Finalists have been announced for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, after a record number of entries were submitted for the annual accolades.

Judges spent hundreds of hours deliberating over nominations before compiling shortlists among which hinterland businesses featured prominently.

Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said there were now 137 high-calibre finalists in the running for awards in 16 categories, after more than 400 entries were submitted.

“Year on year, we see higher and higher quality entries, and it is very clear entrants are working hard on their applications, so I would like to congratulate this year’s finalists and also thank everyone who entered,” she said.

Finalists will undergo interviews with judges before winners announced.

“Finalists will also have the opportunity to participate in the masterclass to assist them to make the most of being a finalist, ahead of the much-anticipated awards gala in November.”

Mrs Swaine said the awards were possible thanks to the volunteer awards committee, the panel of judges and via the financial support of sponsors.

Awards judging chair Bruce Williams said the judges were successful businesspeople who volunteered their time to read through the entries and they would participate in the interview process for finalists.

“Each judge has read over 20 applications, which means the judges have read about 110,000 words each. Combined, that is more than 2.8 million words read, or like reading all seven Harry Potter novels 2.6 times, so it is a lot of work,” he said.

The awards are reliant on sponsorships to ensure they can deliver the program throughout the year, leading to the Gala Awards Celebration in November. There was a record level of support from sponsors this year, including from naming rights sponsor, LPE.

“We now look forward to working with our finalists as we complete the judging process and are excited as we head towards our celebration gala event that will be held on the 11th November at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre,” Mrs Swaine said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the committee members who are also volunteers and who contribute around 100 volunteer hours a month to deliver the awards year after year.”

Businesses Accommodation

• Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters, Birtinya • Misty View Cottages, Montville • Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Montville • Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort, Noosa Heads • Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages, Cooran • Team BnB, Noosaville.

Advanced Technologies

• Cérge, Peregian Beach • Dr App, Sippy Downs • GreaseBoss, Birtinya • Raider Targetry, Kunda Park • Sell Securely, Noosaville.

Building and Construction

• Absolute Plastering, Cooroibah • Advanced Aquarium Technologies, Kunda Park • AMG Kitchens, Warana • Nyblad Constructions, Caloundra West • Oly Homes, Yandina • Qspec Building Mobility Solutions, Maroochydore • Stilus Design and Construction, Forest Glen.

Business Services

• ABA Advice Beyond Accounting, Birtinya • Admins The Answer, Peregian Springs • COPY CRED, Beerburrum • Crisp Communications Co, Tewantin • DIGITALON, Wurtulla • Fishbowl, Mooloolaba • GetSynergy, Warana • Henzells Agency, Caloundra • Kaizen Marketing, Maroochydore • Kook Digital & Web, Mooloolaba • Pixel Co Creative & Marketing, Maroochydore • Secure Access IT, Maroochydore • Social Tap, Noosaville • Sunny Advertising Group, Maroochydore • Whitelight Communications, Coolum Beach.

Clean Technology

• Aussie Tiny Houses, Coolum Beach • ECOllaboration, Nambour • Mineral Fox, Coolum Beach • Oggy Scooters, Mooloolaba • Pipe Management Australia, Maroochydore.

Creative Industries

• Dance Energy Studios, Caloundra • Ignite and Write by Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane, Beerwah • Empire Art Photography, Mountain Creek • Raw Lens, Birtinya • Your Brand Crew, Buderim.

Education and Training

• Kate Langford Consulting, Birtinya • Nikki Fogden-Moore The Mojo Maker, Doonan • NumberWorks’nWords Sippy Downs, Sippy Downs • The Eighth Mile Consulting, Caloundra.

Experiences

• Amaze World, Tanawha • Aussie World, Palmview • Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba, Mooloolaba • Creative Tours, Minyama • ecoTekk Sunshine Coast, Kulangoor • Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Wootha • NOOSA alive!, Noosaville • Sunreef, Mooloolaba • Sunshine Coast Ballooning, Cooroy • Sunshine Coast Lightning, Sippy Downs • Sunshine Coast Virtual Reality Centre, Birtinya • Tipsy Tours, Buderim Category Finalist Businesses.

Export

• Nikki Fogden-Moore The Mojo Maker, Doonan • The Eighth Mile Consulting, Caloundra • GreaseBoss, Birtinya • Advanced Aquarium Technologies, Kunda Park • Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment, Lake Macdonald • Smartline Medical, Yandina • Sunreef, Mooloolaba.

Food and Agribusiness

• Beachtree Distilling Co., Caloundra West • Cooee Coffee Co., Bli Bli • Global Boss International, Eerwah Vale • Green Valley Fingerlimes, Peachester • Maleny Dairies, Maleny • Noosa Black Garlic, Peregian Beach • Peachester Fresh, Peachester • Wild Horse Turf, Glass House Mountains.

Health and Wellness

• Body and Mind by Leon, Warana • Bubble ‘n’ Kick Swim School, Forest Glen • Comfort Dental Centre Buderim, Buderim • Embody Movement, Currimundi • How’s Your Head Space, Wurtulla • Integrated Rehab Centre, Noosaville • Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group, Birtinya.

Hospitality

• Alex Surf Club, Alexandra Headland • Bella Venezia Restaurant, Mooloolaba • Kaali Gourmet Indian Restaurant, Noosa Heads • Montanas On Buderim, Buderim • Sunny Rays Catering, Mountain Creek • Sunshine Beach Surf Club, Noosa Heads • Tony Kelly Restaurant Group, Mooloolaba.

Manufacturing

• Eniquest, Bells Creek • First Light Fabrication, Bells Creek • G&M Craftsman Cabinets, Maroochydore • Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment, Lake Macdonald • Milkman Grooming Co, Maroochydore • Metalmorphic Laser, Kunda Park • Rockcote Enterprises, Yandina • Smartline Medical, Yandina • The Mattress Company, Yandina • Trailers 2000 Group, Beerwah.

Professional Services

• Aitken Legal, Birtinya • Animal Emergency Service Tanawha, Tanawha • Bennett + Bennett, Maroochydore • Bradley & Bray Lawyers, Nambour • Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers, Maroochydore • CoastWide Smiles Dentalcare, Coolum Beach • Greenhalgh Pickard, Minyama • Gregson & Weight Funeral Directors, Caloundra • Habitance Architects, Mapleton • InDepth Accounting, Maroochydore • Just Skin Treatment Clinic, Maroochydore • KLM Solicitors, Maroochydore • Life Law Mediations, Maroochydore • Ocean Buyers Agency, Mooloolaba • Shanahan Family Law, Maroochydore • Tonkin, Maroochydore • X-Ray & Imaging, Maroochydore • Yield Advisory, Maroochydore Category Finalist Businesses.

Retail

• Amplitude, Baringa • Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast, Tewantin • BOQ Noosa, Noosaville • Foam & Rubber Industries, Buderim • Hooper Ruff, Mountain Creek • Little Miss Boho, Palmwoods • North Coast Boating, Caloundra West • The Branding Office, Noosaville • White’s IGA, Bli Bli.

Social Impact

• Comlink Australia, Birtinya • Destiny Rescue, Warana • endED, West Woombye • Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, Doonan • Manufacturing Excellence Forum, Aroona • REFOCUS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Rosemount • Stymie, Buderim • SunnyKids, Maroochydore • Youturn, Tewantin.

Trades and Services

• Bailey and Dalton Electrical, Maroochydore • Bespoke Noosa Car Rentals, Noosa Heads • Chucks Electrical, Mountain Creek • In Curtains and Blinds, Maroochydore • Laguna Pest Control, Noosaville • Magic Touch Cleaning, Baringa • Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery, Minyama • The Laundry Lady, Baringa • Thermal Scanners, Maroochydore • Toucan Removals & Storage, Kunda Park.