Julia Knox is engraving the trophies for the Business Awards. Photo / Stephen Parker
Julia Knox is engraving the trophies for the Business Awards. Photo / Stephen Parker
Rotorua knows how to celebrate its high achievers and the Rotorua Westpac Business Excellence Awards are a prime example.
The awards, being held tomorrownight at the Energy Events Centre, are made up of six excellence award categories and six business award categories, plus three special awards.
The Supreme Winner ofthe Year award is given to one of the winners of the excellence award categories. There are two special awards for Business Person of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Rotorua.
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce acting chief executive Bryce Heard said the annual awards ceremony was the biggest business event in Rotorua.
"We're celebrating business in Rotorua and we have huge numbers of people buying tickets, up over 620, and tickets are still on sale until Friday."
He said there was "a huge number of entries" in the awards and they were all of a high standard. The 24-member judging panel, led by Luke McLean of Westpac Bank, comprises judges from different backgrounds including Destination Rotorua, the Ministry of Education and Osbornes Funeral Directors.
"The judges have done a great job of sifting through and getting them down to the finalists. It was a tough job for the judges, there were more entries than usual, so far all the signs are that things are booming.
"When you go around town you see the awards proudly plastered on the walls of various businesses. It's well publicised and good for marketing. For some reason, Rotorua always have great business awards and they're always really well supported."
Heard said the awards were always a good night out with food, drinks and entertainment.
The finalists Excellence in Primary Industries Kilwell Fibretube Ltd Onuku Maori Lands Trust Dana (NZ) Ltd Excellence in Property and Construction The Glass Guys Apa Architects & Project Management Ltd Excellence in the Retail Industry Four Square Edmund Rd Dominos Koutu Richora Honey Excellence in the Service Sector Physio Direct Ltd The Studio Rotorua Te Taumata Ngati Whakaue Iho-Ake Trust Event Impressions Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Kaitiaki Adventures Steam 100% Pure Vegetarian Restaurant Excellence in Small Business (less than five FTE) Stolen Bike Catering Edutech Ltd Bilingual Business Award Kaitiaki Adventures Kahui Legal Te Aka Mauri - Rotorua Library Social Licence Business Award Crankworx Rotorua Multicultural Council Kaitiaki Adventures Four Square Edmund Rd Innovation and Disruption Business Award Physio Direct Ltd Te Aka Mauri - Rotorua Library Kilwell Fibretube Ltd Not For Profit St Chads Charitable Trust Te Taumata Ngati Whakaue Iho-Ake Trust Rotorua Tourism Investment Partnership Employee of the Year Jiho Lee - McDonald's Fairy Springs Rd Daniel Ward - Four Square Edmund Rd Mike King - Lifestyle Building Solutions Darrin Walsh - NZCU Central Matthew Heke - NZCU Central William Mokaraka - Rotorua Top10 Holiday Park. Young Entrepreneur of the Year Kacy Sander Olivia Chesterman
- The winners of Business Person of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Rotorua and Supreme Business of the Year are chosen from finalists and named on the night.
What: The 2018 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards Where: Rotorua Energy Events Centre When: Friday, October 5, 5.45pm start Tickets: www.rotoruachamber.co.nz/events-training/events/westpac-rotorua-business-excellence-awards-gala-dinner/
