Businesses battle for awards title | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua's top businesses have been recognised with 26 finalists announced for the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards 2010.

The winners of the 10 categories, the supreme Westpac Business of the Year title and the Red Stag Business Person of the Year, will be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday, October 1.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon said there were some tough choices ahead for the judges, led by Kim Martin.

"The quality of the finalists this year is exceptional. The selection of the category winners and the ultimate winner, The Westpac Business of the Year, will be a very difficult choice for the judges."

Finalists in the six business categories will be making presentations to judges next month.

They have already prepared detailed entries and been visited by judges during the past two months to demonstrate why their businesses excel in their category.

Judges will also be looking for a business that stands out in all respects to select the supreme Westpac Business of the Year recipient.

The Red Stag Business Person of the Year is chosen by a peer group of Rotorua business people - including last year's recipient Damar Industries director Scott Thompson.

Mr Gordon is promising another spectacular gala awards night for 2010 and paid tribute to all the local business involved in bringing that together.

"It will be an event not to miss."

The event will again be at the Energy Events Centre, co-ordinated by Event Impressions and Audio Visual Techniques and catered by Eurest. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, September 1 through the chamber's website www.rotoruachamber.co.nz.

FINALISTS IN THE BUSINESS AWARDS

Lockwood Manufacturing and Trade

Kop-Coat NZ

Sefton Electrical Ltd

Unison Service Provider

Salon St Bruno

Bizwise Accounting & Software Solutions

Daily Post Thermal Air Hospitality and Attractions

Nicara Lakeside Lodge

Princes Gate Hotel

McDonald's Rotorua

Newstalk ZB Community Organisation

Kaitao Middle School

Keswick Christian Camp

The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

Rotorua Community Hospice Trust

Destination Rotorua Economic Development Emerging Business

Fashion Fields 21

New Zealand Home Loans

Willow Fashion Boutique

Pure Cruise

Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Retail

Kiwibikes

Footloose

Specsavers Rotorua

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

NZCU Rotorua Employee of the Year

Tia-Ariana Searancke, Heritage Rotorua

Jo Edmonds, Career Network

Steve Pattle, Kiwibikes

Waiariki Institute of Technology Apprentice of the Year

Sam Baylosis, Patchell Stainless

Brad Hawke, Sefton Electrical

Daniel Gibbs, Agriturf

Rotorua Trust Social Responsibility Award

Kaitao Middle School

Kiwibikes

McDonald's Family Restaurants

Specsavers Rotorua

Trust Power Customer Service Award

Kuirau Lodge

The Wedding Guy

Distinction Hotel