We caught up with Troy Charvetto to understand what’s behind Gibraltar’s newest awards night – the GibYellow Awards that put the spotlight where it should be, on the businesses the community actually values, and lets the public have their say.

What inspired you to launch the inaugural GibYellow Awards?

GibYellow has been connecting businesses and the community for the past 30 years. Over that time, we have witnessed first-hand how businesses have evolved, including our own journey. Through all of the changes, our purpose has remained constant: to connect and support businesses in achieving their marketing and visibility goals.

We have seen the dedication, resilience and adaptability of the business community, often in the face of challenging and ever-changing environments and many have truly inspired us.

With this in mind, we have long felt that these businesses, having given so much to the community over the years, deserve a platform through which the community can recognise and celebrate them.

Now, as Gibraltar approaches another important transition with the incoming EU Treaty, we believe this is the right moment for the public to show that support is mutual, that we stand behind our businesses and that our appreciation and backing remain unwavering.

For those hearing about them for the first time, what are the GibYellow Awards all about?

The GibYellow Awards have been established as an annual, not-for-profit celebration of Gibraltar’s business community, with all net proceeds this year being donated to Cancer Relief Gibraltar.

The event brings together business leaders, civic bodies and the wider public to recognise excellence, enterprise and community contribution. This is not just a glitzy awards evening, it is the culmination of months of public engagement, building towards a live national moment. Most importantly, every winner is determined by genuine public support.

On the night, a total of 10 awards will be presented. Five categories are nominated and shortlisted by the public, while four have been selected and shortlisted by our professional and civic partners, including the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses, Young Enterprise Gibraltar, Rotary Club of Gibraltar, and Round Table Gibraltar in conjunction with the 41 Club Gibraltar.

The final accolade, Business of the Year, will be chosen from the nine category winners through a live public vote on the night, a fast-paced 15-minute window that will bring the event to a close.

What makes these awards different from other initiatives?

What sets these Awards apart is that the winners are chosen entirely by the public. This, combined with a black-tie Gala broadcast live on GBC from the Sunborn Ballroom, ensures the entire community can come together to celebrate what they have collectively created.

Can you talk us through the categories this year and how businesses might find the right fit?

Of course, on 11th March, we officially launched the first phase of the event and both businesses and the public have been actively nominating themselves and their favourite businesses across the following five categories:

Best Retailer Award
Celebrating the shop, store or business that Gibraltar simply can’t get enough of.

Best Customer Service Award
Recognising businesses that consistently go above and beyond.

Best Store Design Award
Awarded to the business that makes a lasting visual impression.

The Hidden Gem Award
Shining a light on those special places that may sit outside the spotlight.

Taste of Gibraltar Award
Recognising the very best places to enjoy great food in a welcoming atmosphere.

All of these categories can be found on our website, where businesses can nominate themselves and access support through our online Business Toolkit, designed to help them promote their participation and maximise engagement.

Are the awards aimed at any particular type or size of business, or is it open to everyone?

This is open to everyone, it’s as simple as that. The only thing we ask is that the nominations are restricted to businesses properly registered in Gibraltar, trade in Gibraltar and have the correct business licences in place.

What can businesses expect from the application and judging process?

The application process is designed to be simple and accessible. Businesses can nominate themselves via the website and are encouraged to engage their clients and customers to support their nomination. We also provide a Business Toolkit to help promote participation.

The process is not judged in the traditional sense. Instead, winners are determined through public voting, with clearly defined criteria.

All votes are carefully counted and verified. We request a mobile number with each nomination, enforce a minimum age requirement, and review IP data to identify irregularities. These measures are in place to ensure fairness and integrity.

Following this, findings are reviewed by an independent panel of adjudicators before the final shortlist is confirmed.

The GFSB are collaborating with you on one of the categories this year. Can you tell us a bit more about that and what it represents?

We invited Gibraltar’s most respected organisations to partner with us for one simple reason, together, you represent the backbone of our business community.

I’m pleased to share that the GFSB’s chosen category this year is the Micro Enterprise Award. It celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of sole traders, one-person operations and small businesses that play such a vital role in Gibraltar’s economy and community.

I would strongly encourage your members to put themselves forward, or to nominate businesses they believe truly deserve this recognition.

Three shortlisted applicants will be invited to the GibYellow Awards in July, where the public will vote for the winner.

What are the key dates businesses need to be aware of over the coming weeks?

The GFSB Micro Enterprise Award is currently open for applications, with a closing date of midnight on the 19th April. To enter, complete the application form.

Public nominations close on 22nd April. The final shortlist will be announced on 6th May. The final voting phase opens on 13th May and runs through to 17th June. Winners will then be revealed live at the Gala on 1st July.

So there you have it. Save the dates, get your gladrags ready and get voting!