There are two reasons that Elena Gosse is swimming in business and community awards – her company’s commitment to safe, simple and smart water disinfection technology for commercial and residential swimming pools, and her contribution to her community. As CEO of AIS Water, Elena’s commitment was officially recognised in Brisbane on Friday night (21.10.22) when she was named Business Person of the Year at the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, during a gala ceremony at Brisbane’s City Hall.
Elena, who is this year celebrating AIS Water’s 30th anniversary, said she is proud her company’s innovative and water saving technology is operating in over 55 countries.
“This is a year of celebration for us, as we look back and recognise our hard work and the evolution of our technology from swimming pool disinfection to exploring future clean, green energy,” the Brisbane-based business owner explained.
In June, Elena received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to manufacturing and to the community, acknowledging her ongoing work in advocacy and fundraising for the prevention of domestic and family violence, Elena’s mentoring of women into leadership roles and her public speaking engagements.
“The Lord Mayor’s Business Person of the Year award caps off a fabulous year of recognition both for our company and myself personally,” Elena continued. “It is just that little bit extra special having faced a few years of uncertainty and challenges, as all businesses have in the face of COVID.
“In this time, we continued trading as an essential business and were fortunate to retain all our staff, add new employees in new roles and build our third manufacturing facility at a cost of $9 million, where we continue to develop world-leading water disinfection technology.”
Brisbane City Council describes the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards as recognising “the best and most innovative businesses and entrepreneurs in Brisbane”.
“The awards centre on the energy, drive and passion behind businesses in any commercial or industrial sector contributing to the growth of Brisbane’s economy,” Council states. “A diverse range of businesses and businesspeople have been named winners since the awards started, highlighting excellence, success and those who think outside the square – all trademarks of Brisbane’s business community.”
The three other finalists for Business Person of the Year at the 2022 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards were:
- Jamie Wilson – Cryptoloc
- Jonathon Stoddart – Stoddart Group
- Simone Joyce – Paypa Plane
Elena, who was also named as a finalist in the 2021 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, said she felt honoured to be in the company of such accomplished and successful entrepreneurs across Brisbane.
“I find attending award nights such as the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards allows me the opportunity to meet some incredible business people, to network and to share our stories,” she said.
“To be twice listed as a Business Person of the Year finalist for the Lord Mayor’s Awards and to then be named the winner, when I am in such esteemed company, is humbling while encouraging me to continue to strive to be the best business woman I can be.
“It is always exciting to win awards. But our day-to-day business is developing ground-breaking pool chlorination systems so our focus now turns back to the job at hand.”
