US-NZ Awards Give Winners Tangible Benefits

New Zealand business trading with the US invited to enter innovation awards US-NZ Awards Give Winners Tangible Benefits; 2-way Trade Worth Over $7 billion

Companies trading with the United States are invited to enter the 2010 American Chamber of Commerce – DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with Qantas Airways. Over the last ten years prizes valued at more than $300,000 have been collected by winners.

The awards celebrate business achievement between New Zealand and its third largest trading partner, the United States. Bilateral trade between New Zealand and the USA is currently running at $7.7 billion, which accounts for 9.7% per cent of New Zealand’s total earnings from overseas trade. While trade with the US is down year on year, there are a number of initiatives that hopefully will see significant growth in exports to the US market in the next twelve months.

This year the awards expand the prize pool with the support of two new silver sponsors: AUT University and Fonterra Co-operative Group.

AUT University have pledged their support with the sponsorship of a new Education award. The award will go to the best US-focused entrepreneurial partnership between a business and a secondary school or tertiary organisation. This partnership could be between an education provider in the US and a NZ business, or vice-versa.

Meanwhile Fonterra, having won the Supreme Award the last two years running, said they wanted to put something back into the awards this year.

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 those companies that have demonstrated imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as honour and celebrate their achievements."

Awards categories are: - 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 - Importer of the Year from the USA - Investor of the Year for New Zealand companies investing in the US, as well as US companies investing in New Zealand - Education Award – best US-focused entrepreneurial partnership between a business and a secondary school or tertiary organisation

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

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

In addition to AmCham, DHL Express and Qantas Airways, the awards are supported by: AUT University, Baldwins, Ernst & Young, Fonterra Co-operative Group and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

ENDS

© Scoop Media