Expanded awards reflect popularity

The Chamber launched this year's Westpac Business Excellence Awards at its Business After 5 event last night. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce has launched this year's Westpac Business Excellence Awards, adding two new categories and sponsors.

The annual awards were launched at last night's Business After 5 event at Westpac Rotorua.

Entries open today and will close on July 31, with the awards night set for October 15.

"Last year we ran the award finals on a Saturday night and received very good feedback so we're going for Saturday again this year," said chamber chief executive Darrin Walsh.

"Increased ticket sales year on year suggest we're on to a winning formula so I don't think it needs tweaking too much."

Mr Walsh said the launch was a "soft" start to the awards run-up, noting certain categories were relatively easy to attract entrants for last year.

"There were a couple of categories that were a little bit behind the eight ball last year and we will address that this year and make sure we chase entries up."

One of the two new categories added this year will be Excellence in Sustainable Business Practice, to be sponsored by the Bay of Connections, which mirrors an award the organisation sponsors at the Westpac Tauranga awards.

The other is a Health and Wellness Award, to be sponsored by Healthy Families Rotorua.

Scott Wikohika, Westpac's commercial manager - Maori business - central region, said the 2015 awards had been absolutely a success.

"I think each year just builds on the previous year," said Mr Wikohika, who is also co-convenor of the judging panel.

"Obviously last year was fantastic given that we had iconic businesses enter and then come through the process and become successful as finalists and winners. It was nice to have a business like Skyline Rotorua acknowledged. At around the same time, they also won a number of other awards, which we feel validated the process we go through with our Westpac Excellence process."

He added that having continuity and consistency with the same judges returning also helped the process.

"They bring experience and expertise. I've contacted them all again this year and they're all committed to another year of judging and company visits. I'm really excited."

Westpac Business Excellence Award Categories:

* The Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato Monthly visitor guide - Hospitality Business Award

* The Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato visitor guide - Attractions Business Award

* Holland Beckett Lawyers - Manufacturing & Trade Business Award

* Deloitte - Service Provider Business Awards

* Rotorua Lakes Council - Emerging Business Award

* Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Limited - Retail Business Award

* Bay of Connections - Excellence in Sustainable Business Practice Award

* Healthy Families Rotorua - Health and Wellness Award

* The Hits - Community Organisation Business Award

* Talent ID Recruitment- Employee of Year Award

* AMI Insurance - Social Responsibility Award

* TrustPower - Customer Service Distinction Award

* Waiariki Institute of Technology - Emerging Young Leader of the Year

* Red Stag Timber Business Person of the Year Award

* Westpac Business of the Year Award