The Armidale Business Chamber Awards are presented at the Armidale City Bowling Club

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So if you’re at the awards, or just playing along at home, please let us know what you think.

BUSINESS moguls from across the region will meet tonight at the Armidale Business Chamber Gala Awards Evening.

Executive officer at the Armidale Business Chamber Tracy Pendergast said that the judges had faced some incredibly tough decisions this year.

“It was terrible to have to choose, especially in the customer service sector.

In a small town like Armidale you really have to balance your view and not let your personal knowledge influence the decision,” she said.

Winners will be picked from the mental health sector for excellence in supporting mental health recovery, innovation, sustainability, small business, business, ethics, emerging business leader, business leader, New England Enterprising Woman, community development, new business, accessibility, customer service in retail, customer service in hospitality and customer service in trades and services.

Ms Pendergast said it was important that local businesses were recognised for their hard work, because often a lot of the work the makes a business successful is invisible to the community.

“It’s always a surprise when customers notice and it’s a great opportunity for these businesses to get a much deserved pat on the back.

I really want to reiterate that being a finalist is an achievement on its own, people have mentioned their status as a finalist in the past in tenders and contracts and it has been very beneficial.

We really want to acknowledge the hard work and strategy, it’s a really stringent judging process and in my eyes they are all fabulous,” she said.

The Armidale Business Chamber Awards will kick off tonight at 6:30pm at the Armidale City Bowling Club.