Frequently Asked Questions
How do l enter my business in the Awards?
The first step is to download the nomination form/s from this website. Nominations for 2008 open on 14 July 2008.
The next step is to complete your entry. Please note you must complete all questions on the nomination form within the specified word limit.
Finally you must submit your nomination form both electronically through this website, as well as in hard copy to the postal address provided on the nomination form. This must include one original and three duplicates of your nomination, including any supporting material.
Supporting material should not exceed 20 A4 pages in length. Any audio/visual material should be provided on a CD or DVD. All supporting material must be referenced within your nomination form.
Entries will close on Monday 25 August 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
- 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
- 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, business may enter in all nomination categories if they choose. The only category not open for direct nomination is the Optus Platinum Award for Significant Business Contribution to Brisbane. 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 2007/2008 Financial Year?
The only category which is limited to the 2007/2008 financial year is the National Australia Bank Award for New Investment.
Can I provide supporting material?
Yes, supporting material can be attached to nominations. This is most frequently used by nominees in the Nova 106.9 Award for Creativity Category, to provide judges with visual examples of work. However, nominees for all categories are welcome to provide supporting material.
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 300 word limit allowed in the nomination form. Any supporting material in hard copy should not exceed 20 A4 pages.
How will I know if my entry is received?
An email will be sent to all entrants confirming entries have been received.
Will there be any feedback on my entry?
Feedback will be provided to all non-finalists. This feedback will be in the form of an aggregated score given by the judging panel across each of the relevant category’s selection criteria.
This feedback will be provided to each non-finalist in November 2008 via mail.
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 2 business days from the time the email is received.
What happens to my entry at the conclusion of the Awards?
At the conclusion of the Awards, all hard copies of submissions will be destroyed and not returned. For this reason, please ensure that you keep a copy of your submission for your own records and do not send in the original of any supporting documents, such as press clipping or certificates.
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 not selected as a finalist?
All finalists will receive a phone call. A letter will be sent to all non-finalists.
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) which will be reviewed by our appointed accountant to ensure finalists are financially stable and trading solvent. All financial information will be kept strictly confidential.
My business has not been in operation for 2 years therefore cannot submit 2 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 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 Past Winners section.
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 2008 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards must be submitted via the enquiry form on this website. No questions will be answered via telephone. All questions will be answered via return email within 2 business days from the time the email is received.