Dubbo Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Toole said there was tough competition for the 20 awards, but all of the finalists should feel proud of the recognition they received.

"To be included in this list of finalists shows they have achieved a standard of excellence that pits them among the best in Dubbo's business community," Mr Toole said.

He said a diverse range of businesses will be represented at the 19th annual Rhino Awards gala dinner.

"We have everything from photographers and plumbers to a child care centre, accountants, real estate agents and a heavy machinery and labour hire firm represented in the list of finalists.

"That shows us the exceptional range of businesses in Dubbo and, together with a high calibre of entrepreneurs who are finalists', gives us confidence in the future for Dubbo when we fast forward a few years."

Mr Toole said the Rhino Awards are the biggest of their kind in the Central West of NSW and are vital for encouraging the city's businesses to be the best they can.

As well as 20 Silver Rhino Awards, the Chamber will present the annual Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour and the Gold Rhino Award at the gala presentation evening at Dubbo RSLClub on Friday October 24.

* Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Australian Business Apprenticeships Centre: Ryan Rooke from EMS Group and Anthony Williams from Kitchen and Renovation Concepts.

* Best New Business (Baby Rhino) sponsored by Win Television: Dubbo Landscaping, Fitness Focus Dubbo, Central West Lifestyle, Red Dirt Camping

* Business Leader (Age 36+) sponsored by Dubbo Chamber: Michael Adams from Golden West Holden, Jenny Beange from Western NSW Medicare Local, Anthony Chapman from Western Plains Real Estate, Kelly Taylor from A One Stress Relievers and Clare Wagner from Crowe Horwath. 

* Employee of the Year sponsored by Australian Business Apprenticeships Centre: Georgie Hardin from Century 21 Golden West

* Employer of Choice sponsored by Western College: EMS Group, Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Orana Gardens Child Care Centre, Orana Early Childhood Intervention, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre and Crowe Horwath

*Excellence in Business Ethics sponsored by Dubbo Chamber: Trike Adventures, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts, Century 21 Golden West, Rainbow Cottage Child Care Centre, Orana Conveyancing and Western Xpress Printing

*Excellence in Customer Service sponsored by Inland Petroleum: Trike Adventures, Western Xpress Printing, Kustom Kitchens & Joinery, Orana Mall Pharmacy, Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Paradise Fresh, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts and Orana Conveyancing

* Excellence in Hospitality sponsored by Midwest Foods: Thar Indian Cuisine

* Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Viatek: Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts, Western Plains Real Estate, Western Plains Security & Locksmiths and Thar Indian Cuisine

*Excellence in Presentation and Marketing sponsored by Dubbo RSL: Imajenit Commercial Photography, Kustom Kitchens & Joinery, Trike Adventures, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Western Plains Real Estate, Western Plains Security & Locksmiths and Fitness Focus Dubbo

* Excellence in Products and/or Service sponsored by Travel Beyond Group: The Westhaven Association, Western Plains Security & Locksmiths, Trike Adventures, Orana Early Childhood Intervention, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts and Dubbo RSL Aquatic & Health club

* Excellence in Small Business (for businesses employing 20 or less full time employees) sponsored by Crowe Howarth: Orana Early Childhood Intervention, Trike Adventures, Western Xpress Printing, EMS Group, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts and Kustom Kitchens & Joinery

* Excellence in Sustainability sponsored by Transforce: Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre and Kustom Kitchens & Joinery

*Excellence in Work Health and Safety sponsored by NSW Workcover: Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Western Plains Security & Locksmiths and Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre

*Trainee of the Year sponsored by Australian Business Apprnticeships Centre: Johanne Hobday from ESP Accounting and Ben Keller from Century 21 Golden West.

*Young Business Executive (Age 18-35) sponsored by Dubbo City Council: Tom Larkin from Crowe Horwath, Lee Bayliss from Kitchen and Renovation Concepts and Paige Webber from Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.

*Young Entrepreneur (Age 18-35) sponsored by Dubbo City Council: Abraham Damen from Kitchen and Renovation Concepts, Ben Dietrich from Kustom Kitchens & Joinery, Tom Cavanagh from EMS Group and Andrew Bassett from Fitness Focus Dubbo.

* Dubbo's Favourite Tradie sponsored by Mailbox Shopper: Ian Grattan from GPS Plumbing, Matthew Laws from Matthew Laws Floor & Wall Tiler, Pat O'Dea from Astleys Plumbing & Hardware, Matt Diamond from Matt Diamond Plumbing, Cameron Porter from Porters Plumbing, Steven Gower from Gower Carpet Cleaning, Brad Achison from Brad Achison Buiding and Geoff Nicolson from Switch Electrical