Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter my business in the Awards?

The first step is to download the nomination form/s from this website. Nominations for 2011 open Monday 6 June 2011.

The next step is to complete your entry. Please note you must complete all questions on the nomination form. Nominations are subject to a word limit. Entries that exceed the word limit will be penalised or may be disqualified from entry.

You must submit your nomination form electronically through this website, as well as 16 x hard copies sent to the postal address provided on the nomination form. This must include one signed original and duplicates of your nomination.

Entries that are bound or submitted in hard folders will not be accepted. Only nomination forms with completed answers will be accepted.

Entries will close on Friday 29 July at 5pm AEST.

Is my organisation eligible to nominate?

Almost all businesses operating in Brisbane are eligible to nominate for the Awards. This includes:

  • businesses headquartered in Brisbane;
  • businesses that are operating in Brisbane but are not headquartered in Brisbane;
  • not-for-profit businesses that are registered companies; and
  • companies with Brisbane City Council as a client.

The following organisations are not eligible to nominate:

  • government agencies or wholly-owned business subsidiaries of government; and
  • award sponsors are not eligible to nominate in their own sponsored Award category however can enter other categories.

Businesses that are closely tied to Award sponsors, such as parent or subsidiary companies should confirm their eligibility via the enquiry form on this website.

Can my business nominate in more than one category?

Yes, businesses may enter all categories if they choose. The only category not open for direct nomination is the Optus Platinum Award. This is awarded to the most outstanding category winner.

How do l nominate another business/person?

The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards does accept entries by third parties. Please submit the nomination as per the above instructions, and we will contact the relevant nominee for acceptance of the nomination.

We do suggest that any third party nominations be made as early as possible so that the nominee has time to review, add to, and accept the nomination.

Who should I involve in helping to develop my entry?

Enlist the help of people involved in your business. Your accountant may provide the required financial data in its most relevant form. Get a second opinion – once you believe you have completed your entry, seek an opinion from someone impartial.

Please note however that whilst LMBA staff and agents can answer technical questions relating to the programme, they cannot assist you with your entry.

Can I only nominate for achievements during the 2010/2011 Financial Year?

The only category which is limited to the 2010/2011 financial year is the National Australia Bank Award for New Investment.

Can I provide supporting material?

This question is most frequently asked by nominees in the Nova 106.9 Award for Creativity Category, to provide judges with visual examples of work. For this category only, you can submit only one piece of supportive material such as brochure, cd or DVD. All material should be referenced within the nomination (i.e. “please see attached DVD”). Supporting material cannot be used to provide attachments which seek to extend responses beyond the 500 word limit allowed in the nomination form.

How will I know if my entry is received?

An email will be sent to all entrants confirming entries have been received.

What if something changes in my contact details after I submit my entry?

Use the enquiry form on the website to inform us of you detail changes, and we will confirm these within two business days from the time the email is received.

What happens to my entry at the conclusion of the Awards?

All hard copies will be destroyed and not returned. For this reason, please ensure that you keep a copy of your submission for your own records.

Brisbane Marketing will retain electronic copies of all entries for probity reasons. All information on these entries will be kept confidential.

How secure is my entry in terms of confidentiality?

Throughout the judging process the information contained in your submission will only be accessible to Brisbane Marketing, its appointed agents, and the Award judges, each of whom is required to sign a strict confidentiality agreement.

Who judges my entry?

The judges are local and national experts drawn from relevant business disciplines.

How will I know if I'm selected as a finalist?

All finalists will receive a phone call on Monday 5 September 2011 by 5pm AEST. An email will be sent to all entrants.

What is the next step if I'm selected as a finalist?

You will be required to submit two years of financial statements (profit & loss and balance sheets) or a letter from your financial controller/ accountant stating the business is trading solvent. This will be reviewed by our appointed accountant to ensure finalists are financially stable and trading solvent. All financial information will be kept strictly confidential.

How do I purchase tickets to the awards event?

All tickets will be purchased from this website through our secured online payment system. Tickets will be $165+GST, and available for purchase individually, or in tables of 10.

My business has not been in operation for two years therefore cannot submit two years' worth of financial statements, can we still nominate?

Yes, if you are selected as a finalist please and have not been operating for two years, please just supply the financial statements you already have and note the age of your business. We may also require a letter from your accountant to verify the company is trading solvent.

How have past winners used the Awards' logo?

The logo has been used on company stationary, websites and advertising material.

Who are some of the past winners of the Awards?

Please refer to the Award Winners section of the site

Can I enter the Awards next year?

Yes. Many entries can simply be “rolled over” in to the next year.

If I have more questions, who can I contact?

All questions relating to the 2011 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards must be submitted via the enquiry form on this website. All questions will be answered via return email within two business days from the time the email is received.