Waikato Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for Business Awards

The Waikato Chamber of Commerce were joined by MC Jan-Maree today to deliver exciting news to the Waikato businesses selected as finalists for the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2021.  

A record number of entries this year, combined with extremely high quality entrants, made the judges’ job deciding which businesses would advance as finalists very difficult.

“This fierce competition only enhances the prestige of the awards,” events and marketing manager Sarah Hogan said.

“Our awards are going from strength to strength. Coming off a difficult 18 months with a changing world, we are thrilled with the record number of entries and high calibre of contestants.

“For us, it shows the confidence and strength in the Waikato business community. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions the announcement was made virtually but we hope our finalists are able to get together and celebrate this achievement with their teams,” said Sarah.

The Finalists are:

Balloons over Waikato
Beca
Body Fit Training Hamilton CBD
Clean Boss
Creative Waikato
DEC Pharmaceutical Ltd
Designwell
Discover Waitomo
Fish City Hamilton
Hamilton Airport
Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport
Mighty Local
Momentum Waikato
Noke Limited
Old MacDonald's Rural Education and Care Centre
RoomMate Cabins
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Shift72 Limited
Spring Sheep Milk Co.
SWIFT
The Instillery
Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust

Emerging Leader of the Year Finalists are:

Raewynne Pearson – SVS Laboratories
Philip Butler – DEC Pharmaceuticals 
Kirsty Norton – Results Group
Dr. Jeremy Mayall – Creative Waikato
Emily Cleland – HD Geo

Head judge Dr Heather Connelly of the Waikato University was impressed with the quality of entrants for this year’s awards.

“As someone who has been engaged for a number of years with the awards, there was something extra special this year, and maybe that is in part due to having to re-think business due to the global pandemic? All the businesses who entered were seriously focused on how they can make a difference to the region, economically, socially and environmentally. As judges, this really made the process even more challenging than previous years.

“We want to thank all the businesses who entered. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to find out more about the amazing work that you are all doing. To the finalists, a huge congratulations. To those who have not been successful, please take on board the judges’ feedback and enter again. You all make our region a great place to work and live.”

The category winners and the announcement of the Foster Group Supreme Business of the Year will be announced at the Annual Awards Gala Dinner, on November 12th at Claudelands. Tickets are now available via the Waikato Chamber of Commerce website.

“It’s a busy few weeks for the finalists now working with Indx film to put together their finalist video and promoting their business for the Air New Zealand’s People’s Choice award,” Sarah said. “Voting for this is now live on Slido using the event code wba2021.”

“Once again we would like to congratulate all of the finalists announced, and encourage everyone who entered to attend the gala dinner on November 12.”