Boston Brewing Co. boss Glen Daniel pays tribute to industry after winning Great Southern Business of the Year

Boston Brewing Co. general manager Glen Daniel has paid tribute to his industry for doing more with less during the pandemic after taking out the title of Great Southern Business of the Year for the second time in five years.

Presented by the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Great Southern Business Awards were held at Oceans Albany on Saturday night.

Denmark’s Boston Brewing Co. won the food and beverage manufacturing category before claiming the night’s top honour.

“It’s certainly more challenging than it’s ever been,” Mr Daniel told the Advertiser.

“You’ve got more tourists and less staff but the service needs to stay the same, if not better.

“Denmark’s a small town and there’s a wait-list just to get a rental so trying to recruit staff is very difficult. To be able to pull it together and win that award is a big recognition for the team.”

Boston Brewing Co. was also named Great Southern Business of the Year in 2017. Mr Daniel said the challenges of the past year gave this win special meaning.

“We try to push out the food and drinks as fast as possible, but it’s great for everyone in WA to recognise that these businesses are under pressure and doing their best — and I think most people do appreciate that,” he said.

“I think it’s put a bit of a spotlight on hospitality and how hard people do work in the industry.”

Retravision Albany managing director Russell Hare was named Business Person of the Year.

ACCI GREAT SOUTHERN BUSINESS AWARDS — THE WINNERS

Innovation: LA.ONE

Business start-up: The Gardens at Bullimah

Home-based business: Tullybrook Individualised Support Services

Business with 0-4 employees: Ready Set Chiro

Business with 5-10 employees: Ocean & Paddock

Business with 11+ employees: Retravision Albany

Community service: Southern Aboriginal Corporation

Environment and sustainability: Chocconutz

Tourism business: Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

Indigenous business of the year: Impact Services

Food and beverage manufacturing business: Boston Brewing Co.

Indigenous employer of the year: Impact Services

Employee of the year: Fiona Righton, TerryWhite Chemmart Chester Pass

Young business person of the year: Dylan Lott, DJL Electrical Contracting

Business person of the year: Russell Hare, Retravision Albany

Business of the year: Boston Brewing Co.