Rotorua business awards back with 'finesse and flair'

Last year's Westpac Rotorua Business Awards were a huge success. Photo/File

The 2017 Westpac Rotorua Business Awards are not just about recognition and shiny trophies, they give businesses a great opportunity to look at themselves in a different light.

According to Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chairman John McRae, just entering the awards can bring a new perspective to local businesses looking to improve across the board.

The annual awards are now open for nominations in 12 categories, with one deserving business set to take home the 13th award - the supreme award.

Mr McRae said, as always, they were looking for some "exciting businesses to enter and see how they match up against each other".

"It's a great time for a lot of local businesses to enter and they will find they will get a lot out of entering themselves and from the judges, who give them plenty of feedback.

"They say it's a great way to learn from the experience and businesses are always looking to learn from this sort of thing."

Mr McRae said the format would be similar to last year, "but we have given it a bit more finesse and flair".

"We also get a lot of feedback from people outside of Rotorua who see this is a premier event in terms of chamber awards around the country.

"And, of course, I have to thank the community for its support for the awards that we could not put on without our loyal sponsors."

He said being nominated provided businesses with a chance to review business practices, serve as a team building exercise and gain independent feedback from expert judges to benchmark progress and achievements against competitors and other sectors.

Two judges are allocated to the finalists in each category who review entries and conduct a site visit.

Entries close on July 31 and will be followed by a black tie awards ceremony at the Energy Events Centre on October 7. For details, including entry forms, visit www.rotoruachamber.co.nz.

The 2017 Westpac Rotorua Business Awards categories

Holland Beckett Lawyers : Manufacturing and Trade Business Award
Deloitte : Service Provider Business Award
Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Ltd : Retail Business Award
Rotorua Daily Post : Hospitality and Attractions Business Award
Rotorua Lakes Council : Emerging Business Award
The Hits : Community Organisation Business Award
Toi Ohomai Emerging Young Leader of the Year
TrustPower Customer Service Award
Bay of Connections Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award
The Arista Group Social Responsibility Award
Ministry of Education Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Talent ID Employee of the Year