Dubbo Chamber of Commerce president Matt Wright reported voting numbers had been "substantial" across the four categories prior to the cut-off on Sunday night.

A total of 2500 votes were cast in the Service with a Smile - Dubbo's Most Popular Employee section, sponsored by the Daily Liberal.

Finalists for it and the three other people's choice awards - Dubbo's Most Popular Business, Dubbo's Favourite Tradie and Dubbo's Favourite Hospitality Business - will be revealed at the Rhino Awards Finalists and Sponsors Cocktail Night on September 13.

The chamber's 2019 Rhino Awards were launched in May.

Mr Wright said anticipation was building ahead of the event, at which the finalists in more than a dozen categories decided by a judging process will be announced.

The judges for those categories were sourced with some assistance from the NSW Business Chamber, he said.

"[They are] people [from] all across the state and outside the state even, who are experts in the fields relevant to the categories," he said.

"Fortunately the Dubbo chamber doesn't have to do any of that judging ourselves, it's all done externally."

This year organisers have moved the cocktail night for finalists from mid-week to a Friday night.

"If people want to stick around and celebrate a little bit, and we'll have some music out at Taronga Western Plains Zoo... so we'll make it a celebration for all of those people who have made the finalists," Mr Wright said.

The chamber president offered thanks and congratulations to all the businesses who submitted entries to this year's awards.

"We understand the time of business owners is at a premium, so to actually go through that process of completing an entry does take some time," Mr Wright said.

"So we want to thank all of those businesses that have entered, whether they become finalists or winners or otherwise, we hope they got something of the process of doing it."

The 2019 Regional Australia Bank Rhino Awards gala night will be held on October 18.