Tenterfield Shire Council business service officer Harry Bolton in Tenterfield's picturesque town centre.
THE 2012 Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Innovation Awards deadline for entries is fast approaching.
Businesses and organisations are being urged to enter and achieve regional recognition for their efforts.
Tenterfield Shire Council business service officer Harry Bolton is urging local businesses to nominate themselves for this year’s awards.
"Council would like to see more entries from Tenterfield businesses, especially as the gala awards night is being held right in the heart of Tenterfield this year," he said.
"In 2010, Stuart Webb of Tenterfield entered his Matrix Key System. As a 2010 finalist in the Manufacturing and Engineering Category, he gained valuable recognition and exposure for his innovative efforts. His achievement highlighted the ingenuity that exists in the Tenterfield Shire.
"If you have pride in what your business or organisation is doing and (particularly) in how it is doing things differently, then now is the time to promote yourself.
“Enter the Northern Inland Innovation Awards and make the rest of the region proud of the progressive, innovative and dedicated business operators we have in Tenterfield. Simply, write up what you think sets you apart from similar operations," Mr Bolton said.
The annual awards program is an initiative of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI), to identify and promote the region's innovations and innovative approaches.
RDANI executive officer Nathan Axelsson said the awards also addressed the need for businesses to be innovative to hone their competitive edge.
According to RDANI senior project officer Kim-Trieste Hastings: "Our region's businesses are closely linked to their local communities. These awards recognise their innovative spirit, as well as social and economic community contributions."
Categories are: agriculture/horticulture and associated services; tourism/leisure and services; professional and retail services; manufacturing and engineering; and research and education.
The 2011 Innovation of the Year Award will be presented to the leading innovator across all categories. Innovation could include a practice, approach or procedure.
This year's awards are supported by Regional Development Australia Northern Inland; AgriFood Skills Australia; AusIndustry; Sharemarket College; Telstra; and UNE Partnerships.
Tenterfield Shire Council has already been acting as an accommodating host and the Tenterfield Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts complex is expected to be an atmospheric venue for the gala awards night on Friday, October 26.
Entries close on Friday, September 21, with entry forms downloadable from www.niia.com.au.
For further information contact Kim-Trieste Hastings on: 0427 008 572 or go to the award’s website: www.niia.com.au.