Wet weather forces a change of venue for Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards

Brenda Chapman, marketing director, EIT Eastern Institute of Technology celebrates at last year's Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards. Photo / File

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There will be no sipping wine in the gentle spring breeze at the Black Barn, as the wet and wild weather has pushed the Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards into a more sheltered venue.

A short-notice change will now see the event held under the rustic white arches of the Old Church Restuarant.

Bitter southerlies, cloud cover, and showers turning to heavy rain has forced the change of venue.

After a fairly mild winter, Hawke's Bay will, hopefully, get one last chilly reminder, before the spring sunshine and blue skies stick around for good.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said due to the "nasty weather front," they had to make a venue change.

"The team at Black Barn and Flock Events were planning on a magnificent event for us but due to a lot of the night relying on people moving inside and outside we don't think it will be very pleasant and many a pair of heels could well get stuck in the mud," she said.

"The team at Orton have stepped into the breach and we will now have our event at The Old Church in Meeanee."

"We are sorry to make this late change, the weather is just not going to play its usual sunny role this week."

The awards recognise the best tourism businesses and experiences in Hawke's Bay.

Dundas said it was the perfect chance as a tourism business to put themselves out there, to be judged by some influential people and potentially be recognised for their efforts among tourism colleagues.

This year's judges include Wayne Walford, CEO Chamber of Commerce in Hawke's Bay,
Jody Hamilton, Director of JMP Consulting and lead Facilitator of LIFT Social Enterprise,
Jenny Robertson, formerly of EIT School of Tourism and Tom Belford, Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

Dundas said despite the venue change, the timing for the evening still remained the same ... "5.45pm for the HBTIA AGM, 6.30pm for canapes and drinks, 7pm awards presentation and 8pm entertainment."