Firms await Pan Pac Hawke's Bay Business Awards

Wayne Walford, CEO, Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce.

About 20 of Hawke's Bay's top businesses have a nervous wait to find out who will come out on top at Friday's annual Pan Pac Hawke's Bay Business Awards.

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Wayne Walford said the number of entries this year was slightly up on last year with awards to be given across four categories.

Those include the EIT – Small Business award for small businesses employing one to five full-time equivalents, the Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ award for small to medium businesses, with six to 20 FTEs.

There is also the NZME award for medium to large business employing 21-35 FTEs, as well as the Great Things Grow Here award for businesses with 36 or more FTEs.

Mr Walford said in addition to that, there would also be the Linden Estate Winery Leadership Award and the overall Pan Pac Business of the Year award.

"Air NZ will present a major travel prize and offer for the winners to spend a day with Air NZ senior management."

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise (YES) regional winners – Colour HB from Havelock North High School - will present their winning Dragon's Den-style pitch to the assembled audience.

Napier MP Stuart Nash who is also Minister of Small Business will be in attendance and will present his view of the SME climate to the audience.

"We are looking forward to a premier event at the Clubs Hastings new venue."

Mr Walford also pointed out the quality of the 14-member judging panel.

"The awards are only possible because of the support of local business leaders who freely give up their time to meet and assess entrants.

"This year the judges originate from a range of industries, from academia to business management. Using their experience they identify business leaders and provide feedback to entrants that can assist to positively develop their businesses in the future."