Awards night should be a humdinger

Darrin Walsh.

There was much anticipation and excitement with regard to the naming of this year's Westpac Business Excellence awards finalists on Friday.

The chamber's phone lines were running hot as we spoke to all our entrants to confirm whether or not they had made it to the next stage.

I am excited with the quality of all our finalists this year and, in fact, feedback conveyed by many of the judges were that they were so impressed with the quality of entrants this year that it was hard to name a final two or three.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who entered this year. Sadly in any quest for business excellence, there has to be a winner and - for those who didn't win - at least you would have come away richer for the experience.

Considerable effort has been put in by all entrants up to this stage and for that I thank you all.

For our Business Excellence award finalists - another round of judging awaits them before the gala dinner.

This is the presentation round where all finalists present to the judges and from which a winner in each category will be decided.

A full list of this year's category finalists is available on the www.rotchamber.co.nz website, and was published in the Daily Post on Saturday.

The finalists across all categories represent a diverse range of businesses and community organisations. I believe they are all deserving finalists and I am somewhat glad that I am not a judge having to decide a winner.

The business category winners are then all eligible for the ultimate award, the Westpac Business Excellence Supreme Award.

As the new CEO of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, this year will be my first awards night and I am really looking forward to it. It is and always will be the highlight of the business year. There are a few subtle changes for this year and the most obvious will be the ticket pricing. We simply wanted to make it affordable for everyone this year. Cost is $95 per person or $850 per table of 10 and includes three-course dinner, complimentary drink on arrival and three bottles of wine per table. A cash bar will be in operation.

We have a great night's entertainment on the card featuring Jason Kerrison and a number of New Zealand's young up-and-comers on the music scene, including Lizzie Marvelly. Tickets are now on sale, so be quick to avoid disappointment.

• Darrin Walsh is the chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce