This business update provides information about a range of events and programs available to East Arnhem businesses over the coming months.

OCTOBER BUSINESS MONTH

October Business Month (OBM) will be in Nhulunbuy from Tuesday 5 October to Friday 8 October at the Walkabout Lodge.

This year’s line up includes high profile keynote speaker and former CFO of the lonely planet Gus Balbontin. Other event topics include e-commerce, social media, digital marketing, tourism, joint ventures and finance. The program also features local updates, workshops, TIO Tradie Talks, International Engagement Series, Territory success stories and networking opportunities for local businesses.

Most of the OBM Nhulunbuy events are free to attend and registrations are required. 

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS

Nominations are now open for the NT Business Excellence and Customer Service Awards 2021.

The Awards highlight the importance of both business excellence and customer service, recognising and encouraging businesses, not-for-profit organisations, government departments and staff who have been outstanding in their field.

Excitingly, for the first time this year, winners from the regional awards will have the opportunity to take out the top award in a Territory-wide Awards ceremony to be held in Alice Springs in November.

Nominations for the NT Business Excellence and Customer Service Awards 2021 are now open in the following categories:

• NT Best Customer Experience – Individual/Non for Profit/Small-Medium Business/Large Business (external nominations)
• NT Best Business – Small to Medium Business/Large Business (self-nominations) 
• NT Best Business – Best Business Collaboration (self-nomination)  

Nominations:
The nomination process is easy via online nomination forms.  Nominations will be judged by a small independent panel facilitated by Chamber of Commerce NT. 
 
We encourage you to nominate a local business who provides excellent customer service in the region, and encourage businesses to nominate themselves for these great categories.

The East Arnhem Awards ceremony will be held in Nhulunbuy on Friday 22 October. More details will follow soon. 

ABORIGINAL TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM

Applications are now open for the Aboriginal Tourism Grant Program Round 3 to help improve business sustainability, enhance unique Aboriginal tourism offerings and further strengthen the Territory’s position as the undeniable leader in the Aboriginal tourism sector.
 
Aboriginal owned (greater than 50% Aboriginal owned) tourism businesses operating in the Northern Territory can apply for one-off funding of up to $20,000 (excluding GST) to go towards small infrastructure upgrades, business or feasibility plans for future development or interpretation projects such as new signage.
 
Closing date for applications is 4pm Wednesday 13 October 2021.

2021 LAKSA FESTIVAL

The Laksa Festival is going on tour in 2021!
 
Expressions of interest for the Darwin International Laksa Festival are now open. If you know a business (or you own a business) that makes a delicious laksa, or has an idea for an inspired-by dish, complete the expression of interest form below to be part of this year’s event! 
 
All entries from Nhulunbuy will automatically be in the running for Best Regional Laksa Award and receive free promotion on the Laksa Festival app and Laksa Festival website.
 
Entries will be judged by a panel of “Laksa Ninjas” who will determine the top entry from Nhulunbuy. The top entry will be invited to participate in a blind tasting by a panel of judges in Darwin on 27 November 2021 for the ultimate award of Best Regional Laksa. 
 
Those interested in entering are encouraged to submit their entry by Thursday 30 September 2021.
 
Click the link below if you would like further information, or contact Lucasta from the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet on 0439 539 415 or at lucasta.clothier-fairs@nt.gov.au