Skyline Rotorua was named the Rotorua Business of the Year 2015. PHOTO/FILE
Skyline Rotorua was named the Rotorua Business of the Year 2015. PHOTO/FILE
Those in the running to be named Rotorua's top businesses have been revealed.
The finalists in the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards have been named this morning, including a husband and wife duo who will compete against each other for the emerging young leader of the year title.
Jared Adams and wife Jasmine, both from the Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park, will go up against each other and Richard Fullard from Osbornes Funeral Home and Vijo Madappilly Jose from Quality Service Solutions Limited to be named the emerging young leader.
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said he was very happy with the number and quality of entrants, and that was reflected in the quality of the finalists. He said there was a real mix of businesses in the finalists list.
Mr Walsh said the emerging business category had a real mix of finalists.
"It is really good to see. I think that is one of the ones that will be the toughest."
He said the hospitality award also was a strong category.
Image 1 of 29: Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards. l-r Monica Smith, Eveard Smith, Katrina Koppin, Michael Koppin. Photo/Ben Fraser
Mr Walsh said the judging was still underway in one category - the Talent ID Employee of the Year Award.
One of the new awards, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for high school kids in Years 11-13, included some "really neat kids'.
Judging in the business award categories will take place with businesses presenting to the full panel of judges next weekend.
Last year Skyline Rotorua was the supreme winner at the awards.
Entertainment for the night is being headline by Anika Moa, one of New Zealand's best loved singers, with DJ Max Key also performing as part of the Harcourts-sponsored line-up of entertainment.
The MC is Howard Dobson and other entertainment will be provided by the Claire Michelson Duo.
The finalists:
Holland Beckett - Manufacturing and Trade Business Award Vortex Group Volcanic Hills
Pukeroa Oruawhata - Retail Business Award Domino's Rotorua Pita Pit Flip Out
Waiariki Bay Plenty Polytechnic- Emerging Young Leader of the Year Richard Fullard - Osbornes Funeral Directors Vijo Madappilly Jose - Quality Service Solutions Limited Jared Adams - Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park Jasmine Adams - Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
The Rotorua Bay of Plenty, Waikato Monthly Visitor Guide Hospitality Business Award Abracadabra Cafe and Bar Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce Social Responsibility Award Sudima Professionals - McDowell Real Estate Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park Flip Out Rotorua
The Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato Monthly Visitor Guide Attraction Business Award Canopy Tours Rotorua Museum
TrustPower - Customer Service Award Abracadabra Cafe and Bar Te Ngae Medical Centre Rotovegas Motel Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park Osbornes Funeral Directors
Deloittes - Service Provider Business Award Te Ngae Medical Centre Ngongotaha Early Learning Centre Osbornes Funeral Directors
Healthy Families Rotorua Health and Wellness Award Ngongotaha Early Learning Centre Okere Falls/Library Cafe Korowai Aroha Health Centre Rotorua Lakes Council
Rotorua District Council - Emerging Business Award Vortex Group Flip Out Physio Direct Nduro 2014 Ltd
Bay of Connections Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award Canopy Tours Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
The Hits Community Organisation Business Award Korowai Aroha Health Centre Rotorua Youth Centre
Ministry of Education Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Eamon Walsh Melanie Curry Chantelle Cobby Thomas Firth Loren Skudder-Hill