ZARRAFFA’S COFFEE

 

It was two in a row for the Oxenford-based bean processors and franchisers who also walked away with the top gong this time last year.

It was a night when all the stars come out to play in a sparkling ‘black & gold’ celebration of the 13th annual Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Business of the Year Gala.

Over 490 of the Gold Coast’s top business people & VIPs were in attendance, including Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke, Mayoress Helen Clarke.

Joining them at the prestigious black tie event were a host of loyal supporters from Federal, State & local government & the crème of the Gold Coast business community.

The evening recognised 57 leading Gold Coast enterprises that not only excel at what they do, but regularly set the bar for others to aspire.

Annual awards were awarded to finalists in nine monthly judging categories over the past six months.

In addition the Bob Scott Memorial Encouragement Award was presented to a company that didn’t win a major award but shows strong potential for future success.

This award, won by Slush Puppie, is named in honour of the late the founding chair of the judges.

For the first time, the Mayor’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award was awarded to a business that was deemed to have shown exceptional community spirit, Colliers International. The Mayor  presented a $5000 cheque to the company to pass onto their nominated charity, disability supporters FSG Australia.

The Awards also honoured prominent Gold Coast Businessman, Seaworld creator Keith Williams, who was inducted into the Gold Coast Business Person Hall Of Fame for his outstanding contributions over the past fifty years.

Committee President, Ian Cousins, said the event “is a celebration of the strength of the Gold Coast business community in challenging times and the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in this wonderful part of the world.”

Our award winners reflect that in every way, especially our 2008 Business of the Year winner, Zarraffa’s Coffee, who were awarded the honour for the second year in a row!” Mr Cousins said.

Zarraffa's Coffee, was established in 1996 & can boast being ranked 7^th Fastest Growing Franchise by Business Review Weekly in 2007. 

The Kenton Campbell-founded juggernaut also won two bronze & one silver medal at the Golden Bean Coffee Roaster Awards, while Gold Coast Business News magazine recently named Kenton its 2008 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. 

Not resting on their laurels, Zarraffa’s are about to open their 31^st franchise with another six planned to open in the first quarter of 2009.

Focused on the growth of the business in franchising, their conservation efforts & insistence on producing an individually perfect cup of coffee every time, the company is rapidly becoming the Gold Coast’s premier coffee specialist group & a true national business force to be reckoned with.

Following the forma lproceedings, guests danced the night away to hot dance tunes of local band, The Accidents & were also entertained by the amazing Aerial Angels who performed a specially- choreographed routine to the aptly chosen ‘Black& Gold’ by Sam Sparo, in tune with the evening’s black & gold theme.

As always these Awards wouldnot be possible without the generosity of the following sponsors:

Gold Coast City Council, Suncorp,Telstra, AusIndustry, MSL - Michael Sing Lawyers,  the Department of Tourism Regional Development & Industry& Conrad Jupiters.

And our Major Supporters:

Smart Sands Walters, SurfersInkspot, AA Xposé Media, Staging Connections & Bond University.

Media Sponsors:

The Gold Coast Bulletin, NBNTelevision, 92.5 Gold FM & Graphics Online

The 2008 Category Winners:

2008 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Also Retail, Wholesale & Distribution Award

Zarraffa's Coffee, was established in 1996 & can boast being ranked 7^th Fastest Growing Franchise by Business Review Weekly in 2007. They also won two bronze & one silver medals from the Golden Bean Coffee Roaster Awards, while Gold Coast Business News magazine recently named founder, Kenton Campbell, 2008 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.  Not resting on their laurels, Zarraffa’s are about to open their 31^st franchise with another six planned to open in the first quarter in 2009.

MAYOR’S INNOVATION GC AWARD

Peter Wright founded Wright Innovation in 2005. They design & create revolutionary marine products& solve specific marine problems. In 2008 alone, the company’s products won national & international awards including the ‘Australian Marine Award for Innovation’, the ‘Australian International Design Award’, the ‘US National Marine Manufacturers Association Award for Innovation’ and the ‘ABC TV New Inventors Award’. Their WRINO Boat Mooring Hook is currently on exhibit at the Sydney Powerhouse Science & Design Museum.

MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION

RST was incorporated in 1992 with a focus on developing new products & technologies for road maintenance, civil construction, earthworks & agricultural soil conditions.  Whilemost of their clients are in the mining industry, RST have seen recent growth in international markets including South Africa, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, China, Philippines, India & West Africa - an achievement highlighted by their 2007 Export Award in the Minerals & Energy category.

TOURISM, HOSPITALITY & RECREATION

The 20^th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has cemented its reputation as the largest on-water show in the Asia Pacific. It attracted 455 exhibitors, 50,678 visitors& 127 marine products from all over the world.  With more than 220 registered national & international media, more than $4 million in publicity was generated for the Gold Coast as a destination & more than $230 million in marine sales were made as direct result of the Show.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & MULTIMEDIA

gotalk is an Australian-owned, publicly listed, fast growing full service telecommunications company with sales in excess of $165 million per annum & operations in Australia & New Zealand.

The company was established in 2000 & has grown steadily through acquiring other businesses & creating new cutting-edge products.  gotalk CEO, Steve Picton, became Queensland’s Technology & Telecommunications Entrepreneur of the Year in July 2007 & attributes  success to a commitment to provide low cost competitive rates backed by exceptional customer service.

TRADES, PROFESSIONS & SERVICES

Ray White Surfers Paradise sells more real estate on the Gold Coast than any other agency & is amongst the largest real estate companies in Australia. The Bell brothers started the business in 1989 with a staff of 16 & turned over $40 million in sales for the year.  Now with 220 staff they currently turn over $965 million in sales annually.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Icecraft International are a reputable family company who are the inventors, international patent holders & sole-manufacturers of large-scale fully reusable ice sculpture moulds. They allow the users to create beautifully configured & detailed ice sculptures in their own freezer – no other equipment required.

Production & distribution commenced in 1985 after four years of research & development by Cec Lipke (who passed away in 1995) his wife Viviene & their son Wayne. Icecraft remains a successful, growing family business exporting to 114 countries with just six staff.  

EMERGING BUSINESS

Established in December 2003, Southport-based Hall Finance & Insurance Solutions is a complete One Stop Shop for all of your finance & insurance needs.

Being family owned, Roy & Nadine Hall pride themselves on high service, convenience & peace of mind by giving each client a personal portfolio manager to tailor products & services to their individual needs with the aim of saving them money. HFIS were awarded Suncorp Agency of the Year for twoyears running.

Environmental Management Award

Ecosure is a highly respected outcome-focused environmental consultancy operating since 1994. With a staff of 30, founder Phil Shaw covers a full scope of environmental sciences, with a depth of knowledge enabling them to find solutions to complex & diverse environmental issues for clients ranging from areas of development, airports, planning, ecotourism, emissions and soil & water to name a few. Ecosure were involved in an environmental trade mission to Hong Kong in 2007 & are investigating opportunities for environmental consulting in China & the Pacific.

Bob Scott Encouragement Award

Slush Puppie produces high-quality fruit-based slush drinks, which are available in many schoo ltuck-shops & selected retail outlets. Based on the Gold Coast, Slush Puppie has grown to manufacture, distribute & promote Australia’s number one non-carbonated slush drink with more than 3000 machines in outlets throughout Australia. Slush Puppie has gone from a turnover of just $274,000 in the first year of profit sharing in 1996, to a current turnover of $4.7 million in 2008 with just 28 staff.

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