Last Chance Call for New Zealand's Entrepreneurs

22 June 2005

Last Chance Call for New Zealand's Entrepreneurs

New Zealand's business heroes have just three weeks left to enter the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

As the July 8 closing date nears, Ernst & Young is encouraging successful New Zealand business entrepreneurs to enter the awards - the only globally recognised business award running in New Zealand.

A good spread of entries has already been received across all five categories, with further entries expected over the coming weeks.

Carol Campbell, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Director, is urging any entrepreneurs who haven't yet entered to submit their entry now before the cut off date.

"New Zealand is renowned for producing talented people with innovative ideas and this award is designed to reward and celebrate those who demonstrate the very best in business entrepreneurial excellence," says Carol.

"The benefits enjoyed by finalists and winners are extensive, and impact both the respective individuals and their greater business pursuits. The success enjoyed by past winners and finalists is evidence of this," she says.

Fitness pioneer Phillip Mills says winning the 2004 title has been hugely beneficial to his business and he strongly encourages other entrepreneurs to enter.

"Winning the 2004 title has had a huge impact on my business - from customer recognition, to networking opportunities and boosting staff morale. But the benefits come from entering the awards, as well as winning. The selection process itself gave me an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback on my business and benchmark myself against other hugely successful businesspeople," says Mr Mills.

"Entrepreneurs out there need to stand-up and be counted for playing their part in New Zealand's growth and development," he says.

The five categories for the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year programme are:

* Retail, Consumer and Industrial Products

* Services including Financial Business, Property and Arts

* Technology, Communications & Biotechnology

* Young Entrepreneur (entrepreneurs under 30 years of age at the time of applications closing), and

* Master Entrepreneur (for leaders of well established businesses which have a significant commitment to entrepreneurship).

New Zealand's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 will be announced at an Award Banquet on Wednesday, 12 October.

The winner of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year will represent New Zealand on the international stage at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year award, to be held in Monte Carlo in 2006. A panel of independent judges from around the world will select one overall winner.

Now in its eighth year in New Zealand and nineteenth year worldwide, the award programme was launched by Ernst & Young to celebrate the world's best entrepreneurs and share their stories to inspire others.

Potential entrants can contact Ernst & Young for more information, phone 0800 368 737, email entrepreneur@nz.ey.com or visit www.ey.com/nz. Applications close on Friday, 8 July 2005.

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NOTE: More information about Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 can be found at Ernst & Young's website - www.ey.com/nz

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(r) awards programme was created and is produced by the professional services firm of Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(r) awards recognise outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The programme honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programmes in over 150 cities and 35 countries.

About Ernst & Young Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services employs 106,000 people in more than 140 countries. Ernst & Young staff pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism to provide clients with solutions based on financial, transactional, and risk-management knowledge in Ernst &Young's core services of audit, tax, and corporate finance. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/nz . Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organisation.

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