NZME Hastings City Celebration Awards 2024

These terms and conditions are designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and enjoyable experience for all participants. For any specific queries or clarifications regarding these terms, participants are encouraged to contact us: enquiries@hastingscity.co.nz

Eligibility:

• Businesses must be a current member of the Hastings City Business Association.

  1. Any business of any size based in the membership is eligible to enter.

  2. Non-members interested in participating are encouraged to contact us for information regarding associate membership, however, they would not be eligible to participate in the 2024 Awards.

  3. There is no limit to the categories of which members can enter, however, they must be relevant to the business type.

  4. Winners of each Sector Award are automatically entered into the Overall Supreme Award Winner category.

  5. Paid staff members of the Hastings City Business Assocation cannot nominate businesses for these Awards.

  6. Sponsors cannot enter the category they sponsor.

Nomination Process:

• Nominations must be submitted via the supplied nomination link.

  1. The nomination deadline will be strictly enforced.

  2. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Hastings City Business Association Board.

  3. The Association reserves the right to move an entry to a different category if deemed more appropriate.

Judging Criteria:

• Entries will be judged based on specific criteria for each category.

  1. Judges will score each entry for each question, as per the mentioned Judging Process.

  2. The judging panel will consist of business experts and their decision will be final.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest:

• To uphold the integrity and confidentiality of the awards process, all judges are required to sign a confidentiality agreement. This ensures that all entries and deliberations remain confidential, protecting the sensitive information and privacy of all entrants.

  1. Judges must declare any conflict of interest and withdraw themselves from judging any entry where a conflict exists.

  2. All entry documentation and forms are treated as confidential.

Intellectual Property:

• All categories, questions, and related materials are the intellectual property of the Hastings City Business Association.

Disclosure Requirements:

• Entrants must disclose any potential issues that may compromise the integrity of the Awards or the continuity of their business in the upcoming year. For example Financial Stability Concerns or Legal Issues.

Privacy:

• By entering the awards, entrants agree that their contact details can be accessed by Judging in order to set appointments.

Nomination Requirements:

• All nominations must be received by midnight on 31 May 2024

• Nominations can be made by any member of the business association, their staff, relatives, friends or by members of the public.

Availability for Judges' Meetings:

• Nominees are required to be available for a meeting with their respective category judge/s between 10th and 27th June 2024. Juges will be in touch with each nominee to arrange the time and date of the meeting. Nominees are encouraged to prepare accordingly and ensure their availability during this period to facilitate a smooth and comprehensive evaluation process.

Compliance and Validation:

• Entrants of the Emerging Business of the Year category must have been trading for no longer than three years at the point of application deadline, 31 May 2024.

Rights of the Organisers:

• The Hastings City Business Association reserves the right to change the terms and conditions, criteria, or judging panel without prior notice.

  1. The Association also reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the event due to unforeseen circumstances.

Publicity and Promotion:

• By entering these awards, all entrants agree to potentially be photographed, filmed, or interviewed for promotional purposes related to the Awards. This includes but is not limited to promotional activities before, during, and after the awards ceremony. Entrants consent to the use of their images, videos, and interview content in materials produced by the Association, including online and print media. Exceptions to this condition can be requested in writing.

Disclaimer:

• The Hastings City Business Association, its officers, employees, board members and judges will not be liable for any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of or in connection with the participation in the Awards.

Agreement to Terms:

• Participation in the NZME Hastings City Celebration Awards 2024 constitutes agreement to these terms and conditions.