Despite some people saying it would be best not to hold the Westpac regional business awards this year owing to recession, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce ceo Max Mason says the scheme has been a success that will be celebrated tonight.
At a black tie event at Baypark, about 540 people will applaud the region's winners across 13 different categories, including a supreme winner.

At the start of 2009 some people were suggesting recession may cause businesses not to enter.
'The thing I am most happy to see this year is that some people said it may not be a good idea to have the awards this year owing to recession but we have had a massive response.”
A large number of entries and an awards night with over 500 people attending make for a successful competition says Max.