Businesses trading with the USA invited to enter awards

For Immediate Release 20 April, 2011

Innovative businesses trading with
the USA 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 2011 American Chamber of Commerce – DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with Qantas Airways. Over the last eleven 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. Award winners receive a travel voucher worth NZ$2,500 to be spent on air travel to the USA on Qantas Airways.

Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel Auckland on 14th July.

Two-way trade between New Zealand and the USA is currently running at more than $8 billion, which accounts for approximately 10% 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 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 NZ $500,000
- Exporter of the Year to the USA - revenues from NZ $501,000 to NZ $5 million and
- Exporter of the Year to the USA - revenues over NZ $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 Partnership with the USA

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

Companies interested in entering the 2011 awards can find further information at www.amcham.co.nz
Entries close at 5.00 pm on 30 May. Finalists will be announced on 21 June and the winners announced at the black tie awards dinner on 14th July.

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

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

ENDS

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