Everyone a Winner at Indian Business Awards

As the curtain goes up on the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2013 those receiving trophies would not be the only winners.

All entrants, finalists, sponsors and guests at the glittering Gala Black Tie Dinner on Monday, November 18, 2013 at Sky City Convention Centre would also be achievers in every sense of the term.

For, they are the prime movers of this annual Awards Programme that has now become one of the most significant events on New Zealand’s business calendar, bringing together about 900 people of varied ethnicities and income groups.

Among them would be Ministers, Auckland Mayor, lawmakers, law enforcers, investors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, exporters, importers, and professionals. They would meet, greet, exchange pleasantries and promote each other’s business, contributing in the process to heightened activities of universal good.

Networking is one of the highlights of the Awards Night enabling people to renew contacts and establish new ones.

Honoured Guests

Prince of Arcot His Highness Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali (Chennai, India), his wife Sayeeda Begum, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Leader of the Opposition David Cunliffe, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, BNZ Board Chairman John Waller and BNZ Partners Director Anthony Healy will be among our Guests of Honour. They will be joined by a number of other Ministers, former Ministers and Leaders of political parties, Chairmen and Chief Executives of companies and leading businesspersons from Australia, India and New Zealand.

Tickets for the Awards Night, priced at $150 plus GST per person, includes cocktails, dinner and entertainment.

Celebrity Speaker, Singer and Entertainer Jackie Clarke will be our Master of Ceremonies, known for her humour and hosting skills.

A Sky City Convention Centre spokeswoman said that everyone involved with the Awards Night is excited.

“We know that it will be a great event. Our preparations are now in full swing and we are looking forward to showcasing all that we can offer in what will be an exclusive evening of exclusive people,” she said.

Sponsors testify

Ansuya Naidoo, Head of Indian Community Banking at BNZ, the Title Sponsor of IBA for the third year in succession, said, “The prestigious nature of the Awards Night makes it a very special event for us. I am sure it would be so for all those attending the function.”

2degrees Mobile Limited Chief Executive Stewart Sherriff, who recently took charge of the company’s operations, said that he and his team were looking forward to the Awards Night.

“We are very keen to have closer engagement with the Indian community, which is an integral part of New Zealand. Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards provide us a good opportunity to improve our connectivity,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by our other Sponsors including KPMG Consultancy Partner Chandan Ohri, CPA Australia Country Manager David Jenkins, Unitec Director of Communications Darren Horsman, The Ranchhod Group Director Mahesh Ranchhod, New Zealand Career College Chief Executive Feroz Ali, Patton Limited Global Chief Executive Sameer Handa, Mercury Printz Managing Director Ilango Krishnamoorthy, KonnecTV Chief Executive Abhishek Narang and Radio Tarana Managing Director Robert Khan.

Independent Judges

There are 12 individual categories, the winners in each of which will automatically enter for consideration of the ‘Supreme Business of the Year’ Award. A panel of judges, independent of this newspaper, is currently evaluating the entries received and the finalists and winners will be announced at the Awards Night.

Chad Wilkie, Chairman of the Judging Panel said, “I am confident that IBA 2013 will encourage businesses to lift their professional standards and compete globally for business. I have been involved with the Awards Project since it was launched in 2008 and I am happy to note that it has been growing from strength to strength. The number and quality of entries have been rising every after year. The Awards Night has also become a spectacular event,” he said.