The Port Augusta Outstanding Business Awards will be held on Friday, March 26, recognizing the most outstanding contributions from business and training providers over the past year.

Categories on the night will include awards for the best trades, services and retail hospitality businesses, as voted by the public.

Awards in tourism, the New Business Encouragement Award and awards for the most outstanding apprentice, employer and trainer of the year will also be named the night, as well as the coveted Most Outstanding Business award, last year won by Cinema Augusta.

Event organiser Graeme Jameson said nominees for the Most Outstanding Business award would be interviewed over the next week, voted by the local business community.

Mr Jameson said two businesses would also be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this year’s event.

“Finalists have been selected for all the categories, which not only celebrates the success of local businesses but also of trainees and apprentices.

“The awards night is a big event for local business with 210 people attending the sell-out event last year. “Every indication is that the event will be a sell out again this year.

A charity auction will be held for the Port Augusta Youth Centre and the Port Augusta Men’s Shed. Tickets for the event are available until Friday March 19.