Business Awards Receive Record Number of Entries

Business Awards Receive Record Number of Entries

Entries in the 2017 Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards have closed 20 days ahead of schedule after organisers reached the maximum limit of 30 entries.

Entries in the Awards, which recognise and celebrate local business excellence, were due to close on 1 June but the event organisers closed the registration process early when the limit of 30 entries was reached. It is believed to be the earliest close off in the 23-year history of the Awards.

Business Kapiti Horowhenua Inc. Chairman, Mark Ternent says entries in the Awards are capped at 30 to maintain the integrity of the process. “We have a robust assessment process that our three experienced Assessors follow to ensure quality and consistency. Each entrant in the Excellence Awards receives a detailed formal report from the Assessors that identifies where improvements could be made to their business and where other opportunities may lie. This professional advice alone has been calculated to be worth around $3,500.”

“As you can imagine, this level of scrutiny, assessment and feedback requires a significant time commitment from our Assessors, and we believe the integrity and professionalism of the process can only be maintained by limiting entries to 30. As it is, we’ve actually accepted 31 entries this year.”

While entries have closed early, organisers say there may still be an opportunity for other businesses to participate in the 2017 Awards. Sponsorship, Marketing & Event Manager, Carmel Leonard says that while 31 companies have registered to enter the Awards, they have until 5pm on 1 June to submit their formal applications. “We’ve set up a waitlist for businesses that are still interested in entering the Awards and if a place becomes available between now and 1 June, we’ll contact them. So, if you’d like to have your business added to the waitlist, you can register your interest at www.bkh.org.nz.”

“And if you have missed out on entering the Excellence Awards this year, businesses can still enter the hugely popular Customer Choice Awards, with voting opening to the public on 3 July,” says Carmel. “The Customer Choice Awards rely solely on public voting, rather than an in-depth entry form and assessment process, so it’s a much easier process that provides a great opportunity to gain feedback from your customers.”

Assessor Heather Hutchings is impressed with the list of entrants for the 2017 Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards. “There’s a broad range of industries and size of businesses that have entered so we know we have an excellent competition ahead. It’s also pleasing to see representation from all over the region. My fellow Assessors and I are looking forward to a very exciting and inspirational time ahead.”

Finalists in the Awards will be announced on 5 October with the winners revealed at the Awards Evening at Southwards Car Museum on 27 October.

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