The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat won the top prize at the Blue Mountains Business Awards at the Fairmont Resort on Friday night, October 14.
Scenic World director Philip Hammon presented Mountain Heritage CEO Eric Sward with the prestigious Harry Hammon Business of the Year Award.
The Mountain Heritage also won the Blue Mountains Accommodation Award.
More than 260 people from over 80 Blue Mountains businesses were in the room when Candy Stripe Circus kicked the night off with an aerial act.
MC, Katherine Hawes from Digital Age Lawyers, entertained the audience and kept the evening moving through the 20 award presentations. The Billies, a group of Blaxland High School students, received huge applause after they did a medley of 60s and 70s hits.
Three businesses were multiple winners on the night. Richards Financial Services took home the excellence in business ethics award, business services and a highly commended in employer of choice; Mortgage Choice Blue Mountains and Penrith won for excellence in small business and tied for first place in business services; while Rubyfruit won the excellence in sustainability award and the hospitality award.
The very popular BlueMountainsAustralia.com People’s Choice Award was won by Glen Isla Luxury Blue Mountains Accommodation and was presented by Ben Curran of Stralia Web.
The Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber won the Chamber of Commerce award which was judged by the NSW Business Chamber and presented by Regional Manager, Michelle Caruso. Eights board members and executive general manager, Julie Bargenquast, accepted the award.
Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber president Peita Davies said it was “such an honour in my first year as president to take out this prestigious award and I thank the board and the general manager for making it happen with their focus, progressive attitude and diligence in creating a vibrant and engaged business community”.
Local winners of state-aligned award categories will represent the region in the state finals in November. They are: Richards Financial Services; Mortgage Choice Blue Mountains and Penrith; Woodford Homes; Choice Home Loans Penrith and Blue Mountains; Andrea Turner-Boys (Women with Altitude); Alicia Windeisen (Conveyancing Smart); and Kylie McInerney (Blue Mountains YHA); along with the Regional Business Chamber.
The full list of all winning and highly commended businesses were:
Young Entrepreneur (Age 18-35): Alicia Windeisen, Conveyancing Smart
Business Leader (Age 36+): Andrea Turner-Boys, Women with Altitude
Young Business Executive (Age 18-35): Kylie McInerney, Blue Mountains YHA
Excellence in Business Ethics: Winner: Richards Financial. Highly Commended: Mountain Whispers Luxury Accommodation
Excellence in Innovation: Ask Roz
Excellence in Sustainability: Rubyfruit
Excellence in Small Business: Mortgage Choice Blue Mountains and Penrith
Highly Commended: Choice Home Loans Penrith and Blue Mountains
Excellence in Business: Woodford Homes
Employer of Choice: Choice Home Loans Penrith and Blue Mountains
Highly Commended: Richards Financial
Retail Business: BEAUT-T-FUL BAGS
Hospitality: Rubyfruit.
Business Services: Mortgage Choice Blue Mountains and Penrith, and Richards Financial
Customer Service: Mountain Whispers Luxury Accommodation
New Business: E-Smart Solar
Highly Commended: Botanical Art – Lawson Village Florist
Creative Industries: Fusion Boutique. Highly Commended: illuminart
Blue Mountains Accommodation: The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat
Blue Mountains Attractions: Western Wine Tours
Employee Inclusion: GoodBytes Tech Support
Chamber of Commerce: Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber
People’s Choice: Glen Isla Luxury Blue Mountains Accommodation
Harry Hammon Business of the Year: The Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat
