Nominations for the prestigious Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards open tomorrow, April 14 with plenty of chances for bodyshops and their teams to step into the spotlight.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Paint and Panel Bodyshop awards. It’s fair to say that they have evolved somewhat since their humble beginnings in 1996 when there was just the one winner and the reining editor joined them at their workshop for a celebration. It has become the industry night of nights and has been sold out for the last three years.
The awards have evolved and grown with the awards celebration. This 30th anniversary we are kicking it up another notch and will be holding the event at a much larger location. We’ll gather at Movie World on the Gold Coast to cheer on the winners in front of the Daily Planet on 27 November - SAVE THE DATE. Where better to recognise the superheroes of the collision repair industry? Everyone is welcome to join us, regardless of award participation.
As you can see from the list of categories that are multiple chances for your business, or a team member to shine. You’ll find the judging criteria on our dedicated awards website.
In the best shop category it’s not a beauty competition, there are many criteria. A clean, safe environment is one of them, but so is staff development, community involvement, industry involvement, a vision for the business, diversity, apprentice development – the judging panel takes a holistic view. We have made a couple of changes this year, we’ve added prestige shops to the dealer-owned category and changed boutique to medium to ensure the really large shops are in their own category.
Why bother?
Taking part in the Bodyshop Awards allows you to boost team morale and gives you some time to reflect on your achievements. Don't stay 'under the radar', make sure this is the year you get involved - we love to meet businesses for the first time.
James Frape of Platinum Sponsor Compass said: “Compass is proud to be the major sponsor of the Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards, celebrating the people and businesses raising the bar in collision repair. This November we’ll be gathering at Movie World on the Gold Coast for a blockbuster night of recognition and celebration as the industry’s stars take centre stage. We look forward to seeing everyone there for what promises to be a memorable evening.”
Judging
By popular demand we are returning to in person judging for the best shop awards (apart from country shops). First line judge Sam Street and a member of the second line judges from each state will undertake the first round of judging for the best shop awards. They decide who are put forward to the ultimate judging panel made up of industry professionals. The second tier of judging relies on the information that entrants provide in the award portal. They do not visit the shops but can ask those who did further questions about the businesses. This judging panel selects the finalists and then a blind vote takes place for the winners in each category.
We can write your best shop entry for you
We know how busy shop owners are and that the awards portal questions can seem a bit daunting to some or too time-consuming to others but that is what the judges read when it's time to decide on the winners. This year we're offering to write your entry for you if you don't want to do it yourself. We'll interview you when we come for judging, write up the entry, send it to you for approval and bob is your proverbial.
For the best practice and individual awards the judging panel relies entirely on the information provided in the awards portal and that has to be written by the nominator.
The finalists are announced in September and the winners will be announced at a glittering awards night held at Movie World on 27 November. As well as a trophy, winners also receive a winners’ logo that can be used on marketing materials, social media, and email sign off so that everyone knows of your achievement.
How to get involved
Entries open on 14th April. Judging will take place across June and July. There are two ways of getting involved: you can go straight to the award portal and nominate yourself or you will be notified by email if you have been nominated by an industry supplier. You will be asked to give us more details about your business and confirm which categories you wish enter.
Just being nominated doesn’t take you into the judging process - the awards portal must be completed either by us or by one of your team. Self nominations are encouraged for all of the categories - don't wait for someone else - blow your own trumpet.
Industry suppliers
All of the sponsors will receive a bespoke nomination form. If you are an industry supplier who looking to get involved in the awards then send us an email (samstreet@yaffa.com.au)
Awards Categories:
Best Bodyshop
Best Shop (two size categories defined by business turnover)
Best New Shop
Best Country Repairer
Best MSO
Best Corporate Shop
Best Prestige/Dealer Owned Shop
Best Specialist Repairer
Best Practice Awards
Business Excellence
Best Customer Experience
Best Workplace (MSO and single site)
Community & Social Responsibility
Awards for individuals
Bodyshop Manager of the Year
Emerging Leader (under 30)
Apprentice of the Year
Parts Manager of the Year