Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards

October 2026 Winners

Emerging and Micro Business

Sponsored by Homecorp

Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club Gold Coast provides members with access to a premium fleet of boats without the cost, maintenance or stress of ownership. Established in 2023 by Patrick Edwards, the Sanctuary Cove-based business has grown from strength to strength since its formation. Its local membership program provides locals a more affordable way to get on the water while still receiving the support, training and convenience of the club model.

Family Business

Sponsored by Queensland Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

City Venue Management

City Venue Management, also known as Rackley Swimming, operates more than 50 sporting facilities on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Townsville, and Toowoomba. The three core areas of the business are facilities management, swim school management and health club management. Two generations of the Rackley family are involved in running the business.

Retail, Wholesale and Distribution

Sponsored by Westpac

Golf Cars Australia

Golf Cars Australia is a leading national supplier of new and pre-owned golf cars and utility vehicles. As Australian master distributor for Club Car and WEV, the Gold Coast business operates three purpose-built dealerships with service centres. The business is focused on building customers for life through premium products and industry-leading after-sales care.

Construction and Trades

Sponsored by Optus

Durack Civil

Durack Civil delivers complex civil infrastructure including roads, bridges, culverts, airports, subdivisions, landslip remediation, and disaster recovery works. Durack partners with government and private clients to deliver technically challenging projects. The company now employs more than 140 people.

Mayor's Innovation GC

Sponsored by City of Gold Coast

Ear Cleaning Clinic

Ear Cleaning Clinic is an expert, nurse-led ear care service designed to make expert ear care fast and accessible. The clinic, which is 11 years old, treats patients of all ages and same-day appointments are usually available. Highly trained registered nurses use a surgical microscope and microsuction to clear ears of wax, infection-related debris and foreign objects.

Manufacturing

Sponsored by GCBEA

Macro Mike

Macro Mike is a Gold Coast manufacturer protein powders, snacks, supplements and functional foods. Mike Kellett started the business in 2016 making brownies in a small apartment. The company now employs more than 50 people and produces a large range of products at its state-of-the-art facility in Burleigh Heads. Its products are sold nationally and throughout New Zealand.

Professions and Services

Sponsored by Walker Corporation

Bennett + Bennett

Bennett + Bennett is a multidisciplinary surveying, spatial and planning practice. Established on the Gold Coast in 1968 with a team of three people, Bennett + Bennett now employs more than 240 professionals, the business delivers specialist solutions for Australia’s most complex infrastructure and development projects.

Health and Wellbeing

Sponsored by Australian Retirement Trust

Rigs Recovery

Founded in 2019, Rigs Recovery began as a sports recovery centre mostly targeting athletes. Since then it has evolved into a leading wellness and health-focused recovery business. The treatments it provides at its two locations include physiotherapy, magnesium float tanks, compression therapy, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments and steam and traditional saunas.

IT and Digital Business

Sponsored by Griffith University

Bits Technology Group

BITS Technology Group is a multi-award-winning managed Service Provider delivering IT support, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and communications to Australian small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 2010, the Varsity Lakes-based company manages technology systems across multiple industries, with a focus on organisations experiencing growth, complexity, or compliance requirements. Its team is 100 per cent Gold Coast-based.

Education, Training and Employment

Sponsored by Invest Gold Coast

Pacific English

Pacific English Study is a student-focused English language school designed to support learners in achieving their academic, professional, and personal goals in Australia. Established in 2008, the Surfers Paradise-based business now employs 35 people to guide 300 students through six levels of English language courses. social, cultural, and economic outcomes for our students, our staff, and the wider community.

Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Sponsored by Village Roadshow Theme Parks

Padlock’d Escape Rooms

Padlock’d Escape Rooms operates five immersive and interactive indoor amusements for tourists, families, and corporate groups in Surfers Paradise. The venues offer 20 different experiences including escape rooms and haunt experiences. Established by Sean Wilson in 2018, the business now employs more than 50 full-time and part-time employees.

Environment and Sustainability

Sponsored by SEE Group

Neumann Steel

Neumann Steel is a manufacturer and supplier of reinforcing steel for residential, commercial and major infrastructure projects. Neumann Steel has been part of the Gold Coast since 1970 and it runs a structured Environmental Management System. The company has 1.52Megawatt rooftop solar system, recycles 95 per cent of its waste, and reduced water usage 65 per cent in 2026.