Awards finalists revealed

Last year's Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards Emerging Business Award was won by Quest Rotorua's Lisa and Colin MacPhee. Photo / File

The finalists have been revealed for this year's Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards - but the hard work is just beginning for the judging panel.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said he was thrilled with the standard of entries for the 25th anniversary event, for which some of the big Rotorua businesses are named as finalists alongside some lesser-known names.

"We've got a really good mix across the categories."

Mr Walsh said this year organisers had made the decision to split awards for the hospitality and attractions category and award two - one for attractions and one for hospitality.

The decision was made to allow judges to better compare finalists, and to recognise the importance of the industry.

"All across the categories there are some very strong candidates."

Mr Walsh said the competition for the social responsibility award was particularly tough, with the finalist businesses doing an excellent job of giving back to the community.

"It is the strongest we have seen that category."

Mr Walsh said the judges now had a "very difficult" job ahead of them to come up with winners.

The awards will take place on October 10 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

Entertainment includes Kiwi artist Tiki Taane with television presenter Clint Brown as MC.

Given it was the 25th celebration event Mr Walsh said organisers hoped to have 600 people attend.

Tickets are on sale and are $110 for singles, or $950 for tables of 10.

Finalists

The Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato visitor guide-Hospitality & Attractions Business Award: Quest Rotorua Central, Sport of Kings Motel, Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant, Rotorua Duck Tours Ltd, Mitai Maori Village, Skyline Rotorua.

Holland Beckett Lawyers-Manufacturing & Trade Business Award: Bigfoot Equipment Ltd, Volcanic Hills Winery.

Deloitte- Service Provider Business Awards: WasteManagement, QE Health, Bupa
Care Services, Dubzz Digital Marketing, Rotorua Drycleaners and Apparelmaster.

Rotorua Lakes Council-Emerging Business Award: Edmund Road Four Square, Rock Solid
Backpackers, Ponsonby Road Lounge Bar.

Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Ltd-Retail Business Award: Edmund Road Four Square, LK Rotorua, Sunset Pricecutter.

The Hits 97.5-Community Organisation Business Award: St Chad's Charitable Trust, Love Soup Rotorua, Tauhara North No 2 Trust.

Talent id-Employee of Year Award: Janine Richardson-Rotorua Drycleaners and Apparelmaster, Natalya Udochkin- Osbornes Funeral Home, David Remmerswaal- Dubzz Digital Marketing, Madeleine Moore-Shine PR Ltd.

AMI Insurance-Social Responsibility Award: Skyline Rotorua, Tauhara North No 2 Trust, McDowell Real Estate Ltd, ANZ Rotorua, The Arista Group.

TrustPower-Customer Service Distinction Award: Sport Of Kings Motel, Osbornes Funeral
Home, Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant, Bupa Care Services.

Waiariki Institute of Technology Emerging Young Leader of the Year: Rachel Warrender-Dubzz Digital Marketing, James Leigh-St Chad's Charitable Trust, Ricky Brackfield- Rotorua Drycleaners and Apparelmaster.

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