Commerce Ballarat yesterday officially launched the awards and began a 72-day countdown to the gala awards night on August 11.

The 2005 awards will feature new categories, taking the number of award sections to 10, along with an overall winner.

Winner of the 2003 CGU Ballarat Business Excellence Awards business innovation category, Gekko Systems' Elizabeth Lewis-Gray said the awards recognised passion, commitment and hard work.

Ms Lewis-Gray said the company's award had also inspired the team to set more goals.

"We felt like a team who had done something worthwhile and more importantly we felt like a party and that's what we did - we celebrated," she said.

Commerce Ballarat chairman Ian Jolly said this year's awards would not only clearly identify and reward businesses but also encourage the pursuit of excellence throughout the region's business community.

"There will be 10 award categories and an overall winner of this year's CGU Ballarat Business Excellence Awards and I encourage businesses from all sectors of the community to participate," he said.

"There will also be some great prizes up for grabs for each category winner."

Yesterday's launch also unveiled a television advertising campaign aimed at promoting the awards while also calling for nominations.

More than 600 people flocked to the Regent Multiplex for the 15th 2003 awards, which celebrated the achievements of more than 30 local businesses.

Nominations for the 2005 awards close June 17. Application forms are available from Premier Public Relations and Commerce Ballarat.