IN PICTURES: Great Southern Business Awards draw region’s top business operators for annual celebration

The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Great Southern Business Awards night brought the region’s top business people to Retravision Stadium on Saturday night. The 29th edition of the awards, 44 award finalists from around the region were chosen from a record number of nominations, and winners were crowned on the night in award categories recognising a range of business achievements. The night was themed classic elegance, with attendees encouraged to dress in black and white, and hundreds of Great Southern business owners, employees and entrepreneurs showed up to recognise and celebrate the hard work and talent on show with each award category. Quality Apartments Banksia Albany took home the coveted major title of business of the year, with manager Kristeen Ko also picking up business person of the year. The local hotel capped off a strong night with the excellence in hospitality award. Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s Pamela Watts was named employee of the year, and Sarah Josh won young business person of the year. Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Tracey Bridges congratulated all the night’s winners, saying the organisation was proud of the region and its operators.