Nominations are open for the Tamworth Quality Business Awards after the Tamworth Business Chamber held a launch for sponsors of the awards on Thursday.

Business Chamber President Stephanie Cameron expects that as many as 1000 people are likely to nominate about 500 businesses in the Tamworth region for the awards.

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Winning a gong can be a huge shot in the arm for your enterprise, she said.

And she'd know - Ms Cameron's business East West Enviroag has its own trophy.

"As a former winner, I can tell you that it makes a big difference. It's a great boost to confidence, knowing that your customers and the wider community are behind you," she said.

"It was just really rewarding to hear that people think that people that what we're doing in business is really good.

"It was an acknowledgement that we do do good business.

"The other part of it was letting the team here know that what they're doing is appreciated by the community.

"You don't do business to win awards, but it's really nice, it's a really joyous feeling to win one even when you don't expect it.

"It's a morale boost. It's a nice way to celebrate what you've achieved in your business."

The last 18 months have been tough for businesses across the region, and Ms Cameron said it's time to celebrate local successes - or even just survival.

"Celebrate the fact that we're all still in business - absolutely," she said.

"A lot of businesses have fought tremendously hard to keep their doors open during and after the pandemic, or to find new ways of doing things all the while trying to keep their employees on and help their suppliers.

"It's been a really torrid time for a lot of people."

Nominations will be open until July 26.

Nominations are available in hard copy form at a number of businesses around the region.

There are entry barrels in the Tamworth business chamber office, Centrepoint, Tamworth Shoppingworld, Tamworth Square and Tamworth Regional Council offices.

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There are a number of new categories among the 30 businesses can be nominated for, including specialist categories for the hair and beauty and animal services sectors.

Some 60 independent judges - at least two per category - will determine the winners in advance of an announcement in September.

The Quality Business Awards were cancelled in 2020 due to coronavirus.

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