A record number of nominations and some of the closest judging on record are set to heat up the competition at the 2013 Central Coast Business Excellence Awards.

The most popular categories for the awards include; Innovation, Small Business, Young Entrepreneur, Excellence in Service and Young Business Executive.

The 2013 Central Coast Business of the Year will be announced at a gala event to be held at the Mingara Recreation Club on Saturday 17 August 2013. The Business of the Year will be chosen from winners of the award’s 12 main categories. The 2013 category finalists are:

Local Chamber of the Year (sponsored by The ORS Group): Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce, Peninsular Chamber of Commerce and Erina Chamber of Commerce.

Young Business Executive (sponsored by Gosford City Council): Aiden Kirk – Baxter Building Co, Jorge Chavez – Chavez Chiropractic and Keith Pratten – Fitness Management Company.

Excellence in Export (sponsored by Fortunity): QIQ Communications Pty Ltd and Alfa Laval Aalborg Pty Ltd.

Young Entrepreneur (sponsored by DMA Insurance Brokers): Kristy-Lee Johnson – The Footprint Group, Kyana Maguire – Massey’s Black Belt Academy, Gorgeous Hair at Gorokan and Cateraid.

Excellence in Business Ethics (sponsored by Defence Reserves Support): The Footprint Group Pty Ltd, Riviere Law and Nurses Now Pty Ltd.

Excellence in Small Business (sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank); Streamline Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Wand Optometrists, Training Wheels, The READ Clinic Pty Ltd, and Avoca Beach Seafoods.

Excellence in Sustainability (sponsored by Wyong Shire Council): Baltimore Aircoil Australia and Hunter TAFE Central Coast.

Excellence in Service (sponsored by Regional Development Australia Central Coast): Avoca Beach Seafoods, Design by Alexandra Marks and Wiggle and Giggle Music.

Excellence in Innovation (sponsored by the University of Newcastle Central Coast Campus): Alfa Laval Aalborg Pty Ltd, Job Centre Australia, Webstuff.biz and Yates Traders Pty Ltd.

Excellence in Manufacturing (sponsored by NSW Trade and Investment): Alfa Laval Aalborg Pty Ltd and TrendPac.

Employer of Choice (sponsored by TAFE NSW Central Coast Campuses): Central Coast Training Group, Central Coast Leagues Club and Familychips Pty Ltd.

Business Leader Award (sponsored by Central Coast Business Review): Jeff McGarn – Graphic by Design, Killareny Vale Dental and Wiggle and Giggle Music.

Tickets for the awards’ night are still available by contacting Kerry Ruffles on 0410 494 999 or kerry@ccbea.com.au.