Illawarra Business Award finalists drop from 9am — set your alarm now!
Every 30 minutes, a new category steals the show
The 350+ applications for the 2026 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards has been whittled down to finalists and they’ll be revealed on the half hour from 9am, Monday, August 3.
Award by award through the 18 categories all 114 finalists, determined by 28 dedicated judges, will be named. You can watch the day unfold on Business Illawarra’s social channels - LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The gala ceremony to crown the 2026 winners will be held at the University of Wollongong on Friday, September 11. But let’s focus on the now … but know we’ll wrap it all up on Monday evening with every finalist in every category named.
If your business is in the hunt, check the running order below and set an alarm! Just check Business Illawarra’s socials to learn your fate.
9:30am Outstanding Employee;
10:30am Outstanding Business Leader;
11:30am Employer of Choice;
Noon Excellence in Innovation;
12:30pm Excellence in Sustainability;
1:30pm Outstanding New Business;
2:30pm Excellence in Micro Business;
3:30pm Excellence in Medium Business;
5:30pm Outstanding Visitor and 24-Hour Economy Collaboration.
Winners from the Shoalhaven and Kiama business awards automatically qualify for the 2026 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards.
The Kiama Business Networks 2026 award winners were:
Jessica Cochrane. - Marketing Movement (Oustanding Employee)
Teresa Vi Nguyen - Specsavers Kiama (Outstanding Young Business Leader)
Gulcin Topel - Saltwater Kiama (Outstanding Business Leader)
Marketing Movement (Employer of Choice)
Kiama Sevens (Outstanding Community Organisation)
The Sea & Beau (Outstanding New Business)
Bee Inspired (Excellence in Micro Business)
Cin-Cin Winebar (Excellence in Small Business)
The Collective Beat (Outstanding Visitor Experience)
2026 ActewAGL Shoalhaven Business Awards were held on July 31.
