Finalists for the 2014 Westpac Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards were announced last night at a glamorous function at Church Road Winery.
About 80 people, including sponsors and finalists in the awards, gathered at the scenic Church Road Winery's Tom McDonald Cellar for the Spark Digital finalist function.
The announcement of 17 finalists in four categories marked the beginning of an assessment process to be carried out by a judging panel over the next few weeks.
Chamber president Brent Linn said the awards event, which aimed to exemplify and endorse business excellence in the region, was one of the chamber's flagship occasions.
"It is a very brave move to stand above the parapets and say, 'Please come and have a look at my business'."