When the awards called Mr Bowen ahead of time to tell him he was being honoured, Mr Bowen was blown away.

"I thought they were calling asking me to work it," he said.

"I was absolutely surprised."

Mr Bowen began his business Bowen Entertainment in 1989, but has been working as a DJ and MC since 1984.

"I'm really proud to have successful business in own home town," he said.

"Generally you need to go away to have that sort of longevity, so to be able to do full time for 30 years is a blessing."

In the past 18 months Mr Bowen has faced challenges unimaginable when he began his career, as lockdowns, border closures and COVID restrictions had weddings, celebrations and events postponed or cancelled.

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Even now, cancellations due to COVID changes are common with Mr Bowen saying he expects more to come.

Asked how he and the business coped with the current challenges, Mr Bowen said he took it "one day at time, just one day at time."

"I've also learnt to diversify a little bit as well," he said.

"I've had to do different things outside my normal entertainment field too but it's quite easy to adapt to different areas as I've done lots of business marketing and things of that nature. I've also helped with aged care and the NDIS community over the past 18 months as Kirinari Community Services ambassador."

Mr Bowen said the old adage was if you did what you loved, you'd never work a day in your life, was true, but creating a successful business and being self-employed took a lot of sacrifice.

"You have to be consistent and deliver a quality product, consistency is key," Mr Bowen said when asked what advice he'd give someone starting a business.

"Keep doing it and keep plowing away, keep going."

Mr Bowen has become a well-recognised figure on the Border having MCd countless community and private events across his 38-year career.

Albury Wodonga Business Awards event coordinator Tracey Basham said Mr Bowen was a very worthy recipient who gave back to the community.

Mr Bowen said one of the highlights of his career, alongside doing events in Britain and the US, was forming bonds right here on the Border.

"Getting repeat business constantly, being able do people's wedding, events and then their children's graduation and then that child's wedding," he said.