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Outdoors NSW and ACT Chief Executive, Lori Modde has been named finalist in the Outstanding Business Leader category of the 2020 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE). Modde was sponsored by AAA City Removalist for the organisation's leadership in supporting the Outdoor sector during COVID-19 and advocating their return, back into operation.

With 2020 having been a particularly competitive year and given the unprecedented health crisis impacting businesses across Australia, WSABE received an extremely high level of engagement and accumulated more than 400 entries. 

In total, 118 finalists have been listed across sixteen award categories, many of whom have demonstrated an extraordinary degree of resilience and innovation to not only remain relevant but thrive, despite the major obstacles that businesses across Australia have been forced to endure in 2020.

Modde advised "the Outdoors sector, usually worth $7 billion to the NSW economy, has been hit hard with bushfires, floods and COVID and like many other sectors, we are not out of the challenges yet, as we navigate the obstacles of losing significant staff in the last six months and now getting our customers back out in the outdoors where they can once again thrive by connecting with active recreation, education and adventure.

“The strength of a peak body is shown in times of crisis, however members also realise why they are part of such a community at these times as well. We need to stand up to the challenge and support our sector to do what it does best; provide opportunities for mental health, wellbeing and connection to our natural environment.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, a long-term supporter of the WSABE Awards, commented on this year’s pool of finalists “these prestigious awards recognise the great contribution you are making to your local community and economy. For three decades, these Awards have shone a light on the breadth and depth of skill and commitment in this rapidly growing region. Whether you are a young employee, small business or exporter, or whether you are being recognised for your innovation, leadership or excellence in sustainability, you are making a very real difference.”

Speaking on the calibre of the finalists and context of the awards in 2020, WSABE Chair, Roy Halabi, added “despite the significant interruptions that businesses across Greater Western Sydney have been forced to endure throughout 2020, we are proud to share that this year has produced one of the largest pools of applicants in the history of the WSABE Awards.”

“Our Panel of Experts have shared with us the extraordinarily high quality of the entries we received this year, so our finalists for 2020 should be especially proud of their accomplishments. This year’s successful WSABE campaign is a testament to the ability of Greater Western Sydney’s business community to adapt, survive and excel under the most challenging of circumstances.”

Image: Outdoors NSW and ACT Chief Executive, Lori Modde

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15th January 2016 - Canberrans’ opportunity to explore the outdoors

11th November 2014 - Outdoors New Zealand honours industry achievements and memories

11th May 2014 - Hi-tech Western Sydney takes digital natives into great outdoors

14th September 2013 - Outdoors New Zealand invites entries for 2013 Outdoors Awards

14th January 2013 - World Outdoors Summit to evaluate the value of the outdoors to society

10th September 2012 - Forum to explore value of the outdoors

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