The 2014 awards will be revamped to coincide with the now annual Banjo Paterson Festival, the first of which was held in February this year to celebrate Paterson’s 150th birthday. 

The awards’ ceremony gala dinner, normally held in November, will now become a steadfast fixture of the festival and as such, the 2014 gala dinner will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015.

“We’re very excited about the changes that have been made,” Mr Monaghan said. 

“We are encouraging all local businesses to get involved this year, it should be a great year.”

Chairman of the Banjo Paterson Festival Len Banks echoed Mr Monaghan’s sentiments.

“We’ve got food and wine [festivals], and seeing as the business awards are named the Banjo awards, it’s a good fit,” he said.

The 2014 awards will also celebrate another milestone, 25 years of CGU as major sponsor for the event.

“It’s a fantastic achievement,” Mr Monaghan said.

“We would like to thank CGU for their support, especially Allan Train who as well as being a major sponsor is also a member of the awards committee.”

Award nominations launch on Tuesday with forms in the paper, or businesses can nominate online through the Orange Business Chamber website. Nominations  close on May 2.

“This year public voting will be invited in all categories,” Mr Monaghan said.

“Businesses receiving the most votes will become finalists. Finalists will be required to complete a submission, then the submissions will be judged by two independent judges. The judges score the number of votes and the committee’s choice will be complied together to determine the winners of each category.”

This year further recognition will be given to the winning businesses of several categories, which become finalists for the NSW Business Chamber Regional Awards.

For more information about the award head to www.orangechamber.com.au.