Awards extended
Shoppers will get one last chance to vote for their favourite business in Feilding.
The Feilding and District Excellence in Business Awards have been celebrating small companies footing it with big ones since the mid-1990s, and the deadline for nominations has been extended to July 31.
Organised by Feilding and District Promotion, the event focuses on customer service rather than financial performance and involves a ‘‘mystery shopper’’ style of judging.
Project manager Raewyn Loader urged the community to stop by the Feilding Information Centre to cast their vote.
‘‘We want everyone in the district to nominate a business who they think deserves recognition,’’ Loader said.
‘‘We want to build on the tradition of being friendly in Feilding. Get involved, feel good factor, have your say.
‘‘A vibrant and healthy business community impacts positively on our community, helping to attract new residents and businesses.’’
Loader said the awards had become the highlight of the business community’s calendar. The night had sold out each year.
Every nominated business receives an anonymous phone call and visit, with marks allocated to each question based on the level of customer service satisfaction.
Loader promised plenty of surprises for punters who attended on September 30, and insisted it would be the best awards show yet.
Each year the awards show has a different theme or dress-up. In 2015 event-goers were required to dress up in a Gatsby theme.
In 2015 it was feared it would be the last hurrah for Feilding’s business awards, after changes to community funding in the Manawatu District Council’s Long Term Plan nearly led to its demise.
The awards are now held biennially, with the Manawatu Business Awards held in the off-year.
Nominations forms are also printed in the Feilding-Rangitikei Herald.
2015 Winners:
Employer of the year - Attention to Beauty
Emerging star employee of the year - Vanessa McNeill
Hospitality Business of the year - KR’s Cafe
Emerging business - Advanced Accounting
Building upgrade - Amayjen