Large exhibition art style panels hung from the ceiling showcasing recent CBD developments and providing attendees with a visual spectacle of Hamilton’s CBD transformation. The upbeat sound of Scotty Sone Music filled the room and a beautiful lighting display provided by SBI Productions, highlighted the magnificent Waikato River and natural surrounds to truly become a ‘Room with a View’.

MC for evening, Kelvyn Eglinton, CEO of Momentum Waikato, opened proceedings by recognising the high calibre of business people in the room. It was acknowledged that Hamilton’s CBD continues to gain momentum and it is vitally important to recognise the contribution the business community brings to this.

The CBD Success Awards were highly contested and the winners were a great mixture of new and established businesses (full list of winners and pictures below). These awards recognise the success and achievements of business within the sectors of retail, tourism/hospitality, professional services, trade services, social enterprise, people’s choice and innovation. “The level of competition in these awards was impressive and really does show the depth of business that operates here in the CBD,” says Vanessa Williams, General Manager of the HCBA. “Being a sector winner in any of the categories really is a special achievement and deserved of a celebration.”

The CBD Best Awards recognised the contribution of people and businesses that are helping the CBD on their revitalisation tour. “With so many significant contributors to Hamilton’s revitalisation, narrowing the awards into specific categories can be as difficult a task as selecting the winners,” says Connie Chittick, Chair of the HCBA. “We added two new categories this year to recognise businesses who are leaders in inclusive practice and environmental sustainability initiatives. Businesses are constantly evolving and reacting to external pressures in a really positive way and it is important that our awards move with the times and keep relevant to national and international trends.” The Best Awards include New Business, Improved Site Under $500,000, Improved Site Over $500,000, Experience, Inclusive Business Practice, Environmentally Sustainable and CBD Hero (full list of winners and pictures below).

The HCBA continued the theme of recognising local business in all contributions of the evening; including The Breeze radio station, the delicious catering provided by Palate, the drinks from Hamilton Beer & Wine Company and photography by Moving Media. Major Sponsors of the Awards, Spark Business, expressed how great it was to be a part of the celebration recognising local business. 

“These awards are incredibly special”, says Ms Williams. “We all want a vibrant, dynamic CBD and these businesses and people are ensuring that we do.” Attendees were delighted to receive a commemorative piece of artwork from the evening. Cartoonist Mark O’Brien, former student of Wintec, had created a birds eye view of the CBD highlighting key features and buildings along the River. “This piece of art is a wonderful keepsake and a great reminder of how fantastic our city is!” 

WINNERS LIST

Retail Award

Winner: KILT Hamilton

Runner Up: Snapshot

Highly Commended: RUBY

Tourism/Hospitality Award

Winner: Mr Pickles

Runner Up: Electrify NZ Hamilton

Highly Commended: Dumpling House

Professional Services Award

Winner: The Instillery

Runner Up: BCD Group

Highly Commended: Maisey Harris & Co

Trade Services Award

Body Cafe

High Above

Sens Clothing & Alterations

Social Enterprise Award

Winner: Home Kitchen

Runner Up: Seed Waikato

Highly Commended: Clarence Street Theatre Trust

Innovation Award

Winner: BCD Group

People’s Choice Award

Winner: Body Cafe

Runner Up: Confinement Escape Rooms

Highly Commended: Gothenburg Restaurant

Best Hero Award - Nancy Caiger

Best New Business Award - Red Kitchen Metro

Best Improved Site – Under $500,000 Award - Creative Waikato

Best Improved Site – Over $500,000 Award - Parkhaven

Best Experience Award - Lugton’s Round the Bridges

Honourable Mention : Te Ruru Light Festival

Best Inclusive Business Practice Award - RUBY