Several expressions of interest have been received for the 2012 Westpac Queenstown Business Excellence Awards, last held in 2010.
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ann Lockhart said marketing for the 2012 awards began last week, which this year allowed others to nominate a business for consideration.
Categories this year included small-medium business (1-20 employees); medium-large business (20+ employees); new and emerging business (in operation under two years); and professional services, which included lawyers, accountants, bankers and consultants.
Four new categories had been added to reflect the dynamics of Queenstown's business community.
They are hospitality and accommodation - small enterprise (1-20 employees) and large enterprise (20+ employees); tourism activities or events; trades or construction.
"We have had them previous years, but we just wanted to cast the net so people had the greatest number of opportunities to enter," Mrs Lockhart said.
Businesses could enter multiple categories, with the winner of each category going through to vie for the title of supreme winner.
While anyone wishing to nominate a business for the awards had to do so before July 18, businesses wanting to enter themselves could register up until September 20, with judging held between September 24 and October 4.
Judges for this year's awards were consultant Alastair Nicholson, Southern Institute of Technology's business services manager Barat Guha and University of Otago marketing senior lecturer Dr John Guthrie.
The awards gala dinner will be held on October 27 at the Millennium Hotel.
