BENEFITS OF ENTERING
Development for you and your business begins at entry
Entering creates an opportunity to focus on your business in a structured way and identify core strengths and competitive advantages as well as areas that may benefit from more focus in the future.
Improve
All entrants receive independent assessment and feedback from experienced judges; providing the business with independent advice to grow, develop and improve for business in general and for entering in future awards.
Goal Setting
Judges’ feedback supports internal goal setting for even further development for the business, its owners and employees.
Network
Participation in the awards provides networking opportunities with other business leaders and professionals, who are all striving for excellence.
Recognition of Success
Award winners receive public recognition of business success being acknowledged as the best in the Waikato in your industry by your peers, the business community, media and potential employees.
Recruitment
Being an award finalist and/or winner provides credibility to attract key talent to your business.
Appreciation
The award process provides a platform that acknowledges the contributions made by your employees, suppliers, clients and others to your organisation’s success.
Publicity
Award participation provides another dimension for showcasing your services and products to a wider audience, and enhances your reputation in your customer’s eyes.
Alumni
All finalists and winners will join past Waikato Business Award alumni and will gain recognition from the business community – promoting their achievements and assisting in growing the Waikato’s business success story.
WINNER TESTIMONIALS
Pam Roa - Longveld
What has winning a Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Award done for your business?
It has generated an even greater sense of team pride and confidence and added to our reputation as an excellent organisation to work for and do business with.
How did you find the entry process for entering the Business Awards?
The process isn’t difficult, you just need to set aside some time to be thoughtful about everything you do in your organisation. We shared the job out by having different managers contribute to the sections they knew best and allowed for plenty of time to review it together.
What would you say/be your advice to a business considering entering the Business Awards?
Don’t hesitate. You will either end up celebrating a win, or you’ll have a deeper insight into where you want to take things. Either way you’ll be better off!
Fraser Haywood – Waikato Milking Systems
What has winning a Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Award done for your business?
Winning the Innovation Award reinforced our commitment to designing solutions that directly respond to market demand. The recognition highlighted our ability to take real world challenges faced by farmers and develop a factual based solution that enhances productivity and efficiency.
“This milestone has not only validated our strategic direction but also accelerated our focus on delivery through to market, ensuring our product offerings meets the high expectations of our customers.
How did you find the entry process for entering the Business Awards?
The entry process was more than just an application, it was an opportunity to reflect on the company’s journey, from concept to a commercially viable solution.
It reminded us of the need to assess how we align innovation with business strategy, ensuring that every design parameter is backed by evidence and customer needs. It reinforced our focus on taking the necessary steps beyond development and into the hands of farmers where it will drive real productivity gains.
The actual entering process itself was well structured, with strong online support, including seminars that provided valuable insights into the key focus areas from a judges' perspective.
With a long submission window, submissions were able to be worked through at our own pace and fitting around existing workloads.
What would you say/be your advice to a business considering entering the Business Awards?
The process challenges you to critically assess your business, celebrate your achievements, and identify areas for future growth.
Winning is an incredible endorsement, but even just entering gives you clarity on your direction and helps refine your strategy. It’s a powerful way to position your business and product/s for long-term success.
Angela March - Brainchild
What has winning a Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Award done for your business?
It gave our team a boost and opened doors. It’s a credibility tick that’s sparked some great business conversations.
How did you find the entry process for entering the Business Awards?
The entry process was surprisingly valuable. It forced me to pause, reflect, and get clear on what’s working and where we’re heading next.
It felt like doing a business stocktake — and coming out clearer (with a great to-do list) on the other side.
What would you say/be your advice to a business considering entering the Business Awards?
Do it. Regardless of the result, it’s a valuable process. Even making the finals gives your business great exposure.
Don’t wait to feel “ready.” The process helps you get there.
Greta Shirley - Waitomo Group
What has winning a Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Award done for your business?
Being a finalist in five categories and winning three awards last year, including the Supreme Award, obviously created a lot of external buzz for Waitomo and our brand, but equally important to us was having our team’s efforts and achievements recognised externally. To be able to say we’ve been judged against the best in the Waikato and come out winning reinforces that what we’re doing matters – it’s innovative, growth-focused, competitive, and other recognise the impact we’re having on the industry.
How did you find the entry process for entering the Business Awards?
Entering the Awards is a commitment – you need to be fully engaged in the process, but the rewards are endless. For us, it was fantastic after years of exponential growth to stop and force ourselves to reflect on our achievements – where we have come from and where we want to go. Internally, it was also a way to recognise and celebrate all that we’ve achieved as a team. We entered for our team because we wanted their mahi and commitment recognised – that was delivered back in spades.
What would you say/be your advice to a business considering entering the Business Awards?
Don’t hesitate – the whole process is rewarding from start to finish. Everything from opportunity to stop and reflect, through to the judging process, learning from others, to the networking opportunities, publicity and the actual Awards night – there is gold in there for all Waikato businesses and organisations. There is nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Longveld, 2024 People & Culture Award Winners
Waikato Milking Systems, 2024 Innovation Award Winners
Brainchild, 2024 Small Business of the Year Award Winners
Waitomo Group, 2024 Supreme Award Winners
