Record entries received for Customer Choice Awards

Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Record entries received for Customer Choice Awards

Entries in the 2016 Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards have closed and organisers are thrilled to confirm a record number of entries for this year’s Customer Choice Awards.

Launched in 2013, the Customer Choice category has become a popular addition to the annual Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards. “Local businesses have embraced the Customer Choice Awards over the last four years,” says Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards Chairman, Mark Ternent. “Not only is it a way of benchmarking your customer service against other businesses, each entrant also receives a personalised report that provides the (anonymous) feedback from every person who voted for them.”

Mr Ternent says “This year we’ve received 50 Customer Choice entries the highest number of entries ever, by quite some margin. Our Entry Coordinator, Helene Judge, organised a team of people and they did a sterling job. Equally pleasing is the fact we’ve received entries from right across the Kapiti Horowhenua region – from Foxton to Paekakariki – so it’s going to be fascinating to see how the voting goes.”

Part of the reason behind the lift in entries has been the introduction of a new Award this year that recognises businesses that are catering to the needs of older people. The new Age Friendly Customer Choice Award, sponsored by Kapiti Retirement Trust, will give the public the chance to vote on this important business attribute, evaluating businesses on whether they welcome and value older people, and if they cater for their physical needs and comfort. While those businesses that have entered the Excellence Awards of the 2016 Electra Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards are currently undergoing detailed assessment, public voting for the Customer Choice Awards opens on 18 July and runs until11 August.

“Companies that have entered the Customer Choice Awards will no doubt be actively approaching their customers and encouraging to vote for them,” says Mr Ternent. “But what’s just as important is for the public to make their vote count too, and to encourage friends and family to do the same.”

Voting options for the Customer Choice Awards have be expanded this year to make it easier for more voters to have their say. As well as the usual online (www.bkh.org.nz) and in-store voting, customers will also be able to vote at specially marked boxes in the Horowhenua district libraries, in the foyer of the Kapiti Coast District Council building, the Coastlands Aquatic Centre and beside the information booth in Coastlands Shoppingtown.

“So please make sure you take a look at the businesses that have entered the 2016 Customer Choice Awards and support those ones you feel put the customer at the forefront of everything they do.”

The Finalists in each category will be confirmed on 1 September, with the Winners announced at the formal Awards Evening in Levin on 23 September.

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