In a break from tradition the ceremony has been restricted to 380 people due to social distancing restrictions.

And recognising how the Illawarra economy has been impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic the judging panel of 28 people chose to recognise an organisation that has contributed to the entire region as the 2021 business of the year.

The Port Authority of NSW was awarded the top business going after taking out the excellence in business category earlier in the evening.

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In the citation for best overall business the judges noted how it's Port Kembla operations connected Illawarra industries with the world and drove the region's economy, supported local businesses and delivered prosperity to the region and NSW during COVID-19.

"Over the past 12 months, they have ensured that Port Kembla remained safe, secure and open to the world during the pandemic, adapting quickly and creatively to implement a range of additional measures to protect the community, local industries and staff without compromising efficiency."

Port Kembla delivers $543 million in gross regional product to the NSW economy each year, handles 100 per cent of NSW motor vehicle imports and supports thousands of jobs. As an international trade gateway for bulk agricultural, construction and mining industries it is home to the state's largest grain export terminal and is second largest coal export port.

Port Kembla has also been approved by the NSW Government as the site of the state's next container terminal once Port Botany nears capacity.

In the individual award categories Housing Trust chief executive Michele Adair was named Illawarra's outstanding business leader for 2021. Susan Finn, of Burnetts on Barney, took out the award for outstanding employee. And Kylie Flament, of Green Connect, was outstanding young business leader with Elspeth Finney, of Shoalhaven Family Law being highly commended.

Other winners were All Care Health Services Group, Easy Agile, Business Valuations Online, Tiny Tins, His Boy Elroy, Green Connect, Cupitt's Estate, Silos Estate, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Warrigal and Wollongong Foot and Ankle Centre.

Business Illawarra executive director Adam Zarth said it was more important than ever this year to recognise inspiring businesses who found new and innovative opportunities to flourish, despite the challenges of the global pandemic and related lockdowns.

"Our winners tonight are an exceptional group of businesses and individuals who all have their own unique stories to tell," he said.

"It has been more important than ever for all of us to share and celebrate stories of businesses excellence in these difficult times, that we hope are now finally behind us. Business Illawarra has been privileged to serve the business community of the Illawarra through an exceptionally challenging couple of years, and it has been nothing short of a privilege to showcase our award winners."

2021 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Award winners

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