25 July 2025 

 
Finalists for the 2025 IMB Illawarra Business Awards to be Announced Online – 30 July 2025 

 

Business Illawarra is excited to announce that the finalists for the 2025 IMB Illawarra Business Awards will be revealed online across all social media channels on Tuesday, 30 July 2025

 

In a dynamic celebration of regional business excellence, a new award category will be announced every half hour from 9:30 AM throughout the day.  

 

Businesses and supporters are encouraged to follow along via Business Illawarra’s social media platforms or visit businessillawarra.com to see when their category is announced. 

 

This year’s awards have seen record-breaking participation, with 288 entries received across the Illawarra, Kiama, and Shoalhaven awards!  

 

The regional awards form part of a statewide network, with winners from the Kiama and Shoalhaven awards progressing as finalists in the Illawarra Business Awards, which encompass the Illawarra, South Coast, and Southern Highlands. 

 

Congratulations to all entrants and thankyou to all our sponsors — your innovation, resilience, and contribution to our region’s economy are truly commendable. 

 

Stay tuned on 30 July to celebrate the outstanding businesses that make our region thrive! 

 

Check out Business Illawarra on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.  

 

Tickets will go on sale 30 July for the black-tie gala ceremony, held on 19 September 2025.This prestigious event is the region's most prestigious business event of the year and brings the entire business community together for a night of celebration at the WIN Entertainment Centre. 

 

Held annually for over 31 years, the IMB Illawarra Business Awards present an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate the combined successes of organisations and individuals across our vibrant and diverse business community. 

 

Categories include 

9:00AM Excellence in Tech, Sponsored by Telstra 

9:30AM Outstanding Employee, Sponsored by Symbio Wildlife Park 

10:00AM Outstanding Young Business Leader, Sponsored by SCA Channel 10 

10:30AM Outstanding Business Leader, Sponsored by Illawarra Mercury 

11:00AM Excellence in International Business, Sponsored by NSW Ports 

11:30AM Excellence in Workplace Culture, Sponsored by Peoplecare Health 

12:00PM Excellence in Innovation, Sponsored by Wollongong City Council 

12:30PM Excellence in Sustainability, Sponsored by Bluescope 

1:00PM Outstanding Community Organisation, Sponsored by Warrigal 

1:30PM Outstanding New Business, Sponsored by CMG Audio Visual & Touring 

2:00PM   Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion 

2:30PM   Excellence in Micro Business 

3:00PM   Excellence in Small Business, Sponsored by Kiama Municipal Council 

3:30PM   Excellence in Large Business, Sponsored by Channel 7 

4:00PM   Outstanding Local Chamber, Sponsored by WAVEFM 

4:30PM   Outstanding Visitor Experience, Sponsored by Port Authority of NSW 

5:00PM   Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, Sponsored by Port Authority of NSW 

 

— ENDS —

Media Contact  

Coralie McCarthy  

Director, Business Illawarra 

M: 0417 431 564 

Coralie.McCarthy@businessnsw.com  

 

About Business Illawarra 

 

Business Illawarra is the region’s peak business organisation; a not-for-profit advocacy group dedicated to the economic development of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. On behalf of our members, we develop policy and are the leading voice representing business across the region.  

 

Business Illawarra is owned and supported by Business NSW, the state's leading advocacy voice for business across NSW. Of the few enduring, independent, not-for-profit organisations in Australia, Business NSW is the only one focused on the wellbeing of the business community. Our purpose has always been to provide a strong advocate to all levels of government on issues affecting businesses, undertake research to guide greater public and private sector investment in economic infrastructure, and support the development of workforce capacity and skills in our region.