The Excellence in Surveying Awards were first introduced in 1998 to:

• Recognise and reward outstanding contributions made by individuals and companies within the surveying profession.
• Enhance the image of the surveying profession.
• Encourage surveyors to continue to strive for excellence in their work.

In 2000 the awards were expanded to the NSW Excellence in Surveying and Mapping Awards and in 2005 the name was changed to the NSW Awards for Excellence in Surveying & Spatial Information. The awards are open to residents of New South Wales. The overall winner of the categories listed is presented with the Sir Thomas Mitchell Award. Category winners when possible will automatically be entered in to the national awards.

In 2000 a series of individual awards were also introduced:

• TAFE Student of the Year
• University Student Project of the Year
• Young Professional of the Year
• NSW Professional of the Year
• Journalist of the Year

The presentation dinner is a black tie affair to be held on Friday 26 September 2008 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. Dinner Registration form.