"Year on year we are seeing a sustained growth in terms of the level of awards applications which we are receiving, not only is that incredibly exciting but it also shows how strong the events industry is in New Zealand and the contribution it makes to the wider NZ Inc."
"We are delighted to be able to celebrate as an industry and recognise their achievements at New Zealand Event Awards Gala Evening," she said.
Public voting for New Zealand's Favourite Event of 2017 will open later this week. The general public will be able to cast their vote for any of the finalists in the Community, Regional, National and International event categories above to win the title.
All category winners will be announced at the Event Awards Evening on October 11 in Auckland.
Best Community Event of the Year: - Beach Series - Hawke's Bay Christmas at the Park - KPOP Showdown - Tutukaka Coast Winter Festival - Waitangi Tuwharetoa Ki Pukawa Festival 2017
Best Regional Event of the Year: - Farmers Auckland Santa Parade 2016 - Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival - Pop-up Globe Auckland - Vertical Pursuit 2017 - 2016 Wellington Jazz Festival - Winetopia
New Zealand Major Events / Best National Event of the Year: - Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon - Pinot Noir New Zealand 2017 - Repco Beach Hop 17 - WOMAD New Zealand 2017
New Zealand Major Events / Best International Event of the Year: - 2016 Aon Youth Sailing World Championships - Crankworx Rotorua 2016 - Royal New Zealand Navy - 75th Anniversary - International Navy Review - SingularityU New Zealand Summit - 2017 World Shearing & Woolhandling Championships
Celebrity Speakers / Best Business Event of the Year - NEW CATEGORY: - Better by Design, CEO Summit - Champion Canterbury Business Awards - Deloitte Top 200 Awards - New Zealand International Business Awards - Pinot Noir New Zealand 2017 - PwC Herald Talks
Marsh Insurance / Best Industry Supplier for an Event: - Event Solutions NZ Ltd for Bidfood Shows 2017 - La Lumiere for Christmas Lights, MOTAT Nights 2016 - Stadium South for World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships
Best CSR or Community Event Sponsorship of the Year - NEW CATEGORY: - Farmers Auckland Santa Parade 2016 - Flight Centre Foundation Halberg Watersports Programme
Creative New Zealand / Best Arts or Cultural Event Sponsorship of the Year - NEW CATEGORY: - Anthony Harper for Pop-up Globe - ASB for Auckland Lantern Festival - Tauranga City Council for Paradox Inside: The Oi YOU! Collection
Best Sports Event Sponsorship of the Year - NEW CATEGORY: - ASB for ASB Auckland Marathon - Barfoot & Thompson for World Masters Games 2017 - Mons Royal for Crankworx Rotorua
Eventfinda / Emerging Event Professional of the Year: - Ashley Cassin, Hokitika Wildfoods Festival - Cleo Wood, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust - Dan Turner, Rhythm & Vines / Spark Arena / Laneways Festival NZ - Tim Day, NZ Trail Runs
Event Sponsorship Professional of the Year - NEW CATEGORY: - Kane Silcock, Fonterra - Mike Wootton, ASB - Mildie Meyer-Els, Barfoot & Thompson - Naomie Lye, Cigna