Applications are now open for the 2018 Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards.

Organiser Kate Rigg urges business owners keen to know more to attend one of the Q&A sessions being held in Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel this month.

'The feedback we've received from those who entered last year's awards has been that taking part was incredibly beneficial for their business in all sorts of unexpected ways,” she says.

Hosted by the awards committee members, the Q&A sessions are designed to clarify what the awards are about and what's involved in the application process.

2017 Supreme Award winner AgriSea NZ Ltd general manager Tane Bradley says his company gained much more than a trophy from throwing its hat in the ring.

'It was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our own systems and processes, but also to be part of something bigger than us,” he says.

'The absolute highlight for me was to celebrate with other businesses doing all kinds of great things within our community. We're all so busy running our own companies it's easy to forget to stop and share our successes and learnings with each other. This is what the awards are all about.”

Launched for the first time last year, the Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution our businesses are making here, and on the global stage.

Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga says business success often flies under the radar.

'This is all about recognising and showcasing the hard work and achievements of our local businesses, and the important contribution they make to our communities. It's amazing what's happening, right here, under our noses in Hauraki.

'The calibre of last year's entrants blew me away, and I can't wait to see what our business community comes up with this time round.”

Q&A Sessions

May 22 12pm Paeroa Positive Paeroa, 101 Normanby Road

May 23 8am Waihi Eaten Café, 34 Rosemont Road

May 23 10am Coromandel Town TCDC Council rooms, 355 Kapanga Road

May 23 12pm Ngatea 18a Orchard Road (front door entrance is between Ngatea

Meats & Ebony Clothing)

May 23 12.30pm Thames Mediaworks, 418 Pollen Street

May 23 2pm Whitianga Mediaworks, 162 Albert Street

May 31 9am Whangamata TCDC, Port Road

Register your interest by calling Lisa on 07 901 0100 or email info@haurakicoromandelbusinessawards.co.nz