A new dawn for business is being hailed with the launch of Tauranga Business Chamber's annual Business Awards.

After a challenging couple of years for local businesses, the Chamber is committing its flagship event to the celebration and acknowledgment of businesses who have navigated the pandemic with innovation and adaptation – to emerge stronger and better than ever.

For the first time since 2019, the Business Awards will also return with fanfare to Trustpower Baypark.

Chamber CEO Matt Cowley says this year's awards take on special meaning as the business community comes together to celebrate each other's wins, learnings, and outright tenacity.

'Despite the pandemic being an incredibly tough road for local businesses, we have seen remarkable growth and resilience emerge from the business community.

'This year we want to use the Business Awards to recognise businesses who used the learnings and changes the pandemic forced upon them in a positive way, with a view to coming out the other side stronger than before.

'There is finally light at the end of the tunnel, and this isn't about going back to a time before Covid – but about looking to the future.”

Event organiser, Anne Pankhurst, says planning is underway for the awards night in December which will see the event return to its pre-Covid size.

'We knew this year, as we're celebrating a new era for business, we needed to put on something extra special.

'After two years of adapting and downsizing the awards to fit within Covid guidelines, it feels fitting to return to Baypark for a big, bold celebration.”

Entries for the Tauranga Business Awards 2022 are officially open, as well as nominations.

The awards feature 11 categories that cater to businesses of all sizes, sectors, and specialties.

This year the Chamber has added two new categories: International Trade for importers and exporters, and Maori and Pacific Business.

Anne says every business that enters the awards has an opportunity to be recognised and celebrated.

'Whether you've been in business for 12 months or 12 years, this is your chance to reflect on your business – where it's been and where it's going.

'With this year's theme of ‘Kick-start a brighter future', the awards carry even more importance for the winners who will be publicly noticed for their handling of the pandemic.”

People are also encouraged to nominate a local business if they think its efforts are deserving of recognition.

Anyone can nominate their favourite business online or by emailing anne@tauranga.org.nz, and the Chamber will confidentially get in touch with that business on behalf of the nominator and work with them to start the entry process.

Entries are open until 5pm Friday, October 7.

For more information visit tauranga.org.nz/businessawards