Awards reworked

They're back, better and brighter than ever.

They are the 2013 Whanganui Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Awards which will be officially launched on May 8 at a special function in the city.

The awards were last held in 2011, replaced last year by a series of workshops as organisers looked at ways to extend and revamp the competition.

But Jenny Duncan, the chamber president, said being the best in business still remained at the fore of the awards.

"There will be significant change to the format of the awards and they will be far more inclusive than before," Ms Duncan said.

"We've included the 'h' in Whanganui because this year we are looking for entries from across our region," she said.

She said the detail of the awards - with ANZ as a major sponsor - would be unveiled at the May 8 event.

"We are talking with media outlets across the region to get the message out there because we're very keen to draw in entries from throughout Wanganui and not just the city."

While the awards have taken a year-long break the workshop series was aimed at setting businesses up to succeed in the awards this year.