East Coast Tourism chief executive Ruth Dowty said the Great Eastern Driver Awards were a chance for the community to come together, and to highlight the hardwork and dedication of tourism operators and businesses.

“It’s only been running for a few years, and it’s brought the community together,” she said.

“The event on the night is always a wonderful time.

“Tourism is doing very well on the East Coast at the moment and to be able to celebrate the fact that we’ve had some successes, and to celebrate each others wins, and support those who win, and celebrate the community is a wonderful thing.”

“We’ve had an absolute bumper year this year in terms of entries,” she said.

“Our judges I think had a very hard time.

“There’s been a huge demand to go the the event. We’ve had to add tables.”

Ms Dowty said an exciting thing this year was the number of new businesses and businesses that had not entered in previous years that were getting involved.

“There are a lot of new businesses and people who are entering into the community who are wanting to get involved in things,” she said.

“It’s very exciting to see.”

Ms Dowty said there was a set of criteria that judges were looking for in a winning business.

“Basically we look for creative business planning and achievement, people who are thinking about how they’re going to grow their business or what they’re going to do with the business in the future, flair, passion, and innovation, an interest and commitment to customer service, and general excellent at a business and personal level that’s contributing to the tourism industry and the wider community,” she said.

The Great Eastern Driver Awards will take place on June 2 from 6pm at White Sands Estate, Four Mile Creek.

Tickets to the award dinner are sold out. To be waitlisted, contact alison@eastcoasttourism.com.au.