The Tauranga Business Awards 2022
Anne Pankhurst
The Tauranga Business Awards are back for another year and, as always, we’re celebrating some incredibly clever, passionate and innovative businesses here in the Bay. On Friday, 2 December we will return to Trustpower Arena with our entrants, sponsors, judges, and VIPS. It’s been a while since we could have everyone in the room to mix, mingle, and celebrate.
Each business has taken the process of entering very seriously and they all want to win, especially for their teams. Without exception, this year every entrant acknowledged their team and just how important they are to the success of the business. I want to stress that entering is, in and of itself, success.
This year’s theme of ‘kick starting a brighter future’ is a nod to looking forward. We have all been through challenging times, built incredible resilience, and our staff have meet that challenge head on. Business owners have invested not just dollars, but time and support to carry us through.
We want this year to be a real recognition of what businesses have endured, and of the innovation, strength and adaptation that’s come out of that. We are together taking all that we’ve learned, and welcoming in a new dawn for business. We hope the awards evening is a turning point where we can collectively be proud of what we’ve achieved, and spark hope and renewed strength for the future. Our theme from the past two years of loving local has not left us though, we’re still supporting our local suppliers, particularly those in the events industry who have done it really hard.
After two years of restraining the awards night due to Covid, we’re back in the arena with size and scale to play with. And we plan to use it all! We will begin the awards with a Whakatau from local mana whenua Nga Potiki, then the awards ceremony will be led by our MC, the simply gorgeous Jackie Clarke, who is no stranger to the local audiences. Attendees will enjoy local produce from the wonderful Bay Catering team, and Bay Audio Visuals are once again meeting the challenge of showcasing innovation through our awards ceremony, and closing the night with DJ Ayesha to help us all celebrate.
Each year I have the pleasure of working with the media students from Toi Ohomai/te Pukenga who film the entrants and then edit together the finalists and winners – part of the production on the night. Having these students work on a project from the beginning, and seeing it come to fruition, is very rewarding. Listening to the passion of the entrants and their businesses is also inspiring for students starting out on their career.
Once again, it is an honor to work with the businesses of the Bay. Thank you to all our entrants, sponsors, and judges. Our business sector is so talented and deserves this recognition.