The 2011 Bay of Plenty Export Awards are being presented tonight at an Orient Express themed event at the Baypark Convention Centre.

Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty executive officer Angela Wallace says this year's awards have attracted the most entries ever.

She says they were also of a high quality making it difficult for the judges to narrow down the finalists to three and in two cases there are five finalists.

Judging coordinator Hugh King was surprised at the number and quality of entries.

'It is remarkable that at a time where we are hearing how tough it is to do export business out there that we have had such a high number of entries and all finalists are strong contenders to take the top spots,” says Hugh.

The awards night emcee is comic impersonator Simon McKinney.

Finalists

The United Travel Corporate Emerging Exporter of the Year Award

• Powersmart Solar
• Doherty Engineered Attachments Ltd
• Kiwi Closures Ltd
• Surtees Boats Ltd

The Page Macrae Innovation Award:

• International Roofing Ltd
• Triodent Ltd
• Kiwifruitz
• Downer NZ
• Automation and Electronics

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Achiever Award:

• Jeff Oldham – Downer NZ
• Lance Eagle – International Roofing
• Nigel Patmore – Automation and Electronics

ZESPRI International Service to Export Award:

The winner is a secret until the awards night.

The Sharp Tudhope Exporter of the Year Award:

• Taura Natural Ingredients
• Automation and Electronics
• International Roofing
• Triodent Ltd
• Downer NZ