Opinion: Bigger celebration for Rotorua business awards

The Rotorua Business Awards. Photo/File

The Business Awards season is with upon us - and we are excited to be hosting the 14th annual Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards this year.

Like all businesses, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce is focused on continual improvement. This is a "must-do" if you want your business to be relevant.

We all need to strive to be continually offering more value to our customers, and in our case, our promise is to deliver to the people of Rotorua - an even bigger celebration.

Why? Because we need to reflect, acknowledge, and thank all the amazing businesses and industries that have, and continue to drive our economy. And what better way to do this is by celebrating our city at the gala event at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Friday October 5.

So, what is new this year? Many things. The changes were driven by our desire to promote the industries that have, and whom continue to drive our economy and also recognising Uniquely Rotorua.

The changes include:
• Excellence Awards for industries acknowledging our primary industries, wood and construction, service sector and small business with fewer than five full-time equivalents.

• New Business awards categories including the launch of the Bilingual Business Award which aligns to "Reo-Rua Rotorua"- our status as the first bilingual city in New Zealand.

• The Innovation and Disruption award recognising our techno leaders. As a city we need to elevate this industry because business innovation and technologies will help us to succeed and be globally competitive. We need to keep a spotlight on Innovation!

• And a revamped Social License award extending the environmental aspects of business to include the broader cultural, environmental and social impact businesses have on our community.

While I am delighted with all the new innovations for the awards, for me, the most exciting is the new Major Award: Rotorua Company of the Year.

This award will be selected by business leaders and announced on the night. What is special is there are many long-standing businesses where their leaders prefer for their companies to "fly below the radar".

They don't want the public acknowledgement but are passionate about their companies; about striving for success which brings economic benefits to our city; and has stimulated new supporting businesses to thrive.

It has never been easier to submit your entry – do it online!

The Rotorua Chamber is committed to unlocking Rotorua's potential.

Allison Lawton is the chief executive for the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce