In search of Queenstown’s best businesses

Entries are now open for the 2018 Westpac Queenstown Chamber Business Awards and a booming business landscape is fuelling entries. 
 
Booming business fuels this year’s Awards, which were launched at the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce’s popular Business After 5 function on July 18, held at the new restaurant and microbrewery, Canyon Food & Brew Co.
 
The biennial awards celebrate local, regional and national achievements in the Queenstown Lakes’ business arena. Following a record number of entrants in 2016, the Chamber’s membership continues to grow with over 600 businesses (and non-members) encouraged to benchmark their business and poke their head above the parapet.
 
An Innovation Award has been introduced by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce to recognise the region’s long history of pioneers who have made a national or international impact.
 
Open to start-ups and well-established businesses in all industries and sectors, this new award category recognises companies that have enhanced success through innovation, both in thinking and the implementation of ideas. 
 
Also new for 2018 is a Workplace Safety Award. Judged by ACC, applicants will need to demonstrate excellence in workplace health and safety practices and show how they successfully integrate these processes into daily operations.  
 
2018 award categories include Todd & Walker Law Small-Medium Business of the Year, Remarkables Park Town Centre Medium+ Business of the Year, Real Journeys Excellence in Tourism, Activities or Events, SIT Excellence in Construction, Trade or Services, Destination Queenstown Excellence in Hospitality or Accommodation and Heartland Technology Excellence in Professional Services. 
 
Speciality awards include the Queenstown Resort College Employer of the Year, Centrality Innovation Award and ACC Workplace Safety. 
 
Businesses can enter up to three categories, and category winners are automatically nominated for the Supreme Business of the Year Award. 
 
Queenstown Chamber chief executive Ann Lockhart is encouraging businesses ‘big and small’ to take advantage of the benefits of entering.
“The entry process is an excellent opportunity to enhance and review your processes, benchmark your business and lift your profile,” says Ann. “The awards are a key event in Queenstown’s business calendar and it’s such a worthwhile exercise.” 
 
Award entries close on September 20, and all finalists will learn their fate at the Gala Dinner on November 3.

Photo: Skyline Queenstown was the 2016 Supreme winner.