Regional Online Heroes winner revealed

Ten small and medium businesses from around the country were flown to Google HQ in Sydney last week for a once-in-a-lifetime growth masterclass. Our Regional Online Heroes were thrilled to have first-hand access to a range of Google’s industry-leading practices and technology, including sessions on People & Culture, Optimising a Mobile Site, and Google AdWords.

We’d like to congratulate Alison Shaw from Tambo Teddies, who was recognised as the overall competition winner. Alison was part of a team who took over the business in 2014, when it essentially had no online presence. In the last 18 months Alison and her team have built a digital strategy including social media, a new website and cloud-based software, which has boosted their sales, reach and staff, and has been recognised as being worthy of the national title.

RAI CEO, Jack Archer, told the audience at the event:

“Supporting innovators like our ten finalists to continue pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a regional business is essential to realising the opportunities from the technology revolution. We need to be challenging every regional businesses to follow their lead.”

Our sincere thanks to the 170 businesses that applied for the competition. All of these businesses are helping to show Australia that online has the potential to be a new ball game for regional and remote businesses to find their niche and attract national and international customers.

RAI is also grateful for the partnership with Google that made this initiative possible and to Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Assistant Minister Michael McCormack and Jane Cay who helped in judging the competition.

Visit our Facebook page to view the event photos, and stay tuned to find out about our next opportunity to be recognised as a regional online hero.