Awards launch to recognize daring exporters

Media statement Monday, April 27, 2009

Awards launch to recognize daring exporters

Auckland exporting businesses are offered the chance to be recognized for their daring adventures, through the annual awards run by Export New Zealand.

All businesses with a base in Auckland can enter the 2009 Air New Zealand Cargo Auckland Export Awards, which are being launched on Wednesday May 6. Air NZ deputy chief executive Norm Thompson and Export New Zealand chairman Ken Stevens, founder of Glidepath Group, will speak at the dinner function – to be held in a Chinese restaurant in recognition of the recent anniversary of the New Zealand China Free Trade Agreement.

Export New Zealand Auckland chairman Lyall Pacey says, “Exporters are adventurous because in addition to the usual risks of managing and growing a business, they face the challenges of foreign cultures and languages, and distant and unknown landscapes.”

He says there are many reasons for exporters to enter the Air New Zealand Cargo Auckland Export Awards. “A big incentive is the fun on the nights of the awards launch and presentation, and mixing with kindred spirits.

“And the process of entry can actually inform an entrant about what that company is good at, and highlight areas of opportunity for improvement in the future We believe it is all part of an ongoing learning process not unlike an audit.

“But there’s also the glory that comes with winning an award, of course, and for the chance to benchmark yourselves with other exporters who are largely unseen day –to-day, operating out of sight as it were, offshore in various foreign markets.

“How do they do it? Everyone wants to hear their stories. There’s a sense of exhilaration about exporting.”

The awards categories are:
• QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year
• Deal of the Year
• Consultant and Services Exporter of the Year
• Emerging Exporter of the Year

Export New Zealand Auckland’s executive officer, Catherine Mullane, will answer any queries and guide people through the entry requirements.

Anyone interested in sponsoring an awards category can also contact Ms Mullane to discuss options.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland, attended by Trade Minister Tim Groser, on Friday, August 7.

Last year’s Auckland Exporter of the Year was Orion Health, provider of clinical workflow and integration technology for the healthcare sector, based in Mt Eden. The Auckland Emerging Exporter of the Year Award (for exporting for less than three years) was won by Euro Corporation Ltd, wire fencing designer and manufacturer in East Tamaki.

This year’s convener of judges is Hugh Cronwright, an Export New Zealand Auckland executive committee member and an experienced exporter.

Background:
Export New Zealand Auckland is managed by the Export New Zealand Division of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern). The Division also operates Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty and Export New Zealand Waikato.
Last year Export New Zealand became a division of Business NZ, of which the EMA Northern is the largest founding shareholder.

ENDS

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