The awards are in their eighth year and are being hosted by the Glen Innes community at the local services club on Friday, November 20.

RDANI chairman Russell Stewart said it had been a challenging task for the judges given the strong field of nominations.

"Literally, every entry was a winner; they all took the time to tell their story and they were all inspiring," Mr Stewart said.

This year, the categories are: The Best Employment Agriculture/Horticulture and Associated services Award; The Prime Super Health, Aged-Care and Disability Services Award; The Telstra Shop Inverell Retail, Tourism & Leisure Award; The UNE Professional and Government Services Award; The Australian Government's Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Manufacturing and Engineering Award; the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Research and Education Award; and The Regional Development Australian Northern Inland Innovation of the Year Award. An Innovative Community Contribution Award will also be presented.

The judging panel, which considered 63 entries, was composed of RDANI executive officer Nathan Axelsson; committee members Professor Neil Argent (UNE) and Lauren Zell (Office of Environment and Heritage); Prime Super regional manager Annette Mackay; and RDANI senior project officer David Thompson.

"They pored through entries demonstrating outside-of-the-box thinking for better outcomes, including better service outcomes, or commercial, social and environmental benefits," Mr Stewart said.

"All the judges agreed that it really was a really rewarding experience."

Mr Stewart said innovation and promotion of local products were more vital than ever in today's competitive markets.

"With the rising costs of living and doing business, growth is a necessity; it is not enough to do everything the same as 10 or 20 years ago," he said.