NZSki wins top award

NZSki took home the award for Supreme Business of the Year when the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce celebrated local business success on Friday evening.

The event also honoured entrepreneur and business pioneer Sir Tim Wallis.

It was the third time the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce had presented its Queenstown Business Excellence Awards, which chamber chief executive Ann Lockhart called "a celebration of business excellence, passion and success".

NZSki also won the award for the large business category (more than 50 employees).

The medium category for companies with 10 to 50 employees was won by Queenstown Resort College, while D'Or Hairstylists won the small business category (one to 10 employees).

NZSki wins top business award > From Page 1Sir Tim Wallis (right) was interviewed by Alastair Porter, chairman of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, during his keynote speech.

PHOTO: SUE WILLIAMSThe three winners were chosen from large field of candidates, which Ms Lockhart said were all of a very high standard.

The 300 guests at the gala event was treated to a keynote speech by entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis.

This took the form of an interview by chamber chairman Alastair Porter, who hailed Sir Tim as a successful entrepreneur with a career which included aviation, deer recovery and farming and tourism.

Sir Tim inspired the guests with tales from his career and personal life.

"Determination can be more important than skill. You have to believe in what you are doing."

After his speech, Sir Tim was surprised when Mr Porter announced Sir Tim as the first recipient of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

"This is totally unexpected, but a great honour," Sir Tim told the Queenstown Times.

The special award for Sir Tim was presented by Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes, who also had encouraging words for the guests.

"The economy of Queenstown is in good hands, because I see before me a room full of entrepreneurs," Mr Geddes said.