Export Awards 2011: Entries open

Entries are now open for the BNZ Partners Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2011 and organisers hope for more entries from Rotorua and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Tickets are  selling fast for the awards night at the Bay Park Convention Centre in  June  and Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty executive officer Angela Wallace urges exporters to get entries and bookings in quickly.
Wallace said entries from this part of the region had been low for the last couple of years, although Kawerau's Allied Industrial Engineering took out the supreme award last year.
She hopes this will inspire more businesses to get involved in 2011.
At the awards launch last week, attendees were invited to nominate exporters they considered worthy candidates for the five categories:

• United Travel Corporate Emerging Exporter of the Year.
• Page Macrae Innovation in Export.
• Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Export Achiever.
• Zespri International Service to Export.
• Sharp Tudhope Exporter of the Year.

Exporters include any business bringing in foreign money for goods or services so tourism operators and educational institutions catering for international students qualify.

Wallace was particularly keen to get more entries in the Export Achiever category, saying this was a good way for employers to recognise the work of their top staff.

"There are not many restriction on who can be put forward for this award. People are important and this is one way to recognise their contribution to your company."

Winners will be announced at the  dinner, which will have an Orient Express theme.

"We have never specified that people have to dress up, but people really get into the spirit and some go to a lot of effort."

This year's MC is mimic and impressionist Simon McKinney.

Tickets went on sale last Thursday and were selling quickly. With 20 per cent of tickets reserved for finalists, she said it was important to book early.

Seating is limited  and tickets cost $145 for Export NZ Bay of Plenty members and $160 for non-members, plus GST.