For the first time, our Regional Business Awards and the Visitor Economy Awards were united on one stage.Hosted by Gina & Matty from Star 104.5, the evening opened with a moving Acknowledgement of Country by Tim Selwyn from Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, reminder that our success sits on deep cultural foundations and a strong sense of place.
Bringing the two programs together felt natural. The visitor economy and the broader business community are inseparable on the Coast. Hospitality operators depend on local manufacturers and professional services; tech firms and tradies keep our venues humming; and our tourism experiences draw the talent that fuels start-ups and established companies alike.
This combined celebration was designed to recognise that shared momentum, nd the people behind it.
To every entrant, finalist, and winner across both programs: congratulations. Your courage to put your work forward, to be judged by your peers, and to tell your story publicly is what raises the bar for all of us.
Over the past year, we’ve asked a lot of Coast businesses: adapt to cost pressures, find and keep great people, digitise faster, and invest through uncertainty. You’ve responded with grit, creativity, and an unmistakable Central Coast optimism. That spirit shines through in the judging room and on the stage.
This year’s awards also mark how far our region has come and where we’re headed next. In the face of sustained cost pressures (insurance, energy, taxes and levies) and a tight housing market that makes it harder for people to live close to where they work, Coast businesses are still backing themselves.
Confidence has rebounded, hiring plans are holding up, and firms are leaning into innovation and skills. That is the Central Coast storyand it’s a powerful one.
I also want to thank everyone who makes nights like this possible: our volunteer judges, the production crew and venue teams, and the many businesses that sponsor and support the program year after year. In particular, thank you to our Gold Partner, University of Newcastle; our Major Sponsors- Optus, Dyson Logistics, and NeuroKind; our Major Partners (Visitor Economy Awards) Central Coast Council and Gosford Erina Business Chamber; our Media Partners Star 104.5 and the Central Coast Sun and our host venue, Mingara Recreation Club.
Last year, I wrote that these awards recognise not only excellence but determination; the capacity to adapt and excel in changing conditions. That holds even truer this year. The standard of entries was exceptional, judging margins were razor thin, and the breadth of innovation from micro businesses to major employerswas inspiring. If you made it to finalist or winner status, your team should be immensely proud.
What comes next? Eligible category winners from our Regional Business Awards will progress to the NSW State Business Awards in Sydney on Wednesday 29 October an opportunity to showcase Central Coast capability on a statewide stage. I hope you’ll cheer them on as representatives of the whole region’s progress.
To everyone who participated. Thank you for backing yourselves, and for backing the Coast. Let’s keep the momentum: collaborate, invest, hire, train, and build. Together we can turn this year’s success into next year’s growth.
Scott Goold is Regional Director, Business NSW Central Coast.
