The Rhino Awards will have a new venue in 2017 after the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce announced the event would be held at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.
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This year is the 22nd Rhinos Awards and the organising committee has worked hard to keep it fresh and appealing for chamber members and the public.
Chamber president Matt Wright said Dubbo RSL had been a very good venue for the last three years, including during the all-important 20th Rhino Awards night, but said it was time for a change.
“We've had three amazing years at the RSL and we couldn't praise them enough for what they have done,” Mr Wright said.
“We've just looked at a way to lift it up and change it a bit.
“It will just make it novel and new and we will probably do the same again in a couple of years, and look at alternative venues.”
The awards themselves will remain largely unchanged, with all the 2016 categories returning but a couple of new ones also being added by the NSW Business Chamber, Mr Wright said.
The nomination process will also remain the same. Voting will open within 24 hours of the Rhino Awards launch on Friday, June 16 with the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Race Day at Dubbo Turf Club.
Mr Wright said the theme for 2017’s Rhinos Awards night will be released at a later day but did suggest that the fact the event had fallen on a Friday the 13th could play a role.
“We aren't really looking at themes yet, although the gala dinner is on Friday, October 13 so we will talk about an element of luck in business but we will be emphasising it’s more about good planning and management rather than luck,” he said.
“It’s coincidental that we are launching the Rhinos with a day at the races, where there is a lot of luck involved. Hopefully that will be good luck.”
The Business Chamber had chosen to launch the Rhinos at a race meeting because it was something new and exciting, Mr Wright said.
“The way we have structured the event is it’s a bit of a tester. If this runs successfully, and is received well by the community and the business community, then we would look to run again year on year,” he said.
“Our launches have generally been low key so this is a bit more of a bang.”
Rhino Awards nominations for businesses and individuals can be submitted via the chamber website from Saturday, June 17.
Tickets for the chamber’s race meeting can also be purchased from the site: dubbochamber.com.au.
Tickets are $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-members. It includes marquee entry, a race book, and a food and beverage package.
