Emerging Business:
Protest Geotechnical
Protest Geotechnical provides a broad range of construction materials' testing, and engineering services that include geotechnical, structural and environmental services. Some of these services include assessing slope stabilities, house slab and footing assessments, onsite sewage disposal planning and environmental investigation and management. The company prides itself on providing high quality results and aims to constantly improve. Starting out with 4 staff when it was started in 2015, Protest Geotechnical now employs 16 staff and have 2 offices in Queensland and 2 offices in Victoria. |  |
Family Business Award:
GCD Exhibitions
GCD Exhibitions is a family owned company that specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of custom exhibition displays and company fitouts. Headquartered in Burleigh Heads, GCD was established 40 years ago by Barrie Billett and his wife Janice Billett. Their son Craig Billett, now runs the business, which employs 22 people. GCD's specialist exhibition displays are used in expos and events throughout Australia and overseas, with some of its key clients including Swisse, Super Yacht Australia, Cadburys', Arnott's, Louis Vuitton and Tourism Australia. |  |
Retail, Wholesale and Distribution Award:
Zambrero Oxenford, Surfers, Coolangatta and Nerang
Scott and Shae Chapman began by purchasing a key stake in Zambero Surfers Paradise in 2014,. By 2016, they owned half of the Zambrero restaurants on the Gold Coast with stores in Oxenford, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta and Nerang, and are continuing to grow with their next store opening in Burleigh later this year. Starting out with 10 staff, they now employ 50 people. Since being in operation, they have now donated250,000 meals to people in need through the "Zambrero Plate for Plate" initiative. |  |
Construction and Trades:
Skyline Landscape Services
Skyline Landscape Services delivers quality landscaping management services for commercial and large scale developments. Launched in 1991 by brothers Colin and Chris Richardson, Skyline Landscape Services now employs over 300 staff.Operating throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, A.C.T and Western Australia, they pride themselves on their reputation as an industry leader. The company services resorts, housing estates, institutional properties, commercial estates and retirement villages, right through to open spaces and community gardens. |  |
Manufacturing:
GCI Group
GCI Group started life 14 years as "GC Laser Cutting". It had 3 employees, a 350square metre warehouse and the only laser cutting machine on the Gold Coast. The company now has 80 employees, its factory its larger than 6300sqm and now provides a wide range of additional services as well as laser cutting. This includes CNC folding of sheet metal, tubular laser cutting, welding and powder coating services to name a few. GCI now manufactures components for buses, trucks, caravans and trailers as well as manufacturing heavy structural steel panels and light architectural panels for the building and construction industry. |  |
Professions and Business Services Award:
TorFX
TorFX is a provider of international money transfers and currency exchange services to individuals and businesses both in Australia and overseas. From their Gold Coast office their team of 50 people provide thousands of individuals and businesses in more 50 countries with currency exchange services as a cost-saving alternative to the traditional banking method of transferring money internationally. |  |
Health and Wellbeing Award:
Medical Rescue
The Medical Rescue Group is a specialist pre-hospital medical and aeromedical service that provides medical teams, medical jets and search-and rescue helicopters, in addition to specialist mission critical training. The group has grown exponentially since starting on the Gold Coast in 2011. As well as its Varsity Lakes headquarters, Medical Rescue now also operates in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New Zealand, holding long term contracts in both Government and private sectors. |  |
I.T., Knowledge Management and Digital Services Award:
Get More Traffic
Get More Traffic (GMT) is an advanced online marketing agency providing easy-to navigate digital solutions tosmall to medium businesses. Applying advanced expertise in AdWords, Search Engine Optimisation, Social Media and Web Development, Get More Traffic delivers a suite of online services that helps business owners grow their business and discover the commercial potential of the online environment. Founded in 2014 with only 4 staff, the business has grown to now to employ 26 staff, Get More Traffic is one of the first Australian agencies to be accepted into Google's prestigious Premier Partner program and its services more than 700 clients. |  |
Tourism, Hospitality and Events Award:
Fish the Deep Fishing Charters
Fish the Deep is a fishing charter operator, owned and operated by Tiana van Burck and her son Scott, that provides services to up to 7000 locals, tourists and school groups every year. The business was established in 1998 and was purchased by the van Burck family, who have trebled the business in that time. Fish the Deep's return business is so high that its charters are now booked out 4 months in advance. |  |
Mayor's Innovation GC Award:
Next Level Racing
Next Level Racing is a market leader in providing racing and flight simulators and motion technology products to distributors and resellers globally. Founded in 2010, the company now exports to 13 countries. Their products are used by people ranging from consumers through to professional pilots and race car drivers and by organisations such as universities and training institutions. Next Level Racing have worked with companies such as Sony, Microsoft and Samsung to provide simulation products that complement their products. |  |
