The Pacific Business Awards, planned for 22 March 2013, have been deferred as the Pacific Business Trust responds to feedback from both potential award winners and sponsors.
PBT chair Caren Rangi says the feedback received during the nominations process highlighted two key aspects that led to the board’s decision to defer the awards.
“Firstly, we have received a strong message from Pacific business owners that the past couple of years have been economically challenging. For them survival, rather than growth, has been their focus. On this basis, many businesses do not feel they are in a position to celebrate success in this way,” says Ms Rangi.
“Secondly, we acknowledge the ability of organisations to sponsor and support such awards events as ours have severely diminished over recent years.”
Having considered this feedback, the Board has decided it would be responsible to defer the awards scheduled for March, and reconsider how and when to celebrate and promote Pacific business success, an important strategic goal for PBT.
“To be in a position to best achieve our proposed strategic goals, we need to listen to our businesses and stakeholders, focus on facilitating the sustainability and growth of existing businesses and provide advice and support to new businesses,” she says.
“If these lead to our businesses being better placed to enter awards in the future, all the better.”
An announcement will be made about the timing and format of future awards, once confirmed.
The Pacific Business Trust first held the biennial awards in 1993, eight years after the organisation was formed.