Our business leaders shine on the red carpet

Karratha’s top business people walked the red carpet to see who would be named the region’s top businesses and individuals.

Glittering dresses and dinner suits filled the Red Earth Arts Precinct last Friday night for the Karratha business community’s annual night of nights.

This year’s Business Excellence Awards, hosted by the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce, drew 270 attendees and saw Blanche Bar owner Bart Parsons take out Business Leader of the Year for the second year in a row.

Mr Parsons also took home the gong for Best Business 11-20 Employees, and Hospitality award for his wine bar, Fiorita.

Blanche Bar Group also took home the tourism award.

Among the night’s main organisation-wide winners were Pilbara Bakehouse and TJM Karratha.

Pharmacy 777 Karratha took home the people’s choice award in recognition of its customer service.

KDCCI chief executive Tanya Dodd said she loved every moment of the night and congratulated all winners and nominees.

“Everyone deserves an award. There were some people that were just one per cent out, which is just so, so close,” she said.

“All the businesses, even the ones that didn’t enter, have done an amazing job this year. Our city has got amazing business people that always pull together and support one another.

“This year, we had three judges. Nobody knew any of the businesses in town and that’s what we want so they get to see the businesses for itself rather than judging knowing a person that works in that business.”