On Wednesday, 26 November local Byron businesses will be coming together at Tokyo Doll to celebrate their achievements, innovation, creativity, and resilience at The Uniquely Byron Business Awards 2025 event.
‘The awards are a wonderful recognition of the work that you as a business have done. But more important than that, it can feel really good to talk to people that are in the same game as you are, running a small business. So we really want to celebrate the community of small businesses as well as give some awards out,’ said Matt Williamson, President of the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce (BBCC).
Matt said it is important to recognise the ‘spark of entrepreneurship’ that it takes to start a small business and that it should ‘be celebrated’.
‘That’s what gives rise to those unique and interesting businesses that we have in Byron. It is the uniqueness of our businesses, like the truly locally-owned, family-operated type of businesses, that sets us apart.’
Business awards
Recognising the challenge of the retail sector The Golden Tote: Excellence in General Retail & E-commerce award is one of the key awards given out on the night.
The Pass: Excellence in Surf & Ocean Culture award is one that Matt is encouraging people to enter saying it is for any business that is associated with the beach and ocean culture of the bay.
‘This is for all those people who have got businesses that have something to do with the ocean, surf, or beach culture,’ explained Matt. ‘This is an award many businesses can enter and can include clothing lines, surf shops, surf tours, ocean-based charities. This award really feels like it captures the essence of a lot of what Byron is.’
There are 17 different categories that businesses can enter and receive awards in. Entry has been extended so get in quick.
Find out more and pick up a ticket to the awards night at: www.byronbaychamber.com.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
