The Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) came alive on Friday, 4 September 2026, as the Tamworth business community gathered for the 42nd annual Tamworth Quality Business Awards – one of the largest and most respected regional business awards programs in New South Wales.
More than 840 business and community leaders came together to celebrate the businesses, employees, entrepreneurs and community leaders helping drive the Tamworth region’s continued growth and prosperity.
Tamworth Business Chamber President David Errington said the Quality Business Awards were ultimately about recognising not only successful businesses, but the people whose knowledge, commitment and initiative underpin that success.
“Tonight is about recognising the businesses and the people who make Tamworth a great place to do business,” Mr Errington said.
“We have some exceptional businesses operating across manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail, professional services, health, hospitality and many other industries – and many of them compete well beyond our region.
“But regardless of the industry, the real strength of any good business is its people.”
Mr Errington said being named a finalist was itself a significant achievement, with businesses having already progressed through a highly competitive nomination and judging process.
“Whether your name was called on the night or not, being a finalist in the 2026 Quality Business Awards is something every business and their team should be proud of,” he said.
Awards evolve with the region
Now in their 42nd year, the Quality Business Awards continue to evolve alongside the changing face of the Tamworth region’s economy.
Among the additions for 2026 was the new Excellence in Agri and Agricultural Services category, recognising the strength of agriculture and the many businesses supporting the sector across the region.
The Quality Business Awards also introduced Excellence in Medium Business, providing a closer reflection of the size and structure of businesses operating locally, while categories recognising innovation, workforce development, employee retention and organisational excellence continued to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing modern businesses.
The Gala also provided the stage to recognise the inaugural recipient of the Chamber Connect Ignite Initiative, established to support emerging businesses and entrepreneurs through mentoring, partnerships and practical business support.
Another significant change for 2026 was the evolution of the former People’s Choice Award into the Members’ Choice Award, placing greater emphasis on peer-to-peer recognition by giving Chamber members the opportunity to vote for the finalist business they believed stood out among its peers.
Robust judging underpins Awards
The Chamber said maintaining the credibility and integrity of the Quality Business Awards remained fundamental to the program.
More than 50 volunteer judges were involved in the 2026 judging process, with Excellence in Customer Service finalists independently mystery shopped to assess the customer experience first-hand, while entrants in the Business NSW-aligned categories were assessed externally against established criteria based on detailed written submissions.
“The integrity of the judging process is extremely important to Chamber. Being named a finalist should mean something, and businesses can be confident their achievement is the result of a robust and impartial process,” Mr Errington said.
Helen Tickle OAM receives 2026 Noel Park Award
One of the evening’s highest honours, the 2026 Noel Park Award, was presented to Helen Tickle OAM in recognition of an extraordinary contribution to Tamworth spanning almost four decades.
Mrs Tickle’s service has extended across business, local government, health, disability advocacy, the environment and numerous community organisations. A Tamworth Regional Councillor for 16 years, she became the first woman to serve as Deputy Mayor following amalgamation and, years earlier, the first female President of the Tamworth Business Chamber. Her contribution to the community was also recognised nationally earlier this year with the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Community support makes Awards possible
The Chamber acknowledged the sponsors, partners, volunteers and local suppliers whose support makes the Quality Business Awards possible, with particular recognition given to Tamworth Regional Council and the TRECC team for their longstanding commitment to the event.
“A huge thank you must go to all of our Award sponsors, with a notable mention of Tamworth Regional Council and the team here at TRECC for their unwavering commitment and contribution to making this night possible,” Mr Errington said.
“Every aspect of the Gala is made possible through local sponsors, local vendors and local volunteers.”
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