For the first time, all entrants will get a copy of judges’ reports, allowing businesses to see where the benchmark is and what areas they can improve.

Finalists will also be announced three weeks before the awards, to give businesses the opportunity to be recognised and reward their staff.

Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer said the “progressive changes” came about after interviewing more than 70 businesses and past winners, to see how the chamber could improve the awards.

“We want to ensure all local businesses, large or small, feel supported to enter,” Mr Segboer said.

The judging system has also been tweaked, with two independent judges presiding over each category, submitting their verdict by an electronic portal that the chamber cannot access until the votes are finalised.

Tamworth Business Chamber employees are unable to enter the Customer Service Awards or NSW Aligned categories, while the NSW Aligned categories will be judged outside of the region by other business chambers to provide a non-biased judging platform.

“We wanted to create transparency around the awards, so people don’t feel that its rigged or chosen by the board of chamber directors,” Mr Segboer said.

Mr Segboer said the chamber was thrilled to have a record number of sponsors and financial support for this year’s event.

“This highlights the diversity and commitment not only to Tamworth Business Chamber, but the local business community,” he said.

The awards would be strengthened by the involvement of Tamworth Regional Council as major partner, Mr Segboer said.

Mayor Col Murray said small business was “what Tamworth is all about”

“This is down to the core of our DNA,” Cr Murray said.

“I don’t think there would be another regional city in Australia that boasts the support for their business awards.

“It’s just so important. If we don’t have a strong, vibrant and cohesive small business community in the town, we fragment at the first sign of a bump in the road.

“As a former business owner, I believe the awards are a fantastic benchmarking tool and I encourage local business to get onboard. It’s a tremendous opportunity to take a step back and look at what you’ve achieved throughout the year, and it can also assist in business planning for the new financial year.”

Nominations open on Monday, May 1 and the event will be held on Friday, August 4.