Most popular questions
All events at the National Experience are private, invitation-only experiences for our National Finalists, National Judges, Alumni, partners and their guests. Your invitation is non-transferable.
The National Experience runs from Tuesday 24 November to Thursday 26 November.
For the first time, the National Experience will be hosted in Hobart, Tasmania. Our venues include The Tasman, Lumina @ The Tasman, MONA and Princes Wharf No 1.
Our expert team can tell you everything you need to know about the Telstra Best of Business Awards. Call us on 1800 AWARDS or visit us online.
About the experience
The Tasman Hotel, 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
Follow the signs and staff directions to the VIP Check-in at The Drawing Room. Located on the ground floor of The Tasman Hotel, opposite Deco Lounge Cafe.
MONA, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011
This experience will include transport to and from Brook St Pier via ferry.
Access is via a short walk (8 mins - 600m) from The Tasman Hotel entrance down Murray St, turn left onto Morrison St and cross the road at Franklin Wharf to arrive at Brook St Pier. Follow the directional signs upstairs to the ferry departure point.
The Drawing Room @ The Tasman Hotel, 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
Please check-in at The Drawing Room. Located on the ground floor of The Tasman Hotel, opposite Deco Lounge Cafe.
Lumina @ The Tasman Hotel, 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
Access is via a short walk (1 min - 80m) from The Tasman Hotel main entrance across the square to Lumina.
Princes Wharf No 1, Castray Esplanade, Hobart TAS 7000
Access is via a short walk (5min - 300m) from The Tasman Hotel main entrance down Murray St towards Castray Esplanade. Enter through the main front entrance.
Check out the agenda here.
Attendance and registration
Once you receive your personalised invitation email, you can register for the 2026 Telstra Best of Business Awards National Experience.
Your invitation is non-transferrable. Please contact the team on 1800 AWARDS or visit us online if you have any questions or are unable to attend.
Your guest entitlements will be as per your personalised invitation. Please refer to this in the first instance.
Travel and accommodation
Complimentary travel and/or accommodation entitlements will be as per your personalised invite. If you are eligible for travel, this will be provided within Australia only and departing from your nearest airport/arriving back to the same airport. Flights will be selected based on the best available fare across all carriers, while ensuring arrival times allow you to attend the first scheduled event. Telstra staff attending will need to arrange travel and accommodation as per standard company policy and funded by your function.
After you have registered, our travel partner will be in touch with you to book your travel. For all travel and accommodation enquiries after your travel has been booked, please contact the Awards team.
Please outline your requirements in the registration form. Once you have registered, our travel partner (CTM) will contact you to confirm your request. Please discuss this possibility with them. We will do our best to accommodate your request, but cannot guarantee the outcome.
Accommodation entitlements will be as per your personalised invite. Any additional night/s will need to be funded personally and arranged directly with The Tasman Hotel.
We recommend you arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to departure. Please see below check-in process by airline.
Virgin and Qantas
- You are unable to check in early online or via the app
- Please use the kiosks or counters at the airport to check-in and then use bag drop
- You can select your seat at the kiosks or counter based on availability at the time
Regional Express
- It is recommended you check-in early using this link.
No. Each guest will be responsible for their own transfers. Taxis and Rideshares are available at the Hobart arrivals terminal.
Any cancellations, changes or transfers will be at your expense.
As a guide, The Tasman Hotel check in time is 3:00pm and check out time is 11:00am. Follow the signs and staff directions to the VIP Check-in at The Drawing Room, located on the ground floor of The Tasman Hotel, opposite Deco Lounge Cafe. Please note at check in you will be asked to provide a personal credit card as per standard check in process to cover any incidental and/or personal costs.
A limited amount of parking is available at all venues. This will be prioritized for local guests and those with accessibility needs. Please make sure you request this as part of your registration. Valet parking costs will not be covered.
As part of your 2026 Telstra Best of Business Awards National Experience registration, we cover the bill for accommodation for eligible guests. You’ll need to pay for your own incidentals, personal items and services (including room service, mini bar and phone calls from the hotel phone) that you purchase during your stay. This bill will be issued by the hotel directly as per the standard check out process.
For eligible guests, 1 room will be provided to be shared with your guest (if you are eligible to bring a guest). Please ensure you request the bed setup type in your registration (Twin, King or Accessible). We will do our best to accommodate your request. Any rooms required in addition will be at your personal expense.
At the events
Welcome Experience
This will be a cocktail style culinary experience event with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available, along with substantial canapes served.
National Judging Day
Barista style coffee, tea and water will be provided.
Judges will be provided with breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
National Masterclass
Barista style coffee, tea and water will be provided.
National Gala Dinner
This is a black tie event including dinner and beverages.
Welcome Experience
Dress code is smart casual.
National Judging Day
Dress code is smart casual.
Dress in a way that reflects your business pitch and impresses our judges.
National Masterclass
Dress code is smart casual.
Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be up and moving around.
National Gala Dinner
Dress code is black tie.
Yes. If you have any accessibility requirements, please indicate them in the registration form so we can support your needs and help ensure you have the best possible experience.
A cloakroom will be available at all events. While the cloakroom will be attended, please don’t check in any valuables, as responsibility for any loss will not be accepted by the venues or Telstra.
Yes - your event name badge and lanyard must be worn at all times during the 2026 Telstra Best of Business Awards National Experience. If you misplace or lose your badge, you’ll need show photo ID to get a replacement. Your name badge and lanyard do not need to be worn at the Gala Dinner, but please bring photo ID with you.
Of course. Free Wi-Fi is available for the duration of the event and details will be provided at the venues.
Judging Day
We ask that a maximum of 2 people are in the interview. This ensures plenty of time to pitch your business and answer any questions.
Yes, you may bring a small number of examples or sample to show the judges. However, judges will not be able to keep these.
We prefer interviews are done in person to ensure the full experience and opportunity for our judges to get to know your business face to face. In limited unforeseen circumstances, we may be able to arrange alternative options. Please contact our team to discuss if this is required.
No. We encourage finalists to pitch without presentation slides. Nothing demonstrates your passion, impact and business story better than a meaningful conversation with our judges.