As we expressed our gratitude to sponsors for their patronage and support of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2011 at a special dinner hosted in their honour on September 26 at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland, they returned the compliment saying that their involvement brought them closer to the Indian community.
“We are happy to join hands with Indian Newslink to celebrate the success of the Indian business community through IBA 2011. These Awards help us to not only promote our image but also our products and services,” they said.
The exclusive dinner was held at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland on September 26 to apprise sponsors of the Awards Scheme, the benefits it has accrued thus far to the sponsors and the Gala Black Tie Cocktails, Dinner, Entertainment and Awards Presentation Ceremony scheduled to be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland City.
Indian Newslink Managing Director & Publisher Ravin Lal said that the judging process was robust, confidential and independent of the newspaper.
“None of us in the Company has privy to any knowledge relating to the panel of judges including the number of entries received and how they are marked. We learn about the finalists and winners in each category only at the Awards Presentation ceremony,” he said.
Auckland Central Business District based BNZ Partners Managing Partner Lyndon Settle and Senior Partner Ansuya Naidoo said the Bank was extremely happy to be associated with IBA 2011 as the Title Sponsors and Sponsors of the ‘Best Large Business’ Category and ‘Supreme Business of the Year Award. ’
“We look forward to the Awards Night,” they said.
Singapore Airlines North Island Sales Manager Richard Baker said the dinner meeting enabled to understand the upcoming Awards Night.
“Innovation is at the heart of Singapore Airlines, so we are delighted to sponsor the Indian Business Awards and the Business Excellence in Innovation category,” he said.
Two Degrees Mobile Limited Communications Manager Michael Bouliane and Senior Campaign Manager Rhona Hamilton said Indian Newslink made everyone feel special and appreciated for their interest and sponsorship.
Kalamazoo Group Chairman & Chief Executive Steve D’Souza and Managing Director Odelia D’Souza said the Sponsors Evening enabled them to meet likeminded people and share their views. The Company is the sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Customer Care’ category.
“The purpose of the Sponsorship is to recognise and encourage people in business. We are in the service industry and we appreciate companies that excel in their service to customers,” they said.
New Zealand Career College Chief Executive Feroz Ali said that his Organisation was committed to supporting IBA to showcase great Indian-owned and operated businesses that contribute both economically and socially to the wider New Zealand community. The College is the sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Export to India Business’ Category.
“The Awards Scheme also provides us a unique opportunity to promote our Institution in New Zealand and overseas,” he said.
Patton Limited Chief Executive Sameer Handa said he and his Company were pleased to be associated with prestigious IBA for the second consecutive year as the sponsor of the ‘Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Category.
“We see these Awards as an opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and encourage young entrepreneurs for their contribution to the business community and economy as a whole,” he said.
The Sponsors Dinner was a great networking opportunity to meet with like-minded people from various segments of the industry, Mr Handa said.
“It was a great evening with lots of fun and laughs. We also got a glimpse of the main event in terms of its detailed agenda,” he said.
WAML Group Chairman Wenceslaus Anthony said he was delighted to see leading organisations representing varied sectors at the Sponsors Dinner.
“This is another value addition of the Business Awards and a great initiative. I could see the benefits the sponsors derived by networking at the decision makers level and the pride they take in the ownership of the Awards,” he said.
Editor’s Note: More comments will appear in our next issue
