Businesses trading w US invited to enter awards

For Immediate Release July 8 2008

Innovative businesses trading with the US invited to enter awards
US-NZ Awards Give Winners Tangible Benefits; 2-way Trade Worth Over $8 billion

Companies trading with the United States are invited to enter the 2008 American Chamber of Commerce - UPS Success & Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with Air New Zealand. Over the last eight years prizes valued at more than $300,000 have been collected by winners.

The awards celebrate business achievement between New Zealand and its second largest trading partner, the United States. Prizes include airfares to Los Angeles or San Francisco flying Air New Zealand.

Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Auckland on September 24

Two-way trade between New Zealand and the USA is currently running at just over $8 billion, accounting for some 10.2% per cent of New Zealand’s total earnings from overseas trade.

AmCham’s Executive Director, Mike Hearn, said the Chamber constantly sought opportunities to enhance and expand business and trade relationships within the private and public sectors.

"The annual Success & Innovation Awards provide an opportunity to showcase companies that have demonstrated imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship and to honour and celebrate their achievements."

Awards categories are:
- Importer of the Year from the USA
- Exporter of the Year to the USA - with export revenues to the USA up to $500,000
- Exporter of the Year to the USA - revenues from $501,000 to $5 million and
- Exporter of the Year to the USA - revenues over $5 million.
- Investor of the Year for New Zealand companies investing in the US, as well as US companies investing in New Zealand

A Supreme Award winner is selected from winners of each of these awards. AmCham also makes an award to the Supporter of the Year.

Details about applications for the 2nd Air New Zealand Ambassador award, for an individual who has raised the profile of New Zealand in the USA, will be released shortly.

Companies interested in entering the 2008 awards can find further information at www.amcham.co.nz or by contacting Mr Hearn – email mike@amcham.co.nz or phone on 09 309 9140. Entries close at 5.00 pm on August 6. Finalists will be announced on August 20 and the winners announced at the black tie awards dinner on September 24.

Previous winners of the Supreme Award have included ZESPRI International, Peace Software, Airways Corporation, HumanWare, Tenon, Orion Systems International, Zeacom and Specialist Marine Interiors.

In addition to AmCham, UPS and Air New Zealand, the awards are supported by: Baldwins, Ernst & Young, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

ENDS

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