Mrs Simmonds has been nominated in the individual excellence in export award at the The Southland Business Excellence Awards.
Southland Business Chamber chief executive Sheree Carey said the award was for Mrs Simmonds’ hard work while at SIT.
SIT’s Zero Fees scheme was instrumental in attracting both domestic and international students, helping revitalise and stabilise the local economy.
By 2014, SIT was hosting 870 international students from 33 different countries, contributing an estimated $19.9million to the local economy, supporting 126 fulltime jobs, and adding about $10m to the region’s GDP.
Mrs Carey said the export award was not just limited to one year and was more about a lengthy contribution to the Southland economy.
Also nominated in the award was Calvin Claridge, of Southfish, who had been involved in the fishing industry for many years.
The chamber had announced 33 finalists in this year’s awards.
Mrs Carey said this year’s 135 applications across 12 categories showed a remarkable diversity and ambition from the Southland business community.
The award’s judging panel had spent six weeks reviewing submissions and were excited to celebrate the strength, resilience and innovation of Southland businesses.
"From innovators leading the way on the world stage to startups reshaping local industries, the quality of applications was truly exceptional. There was robust judging conversations, and the finalists should be incredibly proud."
The two-yearly awards will culminate in a gala celebration on September 19 at Ascot Park Hotel.
The winner of each category is eligible for the Datagrid Supreme Award. — Allied Media
Primary Industry Excellence Award:
Robert Dennis Racing, The Gofer,WM Environmental.
Trade Industries Award:
Aotea Electrical, Road Runner Panel and Paint, Traffic Management Services.
Consumer Services Award:
Hayz at The Anchorage, Invercargill Airport, Rakiura Distilling, The Fat Duck Restaurant & Bar.
Professional Services Award:
Digital Stock, Finance Now, The Headache Clinic.
Not for Profit Award:
Hospice Southland, Insert Coin to Play, Southern Reap.
Workplace Wellbeing Award:
Finance Now, McCulloch & Partners, Number 10 Youth One Stop Shop.
Innovation Award:
Kiwi Econet, Pawthotics NZ, The Headache Clinic.
New & Emerging Award:
Garston Hops, Southland Carbon, The Florence Society.
Workplace Safety Award:
Macaulay Motors, Olphert Contracting, Traffic Management Services.
One to Watch Award:
Alisha Loach — The Florence Society; Grant Lightfoot — Kiwi Econet; Laura Thompson ONZM — āhei; Stephen Breetzke — Pawthotics.
Individual Excellence in Export Award:
Calvin Claridge — Southfish; Chris Blenkiron — Rio Tinto NZAS; Penny Simmonds — former CEO, Southern Institute of Technology.
Small Business of the Year Award:
Digital Stock, Garston Hops, Hayz at The Anchorage, Road Runner Panel & Paint, Robert Dennis Racing, Southland Carbon, The Florence Society, The Gofer, WM Environmental.
