After much build up and excitement, the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry Business Awards for 2010-2011 were held on Saturday 5^th of November at the Ipswich Civic Centre.

The sell out event was gifted with perfect weather conditions and this year saw a large cross-section of businesses represented of all sizes and from the length and breadth of the Ipswich Region and those in attendance were, over a three course meal, treated to terrific entertainment from a variety of acts as well as an outstanding field of finalists and eventual winners.

It was a night to come together to celebrate success and to recognise achievement.  It was also an opportunity for us to stop and reflect on just how far we have come over the past year.

In keeping with our Shop Ipswich initiative, the Chamber looked to “put our money where our mouth is” and therefore the entire evening showcased just some of the talent Ipswich has to offer. 

Except for the headline artists, everything from the entertainment to the napkins was sourced locally - something of which we were insistent and I am personally very proud.

On behalf of the Board I offer my sincere congratulations to the winners of each category:

Ipswich City Council – New Business of the Year
-          Battery World Ipswich

Recruitment Queensland/Institute of Training & Career Development – Customer Service Award
-          Gawdy Green Copy & PRINT

Apprenticeships Queensland – Employer Committed to Training Award
-          Origin Alliance (Connecting Dinmore to Goodna)

The Ipswich Club – Tourism/Event of the Year Award
-          The Ipswich Turf Club – The Ipswich Cup

The Ipswich Study – Community Involvement Award (Non Profit)
-          Uniting Care Community – Lifeline Ipswich

The Bremer Institute of TAFE – Young Business Person of the Year Award (35 years & under)
-          Clinton Abel

RPQ – Business Person of the Year Award (36 years & over)
-          Jan Gadsden

The QT – Small Business of the Year Award (less than 10 staff)
-          Extreme Safety

Bendigo Bank – Business of the Year Award (10 staff and over)
-          Capral (Aluminium Extrusions)

Mayor’s Future Focused Award
-          Wray Organic Market & Café

 Ipswich Chamber of Commerce President’s Award
-          Margaret Hooper

This night, as with all great nights, could not be done without the help of an army of people behind the scenes and I wish to thank everyone involved for an event that will be talked about for weeks to come, including: Articulate Framing, Trophies R Us, Lyle Radford Photography, Inscape Photography,

Ipswich Events Corporation, especially Paul, Lisa, Lowana, Joanne, Sylvia, our entertainers – Suade, The Urchins, The Shayne McCormick Dance School, Thomas Keenan and Mark Denton, the Ipswich Civic Centre team (Vinay, Kim, Ross, Gary, David Finn and the audio team), our Strategic Partner - River 949 as MCs, with special thanks to Ruby Slipperz and Mike Byrne, Andrew Spark Advertising & Marketing and Naomi George for their input into the evening.

Special thanks too, to our Season Partners, our Principal Media Partner – The QT. 

And of course, last but not least:  Amy & Carol without whom none of this would have been possible...

Upcoming Events
Friday 25^th November – Suncorp Bank Business Leaders Series Panel Lunch.  The Ipswich Club.  12pm to 2:15pm.  Theme:  The Importance of Community Engagement – Looking Forward.  Panel speakers including:  Dan Dredge – Suncorp Bank, Ps Mark Edwards – Ipswich Region Community Church and John Buchanan – former Australian Cricket Team Coach.  $77 Members, $88 Non-members.
Tuesday 6^th December – Chamber AGM & Networking AFTER 5.  The Ipswich Club. 5:00pm to 8:00pm.  Free event for members.  Guests $25.

Contact the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry.  Phone 3282 8688. Web  www.ipswichchamber.org.au.  Email admin@ipswichchamber.org.au