Bay business awards kicked off
Judges looking for the leaders in their fields
Business leaders descended on Napier’s Municipal Theatre on Thursday to launch the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Business Awards.
PWC partner and awards judging
convener Vicki Lawson said it was her fourth year as judge.
“I’m constantly amazed by the breadth and depth of businesses in Hawke’s Bay,” she said. “We’re incredibly lucky to have such an exciting business community.”
She said judges considered a wide range of criteria which included leadership, innovation and finances.
“How you’re doing financially doesn’t mean to be the most profitable in Hawke’s Bay, but you need to understand what your financial targets are and how well you’re meeting them.
“I’m constantly amazed at the sheer contribution that all businesses in Hawke’s Bay give in the community initiatives that they do.”
Pan Pac company secretary Dennis Hall said the launch’s muster was “one of the larger crowds” he had seen.
“It’s always a great way to kick off the awards season in Hawke’s Bay,” he said.
“All businesses who put themselves forward for the awards will have the same desire to be leaders in their field. All entrants will gain invaluable long-term gifts from their participation.”
He said a wider audience recognition had a “value all of its own”.
“They’re [businesses] our tall poppies — there are always those who want to knock down the tall poppies — but we need to recognise you.”
Previous winners including last year’s Leader of the Year, Des Ratima, and the 2018 winner of Medium-Large Business category, Hawke’s Bay Technologies, were also in attendance.
It’s the third year in a row Pan Pac has chosen to be the awards’ naming rights sponsor.
The Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce believes the award winners “tell a story about a commercial environment that, matched with the lifestyle Hawke’s Bay offers, is attractive to entrepreneurs and businesses looking to reverse urbanisation”.
The awards ceremony and dinner will be held on November 15.
For more information on nominations see hawkesbaychamber.co.nz