Rotorua's Tim Day wins national award

Tim Day receives his award. Photo/Supplied

Tim Day - one of the men behind the Tarawera Ultramarathon, the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50K walk/run and the Waitomo Trail Run - has won a prestigious national award.

Mr Day was named the Emerging Event Professional of the Year 2017 at the New Zealand Events Awards 2017 held in Auckland on Wednesday night.

He is a joint owner and director of NZ Trail Runs Ltd along with Paul Charteris and is the race director for its popular events.

New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) chairwoman Andy Scotland said the awards celebrated boundaries pushed, benchmarks set and innovations achieved in hosting events countrywide.

"Events make a significant contribution to the economy, enhance New Zealand's cultural status and provide locals and visitors alike with the opportunity to expand horizons and enjoy themselves," she said.

"I'd like to congratulate the winners on their achievement, having emerged from a stronger field than ever to demonstrate excellence and the world class standards that local events are achieving."

Ms Scotland thanked the distinguished panel of independent judges for taking on a challenging task. "We drew a similar amount of entries as 2016, however felt that the standards were raised once again, making the shortlisting even harder this year. The judges have done an exceptional in identifying our winners from many impressive entries."

The winners had to win the approval after close scrutiny by the judging panel, which comprised: Stephen Wainwright, CEO of Creative New Zealand, James McGlinn, EventFinda CEO, Hetty van Hale, Communications Manager at Infinity Investment Group, Callum Mallett, GM GM Operations at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, Mandy Deans, Event Manager at Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow, Michael Boggs, NZME CEO, Norm Thompson, ATEED Deputy Chair, Karl Budge, Tournament and Commercial Director at Tennis Auckland, and Mike Keech, Sponsorship and Licensing Manager at WelTec and Whitireia New Zealand.

The winners are:

Best Community Event of the Year 2017
Waitangi Tuwharetoa Ki Pukawa Festival 2017

Best Regional Event of the Year 2017
Pop-up Globe Auckland

Best National Event of the Year 2017 sponsored by New Zealand Major Events
WOMAD New Zealand 2017

Best International Event of the Year 2017 sponsored by New Zealand Major Events
2017 World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships

Best Business Event of the Year 2017 sponsored by Celebrity Speakers
Pinot Noir New Zealand 2017

Best Industry Supplier for an Event 2017 sponsored by Marsh Insurance
ILT Stadium Southland for the 2017 World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships

Best CSR or Community Event Sponsorship of the Year 2017
Flight Centre Foundation Halberg Watersports Programme

Best Arts or Cultural Event Sponsorship of the Year 2017 sponsored by Creative New Zealand
ASB for Auckland Lantern Festival

Best Sports Event Sponsorship of the Year 2017
Barfoot & Thompson for World Masters Games 2017

Emerging Event Professional of the Year 2017 sponsored by Eventfinda
Tim Day (NZ Trail Runs)

Event Sponsorship Professional of the Year 2017
Mike Wootton (ASB)

Event Professional of the Year 2017 sponsored by H3
Jennah Wootten

New Zealand's Favourite Event of the Year 2017 public vote hosted by Eventfinda
Repco Beach Hop 2017