Business award nominees sought

THE Businesswomen's Association Port Elizabeth branch is calling for entrants for this year's annual Regional Business Achiever Awards. With The Herald as media partner, the BWA is on the lookout for leading women in local business and government to be recognised in the high-profile awards, which honour the achievements of women entrepreneurs and professionals, along with those in the corporate world and government. BWA Port Elizabeth chairwoman Michelle Brown said the awards played an important role in recognising the part women played in the economy and the life of the city. "Not only do the awards give recognition where it is deserved, but they are often an impetus for women to reach even higher," Brown said. "Many of our finalists and winners have gone on to even greater success in their businesses and careers after going through the positive experience of participating in the awards, and, in doing so, they pay it forward by inspiring those still climbing the ladder." Nominations for the awards are now open, and close on February 28. Anyone is welcome to nominate a woman they believe is worthy of recognition, and neither need be members of the BWA. Nominations are welcome for women in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas, with previous finalists having come from as far afield as the Garden Route. The awards are made in six categories – emerging entrepreneur, entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, corporate, professional, and government. An independent panel of judges representing a broad cross-section of the city's leaders in business, government and civil society will select the winners from three finalists in each of the six categories. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Boardwalk Convention Centre on June 19. For more information and entry forms, contact Samantha Bowers at the BWA office, e-mail pe@bwasa.co.za or call (041) 367-1104.