMINATIONS OPEN!
2026 Business Orange Awards
Celebrating excellence, innovation and outstanding contribution across our local business community.
People's Choice Voting Opens 3 August
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Orange's Night to Celebrate Local Business
The annual Business Orange Awards program is the opportunity for local businesses, their staff and business leaders to be recognised for their outstanding work and contribution to the Orange region.
Run by Business Orange, the Awards celebrate businesses and individuals across all industries and sizes. Winners of eligible categories also progress to the Western NSW Regional Business Awards, giving Orange businesses a pathway to regional and state recognition.
ENTRIES FOR JUDGED CATEGORIES NOW CLOSED.
NOMINATIONS FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE CLOSING 2 AUGUST 2026.
2026 Business Orange Awards Key Dates
12 JUNE
Entries open
19 JULY
Deadline extended to 11:59pm Sunday
21 JULY-2 AUGUST
People’s Choice Nominations
3 AUGUST
People’s Choice
Voting announced
TBA
Finalists Announced
25 SEPTEMBER
Gala Awards Evening
12 JUNE
19 JULY
Deadline extended to 11:59pm Sunday
21 JULY-2 AUGUST
3 AUGUST
People’s Choice Voting announced
TBA
25 SEPTEMBER
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
The Business Orange Awards are only possible with the generous support of our Event Partners and Sponsors.
Thank you to the following businesses who are proudly supporting the 2026 Awards Program:
EVENT PARTNERS
MAJOR SPONSORS
CATEGORY SPONSORS
Also kindly supported by:
An Unforgettable Night for the Orange Business Community
The Business Orange Awards Gala Night is one of the premier events on the Orange business calendar. Join finalists, sponsors, business leaders and community members for a spectacular evening at Banksia, celebrating the best of our business community.
SAVE THE DATE: 25 September, 2026 – Banksia, Orange
Finalists receive early access to tickets with general ticket sales open soon after.
2026 Business Orange Award Categories
People's Choice Categories - nominations now open
The People’s Choice categories are the only Business Orange Awards judged by the public. Nominations are now open. Keep an eye on our social media and member newsletter for updates.
Orange's Trade Star(s)
Celebrating the tradespeople and trade businesses that keep Orange running – nominated and voted for by the Orange community.
Entry/Nomination Criteria
This category is open to any tradesperson or trade business operating in Orange, including but not limited to builders, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, landscapers and other skilled trades.
Orange's Customer Service Star(s)
Celebrating the businesses and individuals who go above and beyond for their customers – nominated and voted for by the Orange community!
Entry/Nomination Criteria
This category is open to any business or individual operating in Orange who delivers direct customer service, regardless of industry or business size.
Orange's Outstanding Creative Talent
Celebrating the creative businesses and individuals who bring originality, craft and creative excellence to Orange – nominated and voted for by the community!
Entry/Nomination Criteria
This category is open to creative businesses and individuals operating in Orange, in fields such as writing, visual art, music, photography, design, performance or other creative disciplines, regardless of business size.
Orange's Favourite Business
Celebrating the businesses that Orange loves most – nominated and voted for by the community!
Entry/Nomination Criteria
This category is open to all businesses operating in Orange, regardless of industry, size or how long they have been trading.
Individual Categories (entries closed)
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE
OUTSTANDING YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER – 20 EMPLOYEES & UNDER
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER – 21 EMPLOYEES & OVER
General Categories (entries closed)
EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
OUTSTANDING NEW BUSINESS
EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE – 20 EMPLOYEES & UNDER
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE – 21 EMPLOYEES & OVER
Industry Categories (entries closed)
EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING, TRADE & INDUSTRY
EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
EXCELLENCE IN PERSONAL & LIFESTYLE
EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL
Major Categories (entries closed)
Businesses did not need to enter Major Categories in 2026, thise who entered an Industry Category are automatically entered into the Major Business Category relevant to their size.
EXCELLENCE IN MICRO BUSINESS
EXCELLENCE IN SMALL BUSINESS
EXCELLENCE IN MEDIUM BUSINESS
EXCELLENCE IN LARGE BUSINESS
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Nominate for People's Choice!
People’s Choice nominations are a wonderful way to recognise local businesses, organisations and individuals!
People’s Choice categories are voted on by the public, allowing customers and community members to have a say and support their favourite business.
Nominations close on Sunday 2 August.
All Your Questions Answered!
Is it free to enter?
Yes – entry to the Business Orange Awards is completely free. There is no entry fee for any category.
Do I need to be a Business Orange member to enter?
No, the Business Orange Awards are open to all businesses operating in the Orange region, regardless of membership. However, to progress to the Business NSW Regional Awards if you win an eligible category, you will need to be a financial member of a local chamber or Business NSW. Find out more about membership here.
How many categories can I enter?
Established businesses may enter up to two business categories. You may enter both a general category (e.g. Employer of Choice) and an industry category (e.g. Excellence in Retail) if both are applicable.
New businesses operating for under 2 years may only enter the Outstanding New Business category and are ineligible for the other general categories and specific industry categories.
For eligible businesses, your industry submission will automatically be entered in the major category for your business size – ie, Excellence in Micro, Small, Medium or Large Business. There is no need to submit a separate entry for this category.
You and your team may also enter a relevant individual category where you are eligible, (eg. Outstanding Business Leader, Outstanding Employee).
Can I nominate someone else?
Yes you can! To nominate a local business or individual, please complete this short form.
Nominations vs. Submissions:
Nominations are a fantastic way to recognise local businesses, community organisations and leaders while encouraging them to enter the awards.
In order to be considered for an award, the nominee will still need to enter a written submission so it can be reviewed by the judges.
What happens when I nominate someone?
Shortly after you complete the nomination, your nominee will receive an email including your comments and information on the 2026 Awards program.
We also recommend letting them know you’ve nominated them if you can, just in case they miss the email or it ends up in their spam/junk folder (something we unfortunately cannot control).
What is the Outstanding Business of the Year award?
The Outstanding Business of the Year is the highest honour in the Business Orange Awards. It is not a direct entry category – it is awarded to the entrant whose submission scores most highly across all judged categories. Any business that enters is automatically eligible to be considered.
How is judging conducted?
All submissions are assessed by a panel of independent judges with a background in business or experience relevant to the categories they judge.
Judges are sourced from outside the Orange region through organisations such as other business chambers and conflicts of interest are checked before judging commences.
Judging is also completely confidential and merit-based, with judges signing an NDA before receiving submissions and assessing them using standardised scoring.
Finalists and winners are selected based solely on the quality of their submission.
What happens if I win?
Winners are announced at the Gala Night on 25 September 2026. Category winners in eligible Business NSW categories automatically progress to the Western NSW Business Awards, and from there, regional winners advance to the Business NSW State Awards.
More information on the Gala and accepting awards is provided to finalists closer to the date.
What is the Business NSW awards pathway?
The Business Orange Awards are part of the Business NSW awards network.
Winners in eligible categories progress to the Western NSW Business Awards. Regional winners in eligible categories then advance to the Business NSW State Awards – giving Orange businesses the opportunity for regional and state-level recognition.
All awards submissions in this process are completely free, however membership of a local chamber or Business NSW is required to be eligible for regional and state level awards.
Eligible categories that have recognised progression for local winners through the Business NSW Awards Pathway include Individual Categories, General Categories and Major Categories as listed above. Industry Specific categories do not have recognised progression.
When do Gala Night ticket sales open?
Finalists will receive priority early access to Gala Night tickets once they are announced. General ticket sales will open shortly after. Keep an eye on our website and social media, or our newsletter for Business Orange members – you’ll be the first to know.
I have more questions - who do I contact?
We’re happy to help! Email us at events@businessorange.com.au and we will get back to you within a couple of business days.