Entries are now open for the 2024 Wānaka Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Wānaka Business Chamber in partnership with Milford Asset Management. 

Wānaka Business Chamber board chair Jo Learmonth said the chamber is delighted to organise the popular event, which culminates with a gala dinner on November 9.

“The Wānaka Business Chamber is committed to our vision of supporting the development of strong businesses, connected economic networks and a thriving community,” Jo said. 

“The Wānaka Business Excellence Awards epitomises every aspect of this and we look forward to coming together in November to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our local business community.”

Businesses of any size are encouraged to enter the awards, which feature revamped categories, clearer questions and criteria, and a simplified entry and judging process, following feedback from previous awards.

A new independent judging panel comprises 11 local, experienced business leaders and specialists led by businessperson and brand strategist Lynley Lischner as convenor of judges.

“Businesses should leap at the opportunity to enter the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards to showcase the innovation and best practices that have delivered strong results for their business,” Lynley said.

“There is a robust judging process in place and the judges are eager to see many entries from our amazing local businesses. 

“We want to understand how the business objectives have been met with good examples of how strategy, innovation and execution of the plan led to measurable results.”

More information on the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards can be found here and entries can be submitted here.

Entries close on July 31.

Industry categories:

Excellence in Customer Experience supported by Drive Accounting

Excellence in Visitor Experience supported by Lake Wānaka Tourism

Excellence in Trade & Industrial Sector supported by Findex

Excellence in Primary & Consumer Goods supported by Cardrona & Treble Cone

Excellence in Professional Services supported by Aspiring Law

Specialist categories:

Strategy, Innovation & Business Solutions Award supported by Batchelar McDougall Consulting

Best Emerging Business (Under 3 years) Award supported by Air New Zealand

Employer of the Year Award supported by EASINZ

Business Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council

Community Contribution Award supported by Queenstown Airport

Judges:

DevelopNZ director Linzi Ebbage-Thomas, 

Air New Zealand regional senior account manager Frank Gibbons, 

Senior leadership professional Ann Lockhart, 

Southern Football CEO Dougal McGowan, 

Destination Queenstown CEO Mat Woods, 

Business consultant Mike Henderson, 

Hojo director Andee Gainsford, 

Aspiring Law director Janice Hughes, 

OSACO Group managing director Jaydene Buckley and 

Health Screening CEO Carolyn Oakley-Brown.

PHOTO: The Film Crew / Bunker Street Studios