"We have received thousands of nominations for businesses in over 30 categories, particularly via our website," Precedent Productions managing director and Local Business Awards founder Steve Loe, said.

"We all say thank you after we've been served in a shop or other business but nominating a business that offers outstanding service is a way of thanking those people in a tangible way that can make a very big difference to their lives.

"Most business owners, managers and staff work hard and often go above and beyond to help their clients and customers.

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"We reap the benefits of their efforts, which can make our own lives happier and easier in many ways. Sometimes it's as simple as a friendly smile and sympathetic ear from the staff in a shop that lifts your spirits when you're having a bad day.

"Or it may be a supplier who works tirelessly to ensure an urgent stock delivery reaches you on time."

Mr Loe said that the high quality of the Illawarra and South Coast finalists came as no surprise.

"After more than 30 years of running the Local Business Awards, I know that businesses in the Illawarra and South Coast are adaptable and hard-working," he said.

"They always put their best foot forward and ensure that their customers receive outstanding products and service.

"That is why it is also unsurprising that the Illawarra and South Coast community throws its support behind those businesses both during the awards period and throughout the year.

"While there can only be one winner in each category, as far as I am concerned every finalist is a winner."

Numerous times over the years, Mr Loe has been told by Local Business Awards nominees how much it has meant to them that customers or clients have made the effort to reward their efforts by nominating them.

Every finalist in the Local Business Awards receives a certificate while category winners receive a trophy.

Being a finalist or winner in the awards also brings the benefits of publicity and even additional business, as customers view a Local Business Award finalist certificate or winner's trophy as a sign that they will receive exceptional goods or services there.

These certificates and trophies are always displayed with great pride in shops and offices, and business people acknowledge that customers and clients are impressed that they are dealing with an award-winning business.

Customers can support these finalists and winning businesses with peace of mind that they can shop there with confidence.

A New Category

Sole Trader is a brand-new category at the Local Business Awards.

Being a sole trader isn't easy as you have to make all the decisions as the owner and manager.

Well done to the following businesses: Safety Fire and Medical Australia, Wollongong Outdoor Cinema Hire, Tameka Moffat Designs, Extreme Carpet Cleaning, Shells Cleaning Service Shellharbour City, and Cade Digital.

May the best person and business win.

Here are the newbies

To get on the finalist list as a new business is a great achievement.

In 2019 at the Local Business Awards congratulations go to LeReve by Cathy Caruso, Picnic by the Sea, Akello & Co, Shell Cove Dental, Gravity Gymnastics, Full Throttle Blasting, Stacks Burger House, Mum N Mii, Booch Bar, Zeynep Testoni Ceramics, and The Old South.