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2023 CWB
SYNERGY GROUP Awards

the 2023 nominations are now open 

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Nominations open 4 September to 29 September inclusive. 

Canberra Women in Business (CWB) acknowledges that the Canberra community has many women led businesses contributing to the fabric that is our Canberra landscape. Each year, CWB endeavor to pay tribute to those women who put in an outstanding effort in their chosen vocation.

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The annual CWB Awards serve to:

  • Encourage, acknowledge and reward valuable contributions and outstanding achievements,

  • Focus on small to medium size businesses and individuals providing leadership and initiative,

  • Enhance the social, economic, commercial and environmental prosperity of the Canberra region.

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Canberra Women in Business invites members and non members to enter the awards dinner   

ACT Government
Businesswoman of the Year

This award is for the woman who demonstrates exceptional leadership, tenacity, compassion, encouragement and the pursuit of excellence. The Business Woman of the Year is a role model for other businesswomen, she implements new initiatives in the workplace, being visionary and providing employment opportunities. 

 

Any women in business over the age of 18 may enter.

Solace Creations
Small Business Award

This award is for a female-led business that has 20 or fewer employees and has shown excellence in growth, both financially and in the number of clients. The Small Business of the Year demonstrates innovative ideas in business and marketing and promotes diversity and the role of women in their industry. Micro businesses and sole traders are encouraged to enter this category. 

 

Any woman in business over the age of 18 may enter. Small Business is defined as having 20 employees or fewer.

Canberra Weekly
Micro-Business Award

This award is for a female-led business that has 1 to 4 employees and has shown excellence in growth, both financially and in the number of clients. The Micro Business of the Year demonstrates innovative ideas in business and marketing and may promote diversity and the role of women in their industry.  

 

Any woman in business over the age of 18 may enter. Micro is defined as solo and/or having 4 employees or fewer.

Parbery Consulting
Young Businesswoman
of the Year

This award is for the young woman who demonstrates leadership, tenacity, compassion, encouragement and the pursuit of excellence. The Young Business Woman of the Year is aged 30 years or under, and is a role model for other businesswomen, she implements new initiatives in the workplace, being visionary and providing employment opportunities.

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Any woman in business between the ages of

18 and 30 years may enter.

Chamberlains
Innovation Award

This award is for a female-led business that best demonstrates excellence in the areas of science, technology, and innovation, and is a role model for women and girls wanting to pursue careers or businesses in these fields. This award will recognise growth, both financially and in the number of clients, and the application of new ideas for business opportunities.

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Any woman in business over the age of 18 may enter.

SCA
Indigenous Businesswomen of the Year

This award is for the Indigenous woman who demonstrates leadership, tenacity, compassion, encouragement, and the pursuit of excellence. The Indigenous Business Woman of the Year is a role model for other businesswomen, she implements new initiatives in the workplace, being visionary and providing employment opportunities. 

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Any woman in business over the age of 18 and identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Synergy Group
Social Impact Award

This award is for the woman who demonstrates leadership, tenacity, compassion, encouragement, pursuit of excellence and is a role model for other businesswomen in the field of non-for-profit business, public or community service or social enterprise. This award will recognise those unsung heroes who help build our social economy, working for the most vulnerable in our community making it a better place for all. This category invites applications from business women in the not-for-profit sector, public service or other business area which is focused on community outcomes. 

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Any woman in business over the age of 18 may enter.

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the 2023 Synergy CWB awards you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are a business owner, manager or work in an organisation, department or company

  • You reside and work in the ACT or surrounding region

  • You are an Australian resident over 18 years of age

  • You are not serving on the CWB committee

  • You have not previously won the award for the category in which you are entering

  • You are not on the judging panel and have not been involved in the judging in the past 2 years

  • If entering the Young Business Woman Award you are 30 years old or under

  • If entering the Small Business Woman of the Year Award you have 20 or fewer employees

  • If entering the Micro Business Woman of the Year Award you have 1-4 employees maximum (this category includes women who work by themselves and have no employees)

  • For Innovation and Social Impact Categories, you are a business owner, manager or work in an organisation, department or company

  • For Small Business, Indigenous Woman, Young Business Woman and Business Woman of the Year categories, you must be the business owner of the associated business nominated.

 

Rewards

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Winners receive:

  • a framed commemorative certificate,

  • a trophy,

  • permission to display the Synergy CWB Awards winner logo,

  • Canberra Weekly cover and editorial,

  • inclusion in press releases,

  • promotion on the CWB website,

  • exclusive Invitation to Keynote present at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Event (November),

  • opportunities to host or present workshops / keynotes / panel members at CWB events.

 

Judging

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The appointed Judging Panel consists of a panel of leaders in their fields, including business, for-purpose, social enterprise, government,  science and technology and community sectors. Judges are not allowed to simultaneously serve on the committee and the judging panel. A judge is excluded from entering the awards.

Each submission is scored on presentation and content. All questions must be answered within the prescribed word count. Once all entries have been assessed the judges will shortlist the most outstanding candidates for each category. Shortlisted entrants will be notified that they are finalists. Finalists are expected to attend the Gala Awards dinner at their own cost.

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RULES

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  • Entry is open to all CWB members and non-members.

  • Eligibility for entry is dependent on the award category and may be open to businesses, organisations and/or individuals.

  • An entrant must complete the introduction form.

  • Entry form for each award has word limits applying to each question as stated.

  • Entry to multiple award categories is allowed.

  • Each category requires a separate entry form.

  • Entry must be submitted via the link received upon accepting the nomination.

  • Entry for CWB Members is free.

  • Sponsors are ineligible to enter.

  • Non-members of CWB are welcome to enter for an entry fee of $150 for each category. The entry fee must be paid for each category entered.

  • Young Business Woman of the Year entrants MUST provide a copy of a ‘Proof of Age’ document or the submission will be disqualified.

  • Business Woman of the Year, Young Business Woman of the Year, Indigenous Business Woman of the Year, Small Business Woman of the Year and Micro Business Woman of the Year entrants MUST submit financial documentary evidence or the submission will be disqualified.

  • Supporting documents and photographs must be provided with your entry and clearly labelled.

  • It is assumed that all entrants are ‘environment-friendly’ and are fulfilling all compliance obligations in relation to their business.

  • Nominations and supporting material remain the property of the CWB Awards office and will not be returned. You may include commercial-in-confidence material. All information collected is handled with the upmost respect and privacy in line with CWB Privacy policy which can be found here: The Formalities | CWB

  • All entrants will be provided a nominee badge to share on their social media and website.

  • All entrants who are notified as a finalist:

  • must agree to any local, interstate or national marketing and media publicity associated with the awards. Your photograph and questions 1 and 2 of your entry information will be used for publicity purposes.

  • will be able to use ‘Finalist 2023 Synergy CWB Awards’ and a logo (provided after the Awards announcements) for future advertising.

  • are expected to attend the Gala Awards dinner, at own cost on Friday 27 October 2023 at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra. Dinner, drinks and entertainment is included in the ticket price (less than $200).

  • are encouraged to display the ‘Finalist 2023 Synergy CWB Awards’ badge on their social media and website.

  • All Award winners are encouraged to display the ‘Winner 2023 Synergy CWB Awards’ badge on their social media and website.

  • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

  • Nominations must be submitted through the CWB Awards portal no later than MIDNIGHT (12 AM) Friday, 29th September 2023. Late entries will not be considered.

  • CWB reserves the right to not award any category where entries do not meet the judging criteria.

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